“It means a lot to us having our own space in our new home.”
Young mum Joanne Barnard-James says that having space for her family is the most important thing about her new home.
Before moving to their new two-bedroom home at Maes Merydd, Llandissilio, Joanne, husband Rupert and their two young children Elizabeth, nine months, and James, three, were living with her parents, sharing a house with six other people.
Joanne Barnard-Jones with daughter Elizabeth and son Thomas.
“We had been renting privately before Thomas was born, but the house we were living in was cold and damp.
“Elizabeth was born two months prematurely and our health visitor told us that she wasn’t developing as well as she should because of the environment we were living in. We decided to leave and moved back in with my parents. It wasn’t ideal as there were 10 of us under one roof – but at least Elizabeth has been able to thrive.”
“The new house is so much warmer. With the solar panels and an air source heat pump it’s going to be easier and cheaper to keep it warm, which will help Elizabeth.”
Resident Joanne Barnard-James
“It means a lot to us having our own space in our new home.”
“I used to run my own online business from home, making candles and clothes, but I had to stop when we moved back with my parents as there wasn’t enough space. Now I have room I’ve asked Wales & West Housing for permission to start my business back up.”
At Maes Merydd, we worked with our long-term construction partners Jones Brothers (Henllan) Ltd to build 14 two and three-bedroom houses and six one-bedroom apartments on the site of the former Pencnwc East Farm.
Amanda Rees-Jones, who moved into one of the three-bedroom properties, says her new home will provide a safe place for her baby son Hunter.
Amanda Rees-Jones and her son Hunter
Eleven-month-old Hunter was born with a rare birth defect, Pierre Robin syndrome, which has left him with an underdeveloped jaw and cleft palate. The condition means he needs oxygen to help him breathe and is fed through a feeding tube.
Amanda, who was renting privately in a neighbouring village with Hunter and her two daughters aged 13 and 15, says her new home will give the family security.
“We moved four times in five years. We were evicted from our last house when our landlord decided to sell. We had been on the council housing waiting list for four years, so I was relieved when this house became available.
“It is going to make our lives so much better. Even just having a parking space outside will be easier for getting Hunter and his equipment in and out of the car.”
Resident Amanda Rees-Jones
Another neighbour, Eleanor Jones, moved into one of the flats on the development. She had been caring for her elderly father in the family home until his death. The family had lived in their home in the village for over 40 years, but it was cold, damp and isolated with no central heating.
Resident Eleanor Jones
“I wanted to move somewhere smaller as the house was too big and I couldn’t look after it on my own,” she said.
“I have watched these houses being built, so I’m happy to move here.”
Resident Eleanor Jones