A £1MILLION housing association development named after a Merthyr man has been officially opened in Barry.

The Merthyr Street facilty is named after Robert Crawshay who owned the Cyfarthfa Ironworks in Merthyr Tydfil in the 18th century.

The 12-apartment Crawshay House was launched by Vale cabinet member for housing, building maintenance and community safety Cllr Bronwen Brooks with a Christmas wreath to mark the time of year, on December 3.

The scheme was funded using a combination of Social Housing Grant and Regeneration Grant and private finance raised by Newydd.

It consists of 11 two-bedroom flats and a one-bedroom adapted flat modified to the needs of the tenant, including hoists and specialist equipment.

Greenhill Construction, the main contractor, provided two young people from Barry with 20-week apprenticeships during the build.

One apprentice has now gained full-time employment due to his site experience.

Newydd chief executive Paul Roberts said: “Our development manager Elise Coalter named this development from the rich history found in the South Wales mining community. We always try to find a story or connection when naming our new developments as it is important to celebrate our culture and history. I would like to thank the whole development and design team for an excellent scheme at Crawshay House, the Vale of Glamorgan Council and the Welsh Government for their support and wish our tenants many years of happiness in their new homes.”

Cllr Bronwen Brooks said the scheme had provided 12 additional and desirable affordable homes for rent in the centre of Barry and made a welcome contribution to the overall regeneration of the Barry Renewal Area.

She said the apartments had been built to a very high standard and it was very pleasing to receive positive feedback from the new tenants.