AN AWARD-WINNING Barry housing scheme has seen its first tenants move in and the first retail unit is set to create 40 jobs.

Paul and Alison Mullins and Laura Perks collected the key to T?’r Barnwr, meaning The Judge’s House, on Monday, November 24 – and gave their new homes a glowing verdict – while Filco supermarkets said it would be open to customers in the New Year.

The former magistrates court development, on Thompson Street, was named after a Barry & District News competition asked residents to name the multi-million pound Newydd Housing Association development which has won the Chartered Institute of Housing Cymru’s Housing-Led Regeneration Award at the Welsh Housing Awards 2014.

The six three bedroom houses are named as Y Meinciau, meaning The Benches, chosen by Jonathan Clayton, of The Waterfront, Barry.

The remaining homes are split into two apartment blocks consisting of 32 two bedroom and 14 one bedroom apartments.

T?’r Barnwr, The Judge’s House and the second T?’r Gyfraith, The Legal House.

Robyn Walsh, of Dunraven Street and Kirstie King, of Pendoylan Close, chose the names with all winners taking home £50 prize and an invitation to the official opening ceremony in the spring.

Paul and Alison Mullins were one of the first to move in.

Paul said: “We have moved from a three bedroom property to downsize as our current home is too big for us now. My wife has difficulty getting up and downstairs therefore this ground floor apartment will be ideal for us. It will make such a difference as it is near the shops in Holton Road. We can’t wait to settle in and are so grateful to Newydd for giving us this wonderful home.”

Flying Start child care worker Laura Perks, 24, of Barry but currently living with her parents in Cardiff said she had to commute daily to work at Holton Primary school.

She said: “I will be able to walk to work from here instead of the long commute I currently have. I was brought up in Barry and look forward to being part of the local community once more. It is so expensive to rent privately, so renting from Newydd means I can afford my own home for the first time.”

16 of the 52 affordable homes available to rent have been completed.

The remainder of the homes are currently in their final phase and contractors Jehu Project Services hope to complete by February 2015.

Homes4U received 219 applications for accommodation and viewings will soon begin on the second phase of properties, another 30 apartments for rent.

Three retail premises beneath the apartments are incorporated into the development.

The 6,000 sq ft retail unit has been announced as a Filco Supermarkets store.

The store, a member of Nisa Retail, will employ 40 staff.

Filco managing director, Ian Hunt said: “We have a good reputation in the county as we have successfully served the communities in the local area for 65 years. Through this new development, which we currently have local contractors working on, we will offer the local customers a full convenience offering, including a large fresh food section.

“We chose to open our 12th store in this particular area because it has masses of potential being in such a central area of the town and amongst a housing development.”

Nyron Wood, Jehu Project Services Ltd site manager, and Bernie Mark - construction opportunities coordinator, helped create six apprentice posts.

125 weeks of training was provided, three local female residents received work placements, one female trainee has accepted full time work and two local residents were provided with temporary employment in carpentry.

Newydd’s community team also held two community open days, visits by St Helens junior and Ysgol Gwaun y Nant primary schools, and women in construction taster days.

Timber off-cuts were donated to various local allotments and residents nearby were kept informed of progress.

Newydd Housing Association chief executive, Paul Roberts said: “T?’r Barnwr is now complete and tenants are starting to settle in. It is a testament to the hard work of our employees, the contractor, Jehu Project Services and the excellent partnership between Newydd, the Vale of Glamorgan Council and Welsh Government. The community benefits from this prestigious development are huge and we hope that it will significantly help the regeneration of the area. We wish all our tenants many years of happiness in their new homes.”