Jocelyn Davies AM, Deputy Minister for Housing has been laying bricks at a £3 million housing project in Caerphilly Borough that has created local housing and jobs.

The project in Bargoed being developed by United Welsh Housing Association will consist of 21 three bedroom properties, 1 four bedroom property and 6 one bedroom properties. The construction team includes eight local trainees learning vital new skills and hopefully future employment within the construction industry.

Ms Davies said: "Creating high quality social housing is central to this Government's aim of ensuring strong, sustainable communities throughout our nation.

"All new homes have to meet strict new standards to meet Assembly Government requirements. I am delighted that United Welsh Housing Association is producing fantastic high spec new homes.

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"Housing Associations are key in the delivery of new affordable housing. By working together to find more innovative ways of creating new housing, it will enable us to achieve our goal to provide 6,500 new build affordable homes over the next four years."

One person to benefit from the training scheme is Ian Doyle. Ian, 29 and from Gilfach in Bargoed, was unemployed for nine months before being referred to the scheme.

He said: "I had previously worked within construction so jumped at the chance to work through the employment route.

"I am now training for my NVQ in plastering and love my job. It's a fantastic way to learn and I would recommend that people of all ages assess the options they have - I certainly haven't looked back."

Funding from the Heads of the Valleys regeneration programme was used to make the properties energy efficient. This includes rain water harvesting and solar powered hot water and under floor heating systems.

Deputy Minister for Regeneration, Leighton Andrews AM said: "The Assembly Government is supporting, promoting and encouraging the use of micro generation and renewables.

"We want the Heads of the Valleys to be a model of good practice in sustainability and this project is an excellent example of how the latest technologies can be used to fight fuel poverty and improve quality of life."

(JM)