Lovell has been chosen to undertake a £7 million scheme to transform a run-down neighbourhood shopping precinct in the St. Dials area of Cwmbran in south Wales.

Lovell is working in partnership with Torfaen County Borough Council and local housing organisation Fairlake Properties (part of the Seren Group) on the project which will create 53 new homes for sale, affordable rent and affordable home ownership as well as new shopping facilities.

An innovative approach to funding the development by Torfaen County Borough Council, which has combined private investment from Lovell and Fairlake with Social Housing Grant from the Welsh Assembly has been instrumental in getting the scheme off the ground.

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The new development will start on site in March 2009 and will replace the Blenheim Square shopping precinct, some three miles from Cwmbran town centre.

Six existing shops with 12 flats above them will be demolished, along with four nearby blocks of flats and these will be replaced with six homes for rent, 10 homes for affordable home ownership and 37 homes for open market sale.

In addition Lovell will also build two replacement shops and provide new landscaping of the area and the provision of new public open space.

Resident involvement has been crucial to shaping the project's proposals. Close consultation from the outset has enabled them to voice any queries or concerns that they might have and they will continue to be actively involved throughout the construction programme.

(CD/BMcC)