Modernisation of a building in Pontnewynydd in South-East Wales has been approved by a planning committee. The 1960s tower block that was once dubbed the “Tower of Terror”, partly due to its anti social behaviour problems, is to remain home to the 70 residents living there whilst huge improvements to the building and the residential flats are being completed.
The biggest change to the structure at Fairview Park will be a glass room which will be constructed at the top of the building which will provide an attractively designed community space functioning as a meeting room, computer suite and lounge. The work will include measures which will help keep the costs of fuel bills down for residents by installinging new energy efficient windows and fitting insulating wall cladding to the exterior of the building, and to supply energy to power the communal areas of the building by incorporating solar panels and wind turbines on the roof. Flats in need of refurbishment will also benefit from new kitchens, bathrooms and electrical installations. The total construction cost is looking to be around the £1 million mark for the scheme.
The project is to be funded from a number of sources; part of the money will come from Bron Afon funding, and Assembly grants, but the bit that really stands out is that additional power that is provided from the solar panels and wind turbines will be sold back to the National Grid.
The project is due to start in 6 weeks and take a total of 26 weeks to complete. This will be a huge focal point in the area and will be a boost for local residents and the community, hopefully reducing the amount of antisocial behaviour that had been occuring in the locale.