Over 20 years ago, Valleys to Coast made history as the first large-scale voluntary transfer of local authority homes in Wales. As a not-for-profit with charitable status, and challenging legacy funding arrangements, the organisation always tries to do things differently. Hannah Barnett spoke to Group CEO Joanne Oak and Managing Director of Development & Regeneration James Griffiths.
When the tenants of Bridgend County Borough Council voted for the first large-scale housing stock transfer in Wales in 2003, Valleys to Coast was born. This paved the way for ten subsequent stock transfers and created a new blueprint for Welsh housing.
The stock transfer brought some unique legacy challenges and a dowry intended to plug the gap between rental income and the cost of repairs and improvements to meet transfer promises. However, this was time limited and wholly insufficient to meet longer term needs. It has also created challenges with subsequent funding, which means that at Valleys to Coast, sustainability is a commitment that extends beyond property improvement into the creation of true social value.
“We’ve had to think differently – and a lot more commercially – as an organisation,” said Joanne Oak, CEO. “We have adopted a development-led approach, securing strategic development sites and building new net zero carbon homes to meet future housing needs. Whilst playing a growing role in regeneration and placemaking, building community resilience, and creating stability and opportunity for people, we are also driving value in terms of profit going back into homes. This means retrofitting and decarbonisation work to make our existing stock more sustainable.”
Community-controlled
Valleys to Coast operates a group structure, with a repairs and maintenance subsidiary Llanw and the recently created Sylfaen, a development arm to pioneer the growth ambitions of the organisation. The organisation currently manages around 6,200 homes, primarily in Bridgend, though it has recently expanded into nearby Rhondda Cynon Taf. Next, the organisation is looking into creating a regional footprint.
“We are working down the M4 corridor from Cardiff to Swansea,” James Griffiths, Managing Director of Development & Regeneration, explained. “That means we will increase our development programme from 50 homes a year to 300, and take a more diversified approach to development. The 50 homes that we were delivering were all mono-tenure, affordable social rent properties, and now we’re delivering a mixed tenure intended to provide a pathway to home ownership – increasing the desirability for our communities and raising the benefits to our customers.
“We’re aiming to build all new developments as net zero carbon homes, using sustainable construction methods and energy-efficient housing solutions, such as green building materials and technologies including solar power and rainwater harvesting. We’re also exploring smart home technologies by using predictive maintenance systems, and energy optimisation platforms that offer improved living experiences and cost savings.”
The Welsh Housing Quality Standard 2023 mandates greater energy efficiency and a push towards decarbonisation. While acknowledging the need to meet these targets, Valleys to Coast has taken a more holistic approach, incorporating green and grey space areas into its sustainability strategy.
“A variety of assets were transferred to us – not all were development opportunities, and many were simply a liability,” Jo explained. “We embraced the idea that these are opportunities to think differently, and that we could transform these spaces into true community assets.”
Grey and green areas have subsequently been turned into tiny forests, educational hubs and carbon capture sites.
“Once we put these things in place, they need community engagement to thrive without our input,” Jo said. “Luckily, our communities have gone from planting the trees to maintaining them and working with local schools to offer tours. This is good for the environment, and the health and well-being of residents. These softer outcomes make a difference, creating cohesion and purpose to come together as a community.”
Data-driven
As part of Valleys to Coast’s ambition to move towards carbon neutrality by 2030, it is refurbishing a largely vacant town centre building to become its new home, supported with a £1.7 million Transforming Towns grant funded by the Welsh Government. Another grant for green infrastructure will have Valleys to Coast overseeing the installation of a green living wall in Bridgend town centre.
The organisation also works with the Carbon Trust on data, to better understand its baseline and deliver carbon literacy training. “We are improving at utilising our data to make informed decisions, in particular for sustainable upgrades,” said James. “That’s something that we are significantly ramping up and giving each house a whole home survey every five years.”
Home surveys analyse the efficiency and EPC rating of properties, bringing them to a minimum EPC band C, with a target of EPC band A by 2030.
One project is currently underway at Darran Bungalows, a popular and well-loved development in Blaengarw, Bridgend. The bungalows are the focus of a large-scale retrofit that will include new roofs, windows and an improvement of thermal efficiency.
“We’re calling it a deep retrofit, using some regeneration principles because we’re also looking at how that community interacts with the rest of the valley,” explained Jo. “There will be wider benefits rather than just reducing carbon footprint and lowering the energy bills.”
Supplier-savvy
Though Valleys to Coast works closely with all partners, it is no surprise that it particularly prioritises working with local SMEs. This includes Greenspace SOS, a community interest company dedicated to growing greener, healthier communities across South Wales.
“Where possible, we try to keep the pound in Wales by supporting local enterprises,” said Jo. “Particularly with green and grey spaces. We are working to engage the types of organisations that started from green shoots but are now putting themselves around more formal socially value-driven corporate structures.”
Sustainability is also woven through the procurement process. Contractors and suppliers are scored on how they manage waste reduction, recycling and low carbon initiatives – including using Welsh timber. Once a contractor is on board, Valleys to Coast tries to reinvest back into the community alongside that contractor. Some contractors may even be customers.
“We just secured a large scheme in Maesteg for 200 homes, and we’re in conversation with the contractor at the moment in terms of what social value it can reinvest back,” said James. “That could be something as simple as a litter pick or cutting the grass, or investing in something physical that will benefit people. We just make sure as part of the procurement that we have some value within the contract to reinvest back into the local community.”
Going forward, Valleys to Coast must remain commercially astute about how investment is used. This has led to working closely with customers to find creative solutions, rather than being limited by the bottom line.
“While I’m employed to be commercial here, my role is actually about making the greatest impact,” James reflected. “This is probably the most rewarding part of my job.”
“Our ambition excites me, but actually delivering services that people trust and supporting community resilience is what really motivates me,” Jo added, in conclusion. “There are constant challenges, but we are always trying to do something differently. And from that stems these inspiring little pilot projects that we’re scaling up because they are delivering a difference.”