A HOUSING association has unveiled a new £1.5 million affordable housing scheme as part of plans to regenerate Colwyn Bay.

The former doctor’s surgery in Pwllcrochan Avenue has been converted and extended by Cartrefi Conwy to create 14 apartments - eight with two bedrooms and six with one bedroom.

Previously called Rhoslan, it has been renamed Tŷ Llwyfen which means Elm House in English.

Marketed by the HAWS lettings agency, the flats are available to working people earning £16,000 to £45,000, either individually or as a couple and are let at an “intermediate rent”- 20 per cent lower than the local market rate to enable people, including key local workers to save for a deposit to buy their own home.

The scheme is part of Cartrefi Conwy’s £40 million strategy to create 250 new homes by 2020 and was officially opened by Cllr Liz Roberts, Conwy County Borough Council’s lead member for adult social care, community wellbeing and housing.

Cartrefi Conwy Chief Executive Andrew Bowden said: “This is an important development that was only made possible thanks to Conwy Country Borough Council and Welsh Government support of £450,000 Social Housing Grant.

“It’s fitting in Cartrefi Conwy’s 10th anniversary year we have so far made 47 new homes available for rent with a further 20 anticipated to be ready very soon and up to 200 in the pipeline for the future.

“What we have achieved has given this property a new lease of life, this amazing late 19th century building can now be enjoyed by future generations.”

Cllr Roberts said: “This is new accommodation for key workers such as health professionals, teachers and so forth. As a former doctor’s surgery, it’s now going to play a part in supporting people and improving the health of the area.”

Huw Evans OBE, Chair of Cartrefi Conwy said: “This is a fantastic redevelopment which will really benefit Colwyn Bay moving forward by providing much needed accommodation."

Matthew Jones of Matthew Jones Architects Deganwy said: “The conversion has not been an easy task.

"We had to be particularly sensitive to the fact that the building sits in a conservation area while fulfilling our brief to maximise the available space and density.”

Howard Vaughan, Brenig Group Managing Director said: “It has been a 12-month project using mainly local labour and suppliers.”