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A developer has been appointed to build 45 homes on the site of Caerphilly’s former police station, with construction expected to start this month.

Training and job opportunities are said to become available to local people once building work has started, according to housing association Linc Cymru.

Linc Cymru is behind the five-storey development on Mountain Road and has appointed Neath-based JG Hale Construction to undertake the project.

Construction is expected to begin later this month. The site is split into two parts, with a detached block of six flats and a second block of 39 flats.

The first six apartments are for supported housing accommodation and the remainder will provide both general needs homes and homes for those with learning difficulties.

Councillor Shayne Cook, council cabinet member for housing, said the authority is committed to delivering “high quality” affordable housing.

Planning permission was granted by the council’s planning committee in March 2022 – despite concerns about its height.

The police station closed in 2016 and was demolished the same year after a private landowner purchased the site. An application for 43 luxury retirement apartments was refused by the council before the site was then sold to Linc Cymru in October 2019.

Linc Cymru’s development manager, Richard Hallett, said the new homes will help to meet the housing need identified by the council’s housing team.

According to Linc Cymru, the site has been designed with “residents’ wellbeing in mind” and will include new trees and a pond with a seating area in the main garden.

Linc Cymru is also behind the adjoining site of Caerphilly’s former Magistrate’s Court, which has 38 apartments for over-55s and four family homes for affordable rent.

The development aims to be “energy-efficient” with solar panels to be placed on the roof.

The timber frame homes will be delivered to the site semi-assembled in a bid to reduce disruption and cause less noise and pollution.

A spokesperson for JG Hale Construction said: “JG Hale Construction is a Wales-based firm recognised for its commitment to innovative, eco-friendly design, quality materials and finishes and sustainable building practices. The company is committed to using local subcontractors and suppliers.”

Funding has come from the Welsh Government through it Social Housing Grant, Housing with Care Fund, and Transforming Towns Programme.