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Homes in Rhymney have experienced water damage following a “failed” Welsh Government energy saving scheme – but repair work will not be completed until 2025.

On Monday, September 26, Caerphilly County Borough Council’ Cabinet were told that more than £3 million would be needed to reinsulate the Bryn Carno homes.

In 2012, private and council-owned houses in Bryn Carno were identified as suitable for energy saving measures via the Arbed 1 – a Welsh Government scheme. But between 2016 and 2018, home owners and tenants began to report issues of damp and water ingress.

The scheme was run by Caerphilly-based United Welsh Housing Association on behalf of the Welsh Government and in agreement with the council.

The external walls of the 86 homes were insulated with Rockwool, with the aim of saving energy.

An investigation into the issues by the Welsh Government revealed that the scheme had “inherent design weaknesses” and “aspects of poor workmanship”.

It concluded that a replacement scheme to reinsulate the properties should take place. At the council’s Cabinet meeting it was agreed that the replacement scheme would be undertaken by the council’s Caerphilly Homes.

The council’s head of housing, Nick Taylor-Williams, revealed that the replacement scheme would not be completed until 2025 due to the work having to take place during the warmer months.

Council leader Sean Morgan said the people of Bryn Carno had been “put in to a terrible situation”.

He added: “Unfortunately those time limits are a bit longer than I would like.”

The report presented to Cabinet stated: “Remediation works are essential to protect the health and wellbeing of residents and to secure the future integrity of the housing stock.”

The total scheme cost is £3,098,800 with an estimated contribution of £632,700 from the council’s Housing Revenue Account (HRA) budget.

The council’s report stated that the costs could be subject to change following a tendering exercise and due to the “volatile” market.

Caerphilly Council is seeking £2.4 million in funding from the Welsh Government to reinsulate the 36 council properties and 40 privately owned houses.

Consent will need to be sought from the private owners before work can commence.