Tai Tarian subsidiary Tirnod is created
Tai Tarian, one of the largest social housing providers in Wales, has set up a new subsidiary company called Tirnod.
Tirnod, meaning landmark in Welsh, is an organisation with ambitious aims to embark on a wide range of sustainable projects to enhance housing provision in Wales whilst embracing new, innovative, building methods and technologies for the benefit of its communities, places and planet.
This ambition links closely with Welsh Government’s desire to reimagine social house building in Wales and increase the supply of homes by using modern methods of construction (MMC).
Utilising a Welsh Government loan, Tirnod has entered into a collaboration with SevenOaks Modular Ltd, a Neath-based business specialising in timber frame/modular manufacturing.
By using the finance to acquire new equipment, the partnership will allow the SevenOaks factory, on the site of the old Metalbox factory on Milland Road, to be substantially up-scaled to increase the production of new offsite manufactured homes. This will include, both basic timber frame and fully modular construction units, insulated panels (including pipework and cabling) and external finishes. All options would be delivered to site, lifted into positon via a crane and erected quickly. The approach will reduce the overhead costs of development projects and reduce disruption to communities.
As a result of the 10-year collaboration it is anticipated that almost 400 jobs will be created or safeguarded, over 5,000 quality, sustainable, homes manufactured and the opportunity to research retrofitting existing homes with innovative products.
In addition, a training academy will be created for local builders to learn more about energy efficiency and reducing heat loss, a huge benefit to the local industry. This, along with the training of staff and apprentices carrying out the construction, means over 1000 training days are expected to take place in the first year of operation alone.
The first project undertaken by the collaboration will be the supply of 55 new homes and supporting the retrofit of 72 existing homes for Tai Tarian’s County Flats redevelopment in Sandfields. The development is due to start in the autumn.
Jonathan Hughes, director of Tirnod said:
“The formation of Tirnod creates huge potential to create a genuinely sustainable product that could change the landscape of social housing in Wales, while contributing to the decarbonisation agenda over the next few years.
“We are delighted to be collaborating with SevenOaks on this initiative and creating of employment and training opportunities for local people, a huge benefit to our communities.
“We will have a ‘use local’ approach to all projects undertaken, ensuring we are actively promoting both the circular economy and foundational economy.
“The scope for us to do even more for people and planet is huge so we are looking forward to getting started.”
Charlotte Hale, company director at SevenOaks Modular added:
“We are absolutely delighted to have this tremendous opportunity to begin and grow a strong working partnership with Tai Tarian and Tirnod. Everything both companies stand for, truly do replicate our mission here at SevenOaks Modular.
“We are all dedicated to creating healthy, sustainable and affordable living while eliminating the current housing shortage in Wales and the UK.
“With this support, we have been able to create a new state of the art timber frame and modular manufacturing facility which is due to open this summer. The backing we have received from such a renowned organisation as Tai Tarian is fantastic.
“We are thoroughly excited for what the future holds for our partnership and how we have the potential to generate a huge positive impact on the sustainable development of the housing sector and really make a difference in our industry.
“To consolidate our impact, our training academy will be embedding vital knowledge for our future generations to aid in succeeding against our greatest threat in a thousand years, climate change. “
