Pobl - Something Worth Building On

After more than fifty years of service, one of Wales’s most respected and community-focused organisations is showing no sign of slowing down or losing focus.

Pobl delivers housing, care and support services, managing over 23,000 homes and employing over 3,000 people.

The 2024 merger with Linc Cymru has created a larger organisation ready to lead the way in social housing for the second half of the 2020s, and as of January 1^st next year they will adopt a new name, the Codi Group, derived from the Welsh word “rise”.

The name Pobl may not be in use for much longer, but the commitment and professionalism so strongly associated with it will endure. This month, Project Manager Jo Brown has given us an uplifting example of that commitment and professionalism.

Ty Mawr in Pontardawe is an important link to Swansea’s industrial past. This building was once at the heart of Pontardawe’s tinplate works, but in the 21^st century it had fallen into disrepair. Now, thanks to a painstakingly planned refurbishment project, it stands ready to accommodate local families in high-quality social housing.

In refurbishing a property than had been empty for two decades, Jo and her team had to balance a range of priorities. They were eager to preserve the structure of this historic building, and also to make it energy-efficient.

Ground source heating pumps are low-carbon systems that use underground pipes to extract heat from the earth, regardless of the weather. The heat is then compressed to a higher temperature and used to heat a home and maintain a supply of hot water. By installing ground source pumps, Pobl and their partners TAD Builders ensured that future residents would live in environmentally friendly homes with lower heating bills. Solar panels have added to the building’s efficiency, and now Ty Mawr has not only been revitalised but also extended. Supported by funding from Neath Port Talbot Council and the Welsh Assembly Government’s Social Housing Grant, Pobl has created a new-build section offering beautiful, high-quality social housing for twelve families.

Pontardawe Tinplate Works was a pivotal employer and community hub for two centuries, from opening in 1843 to closure in 1962. It brought jobs and productivity to the region, but its environmental impact was deeply damaging. Today, though, Jo Brown and her team have found a way to serve the community and the environment with a project that ensures Pobl will end 2025 on a high note.

Whatever name this organisation goes by, it will continue to put people first, and it will continue to rise.

Find out more about the Ty Mawr project here