Council raises the roof with major investment at Llys Nant Flats

26 March 2025

In a move that's sure to raise the roof, Powys County Council has completed a major project to replace the flat roof on a block of council flats in Llanidloes.

This £450,000 investment has seen the installation of a new, highly insulated pitched roof at Llys Nant Flats, overseen by the council's Housing Service.

Originally built in 1974, the flats had been plagued by persistent leaks from their flat parapeted roof over the past decade. Despite temporary repairs, water continued to track under the bitumen roofing in all directions, making full repairs impossible.

However, the council has nailed it by overseeing the installation of a pitched roof, ensuring a watertight future for residents.

The project, which kicked off in April 2024 and wrapped up in December, was expertly managed by principal contractor SWG Construction, with D.J.C. Lightweight Roofing Ltd taking the lead as the roofing contractor. Britmet UK provided the lightweight roofing system, with components guaranteed to keep things covered for 50 years.

In addition to the roof replacement, fire barriers were installed between each block of flats, communal area fire breaks were added, and the cantilever roof elevations were strengthened. Extensive drainage works were also carried out, and leak-affected flats on the top floors received a fresh coat of paint.

Community benefits were also part of the package, with external brickwork and render tidied up, swift boxes and other bird boxes installed, and green spaces enhanced with new planting and landscaping.

Cllr Matthew Dorrance, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for a Fairer Powys, said: "As part of our At Home in Powys - Housing Business Plan, we are investing more than £6.8m to improve the wellbeing of communities through improvements to council homes and estates.

"I'm delighted that these works have taken place and that Llys Nant Flats has benefited from this significant investment, which demonstrates our commitment to improving the quality of housing for our residents."

Shaun Humphries, Director at SWG Construction said: "At SWG Construction, we are proud to have played a key role in transforming Llysnant Flats into a safer, more sustainable living space for its residents. This £450,000 investment marks an important step in addressing longstanding roofing issues, while also enhancing the overall quality of life within the community.

"Our commitment to delivering high-quality, long-lasting solutions is evident in the work carried out, and we are pleased to see the positive impact on the local environment and residents. We look forward to continuing to work with Powys County Council on future projects that improve homes and strengthen communities."