Down to Earth has officially received full planning approval for its most ambitious project to date: Haus Hwb, a flagship community-led manufacturing and training facility designed to put people and nature at the heart of housing development in Wales.
Building on a 20-year track record of innovation, social impact, and environmental leadership, Haus Hwb will scale up Down to Earth’s unique model of working with excluded and at-risk communities. It will enable people to design and construct homes using home-grown timber and natural materials to the highest sustainability and health standards, including those set out in the new Welsh Government Tai ar y Cyd Pattern Book for social housing.
More than just a manufacturing site, Haus Hwb is a regenerative hub for skills, wellbeing, and circular construction. The facility will embed health, education, and wellbeing into every stage of the process, enabling participants to gain formal qualifications, develop valuable career pathways, and experience meaningful improvements in psychological and physical health.
As expected from Down to Earth, the industrial-scale buildings at Haus Hwb will be exemplary facilities built by and for the community with Welsh timber and natural materials whilst embedding solar technologies.
With an incredible sea view and the Wales Coast Path wrapping around it, it’s a spectacular location to showcase how communities and nature can be at the heart of future development in Wales – genuinely demonstrating how to develop a people-centred approach to building with nature, whilst adding the most value to the Welsh economy.
Driving Economic and Social Impact
Over the first 5 years of construction and operations of Haus Hwb, Down to Earth are expecting to create 150 jobs and apprenticeships for people furthest from employment or most in need of a fresh start.
The £6 million development of Haus Hwb will be funded by a range of public and private sources.
Construction is set to begin in Winter 2025/2026 and will be fully operational in late 2027
Endorsed by Welsh Government
Welsh Government Minister for Delivery, Julie James MS said:
“The Haus Hwb scheme is a powerful example of how we are delivering for Wales – creating quality jobs, supporting communities, and enabling beautiful low-carbon homes to be built with Welsh timber.
“Hand in hand with our Timber Industrial Strategy and the Tai ar y Cyd pattern book we are turning our ambition to see more timber homes built in Wales into a reality.
“With 150 jobs being created and communities at the heart of its design and delivery, this is the wellbeing of Future Generations Act in action – delivering real benefits for people, nature and the Welsh economy.”
Edward Rees, Wales Regional Managing Director, Wates Residential added:
“We’re incredibly proud to be the first recipients of the panels produced at Haus Hwb through our Cardiff Living partnership with Cardiff Council. I see this as more than just a construction milestone and a real statement about how we build homes and communities differently.
“Our collaboration with Down to Earth reflects our commitment to increasing spend and engagement with the third sector, ensuring that our supply chain delivers social value as well as quality. Haus Hwb is a bold and visionary step forward for Wales, and we’re honoured to be part of it.”
Joe Ray, Social Investment Advisor, Postcode Innovation Trust said:
“We are delighted to support Down to Earth in the Haus Hwb project, a groundbreaking community-led manufacturing facility.
We are honoured to contribute to this visionary project, which not only builds homes but also fosters health, well-being, and economic opportunity, setting a powerful example for community-centred development in Wales.”
Want to support or partner with Haus Hwb?
Down to Earth are now entering the next phase of delivery and are looking to connect with partners, funders, and changemakers who share their vision.
Down to Earth’s work on Haus Hwb has been funded by the People’s Postcode Lottery Social Investment Programme, the National Lottery Community Fund (UK & Wales) and the Welsh Government Sustainable Development Fund.
