Wynne Construction follows up EEOC work with resi wins
The Denbighshire firm, nearing completion on Wrexham University’s Enterprise Engineering and Optics Centre, is now advancing two social housing projects for Adra.
Designed by Lovelock Mitchell, the EEOC is the North Wales Growth Deal’s first construction project, bringing an eyecatching presence to the Plas Coch campus on Mold Road.
The North Wales Growth Deal is delivered by cross-council body Ambition North Wales.
Work officially began on EEOC in February 2024, after Bodelwyddan-based Wynne was appointed in summer 2023 to deliver the 23,352 sq ft facility.
The EEOC is intended to provide North Wales with a centre for collaboration and skills development in sustainability, renewables, and high value manufacturing.
In particular, there will be a focus on composites as lightweight alternatives for manufacturing, supporting the development and adoption of hydrogen technologies, and maximising the benefits of optics and photonics expertise.
The wider development also includes the OpTIC Technology Centre at the university’s St Asaph campus.
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Sustainability-led features include a large rooftop PV array, a heat pump system, low-carbon steel made from recycled steel, produced in an electric arc furnace, and the use of ground granulated blast-furnace slag in the concrete mix.
The project has also resulted in a 30.5% increase in biodiversity on the University’s campuses, with particular focus on the institution’s Northop campus – located half-way between the Plas Coch and St Asaph sites – where trees have been planted.
Local employment has also been a focus, while 76% of the supply chain project spend went to North Wales SMEs.
Professor Joe Yates, vice-chancellor of Wrexham University, said: “The development aligns with one of our key goals of our newly launched 2030 Vision, which is around excellence in the quality and impacts of research and enterprise, and in turn, delivering successful innovation and transformation.
“The near completion of the EEOC building also marks a superb milestone for sustainability in the project’s positive contributions to decarbonisation, social value and enhancing biodiversity.”
Chris Wynne, managing director of Wynne Construction, said: “We are incredibly proud to have collaborated with Wrexham University on the delivery of this exceptional building and to play a role in a transformative programme that benefits not only the University but the wider North Wales region.”
The EEOC is on target to open for the start of the next academic year in September.
Before then Wynne will begin work on a 49-home social housing scheme at Abergele Road, Bodelwyddan, for which consent was secured by client Adra in February. The scheme includes 42 houses, three bungalows and four flats.
This is one of two projects, worth more than 320m combined, that Wynne has secured with Adra. North Wales’ largest housing association.
Wynne began building a new 47-home social housing complex on Berse Road, Wrexham, in March following the first appointment.
Work has now started at Berse Road. Credit: via Outwrite
With a scheduled completion date of autumn 2026, the £9m development will include apartments and two, three, and four-bedroom homes available to rent.
Work on the £11m Bodelwyddan scheme, a short distance from the company HQ, is expected to start this summer and finish in spring 2027.
Wynne Construction commercial director Simon Moreton said: “We have previously worked on behalf of Adra on major builds including Plas Penhros and Pen Y Ffridd, so I’m looking forward to continuing our positive relationship.
“As usual, we will engage with local suppliers to not only provide the necessary materials, but to boost the region’s economy.”
