Tai ar y Cyd has won a prestigious CEW Award for collaborative working, recognising its pioneering use of home-grown timber and shared design to deliver scalable, low-carbon social housing across Wales.
Tai ar y Cyd, the pioneering social housing initiative, has won the ‘Integration and Collaborative Working’ award at the 2025 CEW Awards. The winners were announced on 20 June at a ceremony held at the Celtic Manor Resort in Newport.
The award recognises the collaborative achievements of the 24 social landlords who are part of the Tai ar y Cyd programme. Backed by Welsh Government, the initiative is creating a new, scalable model for affordable, low carbon housing in Wales—built using home-grown timber and developed through a shared ‘pattern book’ approach.
Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government, Jane Bryant MS, said: “I’m delighted that Tai ar y Cyd has received this well-deserved recognition at the CEW Awards. This award celebrates what we can achieve when we work together with shared purpose and vision. Tai ar y Cyd exemplifies the Welsh Government’s commitment to delivering affordable, sustainable housing while supporting local supply chains and reducing our carbon footprint. It shows that when we unite behind common goals, we can create innovative solutions that benefit people and planet alike.”
This accolade highlights the project’s commitment to joint working, shared design standards and integrated delivery across organisations. It marks a significant milestone in the move towards a more sustainable and locally rooted housing system in Wales.
Supporting a better way to build
Woodknowledge Wales has worked alongside the Tai ar y Cyd team to demonstrate how Welsh timber can support high-quality, energy-efficient homes. By focusing on performance, repeatability and carbon reduction, the pattern book approach offers a replicable model for future housing that meets both environmental and social goals.
“This award rightly celebrates the ambition, leadership and cooperation behind Tai ar y Cyd,” said Gary Newman, Chief Executive of Woodknowledge Wales. “It proves that when we work together, it’s possible to create a new kind of housing system—one that’s low carbon, high quality, and rooted in the natural and social resources of Wales.”
“This award is a testament to the dedication and partnership that define Tai ar y Cyd,” said Andrew Freegard, Executive Development Manager at Vale of Glamorgan Council and Chair of the project steering group. “It’s extraordinary to see 24 social landlords united in delivering high-quality, energy-efficient homes for Wales.”
Councillor Sandra Perkes, Cabinet Member for Public Sector Housing and Tenant Engagement, added: “Tai ar y Cyd is a brilliant example of what can be achieved when organisations come together with a shared vision to tackle the housing crisis.”
A win for sustainable housing
The CEW award recognises more than just collaboration—it also signals confidence in the ability of Welsh timber to support a modern, low-carbon housing system. The Tai ar y Cyd project continues to influence new approaches to procurement, design and delivery in the social housing sector.
We congratulate all involved and look forward to seeing Tai ar y Cyd’s next phase take root in communities across Wales.
