Property section projects support communities across Denbighshire

Over the past 12 months, Denbighshire County Council’s Property section has continued to play a vital role in supporting services, communities and residents across the county.

From delivering improvement works and maintaining public buildings to supporting major projects and ensuring council assets are safe, efficient and fit for purpose, the teams within the section have been involved in a wide range of important work.

County Voice looks back at some of the key projects completed during the year, highlighting the dedication, expertise and collaboration of the different teams that help manage and improve Denbighshire’s property estate.

Since last year the Building Maintenance team has supported major improvement works at Ysgol Dewi Sant in Rhyl, helping to modernise and transform the school’s hall wing.

This project included roof reconstruction, improved insulation, replacement high-performance double-glazed windows, upgraded access arrangements and the modernisation of the foyer and entrance area, including the addition of a lift to improve accessibility.

The works helped improve energy efficiency, reduced the school’s carbon footprint and created a safer, more accessible and modern space for pupils, staff and the wider community.

They also responded to storm damage at SC2 Waterpark making the building safe before managing the replacement of the compromised waterpark roof.

With the original supplier no longer trading, a new roof was specially designed and independently checked using site-specific wind load modelling.

The project required a bespoke scaffolding solution because nearby flood defence works prevented traditional access, while wind speeds were monitored daily to keep operatives safe.

Purpose-made curved roof sheets, some more than 24 metres long, were transported to site under abnormal load permits. Maintenance colleagues coordinated the complex project with the tenant, insurers, consultants, engineers, surveyors, loss adjusters and Council teams managing the sea defence works.

The project was managed by maintenance, liaising with our Tenant, specialist consultants, engineers, insurers, forensic surveyors and loss adjusters, as well as Council colleagues including those managing the sea defence works.

Over the last 12 months the Design and Construction team has delivered and supported a wide range of high-profile projects across the county, helping to improve housing, education provision, accessibility and regeneration.

Key achievements include the completion of 22 new energy-efficient council homes at Llwyn Eirin in Denbigh, built to Passivhaus standard and fitted with solar panels and ground-source heat pumps to help reduce household energy costs and carbon emissions.

The team also designed and progressed the first hydrotherapy pool of its kind in Denbighshire at Ysgol Tir Morfa in Rhyl, supporting pupils’ physical development and wellbeing through a specialist new facility within the school grounds.

Alongside this, the team has supported the next phase of works at the Former North Wales Hospital site in Denbigh, with remediation and demolition works helping to unlock future regeneration of the 53-acre site for housing, commercial space and green community areas.

The section’s work has also been recognised through award-winning housing schemes, including Llys Elizabeth in Rhyl, which won Best Small Social Housing Development at the LABC Awards for Wales for its high-quality, energy-efficient homes for residents aged 55 and over.

Since last summer the Energy Team has continued to lead projects that improve energy efficiency, reduce running costs and lower carbon emissions across Council buildings and services.

At Cysgod y Gaer care home in Corwen, the team installed a 40kWh battery energy storage system alongside a 21.36kWp solar array, building on previous work to add PV panels, LED lighting and heating system improvements.

This combined work has helped reduce gas and electric consumption significantly, cut carbon emissions and supports the charging of two electric vehicles operating from the site to provide health and social care services in the local community.

The team has also delivered an innovative battery storage project at the Denbigh Waste and Recycling station, installing 600kWh of battery capacity to make better use of solar energy generated on site and support electric waste and recycling vehicles.

Early results show grid energy use at the site has fallen by more than half, with the system expected to save more than 76,000kWh a year, reduce costs by around £16,000 and cut carbon emissions by approximately 22 tonnes annually.

A further example of this collaborative approach can be seen at St Brigid’s School, where teams worked together during the second half of 2025 to improve the efficiency and performance of the site’s main building.

The project brought together support from the Climate and Nature programme, Building Maintenance and the Energy Team to deliver a package of heating, controls, lighting and insulation improvements.

Works included the removal of old inefficient oil-fired boilers and their replacement with modern LPG-fired boilers across the two main plant rooms, with five boilers replaced in total and the old oil tank removed.

Modern building management controls were also installed, creating five separate zones for the main building and helping the site operate more efficiently.

In addition, more than 140 LED light fittings were installed, which are expected to save around 24,260kWh of electricity and approximately £5,579 each year.

Around 240 square metres of 300mm insulation was also added, further supporting the Council’s wider work to reduce energy use, cut emissions and improve the long-term sustainability of its buildings.

Councillor Julie Matthews, Deputy Leader and Lead Member for Corporate Strategy, Policy, Equalities and Strategic Assets, said:  “The work carried out by our Property teams over the last 12 months shows the important role they play in supporting residents, communities and Council services across Denbighshire. From improving schools and care settings to delivering energy-efficient homes, reducing carbon emissions and supporting major regeneration projects, their work has a direct and lasting impact on people’s everyday lives.

“I would like to thank all the teams involved for their dedication, expertise and commitment. Their efforts help make our buildings safer, more accessible, more sustainable and better equipped to meet the needs of residents now and in the future.”