Joel James MS, Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Local Government and Housing, has visited the award-winning Maple Fields development in Llanrumney, Cardiff, to meet winning site manager, John Coburn, the Regional winner of the National House Building Council’s (NHBC) Pride in the Job Awards.
Mr James toured the site’s high-quality new homes and learnt about the latest advancements in housebuilding.
Maple Fields brings new life to the former Llanrumney High School site, delivering 98 energy-efficient homes, 28 for council tenants and 70 for open market sale. It forms part of Cardiff Living, a long-term partnership between Wates Residential and Cardiff Council to deliver 1,700 much-needed homes across the city.
Joel James MS, Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Local Government and Housing, said, “It’s fantastic to see the quality of new homes being built here in Llanrumney. Developments like Maple Fields demonstrate how collaboration between local authorities, developers and organisations can deliver high-quality, energy-efficient homes that local families can be proud of and enjoy for many years. The skill and dedication shown by John Coburn and his team are a real credit to the Welsh house building industry.”
Recognising excellence in Welsh housebuilding
John Coburn from Wates Residential, won an NHBC Pride in the Job Seal of Excellence Award for his work at Maple Fields earlier this year, before securing a Regional Award for Medium Sized Builder. He will now compete for the top honour to be crowned NHBC’s Pride in the Job Supreme Award winner, which will be announced at a gala ceremony in London in January 2026.
NHBC’s Pride in the Job Awards are widely regarded as the most respected accolade for site managers in the UK, recognising individuals who achieve the very highest standards in house building.
Also attending the visit was Luke Carter, Regional Director for West and Wales at NHBC. He commented, “Maple Fields reflects the best of quality, modern housebuilding. The care and dedication taken by the whole site team is evident and it was a pleasure sharing this with Mr James. These homes embody NHBC’s high standards for house building and will be enjoyed by their residents for many years to come.”
Mr James was also joined by Andrew Reynolds, Sales and Marketing Director at Wates Residential, Liam Puckett, Construction Manager at Wates Residential and Matt Downey from Cardiff Council.
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