Installed across the pitched roofs of two new apartment buildings in Castle Lane – a mixed use development overlooking the historic Swansea Castle, SSQ’s Del Carmen Ultra slate has helped to create an impressive look and feel that is also in keeping with conservation requirements.

With the local planning authorities stating a strict need for natural slate to be used, as artificial slate would not meet heritage guidelines, SSQ’s Del Carmen Ultra was the perfect fit.

Having been used on previous projects where the need to meet heritage standards was of primary importance, Del Carmen was ideal.

Julian Morgan from Holder Mathias Architects agreed: “SSQ proactively supplied samples and photographs from previous installations to help assist us in discussions with the local planning authority. This ultimately led to the specification of SSQ’s Del Carmen Ultra slate as it made it easier to prove that it met these very important requirements.

“Castle Lane is located within a conservation area – immediately adjacent to Swansea Castle, which is Grade I listed and Scheduled Ancient Monument. Whilst heritage acceptance was obviously very important, we needed to be sure that chosen materials would not look out of place with the surrounding architecture.

"SSQ’s Del Carmen blends in beautifully with the look of the landscape and complements the apartment buildings perfectly. Considering aesthetics, SSQ’s Del Carmen offers a look that is similar to that found with Welsh slate but with added benefits – not only is it available at a significantly lower cost, it is incredibly durable, having undergone significant testing prior to being supplied. These points coupled with the impressive 100-year guarantee made the choice an easy one.”

Project: Castle Lane Apartments
Client: Coastal Housing Group
Architect: Holder Mathias Architects
Type: Residential
Category: New-build
Product: SSQ Del Carmen® Ultra grade, Blue-black roofing slate