Latest news with #PaulRowlinson
North Wales Chronicle
2 days ago
- Health
- North Wales Chronicle
Penrhos Polish Village: Progress at Gwynedd housing project
The first phase of the ClwydAlyn-led redevelopment scheme at Penrhos Polish Village will see the construction of 44 new homes. All new homes on the site will feature air source heat pumps, solar panels and will be built using 'modern methods of construction', incorporating as many natural and sustainable materials as possible. Once complete, these new properties will be prioritised to current residents who already live at Penrhos Polish Village and people with low to medium care and support needs. With scheduled pre-commencement works now complete, emphasis at the site is on the first phase of construction. This development is separate, but closely connected, to plans by Cyngor Gwynedd and Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board to develop a new nursing and residential home at Penrhos. The aim is for the new Penyberth home to be able to accommodate 32 residential dementia beds as well as 24 nursing beds, of which a large proportion would be prioritised for nursing dementia care. The Polish and Welsh heritage at the site will be preserved, meanwhile. CADW has carried out an assessment of the site; making the decision that the Freedom Cross will be listed as a structure of historical and cultural interest, so that it can be protected for future generations. The church and walled gardens will also be safeguarded. Cllr Paul Rowlinson, Gwynedd's cabinet member for housing and property, said: "I'm pleased to welcome the significant progress being made as this Pen Llŷn housing development enters its next phase. 'Addressing the housing crisis remains a key priority for Cyngor Gwynedd - especially in areas like this, where a very large percentage of local people are priced out of the market. 'Through strong partnerships with housing associations such as ClwydAlyn, we are working together to deliver more high-quality, affordable homes for communities across the county." Dylan Davies, senior development project manager at ClwydAlyn, said: 'As part of our commitment to delivering high-quality homes, we believe it's essential that all our partners play an active role in supporting our communities. 'This shared responsibility can take many forms and is guided by our ambition to end poverty in Wales. 'Whether that is by creating opportunities for employment, tackling loneliness, supporting residents with fuel costs or improving access to nutritious foods; all these efforts can help our communities to thrive.' Owain Williams, joint managing director of Williams Homes (Bala), said: 'Williams Homes is pleased to be working with ClwydAlyn and Welsh Government to deliver this exciting project. 'Developing new energy efficient homes to replace the existing outdated housing stock whilst being sensitive to the history of the former Polish Village and the current residents. 'The development will create over 20 jobs for local people and contribute to the local economy for the duration of the construction period.'
Wales Online
15-05-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
Empty home owners in Gwynedd could soon face even bigger bills
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Councillors could consider upping the rate of council tax premiums on empty homes in Gwynedd to bring them in line with the rate for second homes in the county. The idea was discussed by councillors as they agreed to extend a project which is aiming to help fight a housing crisis in the county. Cyngor Gwynedd's cabinet approved a proposal to extend its Housing Action Plan [HAP] for another two years to the end of the 2028/29 financial year, at its meeting on Tuesday, May 13. The HAP includes 33 projects aimed at providing Gwynedd residents with access to "suitable, affordable and quality" homes. Among its objectives is tackling homelessness. The cabinet agreed to commit to providing a sum of £6m raised from the council tax premium fund, towards the HAP's extension. Get all the latest Gwynedd news by signing up to our newsletter - sent every Tuesday The council currently charges a 100% council tax premium on homes that have been empty for 12 months or more. It was suggested during the meeting that this could eventually be brought in line with the rate charged for second homes, which is currently 150%. Councillors are due to reassess the premium rates in December. Cabinet member for finance Cllr Huw Wyn Jones said he was "very supportive" of the premium being charged on empty homes. (Image: Cyngor Gwynedd) He said it felt "quite immoral" that there were empty homes around, when some people were "seeking a roof over their head". He asked: "Is it possible to increase the premium even higher on houses that are empty for longer terms? "I can't see any reason for a house to be empty for three, five or ten years. Can we set it even higher, to try and attract those houses back into use?" Cabinet member for housing and property, Cllr Paul Rowlinson, agreed, saying the HAP, used the money raised from the premiums. (Image: Cyngor Gwynedd) He said: "The current level of 100 percent on empty homes is acceptable, but as I said in the full council in December, it would be beneficial to increase the level of houses that have been empty for many years, where they have been paying 100 percent for several years, where the measures have not had the impact we wanted. "I am pleased that the HAP has brought 269 empty homes back into use, through direct support from the council. "This figure does not include houses that may have come back into use without support from the council, where people have been paying the premium but then decide to put their house on the market, or bring it back for use in some other way. "We should definitely consider increasing the premiums on empty homes, those which have been empty for a long time, but keep it at the current level for the ones that are just empty for a year or so." The Council's chief executive Dafydd Gibbard said the topic had been discussed "more than once" over the years. He said: "We did not want to increase the level at one period, but I think it was said last time, when the premium was being set, that we need to review the situation, to shift the rate for empty homes to the same rate for second homes." He added that work looking into the subject was already happening. "It is getting more difficult to justify the different rates," he said. He told councillors: "You will be setting the premiums again in December, when it will be time for you to decide if this is something you want to increase or not." Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now
North Wales Live
15-05-2025
- Business
- North Wales Live
Empty home owners in Gwynedd could soon face even bigger bills
Councillors could consider upping the rate of council tax premiums on empty homes in Gwynedd to bring them in line with the rate for second homes in the county. The idea was discussed by councillors as they agreed to extend a project which is aiming to help fight a housing crisis in the county. Cyngor Gwynedd's cabinet approved a proposal to extend its Housing Action Plan [HAP] for another two years to the end of the 2028/29 financial year, at its meeting on Tuesday, May 13. The HAP includes 33 projects aimed at providing Gwynedd residents with access to "suitable, affordable and quality" homes. Among its objectives is tackling homelessness. The cabinet agreed to commit to providing a sum of £6m raised from the council tax premium fund, towards the HAP's extension. Get all the latest Gwynedd news by signing up to our newsletter - sent every Tuesday The council currently charges a 100% council tax premium on homes that have been empty for 12 months or more. It was suggested during the meeting that this could eventually be brought in line with the rate charged for second homes, which is currently 150%. Councillors are due to reassess the premium rates in December. Cabinet member for finance Cllr Huw Wyn Jones said he was "very supportive" of the premium being charged on empty homes. He said it felt "quite immoral" that there were empty homes around, when some people were "seeking a roof over their head". He asked: "Is it possible to increase the premium even higher on houses that are empty for longer terms? "I can't see any reason for a house to be empty for three, five or ten years. Can we set it even higher, to try and attract those houses back into use?" Cabinet member for housing and property, Cllr Paul Rowlinson, agreed, saying the HAP, used the money raised from the premiums. He said: "The current level of 100 percent on empty homes is acceptable, but as I said in the full council in December, it would be beneficial to increase the level of houses that have been empty for many years, where they have been paying 100 percent for several years, where the measures have not had the impact we wanted. "I am pleased that the HAP has brought 269 empty homes back into use, through direct support from the council. "This figure does not include houses that may have come back into use without support from the council, where people have been paying the premium but then decide to put their house on the market, or bring it back for use in some other way. "We should definitely consider increasing the premiums on empty homes, those which have been empty for a long time, but keep it at the current level for the ones that are just empty for a year or so." The Council's chief executive Dafydd Gibbard said the topic had been discussed "more than once" over the years. He said: "We did not want to increase the level at one period, but I think it was said last time, when the premium was being set, that we need to review the situation, to shift the rate for empty homes to the same rate for second homes." He added that work looking into the subject was already happening. "It is getting more difficult to justify the different rates," he said. He told councillors: "You will be setting the premiums again in December, when it will be time for you to decide if this is something you want to increase or not."
