Penrhos Polish Village prepared for first tranche of £35m redevelopment
Once a neighbourhood housing Polish servicemen and women during and after the Second World War, the Llyn Peninsula site is now to undergo a ClwydAlyn-led redevelopment, with contractor Bala Homes ready to start work on the 44-unit phase one, working towards the complete 107-home scheme.
The ground has been cleared at the 107-home project, and now with pre-commencement works rounded off, and the full appointment of a principal contractor, the scheme is set to get built.
On offer will be 35 one-bedroom, five two-bedroom apartments, and 23 bungalows. The remaining houses would be split across 30 two-, 15 three-, and four four-bedroom homes.
At least 11 of the homes will be fully accessible.
The site in question was once an RAF base before the Polish Housing Society moved in to build the neighbourhood in the 1940s.
In February, Williams Homes (Bala) began the demolition of the existing buildings that stood on the 25-acre plot. A 43-bedroom nursing home was also knocked down.
A Polish church, wall memorial gardens, and a canteen remain, and the Freedom Cross will be listed as a structure of historical and cultural interest.
In 2020, the Polish Housing Society transferred all the standing properties on the plot to ClwydAlyn as part of a merger arrangement, paving the way for its redevelopment.
ClwydAlyn has been planning the scheme since 2021, when the housebuilder considered 112 homes for the site.
Lovelock Mitchell Architects designed the scheme, and Cadnant Planning advised the housing association with its application to Gwynedd Council.
All homes will feature EV charging ports, air source heat pumps, and solar panels, and are to be built using modern methods of construction and sustainable materials.
Priority for residency will be given to people who already live at Penrhos Polish Village, as well as focusing on people with low to medium care and support needs.
Credit: via ClwydAlyn
The total investment for Phase 1 is £14.1m, with subsidy aid from the Welsh Government Targeted Funding of £7.75m. The remainder of this is privately funded by ClwydAlyn to make up the total £14.1m.
Cllr Paul Rowlinson, cabinet member for housing and property at Gwynedd Council, 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 our communities across the county.”
Dylan Davies, senior development project manager, 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 employment opportunities, tackling loneliness, supporting residents with fuel costs, or improving access to nutritious foods – all these efforts can help our communities to thrive.”
The church of the Polish Village with the Freedom Cross. Credit: via ClwydAlyn
Owain Williams, joint managing director, Williams Homes (Bala), added: “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.”
All well and good having all these new homes, what about the effects of the local doctors surgery and schools, are these also to get funding from the WG to increase capacity to accomodate all the extra population ?
By Anonymous