21 February 2008

HOMES VISIT

A major independent commission into rural housing in Wales has visited two of Gwynedd’s most sparsely populated communities as it gains a thorough understanding of best practices in the provision of homes in rural areas.

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation Commission on Rural Housing in Wales’ first port of call was nine affordable home development along with a purpose built bungalow for a family with a child with disabilities at Castell y Gog, Dyffryn Ardudwy. The Commission led by its Chairman and former Aberystwyth University Vice-Chancellor, Derec Llwyd Morgan, then went on to another ten-home affordable home development at Bro Gwgan, Garnolbenmaen.

Both provisions have been developed by Gwynedd’s leading housing association, Cymdeithas Tai Eryri, in conjunction with the local Community Councils  and Gwynedd Council who provided the land for necessary for the new homes. Gwynedd Rural Housing Enabler, Arfon Hughes, was also central to the Dyffryn Ardudwy development.

“There was little evidence of local housing needs prior to the involvement of the Rural Housing Enabler” said Cymdeithas Tai Eryri Chief Executive, Walis George.

“The Community Councils were also actively involved conducting a local housing needs survey, identifying the sites, commenting on the design proposals and agreeing the allocations policy,” he added.

All the properties in the two developments have been allocated to local people with identified housing needs on a tenancy or part-ownership basis.  

“We’re extremely glad to be an integral part of these rural housing provisions,” said Gwynedd Council’s senior housing manager, Emyr Evans. 

“We also confident that the Rural Housing Commission’s visit to two Gwynedd affordable housing programmes will provide an insight into the issue of housing needs in rural Wales,” he added.

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation Commission on Rural Housing in Wales will provide an independent insight and make well-informed policy recommendations into the issue of housing in rural areas when it publishes its findings in the Spring. The final report will be compiled by leading Cardiff University academic, Professor Paul Milbourne.

“This Commission is an excellent opportunity for the Welsh public and housing specialists to share their views on their real rural housing needs,” said Derec Llwyd Morgan.

“I am looking forward to address their housing concerns,” he added.

“I’m confident that the Commission’s report will recommend support for Rural Housing Enablers as a pre-requisite for delivering far more affordable housing throughout rural Wales” added Walis George.

"The members of the Commission could see how Gwynedd’s Rural Housing Enabler was critical in providing much-needed housing for local people in Dyffryn Ardudwy and Garndolbenmaen,” he said.

Cymdeithas Tai Eryri manages a total of 1,700 homes in Gwynedd and Anglesey.