Posted: Wed 6th Sep 2017

Eyesore buildings to be converted into social housing after standing derelict for years

Wrexham.com for people living in or visiting the Wrexham area
This article is old - Published: Wednesday, Sep 6th, 2017

Three eyesore buildings are to be given a fresh lease of life after standing derelict for over a decade.

The properties, located on the site of the former Victoria Garage in Ruabon, have stood vacant since 2004 when a developer started work on three homes on the site. However it was never completed, and the half-finished houses have sat empty ever since.

Work to secure the site and make it safe has been carried out in the interim by Wrexham Council, but due to the complications around ownership and development, the local authority say that the buildings could not be knocked down or outright redeveloped.

Yesterday Wrexham Council confirmed that there is a positive future for the trio of properties, which will be converted into social housing for the area.

The buildings were acquired by the Crown Estate, who in turn sold them to Wales & West Housing. This means that the housing association can now redevelop the site for much needed social housing in the area.

Cllr David Griffiths, Wrexham Council’s Lead Member for Housing, said that it was “excellent news to see that some progress is afoot” with the properties.

He added: “I’d like to thank those at our Housing and Economy Department and Cllr Davies as the local member for all the work they’ve put in on this – their efforts in following this up and ensuring a positive outcome have been indispensable.

“It’s also incredibly good news to see that the site will be redeveloped for social housing, which I am sure will be put to great use at the heart of Ruabon.”

Cllr Dana Davies, local member for Ruabon and Chair of Ruabon Community Council, said: “I’m incredibly pleased to have some good news regarding this site.

“The people of Ruabon have been blighted by this eyesore for too long, and I’m sure I’m not the only one who’ll be glad to see these buildings redeveloped and put to good use.

“I’m very grateful for all the support we’ve received from the Housing Partnership team at Wrexham Council, who have put in a lot of hours over this issue.

“I’m also grateful that we were able to make use of the Welsh Government’s empty homes funding which enabled the Council to pursue a successful legal solution.”

Clwyd South AM Ken Skates, said: ““I’m thrilled for the people of Ruabon that they will soon no longer have to put up with this eyesore and I’m pleased that the Welsh Government has been able to help.

“Dana is one of a number of people who have worked incredibly hard over many years to deliver this very welcome result and I’d like to congratulate and thank her – along with the community council and the residents of Ruabon – for not letting this important issue drop.”

Anne Hinchey, Chief Executive of Wales & West Housing, added: “We’re delighted to be given the opportunity to transform this site into an attractive row of two bedroomed houses, to help meet the need for more affordable homes in Wrexham.”

The news has also been welcomed by Plaid Cymru’s Mabon ap Gwynfor, who in 2015 called on Wrexham Council to purchase the three properties and convert them into housing for ex-service personnel.

Last year a 700-strong petition calling for action to resolve the empty properties was handed into the local authority.

Mr ap Gwynfor, who started the petition, said: “These derelict houses had been an eyesore on the High Street for many years. The late Plaid Cymru Cllr Barrie Price worked tirelessly to tackle the issue.

“Ruabon Community Council did everything they could to get something done, and Cllr Davies did a lot of the heavy lifting as well. I’ve knocked on the doors of a great many houses while campaigning in Ruabon, and this eyesore would invariably crop up in conversations.

“The fact that Wrexham Council have finally managed to tackle the issue around ownership and ensure that Wales and West take ownership is to be welcomed. There is a high demand for affordable housing in the area, with local families wanting to stay in their communities.

“I hope that the site can now be developed to ensure decent and affordable housing for local people, and that it will contribute positively to the street scenery in Ruabon.”

For information about how to register for Affordable Housing, please contact the Council’s Housing Department on 01978 298 993.



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