Former Group Chief Executive / Cyn Brif Weithredwr yr Grwp at Barcud Cyfyngedig. Arfor Consulting
Nobody said that regeneration work was easy, but its essential if we are serious about reducing the number of empty homes within Wales and meeting the increasing housing needs of our population. As someone who has been involved in both urban and rural regeneration schemes (social and commercial) over a 40yr career in housing, I have seen the worth of the effort put in by Councils and RSLs that are serious about bringing beautiful buildings back into economic and social use. Currently the number of empty homes in Wales is increasing on a daily basis, as landlords bale out of the PRS and the housing market / higher cost mortgages does its cyclical stuff again. Its criminal and negligent to have huge costs falling on Councils to temporarily (and poorly) house homeless persons and families, whilst there are empty homes and buildings in those same communities. Some of which should be utilised as short term "short life" solutions to help aleviate the hosuing crisis. Its positive that some RSLs and Councils are proactively tackling this problem. Grants and strategies do help, but in my experience the biggest impact was having frontline EHOs or Housing professionals who were personally committed to making a difference in their local community. There are also some good examples of community led initiatives to keep community pubs and shops open, or opening up sustainable tourism accommodation. Well done to Cadwyn HA and partners for this excellent example of what can be done.
Topical article about the benefits of re-purposing existing buildings - particularly in delivering much needed affordable housing. If you look closely you can just make out the Asbri Planning logo at the bottom of the hoarding image! Another top scheme for Cadwyn Housing Association being delivered by Kestral. Kathryn Williams Kes Smith CMK Davide Bertaggia Mike Earley
We focus way too much on new build as the solution to the Housing crisis when the reality is we have enough current stock. By bringing in the thousands of empty commercial properties into the mix we can do more. Our City and Town centres need to be re-energised with more people living in them and re-purposing exisitign buildings to meet that need is a better way.
Former Group Chief Executive / Cyn Brif Weithredwr yr Grwp at Barcud Cyfyngedig. Arfor Consulting
11moAbsolutely Chris, it grieves me to see so many empty bank buildings and flats above shops in Lampeter just waiting for sustainable renovation and decarbonising at the same time. The town needs footfall and young working couples need decent quality flats, well located in the centre of the community. It needs a proactive strategic approach, but increasingly appears to be the town that has been pushed further down the priority focus list. Reminds me of Llanrwst in North Wales, down a valley, away from the big mountains and coast, and the tourist hotspots. Sustainable tourism should be raising match funding from the hot spots to use in towns like Lampeter and Llanrwst, but maybe I am just a dreamer and a simple soul from Holyhead😂