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Minister visits regeneration project

Published: 07/02/2017

A development in Connah’s Quay received a recent visit from Welsh Government Secretary for Communities and Children, Carl Sargeant AM. Pen- Y- Lan Court contains several blocks of flats and maisonettes which includes a mixture of sheltered older peoples housing and general needs housing. It has been subjected to antisocial behaviour incidents which have left tenants extremely concerned. The Council takes a zero tolerance approach to such behaviour. Since the beginning of last year, Pen-Y- Lan Court has undergone a transformation thanks to funding provided by the Welsh Government’s Major Repairs Allowance and the Vibrant and Viable Places programmes. The project is one of several in the Deeside Vibrant and Viable Places area. Welsh Government has provided over £7m towards regeneration projects in Deeside and around £450k of this is being used at Pen-Y-Lan Courts. Flintshire County Council has also received £5.050 million from the Welsh Government’s Major Repairs Allowance for the 2016/17 financial year which will contribute to the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) improvements. The Council consulted with key stakeholders, including tenants, town and county councillors, housing officers and the local police. This resulted in key areas for improvement being identified, including: · Improving tenant safety and security through extension of fencing, gated community and CCTV; · Demolition of garages to create a communal garden; · Noise attenuation within buildings through reglazing and insulation; · Enhancing existing parking areas; · Refurbishing the community room. Work is now nearing completion and the transformation has been well received by residents. The Deputy Leader of Flintshire County Council, Councillor Bernie Attridge, who showed the Minister around the newly refurbished area, said: “I am immensely proud of what the council has achieved over the past five years and I am most proud of the difference we have made to improving housing for the residents of our County. We have worked closely with Welsh Government on improving our current housing stock through schemes such as the Welsh Housing Quality Standard and Vibrant and Viable Places programmes and we have gone further last year by building the first council houses in a generation and that programme continues into 2017 and beyond.” The Cabinet Secretary said: “The homes I have seen today in Flintshire are excellent examples of how local authorities do far more than simply provide a roof over people’s heads. “The Welsh Housing Quality Standard ensures that over 220,000 households in Wales have a home that is safe, warm and secure. It is also vital to us achieving many other of our goals as a Government including improving the nation’s health and well being and creating jobs and training opportunities which help to tackle poverty. “The improvements at Pen-Y- Lan Court which are also funded through the Vibrant and Viable Places programme are an excellent example of how improving people’s homes and communities can improve their lives.” Councillor Bernie Attridge and Clare Budden, Chief Officer Community and Enterprise, with Carl Sargeant AM and Flintshire officers involved in the project.