‘Vaynor becoming a concrete jungle’

A £6.2m scheme to build 50 “affordable” homes in Newtown has received an icy reception from the town’s mayor.

 

The development on Vaynor is expected to start next month after the Mid Wales Housing Association signed a 999-year lease with the Welsh Assembly Government for the land.

 

But, while recognising the need for more homes of this type, the town’s Mayor believes it is being built in the wrong place and says the developers have not listened to the needs of residents already living on the estate, which is the biggest in Powys.

 

“Every town needs affordable housing, but this is the largest estate in Powys and they are turning it into a concert jungle,” said Cllr Joy Jones, who also lives on the estate.

 

“They are providing a play park but it will only cater for small children so what about the older ones, the adults and the elderly? We need a community centre or some sort of hub as there is nothing on the estate and the last available space is disappearing. It is all well and good building houses but they need to care for the wellbeing of people living there.”

 

The development will range from one to five-bedroom houses and is part-funded by an investment fund announced in 2008 as a response to the credit crunch.

 

Deputy Minister for Housing and Regeneration, Jocelyn Davies AM, visited Newtown to hand over the site, and said money from the fund was used on projects that would deliver affordable homes, school buildings and NHS facilities, as well as providing a boost to the construction industry.

 

The developers insist the work will include two play areas and two open amenity areas.

 

Ms Davies told BBC: “The Vaynor site was identified as a priority for affordable housing by Powys County Council so I am delighted to be handing it over to Mid Wales Housing Association who will build and manage the homes.”