DELEGATES in Rhyl have commended Denbighshire County Council’s decision not to create emergency accommodation for the homeless at a former complex for elderly residents in the town.
The council had proposed for the site, at Maes Emlyn, to be a short-term solution in its attempts to rehome displaces residents.
But following a public meeting on the plans, held at Rhyl Youth Centre on July 3, the council yesterday (August 1) confirmed it will not be pursue these plans.
Instead, all buildings at the site will be demolished and redeveloped to create a “mixed development of new council housing for permanent homes”.
The pre-planning consultation for this development will be published in autumn.
READ MORE:
Rhyl homeless accommodation plans scrapped as future of site confirmed
More than a 100 turn out for Rhyl Maes Emlyn public meeting
Homeless accommodation plan in Rhyl back on the table
James Davies, MP for Vale of Clwyd, said: “There is a great need to address the temporary homeless situation in Rhyl but Maes Emlyn was never a viable solution.
“I therefore very much welcome the news that Denbighshire County Council have taken on board the views of local residents and that the site will instead be used for much-needed permanent homes.
“I hope officers can provide assurances that these will be for those on the local housing waiting list.”
Initial plans at Maes Emlyn were part of a wider scheme to provide temporary emergency accommodation in the medium-term.
This is with a view to allowing the council to move away from the use of hotels and bed and breakfasts to house homeless people within the town.
A total of “24 single units” were proposed for the site, that would have catered for homeless people aged between 18 and 55 with a range of high and medium needs.
Gareth Davies, MS for Vale of Clwyd, added: “I’m pleased to see the leadership of Denbighshire County Council and relevant officers listening to the concerns of the residents of East Rhyl regarding the future use of the Maes Emlyn site for local homeless people.
“I’ve long been of the belief that, if the site isn’t deemed fit for elderly people any longer, then why should it be fit for homeless people to reside in?
“The recent public meetings held in Rhyl sparked a lot of passion amongst local residents with strong feelings that the current site isn’t appropriate for future use and isn’t in keeping with the demographics of that specific area.
“It’s promising that Denbighshire County Council realise this, but we will need to see what the future plans look like to determine whether they’re appropriate for the local area and go some way to thoughtfully tackle the housing problems in North Denbighshire.
“I call on Denbighshire County Council to be mindful of these issues in their future planning of the site and finding the right balance that works for everyone in the local area.”
At last month’s meeting, residents voiced concerns that Maes Emlyn was “not the right location” for the scheme and was “not fit for purpose”.
The council admitted the building was coming to the end of its life and “five years could be squeezed out."
There were also concerns about anti-social behaviour, drugs, homes going down in value as a result of the development and whether the "freed-up" B&Bs and hotels would be used by other local authorities to house homeless people.
Attendees had also bemoaned the lack of notice given for the event - the Journal was only informed of the meeting on Thursday, June 29; four days before the meeting.
Cllr Justine Evans, of the Rhyl East ward in which Maes Emlyn is situated, said: “I am absolutely delighted that Denbighshire County Council have listened to the legitimate concerns of residents and scrapped plans to create temporary homeless accommodation at Maes Emlyn.
“From the moment I was first elected, I have repeatedly told officers that Maes Emlyn is the wrong location for such a development, that the plans would not be supported locally, and that such a development would do little to address the homeless situation in Rhyl in the long-term.
“Rhyl needs good quality homes for local people, so the council’s new plans to create permanent homes on the site make more sense.
“I wish to thank all residents for attending the public meetings and responding to the consultations and for putting their views across to Denbighshire County Council in such a coherent and professional manner.”
Cllr Rhys Thomas, the council’s lead member for housing and communities, added: “As a council, it’s important that we listen to the views of residents.
“And while no decision had been made about Maes Emlyn, the discussions at the meeting clarified the need for us to pursue a different option.
“Our long-term plan had always been for the Maes Emlyn site to eventually be redeveloped into permanent council housing.
“Officers will now start the planning process for demolishing all buildings and redevelop the site to create a mixed development of new council housing for permanent homes.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here