Redevelopment of an entire Welsh village with unique history is underway
It housed exiled Polish airmen and soldiers who remained in the UK following World War Two. There were around 100 exiled airmen, soldiers and sailors living there.
They established a Polish-speaking community on the former RAF Penrhos base. It had its own church, library, a large communal dining hall, shop and allotments as well as a care home for veterans.
But the condition of the 107 homes have deteriorated over the years and in 2022 plans were submitted to build more than 100 news homes - with the old properties demolished.
The first phase of redevelopment at Penrhos Polish Village will see the construction of 44 new homes. This scheme was made possible thanks to investment of a Welsh Government grant, following discussions between ClwydAlyn, Cyngor Gwynedd and Welsh Government.
Welsh social homes provider ClwydAlyn has confirmed that contracts have been signed with Williams Homes, Bala who will build 107-energy efficient homes.
Once complete, these new properties will be prioritised to current residents who already live at Penrhos Polish Village and people with low to medium care and support needs from the local community.
With scheduled pre-commencement works now complete, emphasis at the site is on the first phase of construction.
This development is separate, but closely connected, to plans by Cyngor Gwynedd and the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board to develop a new nursing and residential home at Penrhos. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox
ClwydAlyn said it has emphasised that preservation of the Polish and Welsh heritage at the site is of upmost importance. CADW has carried out an assessment of the site; making the decision that the Freedom Cross will be listed as a structure of historical and cultural interest, so that it can be protected for future generations.
The church and walled gardens will also be safeguarded and ClwydAlyn will work alongside residents and the local community to preserve and protect the Welsh and Polish history at Penrhos.
Councillor Paul Rowlinson, Gwynedd Cabinet Member for Housing and Property, said: "I'm pleased to welcome the significant progress being made as this Pen Llŷn housing development enters its next phase. Addressing the housing crisis remains a key priority for Cyngor Gwynedd—especially in areas like this, where a very large percentage of local people are priced out of the market.
"Through strong partnerships with housing associations such as ClwydAlyn, we are working together to deliver more high-quality, affordable homes for communities across the county."
Dylan Davies, Senior Development Project Manager at ClwydAlyn, said: 'As part of our commitment to delivering high-quality homes, we believe it's essential that all our partners play an active role in supporting our communities.
"This shared responsibility can take many forms and is guided by our ambition to end poverty in Wales. Whether that is by creating opportunities for employment, tackling loneliness, supporting residents with fuel costs or improving access to nutritious foods; all these efforts can help our communities to thrive.'
Owain Williams, Joint Managing Director, Williams Homes (Bala) said: 'Williams Homes is pleased to be working with ClwydAlyn and Welsh Government to deliver this exciting project. Developing new energy efficient homes to replace the existing outdated housing stock whilst being sensitive to the history of the former Polish
"Village and the current residents. The development will create over 20 jobs for local people and contribute to the local economy for the duration of the construction period.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Western Telegraph
a day ago
- Western Telegraph
King's Medal won by Pembrokeshire-born lady comes 'home'
The tale of brave Beryl Schaerer Morse, who assisted shot-down airmen to escape over the frontier of neutral Switzerland came to light when her rare wartime medal was donated to the Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre. Mrs Schaerer Morse, who was born in Pembroke Dock in 1887, was one of only 2,500 recipients of The King's Medal which was awarded in the early post-war years. King's Medal recipient Winifred Beryl Gwladys Schaerer Morse. (Image: Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre) She was the daughter of Mr and Mrs Thomas Harrison Morse who lived in Pembroke Dock and later in Tenby. When later living in London, she met a Swiss banker, and they were married in 1913. She lived the rest of her life in Switzerland. During the war years she was, according to newspaper reports, head of an organisation which assisted shot down British and Allied airmen to escape over the Swiss frontier. Mrs Schaerer Morse's granddaughter, Therese Burckhardt, recently visited Pembroke Dock and was directed to the Heritage Centre. She was delighted to find that the archive team was very keen to display the medal and tell her grandmother's story. Mrs Schaerer Morse's granddaughter, Therese Burckhardt, is pictured at Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre with family friend Penny Tighe of Pembroke and Heritage Centre trustee Peter Mitchell. (Image: Martin Cavaney Photography)'It was a joy to have such a welcome and to know that the centre would take the medal into its collection. It is so important to me that the medal returns 'home',' Therese said Mrs Schaerer Morse's King's Medal - one of only 2,500 awarded. (Image: Martin Cavaney Photography) 'My grandmother was very proud of her Welsh roots. Her father built a bungalow in Broadwell Hayes, Tenby, where my grandmother lived until she left for Switzerland, and family members spent many summer holidays there. 'I have fond memories of visits to Tenby, playing on the sands with my brother Roland.' Therese added: 'Grandmother introduced us to Wales, and she expressly wished to be buried at Llanion Cemetery, Pembroke Dock, near her father. I well remember attending her funeral at Llanion in 1967.' The King's Medal, instigated in 1945 by King George VI, was awarded to civilian foreign nationals who had given meritorious service to further the interests of the British Commonwealth or the Allied cause. Uniquely, Mrs Schaerer Morse had dual British/Swiss nationality. Research is continuing both in Switzerland and the UK to discover more of this unique wartime story, which Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre will feature in an exhibition in 2026.
Western Telegraph
3 days ago
- Western Telegraph
VJ Day marked in Tenby with special services in town
Commemorative events in the town began at 11am with a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tenby war memorial, with town mayor Cllr Dai Morgan amongst the many representative of local groups and organisations paying tribute. VJ Day marks 15 August 1945, the day Japan surrendered and brought World War Two to a close. Tenby Royal British Legionchairman Shane Roberts lays a wreath, watched by the mayor of Tenby. Cllr Dai Morgan. (Image: Gareth Davies Photography) Piper Graham Phillips played during the service. (Image: Gareth Davies Photography) A large and respectful gathering stood in Tenby's South Parade for the wreath-laying, remembering the sacrifices of thousands of servicemen and women, including those who faced extreme conditions as prisoners of war or served in some of the most challenging theatres of war. Town Crier Erin Morgan proclaimed the start of the war memorial service. (Image: Gareth Davies Photography) One local resident who served in the Far East is 99-year-old Duncan Hilling of Saundersfoot, who has just been honoured by Wales First Minister, Eluned Morgan. Mr Hilling is the senior member of Tenby Male Choir, whose proud fellow choristers said they saluted his service. Dyfed-Powys Police was amongst the organisations represented at the service. (Image: Gareth Davies Photography) The ceremony at the war memorial was followed at midday by a special service of commemoration in St Mary's Church, Tenby conducted by the Rev Steven Brett. Youth organisations joined in the Tenby tribute. (Image: Gareth Davies Photography) The chairman of the Tenby branch of the Royal British Legion, Shane Roberts, then led a presentation celebrating the lives of veterans and loved ones connected to the conflict, as well as local organisations affiliated to the Royal British Legion. The mayor of Tenby, Cllr Dai Morgan, lays a wreath on behalf of the town. (Image: Gareth Davies Photography) The beautiful floral cross in the Tenby war memorial grounds. (Image: Gareth Davies Photography) Members of Tenby Town Council joined in the service. (Image: Gareth Davies Photography) VJ Day 80 marks the end of World War Two in 1945. (Image: Gareth Davies Photography) The mayor of Tenby, Cllr Dai Morgan said: "VJ Day allows us to pay tribute to those whose service and sacrifice in the Far East are too often overlooked. "These commemorations are a chance for our community to come together, to remember, and to ensure that their legacy lives on." Tenby Town Council also acknowledged the ongoing efforts of the Tenby Branch of the Royal British Legion, who continue to ensure the stories of these veterans are remembered and respected.
Wales Online
3 days ago
- Wales Online
Stranded woman airlifted from clifftop
Stranded woman airlifted from clifftop It has been a busy week for coastguards with people trapped in a cove, a paddleboarder in difficulty and walkers stranded on a sand bank amongst the call outs Llandudno coastguard in action (Image: Llandudno coastguard) A woman was rescued by a helicopter after becoming stranded on a steep cliff at a Welsh coastal resort. The coastguard in Llandudno, Conwy county, was called at 2.30pm on Saturday to the woman stranded on the Little Orme headland, which has a height of 141 metres. The good weather coupled with summer holidays has meant it has been a busy week for coastguards. The call out to rescue the woman was the eighth this week for the Llandudno coastguard. Giving details of the Saturday rescue, Llandudno coastguard posted on social media: "We located the casualty and determined that the safest way off the cliff would be with the help of the coastguard helicopter. "The helicopter winch man successfully retrieved the casualty from the cliff and took her to Bodafon fields where we carried out medical and welfare checks and reunited her with her partner." It was the eighth callout of the week for Llandudno coastguard. Others included a casualty on the beach at Penrhyn Bay who was taken to hospital with a head injury, and a person trapped in a cove on Great Orme. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter . The coastguard said another incident involved casualties stranded on a sand bank at Kinmel Bay, adding: "Our friends at RNLI Rhyl located the casualties and returned them to shore." Article continues below There was also a report of a paddleboarder in difficulty at Colwyn Bay, though this man was then observed making his own way to shore with no difficulty. A quick welfare check revealed no issues. The coastguard listed the calls out this week: 1. A search for a vulnerable missing person who we successfully located. 2. A casualty with a head injury on the beach at Penrhyn Bay who we bandaged and guided to transport to hospital. 3. Report of casualty trapped in a cove on the Great Orme. The casualty was assisted by a passing jet ski. 4. Casualties stranded on a sand bank at Kinmel Bay. Our friends at RNLI Rhyl located the casualties and returned them to shore. 5. Reports of a kayak with no occupant near the Rainbow bridge. Our friends at RNLI Rhyl helped us to retrieve a number of inflatable items. No casualties were involved. 6. Reports of a vessel in difficulty off Llanfairfechan. Together with our friends from Conwy Lifeboat we monitored the progress of the vessel into the Conwy estuary and ensured that it was safely tied up at the Marina. of a paddle boarder in difficulty at Colwyn Bay. A paddle boarder was observed making his own way to shore with no difficulty. A quick welfare check revealed no issues. Article continues below 8. Someone stuck (cragfast) on the Little Orme. We located the casualty and determined that the safest way off the cliff would be with the help of the Coastguard helicopter (Rescue 936). The helicopter winch man successfully retrieved the casualty from the cliff and took her to Bodafon fields where we carried out medical and welfare checks and reunited her with her partner. Llandudno coastguard said: "If you are ever aware of anyone in any distress or difficulty anywhere around the coast please call 999 and ask for the coastguard."
