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Wales Online
3 days ago
- Business
- Wales Online
Latest plans to transform what was once the biggest public sector housing scheme in Wales
Latest plans to transform what was once the biggest public sector housing scheme in Wales Trivallis expects to submit an application for 150 homes in Penrhys this month which are part of wider regeneration plans for the area (Image: WalesOnline/ Gayle Marsh ) An application for 150 houses as part of plans to regenerate what was once the largest public sector housing scheme in Wales could be submitted this month. Housing association Trivallis intends to submit a planning application in June for what they call phase 1A of the Penrhys regeneration proposals in the Rhondda which involves an area in the northwest of the site with this phase involving the construction of up to 150 new homes with a mix of affordable housing, including new homes for existing residents, and homes for sale with demolition of existing buildings in this area already underway. It is expected that an outline planning application for the development of the wider masterplan area will be submitted in early in 2026. A report to cabinet on Wednesday, June 11 also recommends that authority be given to the director of corporate estates to negotiate the sale and transfer of the land within the existing estate area that is currently in council ownership to Trivallis. It is also recommended that cabinet members agree that the council owned land to south is included in the wider masterplan now and also be transferred at an appropriate time. The Penrhys Estate was first developed in 1966 as a modern housing development and on opening in 1968 with 951 new homes was at the time the largest public sector housing scheme in Wales. Article continues below The report says that during the late 1970s and 1980s, for a range of reasons, the estate gained a poor reputation and has been in decline ever since but a strong, small community still exists in Penrhys. In 2007 the site transferred ownership from the council to RCT Homes, now Trivallis. As of today, there are around 230 tenanted homes left at the site, there are several streets where the housing condition is poor and current estimates show that a repair programme to acceptable standards is likely to be uneconomical. To get all the latest Rhondda news straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here. The report said that the 'high level of voids impacts adversely on the overall environment at the estate.' In 2021, cabinet agreed the principle of developing a regeneration plan for Penrhys and since then Trivallis has assembled a design team and has carried out site investigation work with a view to developing a site-wide masterplan that will feed into future planning applications. In March this year, cabinet received an update on the council's Sustainable Communities for Learning (SCfL) nine year rolling programme and the latest strategic outline programme which included approval for a new school at Penrhys to replace the poor quality existing buildings on the Penrhys Primary School site. The cabinet report said that the spend on the new school will act as 'a major facilitator in the wider regeneration aspirations for the site.' Trivallis has already held a series of engagement sessions with residents to explain their ideas and gather the views of the community and it is expected that these sessions will continue as plans develop. The report says that the council will also engage with the community as part of its normal process for developing the new school at the site. The regeneration of Penrhys is a key site in the development of the council's new local development plan (LDP) and the site is set to be included in the council's preferred strategy for the revised LDP and will be taken forward to the next stage of the preparation of the plan. The report said that Trivallis and their agents are currently in the process of procuring a development partner/housebuilder for the wider regeneration proposals and it is expected that the majority of the new homes will be advertised for sale on the open market with the remainder being offered as affordable housing and new homes for the existing community. The council still owns several parcels of land throughout the estate and the wider masterplan area, including a significant area of land to the south of the main roundabout. The report says: 'Taking a comprehensive and coherent approach to the development of the site should result in a successful and sustainable outcome and to this end it is considered that this will be best achieved with all the available land within the existing estate area sitting with Trivallis and their development partner. 'As such, it is recommended that this report gives authority to the director of corporate estates to negotiate the sale/transfer of the land within the existing estate area that is currently in council ownership to Trivallis, subject to our usual legal and financial procedures. 'It is also recommended that members agree to the council owned land to south being included in the wider masterplan now and also be transferred to Trivallis/developer at an appropriate time in the best interests of the council and the wider community.' On the new school, the council has carried out a feasibility and options appraisal to build the new school on the existing school site, and further work to take this project forward will happen over the next few months. It is currently expected that the planning process for the new school will start next year. The report said: 'Works will be developed in collaboration with the school and local community to make sure that this project remains at the heart of the wider regeneration proposals, making it a true community school. Article continues below
Wales Online
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
DIY SOS looking for a project in Cardiff
DIY SOS looking for a project in Cardiff Nick Knowles and his team of purple shirts are back and they want to help the people of Cardiff Nick Knowles and the team from DIY SOS want to head to Cardiff (Image: WalesOnline/ Gayle Marsh ) The BBC's long-running renovation programme DIY SOS is heading to the Welsh capital and the production team is currently looking for local projects to feature in its next series. Producers are appealing to homeowners, families, and community organisations in the Cardiff area who are in urgent need of major building or renovation work. Whether it's a house that no longer meets a family's needs or a vital community space that's fallen into disrepair the team is inviting applications from those who could benefit from their support. DIY SOS is one of the BBC's flagship programmes. Since its debut in 1999 the show has built a reputation for delivering large-scale and often emotional renovation projects with the help of a dedicated team of tradespeople and volunteers. Led by presenter Nick Knowles and his familiar crew in the purple shirts DIY SOS has spent years helping people across the UK by carrying out transformative construction projects — many in just a matter of days. Now the call has gone out to Cardiff for stories that need to be told and spaces that need to be rebuilt. On top of searching for suitable projects the team is also encouraging local tradespeople and volunteers to get involved. As always,the show relies on the skills and generosity of local communities to bring each project to life. Article continues below "We're currently casting for a brand-new series and are looking for deserving homeowners in the Cardiff area who are in real need of our help," a spokesperson from DIY SOS said. Never miss a Cardiff story by signing up to our daily newsletter here. Applications and nominations can be submitted through the DIY SOS website or via the show's social media channels. Applications close on December 19, 2025, and applicants must be 18 and over.
Wales Online
01-05-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
DWP universal credit claimants told to check their bank accounts on Friday
DWP universal credit claimants told to check their bank accounts on Friday People are being urged to check their accounts ahead of an important change made by the DWP People on benefits are being urged to check their bank accounts due to a change to their usual payments this week (Image: WalesOnline/ Gayle Marsh ) People on benefits are being urged to check their bank accounts due to a change to their usual payments this week. Many benefit recipients may see a change in their usual payment dates due to two scheduled bank holidays. This applies to payments from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and HMRC, including Universal Credit and Child Benefit. The first bank holiday is on Monday, May 5. Due to the scheduled bank holiday, payments this month will be paid earlier. The DWP and HMRC do not process payments on bank holidays, so instead, the payment for benefit claimants will take place on the earliest working day, which will be Friday, May 2. The second bank holiday is set for Monday, May 26. If your benefit payment is due on this date, it should be paid into your account on Friday, May 23. For money-saving tips, sign up to our Money newsletter here . The amount you receive will remain the same and will be deposited into your usual bank account. The only difference is that you'll need to budget carefully as there will be a longer gap until your next benefit payment, reports the Mirror . If you were expecting your benefit and it hasn't arrived, you can contact the DWP helpline on 0800 328 5644. Article continues below You should note that this helpline is closed on bank holidays, but you can reach out on the working day before or after the bank holiday. Below are all the key dates you need to know. When are benefits normally paid? Attendance Allowance - Usually every four weeks Carer's Allowance - Weekly in advance or every four weeks Child Benefit - Usually every four weeks Disability Living Allowance - Usually every four weeks Employment and Support Allowance - Usually every two weeks Income Support - Usually every two weeks Jobseeker's Allowance - Usually every two weeks Pension Credit - Usually every four weeks Personal Independence Payment - Usually every four weeks State Pension - Usually every four weeks Tax credits - Every four weeks or weekly Universal Credit - Every month Article continues below Bank holidays in England and Wales Wednesday, January 1 - New Year's Day Friday, April 18 - Good Friday Monday, April 21 - Easter Monday Monday, May 5 - Early May bank holiday Monday, May 26 - Spring bank holiday Monday, August 25 - Summer bank holiday Thursday, December 25 - Christmas Day Friday, December 26 - Boxing Day
