Latest news with #MichelleBateman
Pembrokeshire Herald
3 days ago
- Business
- Pembrokeshire Herald
New station car park opens in Whitland with 25 new spaces for rail users
A NEW affordable housing initiative has been launched to help first-time buyers in Pembrokeshire take their first step onto the property ladder. Homebuy Pembrokeshire, delivered by Pembrokeshire County Council, offers eligible applicants an equity loan of up to 30% of a property's value—providing vital support for those struggling to bridge the gap between mortgage offers and rising house prices. Funded by revenue from the Second Home Premium, the scheme aims to tackle one of the key challenges faced by prospective homeowners in the County: affordability. While many first-time buyers are able to save for a deposit and secure a mortgage, the actual cost of properties in Pembrokeshire can still be out of reach. Homebuy Pembrokeshire is designed to address this by offering an interest-free loan secured against the property as a legal charge. The repayment value is linked to the market value of the property at the time of repayment, giving buyers flexibility to repay when they are financially able. The scheme applies to homes purchased on the open market across Pembrokeshire, with additional support available for those choosing to purchase empty properties. Unlike similar initiatives elsewhere in Wales, which are often limited to new-build homes, Homebuy Pembrokeshire is tailored to the County's general housing market. Councillor Michelle Bateman, Cabinet Member for Housing, said: 'The launch of Homebuy Pembrokeshire is part of this administration's commitment to increasing the supply of affordable housing across all tenures. 'We understand that despite saving for a deposit, many people still find themselves priced out of home ownership. This scheme aims to remove that barrier and give first-time buyers a real chance to own their own home. 'It forms part of a broader strategy to address the housing crisis, alongside our development and acquisitions programme, Leasing Scheme Wales, and support for bringing empty properties back into use.' To qualify, applicants must demonstrate a local connection to Pembrokeshire and meet other eligibility criteria. The pilot phase of the scheme is backed by £1 million in funding, with all repayments reinvested into the County's wider affordable housing programme. For more information about the scheme and how to apply, visit the Homebuy Pembrokeshire webpage or contact the council's affordable housing team via email at affordablehousing@ or call 01437 764551.
Pembrokeshire Herald
3 days ago
- Business
- Pembrokeshire Herald
New housing scheme to support first-time buyers in Pembrokeshire
A NEW affordable housing initiative has been launched to help first-time buyers in Pembrokeshire take their first step onto the property ladder. Homebuy Pembrokeshire, delivered by Pembrokeshire County Council, offers eligible applicants an equity loan of up to 30% of a property's value—providing vital support for those struggling to bridge the gap between mortgage offers and rising house prices. Funded by revenue from the Second Home Premium, the scheme aims to tackle one of the key challenges faced by prospective homeowners in the County: affordability. While many first-time buyers are able to save for a deposit and secure a mortgage, the actual cost of properties in Pembrokeshire can still be out of reach. Homebuy Pembrokeshire is designed to address this by offering an interest-free loan secured against the property as a legal charge. The repayment value is linked to the market value of the property at the time of repayment, giving buyers flexibility to repay when they are financially able. The scheme applies to homes purchased on the open market across Pembrokeshire, with additional support available for those choosing to purchase empty properties. Unlike similar initiatives elsewhere in Wales, which are often limited to new-build homes, Homebuy Pembrokeshire is tailored to the County's general housing market. Councillor Michelle Bateman, Cabinet Member for Housing, said: 'The launch of Homebuy Pembrokeshire is part of this administration's commitment to increasing the supply of affordable housing across all tenures. 'We understand that despite saving for a deposit, many people still find themselves priced out of home ownership. This scheme aims to remove that barrier and give first-time buyers a real chance to own their own home. 'It forms part of a broader strategy to address the housing crisis, alongside our development and acquisitions programme, Leasing Scheme Wales, and support for bringing empty properties back into use.' To qualify, applicants must demonstrate a local connection to Pembrokeshire and meet other eligibility criteria. The pilot phase of the scheme is backed by £1 million in funding, with all repayments reinvested into the County's wider affordable housing programme. For more information about the scheme and how to apply, visit the Homebuy Pembrokeshire webpage or contact the council's affordable housing team via email at affordablehousing@ or call 01437 764551.
Western Telegraph
3 days ago
- Business
- Western Telegraph
Pembrokeshire Council launch scheme for first-time buyers
Homebuy Pembrokeshire, funded by the Second Home Premium, seeks to alleviate the difficulties buyers face when trying to enter the property market. In Pembrokeshire, significant differences in property prices across the county can render many areas inaccessible for first-time buyers. House prices can continue to serve as a hurdle to home ownership, even after a deposit has been saved and mortgage access secured. Homebuy Pembrokeshire, organised by Pembrokeshire County Council, aims to dismantle this barrier by offering a loan of up to 30 per cent of the property's value to contribute towards the purchase. This loan is interest-free and is secured against the property in the form of a legal charge, with its value linked to the property's current market value. The scheme applies to open market properties in the county, with extra support available if the buyer chooses to purchase an 'empty property'. Michelle Bateman, cabinet member for housing, said: "The launch of Homebuy Pembrokeshire is part of the administration's commitment to increasing the supply of affordable housing of all tenures. "We know that there are barriers which prevent people being able to move onto the housing ladder, and we hope that with this support we can give first-time buyers an opportunity to own their own home. "The scheme is part of a wide range of measures being taken to address the housing crisis, including our development and acquisitions programme, leasing scheme Wales and support for those wanting to bring empty properties back into use." Homebuy Pembrokeshire demands all applicants demonstrate a local connection to the county to qualify, as part of the initiative's goal to support local residents. An initial £1 million has been set aside to run the project, with repayments on loans to be reinvested to further expand the county's affordable housing programme. Those interested in finding out more about this scheme, or the application process, can visit Homebuy Pembrokeshire's web page or reach out via email at affordablehousing@ or call 01437 764551.
Pembrokeshire Herald
21-05-2025
- Business
- Pembrokeshire Herald
Cleddau Bridge Hotel housing scheme moves ahead
35 affordable homes to replace fire-damaged site in Pembroke Dock THE REDEVELOPMENT of the former Cleddau Bridge Hotel site in Pembroke Dock has taken a significant step forward, as Castell Group and Pembrokeshire County Council confirm the completion of the site sale. The site, which has stood derelict since a devastating fire in 2019, was acquired unconditionally by Castell Group in April 2024. Since then, planning permission and Sustainable Drainage (SAB) approval have been secured, clearing the way for construction to begin. Using a social housing grant from the Welsh Government, the new scheme will deliver 35 affordable homes—providing a mix of social, supported, and intermediate rental properties. All homes will be owned and managed by Pembrokeshire County Council. The development marks a key milestone in bringing a long-neglected brownfield site back into use, with anticipated economic and social benefits for the wider area. Dorian Payne, Managing Director of Castell Group, said: 'We are delighted to reach this critical stage in the redevelopment of the Cleddau Bridge Hotel site. We are excited to move forward with construction in collaboration with Pembrokeshire County Council.' Cllr Michelle Bateman, Cabinet Member for Housing, welcomed the news: 'This site has been derelict since the fire in 2019 so it's fantastic news that it will now be developed into high-quality affordable housing. We are committed to increasing the supply of affordable housing and this development, in one of our largest towns, will play a part in meeting the demand for housing in Pembrokeshire.' Local member Cllr Joshua Beynon added: 'I am really pleased to see the Council developing this piece of land that has been left as an eyesore since it caught fire some years ago. Housing is what we need, and I'm really pleased to see it happening here.' Work on site is expected to begin shortly. Anyone interested in applying for one of the new homes is advised to ensure their housing application is up to date. For further information, contact the Customer Liaison Team at devCLO@ or call 01437 764551.
Western Telegraph
16-05-2025
- Health
- Western Telegraph
New Pembrokeshire service launched to help with hoarding
The Wallich, a homelessness charity, has introduced the therapeutic service, 'Making Space', to assist individuals in Pembrokeshire who struggle with hoarding. The initiative, commissioned by Pembrokeshire County Council, aims to provide support without judgement. The service offers therapies, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and trauma-informed approaches, to help individuals understand their hoarding behaviour and prevent relapse. A community support group has also been established to provide ongoing emotional and practical peer support. Hoarding, a condition often linked with depression, trauma, or anxiety, affects people across all ages and income groups. It is characterised by the collection and storage of a large number of items, which can interfere with everyday tasks. Phill Stapley, strategic operational lead for The Wallich, said: "Hoarding is a complex and often misunderstood condition. "It's not about messiness or being lazy, and there are emotional and physical impacts for those affected and their families. "People can often become isolated, unwell, unsafe and, in some cases, that can lead to the potential loss of their home. "We won't come into someone's home and begin clearing – we work with them, at their own pace, to help organise their home." Councillor Michelle Bateman, cabinet member for housing, said: "This fantastic service will help those that need help to ensure their homes remain safe and liveable, with those offering support really understanding the impact hoarding can have on people's well-being." Since 2022, the council has received concerns of hoarding or sanitary issues relating to 729 households in Pembrokeshire. The Making Space initiative adds to a series of new services launched by The Wallich, including a rough sleeping team and a conflict resolution service to prevent eviction. To access the service, people are referred to the Pembrokeshire Council Housing Support Gateway.
