Latest news with #DylanDavies
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- General
- Scottish Sun
‘Outdated' British village is completely demolished after 75 years to make way for £35million revamp
War survivors in their 90s say they're being forced out all over again STUCK IN THE MUD 'Outdated' British village is completely demolished after 75 years to make way for £35million revamp A HISTORIC Welsh village for war refugees has been flattened after 75 years — sparking fury from elderly residents who fear being forced out. Founded in 1949 for Polish WWII veterans, Penrhos Village became a tight-knit, Polish-speaking community of 100 on a former RAF base, with its own church shop, hall, and care home. 4 The site, located on the scenic Llyn Peninsula in Gwynedd, North Wales Credit: ITV 4 Work is set to start on new homes in a redevelopment of an entire Welsh village Credit: ClwydAlyn 4 It housed exiled Polish airmen and soldiers who remained in the UK following World War Two Credit: ClwydAlyn The site, located on the scenic Llyn Peninsula in Gwynedd, North Wales, has now been earmarked for a £35million redevelopment project led by Welsh social housing provider ClwydAlyn. The first phase will see 44 new energy-efficient homes built, with a total of 107 properties planned. The project is supported by the Welsh Government, in partnership with Cyngor Gwynedd and Williams Homes (Bala). Dylan Davies, of ClwydAlyn, said the scheme aims to tackle poverty by creating jobs and improving lives: '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.' The new homes will be prioritised for current residents of Penrhos and local people with low to medium care needs. A separate proposal for a new nursing and residential home is also being developed by Cyngor Gwynedd and the local health board. But not everyone is on board. Campaigners and elderly residents have condemned the demolition, claiming it disregards the community's heritage and uproots those who came to Penrhos seeking peace in their final years. Barbara Owsianka, who spoke against the plans, said: 'We are very disappointed the vote went against us, but it was close. "I just hope ClwydAlyn takes that on board and will listen to the residents.' She added: 'In this application, there is nothing that describes the replacement of any of the communal services and facilities the elderly folks rely on, like the hairdresser's or the launderette. "A lot of people will be terribly worried.' Barbara's 90-year-old mother Maria, who escaped war-torn Warsaw as a child, said: 'We all came to Penrhos at the end of our lives in the expectation of a safe haven. "We did not expect to be forced out of our homes yet again.' Despite the backlash, planners at Gwynedd Council narrowly approved the proposal by seven votes to five. ClwydAlyn has stressed it will preserve key parts of the village's Polish and Welsh heritage, including the listed Freedom Cross, the church, and walled gardens. Councillor Paul Rowlinson said: '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.' Owain Williams of Williams Homes added: 'The development will create over 20 jobs for local people and contribute to the local economy during the construction period.'
North Wales Live
4 days ago
- General
- North Wales Live
Redevelopment of an entire Welsh village with unique history is underway
Work is set to start on new homes in a redevelopment of an entire Welsh village. Penrhos Polish Village, just outside Pwllheli, was founded in 1949 by the Polish Housing Society Ltd. 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.'
North Wales Chronicle
18-06-2025
- Health
- North Wales Chronicle
Penrhos Polish Village: Progress at Gwynedd housing project
The first phase of the ClwydAlyn-led redevelopment scheme at Penrhos Polish Village will see the construction of 44 new homes. All new homes on the site will feature air source heat pumps, solar panels and will be built using 'modern methods of construction', incorporating as many natural and sustainable materials as possible. 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. 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 Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board to develop a new nursing and residential home at Penrhos. The aim is for the new Penyberth home to be able to accommodate 32 residential dementia beds as well as 24 nursing beds, of which a large proportion would be prioritised for nursing dementia care. The Polish and Welsh heritage at the site will be preserved, meanwhile. 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. Cllr Paul Rowlinson, Gwynedd's 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 of 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.'
Cambrian News
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Cambrian News
Sarn Helen's impressive Welsh Castles Relay performance
Dylan Davies was back on the track and is now a Double Gold Medallist having won his Age Category in both the 800 and 1,500M races and was 1st overall in the 800m at the Welsh Masters Track and Field Championships with his amazing runs securing him personal best times in both events.
