Local councillors are pushing for unused buildings to be transformed into homes to address housing shortages in Brecon and Llandrindod Wells
Brecon: At a recent council meeting, members discussed budget proposals that included selling off some properties. They’re looking to save money, but there’s a catch.
They’re considering selling the Gwalia office in Llandrindod Wells and the Neuadd Brycheiniog office in Brecon. The idea is to save around £287,000, but it’s not just about the cash.
Cllr Jake Berriman, who’s in charge of planning, mentioned that these figures are more about cutting costs than what they’d actually get from selling. It’s a tricky situation.
Then, Cllr Liz Rijnenberg raised a good point. She asked if they’d thought about turning these buildings into homes since there’s a big need for housing right now.
She questioned whether selling these properties would really help in the long run or just create more issues for the housing department.
Cllr Berriman responded that they’re looking into selling the Gwalia, but it’s not a done deal yet. They need to do more checks first.
As for the Neuadd Brycheiniog, he noted it’s a prime spot in Brecon that could be redeveloped for housing, which is a big deal.
Cllr Rijnenberg suggested a mix of affordable and market housing to meet local needs. It sounds like a solid plan.
They’ve even been chatting with the housing department about a long-term solution for the site.
Cllr Berriman mentioned they’d need to work with the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority on planning issues.
Later, Andy Thompson, the head of housing, said they’d be presenting options for the Neuadd Brycheiniog to the Cabinet soon. There’s a real demand for affordable housing in Brecon, and this project is crucial.
