Council told to 'stop dithering'. (From Penarth Times)

Council told to 'stop dithering'.

DISGRUNTLED Penarth residents are demanding updates on the redevelopment plans for the Harbour View estate.

There are currently only thirty-seven flats still occupied on the vast estate, and AM Owen John Thomas, has called on the Vale Council to "stop dithering over the development". Plaid Cymru's Penarth representative Alwyn Evans, of Chandlers Way, told the Times:

"The council can't play about with peoples lives."

He said that Shaun Roberts and his family had been re-housed in Gilfach Goch two weeks ago, while the Schembre family were offered alternative housing in Barry, despite the fact that they wanted to remain locally.

Following a meeting with the council's regeneration and housing officers, Mr Thomas said: "After six years of dithering, over 300 flats are vacant, many of them vandalised, and there is no development plan or timetable."

He added that the residents have not received any official communication informing them of how the authority intends to address their needs.

Mr Evans explained that, out of the 400 flats located at Harbour View, nine of the remaining residents are owner occupiers, who have bought their lease hold flats.

Consequently, they are stuck on the estate, until the council decides to "make them a sensible offer" for their properties.

The 1950s estate has been gradually emptied over the past six years, and Mr Evans stated that one remaining couple were living in a three bedroomed property on Harbour View, along with their seven children. They do not want to be re-housed in another area, because their children are all settled at local schools.

Plaid Cymru plan to publish an action plan next month detailing what steps the council should take.

A spokesman for the Vale Council said: "The council has recently appointed a project manager to progress the project, and he is about to reappoint consultants to draw up a site development brief, which will be the basis for the council's controlled disposal of the site.

"The local communities will have a chance to have their say in a public consultation being planned by the council as part of the consultant's commission."