Issues discussed (From Penarth Times)

Issues discussed

MEMBERS of the public fired questions on a range of contentious issues at Vale of Glamorgan Council cabinet members in a Question Time-style debate held at the Paget Rooms.

Hundreds of people crammed into the hall last Wednesday to hear presentations on the Penarth Heights project, the headland link walkway and the central Penarth renewal scheme, before the floor was handed over to the public for the council's annual State of the Area debate.

Rita Davies of Penarth told the panel: "I would like to know what you intend to do about providing affordable housing for people on middle to low incomes.

"I am talking about people who earn between 14,000 and 18,000 a year.

"They are suffering the most because they are not entitled to social housing - and at the same time find themselves completely priced out of the property market, especially in Penarth."

Michael Harvey, cabinet member for Regeneration, Tourism and Leisure, said that 20 percent of the new homes provided by the Harbour Heights development had been earmarked as "affordable homes" both for rent and purchase.

John Thomas, cabinet member for Housing, Building Services and Community Safety, said: "We are aware that affordable housing is a major problem in Penarth and our officers are doing all they can to provide solutions."