'Eyesore' flats upgrade delayed

Flats in Penarth Heights have become rundown and vandalised Memories of life at Billybanks

Plans to redevelop an 'eyesore' estate overlooking Cardiff Bay have stalled because of the economic downturn.

The 329 derelict Penarth Heights flats - known as the Billybanks - in Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan, are due to be demolished and replaced by new homes.

But Vale of Glamorgan council has pulled out of a public inquiry due to be held into orders it issued to evict four residents who remain there.

The council said the current climate gave time for a "considered review".

The estate is in prime position, on a hill in the seaside town, overlooking Cardiff Bay, the Millennium Stadium and out to the Bristol Channel.

The Millennium Stadium can be seen from the estate

But for years it has been empty and has become a target for vandals, thieves and squatters.

Housebuilder Crest Nicholson has been given permission by Vale of Glamorgan planners to demolish the 329 council-owned flats and replace them with 377 private houses and flats.

But, while most residents were relocated from the estate years ago, four families have remained on the site.

The council had issued compulsory purchase orders in an attempt to move them, but a public inquiry was called over the issue.

The authority, on the advice of its lawyers, has now withdrawn from the inquiry, which was due to start on 10 March.

It will mean that the start of the project will be delayed.

The council would not give a timeframe for a new public inquiry, which needs to be held before the scheme can continue.

Director of environmental and economic regeneration Rob Quick blamed the current financial climate for the decision.

"The decision to withdraw is to provide time for the council and Crest Nicholson to have a considered and measured review of this complex urban regeneration project in view of the current market," he said.

The estate overlooks Cardiff Bay, including the five-star St David's Hotel and the Millennium Centre

"Both Crest and the council remain committed to the regeneration of the site, and an announcement will be made in due course on the way forward for the project."

Crest Nicholson has said it is still committed to the project, despite the latest development.

But local residents and councillors say the delay - the latest in the last few years - has left them frustrated and worried about the future for the area.

Sian Morgan Isles, 32, a mother-of-two, who lives opposite the estate, said she and her husband had bought their flat eight years ago believing the Billybanks would be demolished.

"We really hoped to make money on the flat and then sell up and have a family," she said.

There's been trouble there, there's been lots of fires. We don't want our children growing up near it Sian Morgan Isles

"As it is we now have two children and still live in a two bed flat. It's not nice to live opposite that.

"The view out across the bay is stunning but it would be more stunning and the area more affluent without the eyesore in front of it."

She said she was also concerned about the people attracted to the empty flats.

"There's been trouble there, there's been lots of fires. We don't want our children growing up near it. It's also very embarrassing when people visit.

"We keep thinking they will be knocked down. But they've been saying that for five years.

"It's such a blot on the landscape and the area would be lovely if it was redeveloped."

Frank Pine, of Penarth, who often walks his dog Lady near the estate, added: "It does look a mess. They shouldn't have shut it down in the first place. They could have spent money on it and made it look nice instead of throwing people out.

"But it's a cracking spot. You can see right out across the channel. You can see why someone wants to redevelop it. It's all about the money."

Councillor Sophie Williams, who represents the estate as part of her St Augustine's Ward, said: she was "disappointed".

"Should further negotiations between Crest and the Vale of Glamorgan Council conclude that Crest withdraw their interest from the project I would call for the possibility of demolition of the site to be considered immediately," she added.

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