Penarth eyesore estate to be demolished
The Penarth Heights housing estate in Wales is to be demolished and redeveloped after years of being left derelict.
The estate, recently voted the "ugliest eyesore in Wales", overlooks Cardiff Bay, the Millennium Stadium and Bristol Channel, making it a highly sought-after location for developers.
The decrepit site, known as 'Billybanks', had attracted vandals and thieves and nearby residents had become concerned about safety in the area. "Nobody's maintained the site and we've been increasingly worried about kids going on there and and playing and somebody getting hurt," said Kath O'Donnel, Secretary of Alexandra Ward resident's association.
The news of the redevelopment project was generally welcomed by the local community. The approved plans for the site will see 377 houses and apartments be built, expected to be completed by 2018. There is a degree of anxiety, however, with residents keen to see adequate traffic and schooling provisions made for the influx of new residents. The council has made an agreement with the developers to meet the needs of the community, including improvements to local schools, highways and footways.
Demolition contractors are expected to begin the controlled demolition process in May and a public exhibition is planned before the new homes are taken to market in the summer.
