Heol Croseo development at Eagleswell Road, Llantwit Major

Frequently Asked Questions

• Why is the Council rehousing Ukrainian nationals?

  Welsh Government has declared Wales a ‘Nation of Sanctuary’, emphasising its desire to help improve the lives of refugees and asylum seekers.

   

  The Council is committed to that aim and has a statutory as well as a moral obligation, as do all Welsh Local Authorities, to provide humanitarian aid and accommodation to those fleeing the conflict in Ukraine.

   

  The Council is proud that since the start of the war it has made a significant effort to help those in need. Large numbers have been provided in short-term Welcome Centre and hotel accommodation, while hundreds of Vale residents have shown immense kindness in opening up their homes to Ukrainian evacuees.

   

  With the war in Ukraine likely to continue for some time, these families now need more suitable accommodation. That is what the temporary homes in Llantwit Major will provide.

• What type of development is this?
  This site will contain 90 units of temporary modular accommodation for those who would otherwise be homeless and will resemble a typical residential housing estate.

  The units are designed for families. There will be a mixture of one, two and four bedrooms homes.

  
  

  The provision of temporary homes at this site is in line with the Council’s commitment to assist those who have suffered forced displacement as a result of the conflict in Ukraine and also reflects an urgent need to increase the availability of homes at a time when there is a significant shortage of housing and a growing waiting list and increasing levels of homelessness. 

   

  The use of the site will be important in easing the pressure for Council housing and will also represent a far more dignified solution than the use of substantially more expensive and cramped temporary hotel accommodation.

   

  These units are not permanent structures so can be moved to another location in the future. The development on Eagleswell Road will be carefully designed and well presented.

• Why was the former Eagleswell Road Primary School site chosen?

  Due to its size, the former Eagleswell School site is the only location owned by the Council’s Housing Department appropriate for this purpose. It was the only site that could be developed quickly in line with Welsh Government funding requirements and timescales and was vacant.

   

  Permitted Development Rights, which allow for development without needing planning permission, were used to begin this project. That was considered appropriate given the urgent need to provide real and meaningful assistance to those escaping the war, something all Welsh councils are required to do.

• Did the Council consider any other sites?

  A range of alternative sites were considered, including those owned both by other Council departments and private individuals, but Eagleswell Road was the most suitable.

   

  The site is owned by the Housing Department, the service area responsible for emergency resettlement. It is also of sufficient size to significantly address the accommodation needs of those fleeing the war in Ukraine.

   

  Eagleswell Road is in a town setting and in close proximity to public services and transport. The site already has facilities such as a water supply, drainage and electricity, which means it can be developed quickly.

• How long will this remain as temporary accommodation?

  As it is unclear how long the war in Ukraine will last, it is not possible to say for certain how long the accommodation units will be needed. Once the conflict has ended, the time it may take for the country to stabilise and nationals to be repatriated is also not known.

   

  This planning approval has been conditioned so that the units will stay in place for a maximum of five years before they must be dismantled and moved to another location. 

   

  A plan to remove the units to alternative sites will also be submitted to Planning Committee for approval.

• Did you consider the impact on local services?

  This site is allocated for residential housing under the Council’s Local Development Plan. In assessing it for this purpose, evidence was considered relating to the sustainability of local services. The site has, as a consequence been deemed to be appropriate for residential purposes.

   

  Many of the children who will move to the site are already attending school in the Vale of Glamorgan. It is likely many will choose to stay in their current school. There are school places currently available in the Llantwit area which are likely to be more than enough for those families moving into the Vale.

   

  It is acknowledged that there are concerns within Llantwit Major about the level of local services, particularly health facilities, and in this regard further conversations on managing the impact of the development will continue when details of the exact requirements for education and other provision will become clear.

• Will there be support for the occupants?
  The Council has a dedicated team of Support Workers and Tenancy Management Specialists who will work with Ukrainian residents to help them access services, support and employment opportunities.

• How is the scheme funded?

  The scheme will be funded through the Council’s Housing Business Plan and financial support from Welsh Government.

   

  The total cost of the development is £24 million, funded jointly by the Council and Welsh Government, with much of that amount recoverable as the units are reusable and have a 60-year lifespan.

• How long will it take to complete work on the site?

  We anticipate all 90 units will be ready for families to move in by the end of Summer 2024.

• What will happen to the site in the future?

  Once the emergency accommodation is no longer needed the temporary units will be removed and the site will be made available for development.  

   

  The site is allocated for housing development in the current Local Development Plan and any future use is likely to involve residential development. 

   

  There has also been discussion with Cardiff and Vale UHB about the use of some or all of the site for a new health centre for Llantwtit Major.  These discussions will continue and any permanent development of the site will be subject to public consultation.