Press Statement on Penrhos Polish Village

Executive Director of Development at ClwydAlyn, Craig Sparrow said:

“​In September 2020 the Polish Housing Society transferred Penrhos Polish Village to ClwydAlyn Housing following a long period of financial uncertainty.

“Due to the age and construction of the existing homes, they need significant investment to bring them up to standard, the current homes are not designed to meet people’s changing needs and are not energy efficient. Over a period of time, we plan to replace the existing homes and build a range of new homes that will meet high levels of sustainability and energy efficiency, as well as building lifetime homes that support the changing needs of people at different stages of their life.

“The first phase of the planning application going to Planning Committee on Monday will prioritise the building of 44 homes for current residents already living within Penrhos Polish Village, and people with low to medium care and support needs from within the local community. In addition, there are two homes, which will be used as supported accommodation for adults with learning disabilities. We have planned the development in three phases to minimise the disruption to the residents living on site. Residents can stay in their existing homes until the new homes are ready and then decide what they would like to do. Nobody will be forced to move.

“We committed from the outset that the development of a new care home will form a key part of the plans. We are working with Cyngor Gwynedd and Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board to look at different options that will support an innovative new care model on the site and this will form part of a separate planning application.

• “We are committed to preserving the Polish and Welsh heritage of the site, the existing Church, Freedom Cross and walled garden will be protected. We have actively worked with the Polish Institute and Sikorski Museum to safeguard the historical documents onsite and there will be a historical timeline incorporated into the communal area of the new development.

“For many years the site has been seen as a haven, providing essential accommodation and support to Polish ex-servicemen and women who remained in Britain following World War II, offering homes to couples, families as well as older people. This is a long-term development for ClwydAlyn, and we’ll continue to work with partners, Cyngor Gwynedd and Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, as well as residents and the local community to shape future plans.

“It’s understandable that some residents are apprehensive about the redevelopment,  but we are passionate about retaining the strong sense of community that currently exists at Penrhos as the site moves into the next chapter of its history.”