Residents celebrate (From Barry And District News)

Residents celebrate

THE Vale of Glamorgan Council has been forced to compromise over the controversial Homes 4 U Scheme.

Local authority officials have reached an understanding with residents over empty flats at Pontalun Close and Monmouth Way.

As reported in the News last year, many elderly home-owners were in tears following proposals to house 'problem' tenants at the site.

Neighbours were told they could either stay in the area, possibly with ex-convicts, sex offenders and asylum seekers, or relocate.

But now, after a series of heated meetings between councillors and concerned locals, a compromise has been reached.

The council has been forced to adopt a policy in which empty pensioner's properties will only be offered for letting to people over the age of 40.

This news has been warmly welcomed by residents.

One, who did not wish to be named said: "This is excellent news. When we first heard about the scheme in September we were devastated.

"We felt the heart was being ripped out of our community and that we wouldn't be able to finish our days with any dignity."

Her views were echoed by Cllr Rob Curtis. The Gibbonsdown ward representative has been a key player in the fight against the initial proposals.

He said: "This is a victory for common sense. I welcome this late but sensible change from the Vale of Glamorgan Council.

"I demanded that a series of local meetings were held for the residents of both communities. Although the meetings were sometimes heated, overall the home-owners raised very important concerns and made positive suggestions."

Now the councillor is calling for a protocol to be drawn up to ensure that local members of the Vale council are consulted on council activities within their wards.

He also wants residents to be involved in any consultation that affects their community and an assurance that single homeless people on the council house waiting list should be dispersed throughout the Vale and not concentrated in one area.