WORK has halted on a Barry town centre affordable homes development after the contractor went into administration in February this year.

Buttrills councillor Ian Johnson has expressed concerns about delays to the Hafod redevelopment of Haydock House, a former Vale council office block, in Holton Road.

A planning application was first submitted for changing the building to housing back in 2013, but the work has yet to be completed.

Plans for 15 apartments were approved by Vale council planners in 2014.

Cllr Johnson said: “Haydock House is one of a number of eyesores in the centre of town.

“Work has been taking place there from time to time, but in recent weeks the scaffolding has been removed and nobody has been on site.

"It seems that workers on the site have downed tools with construction work still ongoing.”

He added: “Residents have raised concerns with me because of the continued untidy state of this major building in Barry town centre and because water is pouring into the undercroft car parking space whenever we have heavy rain, and we don’t know what damage is being done to the building's foundations.

“I'm disappointed this office block renovation has taken so long, six years since the first planning application.

“I've asked the planning department for an urgent update on the site.”

Head of development at Hafod, Cadwgan Thomas said: “Unfortunately, the contractor we were working with to redevelop Haydock House went into administration in February.

“We are currently in the process of tendering for a new contractor and envisage that work to refurbish the building to provide 15 much-needed affordable apartments will re-start in the autumn.

“In the meantime, the site has been secured and is monitored regularly.”

A Vale council spokesman said: "“Hafod Housing Association is responsible for the redevelopment of Haydock House so this is a matter for them.”