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A controversial housing development in Rhymney will be open to people on the common housing register across Caerphilly County Borough, the council has confirmed.

Linc Cymru’s planned redevelopment of the Buchan Building and the Whitbread Enterprise Centre into 27 affordable homes and a children’s home has faced opposition from Rhymney residents. 

There are various grounds for opposition, from those who wish to keep the only gym, Fit4Living in the Buchan Building, to fears that Rhymney’s heritage is “fading away” – as well as the belief that the area would be better suited as a community wellbeing site.

The proposals, now submitted to Caerphilly County Borough Council’s planning department, have also raised concerns about the intended residents of the redevelopment.

Kevyn Price, leader of the Rhymney Heritage Group, spoke to Caerphilly Observer at the second public consultation held at Rhymney Day Centre in July 2023 and raised this particular issue. 

“They’re not bringing Rhymney people in. It’s people from out of the area,” said Kevyn. 

“There’s a welcome,” he continued, “but stop bringing in the rough areas of other places up to Rhymney.” 

Kevyn said that while the buildings “look nice”, infrastructure would also be needed to support the new arrivals.

Kevyn continued: “They bring them up here and there’s no work for them.”

Caerphilly Observer spoke to Linc Cymru’s project manager, Chris Monk, at the same public consultation in July. He said the redevelopment will “meet a local housing need.” 

Mr Monk added: “[The redevelopment] represents seven to eight million pounds worth of investment into Rhymney, where a lot of the investment in the borough tends to happen down south.”

Now, Caerphilly Observer can confirm the housing will be open to applicants on the common housing register (CHR) across Caerphilly County Borough – if planning permission is given and the development goes ahead. 

A spokesperson for Caerphilly County Borough Council said: “There will be applicants registered on the CHR from areas outside of Rhymney who may get housed in this development.  

“The CHR allows applicants to select any area within the borough and this is not dependent on what part of the borough they are living.”

According to Caerphilly County Borough Council, the Common Housing Register serves as a centralised platform for anyone interested in housing options such as community landlord housing, accessible housing, or affordable homeownership within the borough.

As of September 20, there were 6,913 applicants on the Common Housing Register (CHR) in Caerphilly County Borough.

People in north Rhymney accounted for 17% of all those – 1,187 applicants.

Of those 1,187 applicants: 

• 225 applicants registered for a three-bed house 
• 509 registered for a two-bed house
• 453 registered for a one-bed flat

The planning application for the redevelopment can be viewed on the Caerphilly County Borough Council website under reference 23/0585/FULL.