Support quality, independent, local journalism…that matters

From just £1 a month you can help fund our work – and use our website without adverts. Become a member today

Caerphilly County Borough Council’s use of a hotel as emergency accommodation has angered villagers who say they were kept in the dark about who was using it.

The Royal Hotel, on Havard Road, Abertridwr, started being used by the council in December 2023.

Since then, residents say they have seen a spike in antisocial and suspected criminal behaviour with vehicles being targeted. This includes the arrest of a 20-year-old man on Tuesday February 6 on suspicion of vehicle interference and shoplifting.

Under the Housing Wales Act councils have a legal responsibility to help any homeless person find a home and to help people threatened with homelessness.

This can include offenders and ex-offenders released from custody – including those convicted of violent crime.

Many residents have taken to social media to voice their concerns over safety and express anger at the council for not notifying them about the use of the Royal Hotel.

Councillor Charlotte Bishop represents the Aber Valley on Caerphilly Council for Plaid Cymru and has questioned the council on why residents weren’t consulted.

She said: “I’ve been made aware of serious antisocial behaviour linked to the emergency housing provision at the old Royal Hotel, Abertridwr.

“In recent days this has included incidents of car thefts and money stolen .This is obviously causing great concern to people in Abertridwr because of the impact it is having on the village. We cannot allow a situation where this sort of anti-social behaviour continues.

“A major issue is that no one in the community knew about this hostel opening and that includes all the local councillors. We have always supported the emergency housing teams but along with ward councillors John Roberts and John Taylor, we’re concerned about whether or not risk assessments of individuals were carried out before putting places were allocated in this accommodation.

“I appreciate the need for this type of accommodation for vulnerable people but there must be much improved security if the current use of the Royal Hotel is to continue. Residents of  Abertridwr must have the confidence that immediate action is being taken to address the issues that have been raised.”

Since Cllr Bishop met with officials, the council has promised to consult with communities when they use establishments for emergency housing and improvements to security have since been made.

Similar use of the Windsor Hotel and The Leigh in the Aber Valley were both consulted on by their owners (who are not the same as the Royal Hotel) as they needed to go to planning.

However, a change of use for the Royal Hotel was not needed – as it already had established planning permission for use as hotel accommodation.

A Caerphilly County Borough Council spokesperson said: “The number of people affected by homelessness remains high, so we need to expand our current temporary accommodation options. The council is reliant on the owners of hotels and bed and breakfast units coming forward and being willing to allow us to access their accommodation facilities.

“We do not have any contractual agreement in place for any of the hotels/bed and breakfast units as demand for these can fluctuate and change.”

According to the council, security is now onsite 24/7 and support staff are there Monday to Friday.

The spokesperson added: “In addition to this the local authority temporary accommodation coordinators visit twice weekly as part of their standard visits to all temporary accommodation units and the hotel itself also has its own staff in attendance. There is also CCTV and cameras in the communal areas of the hotel.”

Cllr Bishop has asked for a public meeting for residents of nearby streets to attend and regular meetings are to be established so councillors can be kept updated.

If Caerphilly Council decided not to use the Royal Hotel for emergency accommodation, it would likely be used by another local authority for the same use.

According to Land Registry records, a Newport company called Highmore Investments bought the Royal in November 2022 for £140,000.

Companies House records state that its director and owner, Thomas Stafford Lewis, also owns a string of other companies whose names suggest they also provide emergency accommodation.

These include ‘Halfway Hotel’ in Cwmbran and Isca Property Group.