Parties clash over demolition plans for ex-council buildings

Labour and Plaid Cymru politicians have clashed over proposals to demolish council-owned buildings in Pontllanfraith.

Last month, Caerphilly County Borough Council’s cabinet agreed to spend a collective £3.1 million to knock down its former offices in Pontllanfraith, as well as Pontllanfraith and Oakdale comprehensive schools – which have been replaced by the recently-opened Islwyn High School.

A public consultation has also begun into plans to close and demolish Pontllanfraith leisure centre, on the same site.

If the demolitions go ahead, it is likely the council will sell the land for a housing development.

However, Plaid Cymru politicians have questioned whether the land will be used for affordable housing.

South Wales East AM, Steffan Lewis, Penyrheol councillor, Lindsay Whittle, say the decision to demolish Pontllanfraith House and sell the land to developers is shortsighted when thousands of people are waiting for a council home.

Mr Lewis said: “The local authority has decided to allow the building of primarily executive housing and this is in an area where 5,000 people are waiting on social housing lists. What we need in this area is council housing, affordable housing for local people.

“The council has got its priorities wrong in the absence of a real plan for our communities. Instead, executive homes are being built. The shambles of the housing crisis in Caerphilly has got to stop.”

Cllr Whittle said: “I support the view of Steffan Lewis and question why Labour is spending around £600,000 to demolish its own building and carry out site investigation costs, before selling the land to developers.

“This is a total waste of council tax-payers’ money. We could get much more benefit out of this site. It should be used for the benefit of local people, not for developers to make a quick buck.”

The claims were stoutly refuted by council leader, Cllr Dave Poole, who referred to the fact that the land had not even been sold yet.

Cllr Poole said: “It is extremely disappointing that Stefan Lewis did not have the courtesy to check the facts before rushing to issue such an inaccurate statement.

“It is even more disappointing and surprising that Cllr Whittle actually endorsed Mr Lewis’ comments, even after he had been informed by the Interim Director of Corporate Affairs in a recent Policy and Recourses Scrutiny Committee that these proposals were the cheapest option.

“The site has not yet been sold and therefore no planning permission has been sought for the site layout, the number of houses, or house styles, executive or otherwise.

“Whatever the number of houses the developer eventually plans to build on the site, they must comply with the council’s policy, of ensuring that a quarter of houses to be build, must be affordable homes.

• Pontllanfraith councillors, Mike Adams and Gez Kirby have voiced concerns over the proposed closure of the area’s leisure centre.

The council is carrying out a six-week public consultation until Saturday, November 10. Facilities could be transferred to Islwyn High School if the centre is demolished.

Cllr Adams said: “While we appreciate Caerphilly Council’s increasing need to make savings, we Pontllanfraith councillors believe that local access to resources promoting health and wellbeing is vital.”

Cllr Kirby added: “We have called for an urgent meeting with Caerphilly Council’s leadership to see what can be done to secure leisure services for Pontllanfraith residents.

“We’re asking local residents to make sure they have their say in response to our Council’s consultation on the issue.”