An application has been submitted to build 12 apartments on a derelict site on Bangor High Street, that will be used as supported living units for the homeless within the area. The development would also include a car park to the rear of the building.

The proposed scheme aims to provide quality accommodation close to the city centre, with affordable tenures of twelve modern apartments and a street-level office facility in partnership with Gwynedd Council, which will support the continued regeneration of Bangor City High Street and offer new accommodation in a strategic location.

The project will also support the homeless team at Gwynedd Council, which in the current health crisis is experiencing acute issues and demands on the service.

The current proposal is to offer the following mix of units

  • Adra is leading on developing this building into 12 x 1 & 2-bedroom flats with support to prevent homelessness in Gwynedd. The building will be managed in partnership by Gwynedd Council and North Wales Housing Association
  • The Building will also provide an Office Facility, which will manage and offer
    services to the residents through the Local Authority and Health organisations.

Adra Tai Cyf currently has 6,387 affordable rented homes, 1,221 of these are located within the 8 electoral wards of Bangor. Given the need for social housing in the Menai and Deiniol area (169 applicants); there is a very high demand for the social rented units and a facility provision such as 137 High Street.

The project will enable greater access to ‘move-on’ accommodation and provide safe, secure and sustainable temporary housing within the city of Bangor.

The development will be at the heart of Bangor and would assist in the current regeneration of Bangor City Centre and improve the aesthetic of the current derelict site.

Providing the potential to build 100% of the scheme to be let at an affordable rate will meet the Gwynedd Strategic Teams requirement to provide more affordable units for local families in challenging and difficult times and circumstance.

None of the flats will be let as student lets. Modern and well-equipped flats will offer low running cost and comfortable living to those in need.

The inclusion of an office environment within the residential development to manage and administer care and housing needs will be a benefit. This will ensure all support is flexibly controlled by the person receiving it and lasts for as long as they require the care and support.

All staff will be fully trained to place designated homelessness and housing expertise as a priority within a safe and secure environment. They will also be able to coordinate networks with Social Services, Health and Housing providers to the benefit of the residents.

Providing apartments at the heart of Bangor would offer the potential for tenants to be within walking distance to the city centre and all the health and retail amenities it has to offer. This would reduce their dependency on public transport and owning a car and allow access to much needed care-centred support.

The Project has the support of the Cabinet Member for Housing at Gwynedd Council who hold the responsibility for preventing and relieving homelessness within the county.

The full planning application can be seen here: https://amg.gwynedd.llyw.cymru/planning/index.html?fa=getApplication&id=31082

A Spokesperson for Adra said: “Adra are proud to be working with Gwynedd Council’s Housing and Properties Department and have presented a Planning Application to Gwynedd Council to redevelop a stalled site into a building which will include 12 flats with support. These flats will provide a suitable home for vulnerable people and aim to help prevent homelessness in Bangor, Gwynedd, if the planning application is successful. 

“Adra will be leading on the development, Gwynedd Council will then manage the building and use it in partnership with North Wales Housing in an effort to reduce and prevent homelessness.

“Adra and Gwynedd Council Housing and Properties Department hope that the planning application will be granted so that they can continue their work with Gwynedd Council and North Wales Housing, who have the teams to help and support vulnerable people in housing need towards independence. 

 “There has been a 40% increase in homelessness in Gwynedd over the last five years and so Adra believe that this development project is essential to provide people with a home.”