A new support scheme for those facing significant financial hardship as a result of fire safety issues will launch today.

Welsh Government Climate Change Minister Julie James confirmed the Leaseholder Support Scheme would open at 10am on Monday, June 27.

The new scheme will provide tailored, independent advice to leaseholders in affected homes.

It is currently targeted at leaseholders who are owner occupiers and those who have become displaced residents, but the Minister confirmed applications would be monitored and eligibility kept under review to ensure ‘those who need support most have access to the scheme’.

The Minister said: “Today, we are launching the Leaseholder Support Scheme which will help those who need support the most.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the external partners and sector experts who have assisted us in developing this scheme at pace.

“Their support and hard work have been critical to establishing the right qualifying criteria and support processes.”

All leaseholders eligible for this scheme will now receive advice from an Independent Financial Adviser, with the costs fully covered by the Welsh Government.

The advice will support them in making the right choice for them and, if the sale of their property is the right route, the Welsh Government will enable them to sell their property at a fair market value.

The Minister continued: “Addressing fire safety defects in medium and high-rise buildings must go beyond cladding to make these buildings as safe as they can be.

“This has been our premise from the outset and, although it makes identifying, addressing and resolving issues significantly more complex, it is the right approach.

“There are no quick or easy fixes, but we cannot compromise on achieving the right, sustainable solutions.

“Anything less leaves the door open to the risk of further issues arising and it is important to me that, once these issues are resolved, they remain resolved.

“We must do this properly, to get it right now and for the future.”

Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds MS has been critical of the Welsh Government response to the cladding crisis.

Ms Dodds said: “This announcement will help a very small number of people and continues to let property developers off the hook. Homeowners must see urgent action to make their buildings safe and the Welsh Government is still failing to do that.

“We have been campaigning on this issue for so long now and unfortunately it has become quite clear that there has been a lack of active engagement and communication with homeowners by Welsh Labour that has exacerbated the frustration that people feel with the situation.

“We cannot continue to have people living in unsafe buildings across Wales going to bed every night fearing for their safety. The longer this continues the greater the bills that sit on people’s kitchen tables are, bills the Welsh Government has stated cannot be recouped by homeowners.

“Labour need to stop shielding property developers and focus on delivering the urgent remediation work needed to make their buildings safe.”

The Welsh Conservatives meanwhile claim that only two weeks ago, the First Minister was unable to answer how much money has specifically been set aside to tackle dangerous cladding in Wales.

It said that data released under the Freedom of Information Act, shows that Labour’s Minister for Housing only met housing developers three times in 2021 for a grand total of 2 and a half hours.

Commenting, Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Housing, Janet Finch-Saunders MS said: “For years, people in Wales have been living in fear as a result of dangerous cladding with very little help coming from the Labour Government. People living in these flats don’t need advice, they need access to cash.

“While the UK Conservative Government has been leading the way in dealing with dangerous cladding, Labour in Wales has been too slow in rolling out funding.

“It is vital that financial support is made available so people are not forced to sell their flats to the Minister and can finally live in their homes without fear.

“Labour ministers in Cardiff Bay need to treat this issue with the severity it deserves and ensure people living in dangerous flats have access to cash quickly.”

Here’s how the former Oceana nightclub site in Swansea now looks as early construction works continue on a new office development there that will provide space for 600 jobs.

The first of two tower cranes is now on site at The Kingsway, with foundations being laid ahead of work starting to construct the building’s concrete frame.

Developed by Swansea Council with Bouygues UK as main contractor, the five-storey scheme is due for completion in the summer of 2023. The new development will be carbon zero in operation and worth £32.6 million a year to Swansea’s economy.

It will include 114,000 square feet of commercial floor space with flexible co-working and office opportunities for businesses in sectors like tech, digital and the creative industries.

The development is being part-funded by the £1.3 billion Swansea Bay City Deal and supported by the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government.

Cllr Robert Francis-Davies, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Investment and Tourism, said: “The arrival of the first tower crane on site is another sign of progress for this new development, which will further boost our economy by providing space for hundreds of workers and generating more footfall for city centre traders.

“We know there’s unmet demand in Swansea for this kind of modern, flexible workspace in growing sectors like tech and digital, so developments of this quality are key if we’re to keep these businesses in the city and encourage them not to relocate elsewhere.

“Due to be carbon zero in operation, this scheme will also help Swansea meet its net zero city ambition by 2050, while complementing the nearby ‘living building’ development being led by Hacer Developments and generating far better links between The Kingsway and Oxford Street.

“Discussions with potential tenants are also making continual progress as our £1bn regeneration of the city gathers even more pace.”

Access to businesses nearby will be maintained throughout the construction works. Temporary surfacing has been deliberately laid in front of the development site, with permanent paving to be installed there once main construction work has finished.

Other features of the new development will include a green roof terrace and balconies overlooking the city centre and Swansea Bay.

(Lead image: Swansea Council)

Pupils from Pentrehafod Comprehensive School have visited the site of a new office development at the former Oceana nightclub on Swansea’s Kingsway to see new murals they have designed on the site hoardings.

The colourful murals were produced by Fresh Creative Co in a joint initiative between Bouygues UK – the council’s main contractor for the project – and the local community, through the Art In The City project.

They were designed following discussions with a group of 60 young people as part of an engagement programme called ‘School Swap’, a regional project to explore cultural and social differences between young people across Swansea, Neath Port Talbot, and Bridgend.

The inspiration for the murals came directly from these workshops and the visit allowed the pupils to have their say on the final artwork, the location, and the possible impact of the art on the local community.

Located at the former Oceana nightclub site, 71/72 Kingsway will be operationally carbon zero and worth £32.6 million a year to Swansea’s economy.

Swansea Council, who are behind the development, say the office building will provide space for 600 jobs.

Due for completion in the summer of 2023, the scheme will include 114,000 square feet of commercial floor space with flexible co-working and office opportunities for businesses in sectors like tech, digital and the creative industries.

Other features of the new development include a roof terrace, a new link between The Kingsway and Oxford Street, and balconies overlooking the city centre and Swansea Bay.

Bouygues UK’s Nick Toulson and Hadley Hands gave the pupils a site tour, allowing them a chance to see the construction in progress and look at the murals, which respond to issues the children feel strongly about like racism and hate crime, on the board hoardings.

Bouygues UK Social Value Advisor Nick said: “It was fantastic to welcome the Pentrehafod pupils to the Kingsway site. During the tour, we explained the process and the proposed use of the building as a communal office and agile working space.

“The children were eager to listen and learn and they were big fans of the murals that we have on the hoardings. We also discussed ideas for more artworks that tie in with Bouygues UK’s Diversity and Inclusion programme and we look forward to seeing more creations soon.”

Cllr Robert Francis-Davies, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Investment, Regeneration and Tourism, said: “The pupils thoroughly enjoyed the visit and loved the artwork, which form part of a construction scheme that will create space for 600 jobs and further boost Swansea’s economy, following on from our Copy Bay district that includes Swansea Arena.

“These artworks aim to celebrate diversity and encourage people to be respectful in our communities. It’s hoped that people will see these murals and feel connected to their local area as the messages promote peaceful and integrated communities.”

The 71/72 Kingsway scheme is being part-funded by the £1.3bn Swansea Bay City Deal and supported by the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government.

(Lead image: Swansea Council)