Community

Welsh Government set to miss key social housing target

Published

5 months ago

November 19, 2025

WALES’ housing minister has been accused of “celebrating failure” after confirming the Welsh Government will miss a target to build 20,000 social homes.

Labour’s manifesto for the 2021 Senedd election pledged to “deliver 20,000 new low-carbon social homes for rent” – one of six key commitments to the nation before polling day.

But, in a statement to the Senedd on Tuesday (November 18), Jayne Bryant said the Welsh Government was forecasting 18,652 low-carbon homes for rent by the May 2026 deadline.

The housing secretary faced cross-party criticism, with Plaid Cymru accusing ministers of focusing on interpreting data in a “fanciful way” rather than tackling a deepening crisis.

Meanwhile, the Conservatives suggested the official figures were “inflated” with properties added that are “not new builds, not low carbon and not for social rent”.

Joel James, the Tory shadow housing secretary, raised an Audit Wales report which called for a longer-term approach to planning and funding beyond the five-year target.

He highlighted warnings from the Chartered Institute of Housing Cymru that this year’s budget falls well short of what is needed to achieve the 20,000 aim.

His Conservative colleague Mark Isherwood accused the Welsh Government of dismissing warnings of a looming housing crisis for decades.

He told the Senedd: “You only set a target to deliver 20,000 new low-carbon homes for social rent this Senedd term, and you now say your forecasts have delivered 18,652 low-carbon homes for rent within the social sector.

“Given you have inflated this – by adding homes that are not new builds, not low carbon and not for social rent, including homes for intermediate rent and shared ownership…, why should you not be accused of deliberate deception in your statement today?”

David Rees, the Senedd’s deputy speaker or Dirprwy Lywydd, urged Mr Isherwood to be mindful of his language and the serious nature of the allegation.

Siân Gwenllian, Plaid Cymru’s shadow housing secretary, said a 12% year-on-year increase in “affordable” homes sounds positive on the surface.

Plaid Cymru MS Sian Gwenllian — Plaid Cymru MS Siân Gwenllian

But she told the Senedd that just over 13,000 of the promised 20,000 social homes have been provided, to date, “and that is the only figure that counts”.

“That is the important figure,” she said. “The other things are maybes, so let’s not turn this statement into a celebration. We have a housing crisis in Wales and the crisis is deepening.

“When we look more deeply at the entire picture, it’s clear that the reality of the people of Wales runs counter to the optimistic narrative that we’re hearing from the government today.

“One in every 14 households is waiting for a social home – and at the current rate it would take 35 years to meet that demand.”

John Griffiths, who chairs the Senedd’s housing committee, raised his committee’s calls for Wales to build an extra 60,000 social homes to catch up to comparable European countries.

His Labour colleague Mike Hedges warned Wales is not building co-operative housing at “anywhere near” the scale of the rest of Europe and North America.

Jenny Rathbone, a fellow Labour backbencher, welcomed an improvement in the number of homes being built, with the highest increase in two decades.

Labour’s Lesley Griffiths suggested the Welsh Government had already hit the stretching 20,000 target. “I think reaching it is a significant achievement,” she said.

Ms Griffiths, a former minister, pointed out that Wrexham has outperformed on social housing, with 33.6 units per 10,000 households compared with the Welsh average of 26.5.

Calling on all local authorities to play their part in “tackling the housing crisis”, Ms Rathbone described Caerphilly Council as one of the “lowest providers” of social housing.

However, Jayne Bryant responded: “Caerphilly has the fourth highest social housing stock in Wales amongst local authorities. It has had 368 social housing grant-funded homes, and there’s a number more in the pipeline, which is really good.

“There are another 186 in reserve and a potential 306 in the pipeline as well. So, there is a pipeline coming from Caerphilly, as there are with other local authorities. But we work with local authorities closely, and housing associations and RSLs (registered social landlords), to really see where they can improve.”

Ms Bryant confirmed 3,643 additional “affordable” homes were completed across Wales in 2024/25 – a 12% increase on the previous year – with more than £2bn invested since 2021 in an effort to meet the “most ambitious housing target in our nation’s history”.

In her statement, Wales’ housing secretary told the Senedd: ”By May 2026, we are forecast to have delivered 18,652 low-carbon homes for rent within the social sector.”

Ms Bryant added that a further 1,652 units are in the pipeline for the end of 2026 – beyond the Welsh Government’s five-year term – which would bring the total to 20,304.

She said: “That represents the highest sustained delivery of social housing in Wales in nearly two decades, and the pipeline beyond 2026 remains strong.”

“These aren’t just statistics, they are lives changed. A nurse finally able to live near the hospital where she works; a mother able to tuck her children into a bed in a home she can afford; and an older couple able to stay in the community they’ve called home all their lives.”

Business

Fresh call to approve Fishguard children’s home after previous refusal

Published

53 minutes ago

April 28, 2026

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

AN AMENDED scheme for a children’s care home on the edge of Fishguard have been submitted to county planners after a previous call was refused.

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, Martin Leahy of Ty Caredig Ltd seeks permission for a change of use of a dwellinghouse to a residential care home for up to two children at Bryn Delyn, Y Fraich, Fishguard.

Last November, a call to allow Bryn Delyn to be used as a children’s home, which raised fears from local objectors the scheme was being ‘rubber stamped’ by the council, was refused.

In that application to the council, Cardiff-based Ty Caredig Ltd sought permission for a Certificate of Lawfulness on the basis the use was not materially different from the property’s existing lawful use.

Residents had accused the council of “pushing through a highly controversial children’s home application behind closed doors”.

A supporting statement for that scheme, with many redacted parts, said the four-bed property had a lawful use as a dwelling house; saying the use as a care home did not require planning permission through a change of use.

However, planners said the use of the dwelling as a care home “would represent a material change of use requiring the benefit of planning permission”.

Since then, amendment to the scheme, for for a change of use has been submitted, a supporting statement saying Ty Caredig Ltd operates homes throughout Wales that provide specialist care for children, the latest scheme “seeks formal confirmation that the proposed use of Bryn Delyn as a children’s care home for up to two children (plus care staff) would not require planning permission”.

Fishguard Town Council has objected, on the grounds of highway safety and parking issues.

It also raised points of “apparent discrepancies between the planning application and the information available on the website,” but stressed it did support provision of suitable accommodation for vulnerable young people and children “with the correct infrastructure in place”.

Local county councillor Cllr Par Davies has said the scheme has her “full support,” as did the certificate call, adding: “Rumours abound regarding this application with objections concerning the usage of the property as a care home for young people. The application states that only two young people would be cared for in the property.

“This type of property is needed as we often talk as councillors for the need for Pembrokeshire children in care to remain in Pembrokeshire instead of the alternative of moving them to other areas in the country and this application fulfils that need.”

Her statement of support went on to say she could not agree with objections regarding an increase in traffic on the unadopted road at Y Fraich, with no objections or concerns raised when there were working farms there.

The application will be considered by county planners at a later date.

Community

Oriel y Parc reveals wild secrets of coast this May

Published

6 hours ago

April 28, 2026

Tom Sinclair

SEABIRDS, BATS AND CREATIVITY

ORIEL Y PARC in St Davids will celebrate the wildlife, art and character of the Pembrokeshire coast this May half-term with a packed programme of family events, guided walks, expert talks and local markets.

The National Park Discovery Centre will host a week of activities inspired by the landscape, giving families the chance to explore the natural world through birdsong, creativity and coastal discovery.

Throughout the holiday week, A Trail of Birds and Song will run through the centre’s woodland, courtyard and grounds, inviting young adventurers to search for hidden nests.

Children will also be able to take part in two drop-in Make & Take sessions, creating woodland window art on Wednesday (May 27) and clay seabirds on Thursday (May 28).

The highlight of the week will be Seabirds Discovery Day on Thursday (May 28), bringing the wildlife of the Pembrokeshire coast to Oriel y Parc through expert talks, demonstrations, guided walking and family-friendly discovery.

A courtyard market will run from 10:00am to 3:00pm, alongside a series of expert-led events.

Greg Morgan, RSPB Cymru Detection Dog Handler for the Biosecurity for Wales project, will speak about the role specially trained dogs play in protecting Wales’s seabird islands. This will be followed by free demonstrations from Jinx, the biosecurity detection dog.

The Discovery Day will also include a guided walk and talk from Caerfai to St Non’s, led by National Park Authority Ranger Libby, a former Seabird Island Ranger.

National Park Authority Ranger Chris, a former Skomer Warden, will also give visitors an insight into life on the island, its internationally important seabird populations and the pressures they face in a changing climate.

As dusk falls, attention will turn from the coastline to the night sky, with a guided Brilliant Bats walk around St Davids.

Some Seabirds Discovery Day events have limited numbers and booking is essential. Further information is available at www.orielyparc.co.uk.

Alongside the events, visitors can explore a range of exhibitions, including Garry Fabian Miller’s light-filled Môrwelion / The Sea Horizon, Dafydd Wyn Richards’ new paintings of the Pembrokeshire coast, and locally inspired work by Jo Thomas of Pembrokeshire Craft Makers.

In the Tower, Celebrating the Mischief of Rooks by Jackie Morris and Elly Morgan focuses on the noise, movement and character of the rooks around Oriel y Parc, with paintings and ceramics inspired by the birds that gather in the surrounding trees.

The half-term programme also includes two courtyard markets featuring local stallholders, handmade crafts and produce. Makers Bizarre returns on Tuesday (May 26), followed by the May Craft Market on Saturday (May 30), with free entry to both.

The Manager of Oriel y Parc, Rachel Perkins said: “Pembrokeshire is a landscape of constant discovery. This May we are peeling back the layers of the coast to reveal the vital work and wild secrets that make this National Park unique.

“From the dogs guarding our islands to the bats of the Cathedral, it is an invitation to see this world-class environment through fresh eyes.”

Community

Harvester tragedy remembered ten years on

Published

6 hours ago

April 28, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Father and son Gareth and Daniel Willington honoured by fishing and rugby communities

A DECADE has passed since the Harvester fishing tragedy claimed the lives of father and son Gareth and Daniel Willington.

The pair, remembered as skilled fishermen, much-loved family members and cherished friends, remain deeply missed across the Welsh fishing community.

Gareth, 59, and Daniel, 32, left Milford Haven Docks in the early hours of Thursday (Apr 28), 2016, aboard the fishing vessel Harvester.

They were fishing for crab and lobster when the vessel got into difficulty off the north Pembrokeshire coast, near St Davids Head and Abereiddy.

The alarm was raised at around 2:30pm after reports of a fishing boat in trouble. A major search operation was launched involving the Coastguard, RNLI lifeboats and emergency services.

Gareth was recovered from the sea later that day and taken to Withybush Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Daniel was never found, despite extensive searches by rescue teams and local fishing vessels.

A later Marine Accident Investigation Branch report concluded that the most likely scenario was that Daniel became caught in rope while working on deck, and that Gareth went to help him, resulting in both men going overboard.

Neither man was wearing a personal flotation device at the time. The tragedy later led to renewed calls for stronger safety measures for fishermen working at sea.

The Fishermen’s Mission marked the anniversary today, saying Gareth and Daniel’s loved ones remain in their thoughts as the charity honoured the legacy they left behind in Welsh fishing — pysgota Cymru.

Their memory is also kept alive each year through the Willington Slate Trophy, contested by Pembroke Rugby Club and St Davids Rugby Club over two league matches.

The annual tradition not only remembers Gareth and Daniel, but also raises vital funds for The Fishermen’s Mission and the RNLI.

Supporters are being encouraged to look out for upcoming fixtures later in the year and to join the rugby and fishing communities in commemorating the Willingtons and their lives at sea.

Photo caption: Remembered at sea: Gareth and Daniel Willington, whose loss is still felt ten years after the Harvester fishing tragedy (Pic: The Willington family).