Deputy Minister for Housing and Regeneration, Jocelyn Davies AM has visited a former empty home in Rhyl that is to be sold as an affordable house to a local first time buyer.

North Wales Housing Association worked in partnership with Denbighshire County Council on this affordable housing initiative and purchased three long term empty homes in West Rhyl.

The houses have now been refurbished and will be sold as low cost housing to local people at 50% of their open market value.

Ms Davies visited a four bed house in Lake Avenue which was the first refurbishment to be completed under this initiative.

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The scheme has also provided opportunities for local people to undertake a variety of construction training, with apprentices having developed skills in areas such as plastering, joinery and surveying throughout the renovation process.

One of the apprentices was 17 year old Ashley Hughes from Kimmel Bay who was taken on as an apprentice plasterer but has now been offered full time employment by contractor K and C Construction.

Ashley said: "I can’t believe the difference the scheme has made to me. I'm so grateful to have been able to take part in it, gain new skills and learn a trade. I’m back in college at the moment finishing my SCA PTA plastering course but when I finish I know I have a job to go to with K and C construction."

Ms Davies said: "This is a fantastic scheme that not only helps local people to get their foot on the property ladder and purchase their own homes, but has helped local young people to gain the valuable skills they need to help them get jobs.

"By taking empty homes and refurbishing them to turn them into good quality affordable homes we are tackling their wasted resource and helping to revitalise the local community."

(CD/GK)