Leighton Andrews, Deputy Minister for Regeneration, has announced that two seriously dilapidated properties in Rhyl, Wales, that have blighted the area for years have been acquired for demolition.

During a visit to Rhyl he said funding from the North Wales Coastal Strategic Regeneration programme had been provided to Denbighshire County Council for the acquisition of 1 Aquarium St and 38 Abbey Street.

Both properties on the edge of the town centre have disused shops on the ground floor, are in a serious state of disrepair and have been empty for many years.

Mr Andrews said: "These and other properties have been the subject of numerous complaints over the years – they are an eyesore and have been a real blight on the area. I am very pleased to announce that contracts have now been exchanged on these two properties and that officials are in advanced discussions concerning another property in the town.

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"Both Rhyl and Colwyn Bay - the two main towns in the Strategic Regeneration Area - have been left with a legacy of large, 4-5 storey former guest houses that were built when mass seaside tourism was in its heyday. The tourism industry has changed significantly with the result that many of these larger than average residential properties have been divided into bedsits, are in multiple occupation or are empty and boarded up.

"A key focus of the regeneration of the North Wales Coastal SRA will be a radical programme targeting houses in multiple occupation and the overall improvement of housing standards."

Contracts have been exchanged on the two properties and the official handover takes place at the end of the week. It is anticipated they will be demolished and the land used as a temporary car park until the future of the area is determined through the West Rhyl Masterplan consultation programme.

(CD/KMcA)