The oldest houses in Rhyl, a pair of semi-detached properties on Pendyffryn Road that have long been unoccupied and left to decay, are being given a new lease of life by North Wales Housing and Denbighshire County Council, with a full redevelopment and repair programme.
North Wales Housing has acquired both properties at ‘Plas Penndyffryn’ , built in 1571, and is set to start an ambitious and sympathetic programme of restoration this month. The Grade 2 listed buildings will be transformed to provide three two-bedroom houses as well as the construction of three two- bedroom bungalows to be built within the large garden to the rear.
Paul Diggory, Chief Executive of North Wales Housing said: “This is a significant scheme on many levels. Not only are we bringing back an important derelict property back to use, but we are restoring and preserving one of the earliest surviving buildings in Rhyl whilst creating quality homes for local people.”
Described as a sub-medieval house, Plas Penndyffryn when originally built was said to have been ‘the home of a fairly wide social group; at the upper end were the gentry, and the lower end the yeoman. All were farmers and to some extent the plan of the house reflected the wealth of its occupants.’ Through the years, the building has changed hands but remained a home in various guises.
Paul added: “Plas Penndyffryn sits in a prominent position within the town and has slowly become an eyesore as it fell further and further into a state of disrepair, attracting vandals and anti-social behaviour. Empty properties can have a negative effect on people’s perception of an area and the refurbishment and reoccupation of the property should have a positive imact on this part of Rhyl.”
Repair works to the existing structure will utilise traditional methods of construction and materials. The building is generally unchanged since its construction, still having no indoor bathroom or toilet, whilst timber frame sash windows will be repaired and replaced. Masonry walls are lime plastered and refurbishment works will be carried out using similar applications and materials. More recent additions and alterations will be removed and replaced with sympathetic techniques and applications.
Denbighshire’s Cabinet Lead Member for Housing, Councillor Hugh Irving, said: “This is an ambitious project that will bring the benefits of seeing a lovely old building being brought back into use, it will greatly improve the street-scene and provide homes for two families so everybody wins!
PURE RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERICAL will carry out the building works and the scheme is set for completion and handover at the end of November 2014.
Architects are Adrian Jones Associates.