Former bank to become life skills centre for young:
THE approval of a £77m Gwynedd housing project will pave the way for the renovation of a former bank into a multi-purpose centre for vulnerable young people to develop their life skills.
Gwynedd Council has confirmed that this week’s cabinet decision to back its new housing strategy – including 1,500 affordable homes – will open the purse strings to help fund an innovative regeneration project transforming a prominent empty building in the centre of Caernarfon.
The former Natwest bank in Caernarfon has sat empty since 2017, but the £950,000 scheme led by Gwynedd Council and GISDA will convert both the empty building and the charity’s offices next door into flats for up to five vulnerable young people together with refurbished training facilities and improved offices.
Meanwhile GISDA – a local support charity – also plans to extend its training cafe to help more young people develop skills to improve their opportunities to enter the local workforce.
The Lle Da project has been made possible thanks to £665,000 of Welsh Government funding with a planning application set to be submitted soon, with an early 2022 completion date targeted.
Gwynedd’s cabinet member for housing, Cllr Craig ab Iago said: “This is a really exciting project and the latest in a number being developed by the newly established Housing and Property Department.
“The Lle Da project will support our efforts to make sure young people have access to the help they need to live independently and achieve their full potential within their local communities.
“Supported by GISDA’s experienced staff, this will offer vital support for young people to develop important life skills that will help them secure suitable employment here in Gwynedd.
“As well as offering a much-needed resource for young people in the area, it is hoped the renovation of these buildings will be a catalyst for the regeneration of other properties in this area.
“The project aims to breathe new life into the former Natwest building which has been empty for a number of years.
“In addition to the four individual flats, a training flat will also be developed which will help to support these vulnerable young people to take that important step towards living independently.”
Sian Elen Tomos, GISDA’s Chief Executive Officer, added: “We are very proud of this special partnership and grateful to the Welsh Government and Gwynedd Council for investing in young people’s services.
“We are already working with a number of agencies and council departments to try and support young people but this resource will take us a step further and will build upon and strengthen this provision.
“GISDA was established in Caernarfon back in 1985 and by now we support young people across Gwynedd and offer a wide range of services.
“The coming years will be challenging for young people and therefore this development is very timely and offer a boost for young people and our staff.
“We aim to work closely with our partners and the community to ensure that accommodation, welfare and opportunities for young people are the main focus.”