50 YEARS ON
ished the land it stood on was sold to a private developer. A terrace of five homes was built on the land but they were never completed.
Roger, Nicole and other residents believe the project was sold on – maybe more than once – but they remain unfinished.
“It’s very difficult legally for the council to get involved,” said Nicole.
“If a developer’s not got money there’s not a lot you can do. Hopefully it will be sold on again.
“There’s a huge need for social housing and it’s a shame you have five family houses that are vacant.”
Nicole has asked for the council to board up the houses properly to prevent the daily access by squatters. But the houses remain untouched. Bridgend council was approached for comment.
And yet despite all of Wildmill’s shortcomings, some residents, both old and new, have an undeniable fondness for the estate they call home.
It gives Nicole hope that maybe soon it will be able to shed its poor reputation for good.
“I am truly finding people who really just want to get things done,” she said.
The physical design of the homes also remains attractive to some.
Resident Wendy Gardner said: “Although people may not appreciate it, Wildmill Estate was designed with sustainability principles at its core. Large windows in the main living spaces eg living, dining room and bedrooms are south, south easterly, south westerly facing, to ensure maximum solar gain. Small windows in non-living spaces eg hall, bathroom and landing face northerly aspects with minimum heat loss.
“Gardens are small and compact, however houses are surrounded by large areas of grassed open space, great areas for children to play safely close to home.”
The pluses are not 25-year-old mum.
The full-time support worker swapped a tiny, privately-rented twobed home in Brackla, Bridgend, for a three-bed V2C home in Wildmill earlier this year. With larger rooms and cheaper rent, at £104 per week, she and her six-year-old son are a lot more comfortable. “I love it here, I have to be honest,” said the mum, who
lives in lost on one Maes-y-Felin but did not wish to be named.
“You get the odd household that is still back in the Wildmillian day.
“My son loves it down here because there’s more children to play with. I feel safe because I have an outside security light. I feel comfortable walking out of my front door at night.
“If they gave me the option in a few years I would definitely consider buying it. I think Wildmill will always have the bad name, but it’s not a bad place at all.”
A V2C spokeswoman said: “V2C are looking forward to celebrating 50 years of the Wildmill Estate and working with local residents to showcase what it’s like to live on the estate and how it has changed over the years.
“We have installed a play provision for older kids behind the Wildmill precinct at the request of residents and continuously work with the community to improve the area.
“We are committed to improving our homes and have recently started our multi-million pound external improvement programme. This is part of a pro-active approach to working to find ways to tackle issues of damp and condensation.”
Whe“
nI first came here I was delighted. It took the pressure off us financially, to be absolutely truthful The Wildmill Community Life Centre runs at 93% capacity, offering everything from a Flying Start nursery to martial arts classes