A COUNCILLOR has said his lobbying team has achieved a ‘big victory’ now that a long-frustrated plan for a block of houses is set to get underway later this year.

Taylor Wimpey, one of the largest UK-based housebuilding companies, has said the project to build 42 homes on Glasdir Estate, Denbigh Road near the Ysgol Pen Barras and Rhos Street School campus will begin by the end of the year pending approval by a planning committee.

A spokesperson for Taylor Wimpey North West said: “We’ll be working on site by the end of the year and we’re excited to share more information with local house hunters in the coming months.”

The housebuilder began building new homes on the estate in 2012, but had been postponed due to severe flooding in what was said to be a one in 200 year event, since which time nine homes have remained partially built.

The housebuilder said it had been facing concerns over insurance and mortgages by residents on the site, which is a floodplain, that prevented the restarting of the development following the flooding.

Since then, a primary school campus for over 500 pupils from two merged primary schools has been opened on the estate.

Huw Hilditch-Roberts, county councillor for Ruthin, said: “This is a big victory for county councillors who have been lobbying for Taylor Wimpy to tidy up the site and resume its development over the last two years.

“The site has been neglected for some time, which has been a problem for residents as it has not been pretty to look at.

“The development and provision of affordable, family homes will benefit Ruthin as there is a shortage of housing.

“Once the development is completed, the council will take responsibility for the management of the site.”

In building a wall for flood defence in 2014, Denbighshire County Council in conjunction with the Welsh Government and Natural Resources Wales has secured the safety of the site, which has allowed the newly opened primary school campus there.

Emrys Wynne, county councillor for Ruthin, who is on the Glasdir Estate planning committee, said: “If Taylor Wimpey commences with the development it will show a degree of confidence in the future of the site.

“There is a need for more housing in Ruthin as there is a shortage of affordable homes, and this development could address that situation.”