EMPTY houses in Gwynedd and Anglesey are being transformed back into homes due to £3.25m of Welsh Government regeneration investment.

Up to 120 properties are being refurbished through grants and loans to tackle the problem of long term vacancies. The initiative aims to improve the quality of the housing stock in the private rented sector and homes will be leased at an ‘affordable rent ‘ for ten years.

Emyr Roberts, of EM & W Roberts, has converted an empty barbers shop into six one bedroom flats on Bangor High Street.

The work has been done as part of the Welsh Government Targeted Investment Regeneration grant and a Houses into Homes loan with support from Gwynedd Council.

Deputy Minister for Housing and Local Government Hannah Blythyn, said: “It’s really encouraging to see how this funding is making a difference an,d bringing homes back into use.

"We are committed to providing more affordable homes across Wales, and this investment also supports local construction jobs and revitalising parts of our town centres.”

Gwynedd Council Cabinet Member for Housing, Councillor Craig ab Iago said: “We are pleased that the positive work being carried out here in Gwynedd to transform empty properties into homes has been recognised as an example of good practice.

“This particular project sees an empty building on the high street in Bangor being put to good use.

"It offers much needed one-bedroom flats as part of continued efforts to ensure a suitable mix of affordable homes for Gwynedd residents.”

The Welsh Government’s TRI programme provides £100m of funding over three years to support regeneration, supported by an estimated further investment of at least £60m from other organisations and businesses.

The government’s overall regeneration strategy invests £800m between 2014 and 2023, including around £250m from the Welsh Government and also supported by more than £550m from other organisations and businesses.