“It’s hard to find stability when you are renting privately. It’s good to have somewhere to call home.”

Local port worker Iwan Jones and his partner Emma are one of the first families to move into Wales & West Housing’s new affordable housing development in the popular Pembrokeshire tourist village home of Dinas Cross.

Built on the site of a former barn Parc Brynach is a development of 11 houses, four apartments and two bungalows which is providing modern, forever homes for affordable rent for local people.  Residents moved in in May.

For Iwan, Emma and their 13-month-old son the move to Parc Brynach will be their fifth in four years – and they hope it will be their last for some time.

“It’s so stressful having to move all the time. It’s hard to find stability when you are renting privately,” said Iwan, who was paying £650 a month on rent. “We’ve had to move around because our landlords have been selling their properties. It’s never easy to find a new place to rent as there is so much competition. It’s not cheap to rent privately in the area.

“We’re not at a point in our lives where we can afford to buy our own home.”

The couple moved to Dinas Cross from Fishguard where Iwan works at the Stena ferry terminal and Emma works at a building society.

“We’d been on the council waiting list for nearly three years, so when we had the chance of a home at Dinas Cross we were so excited.
“It’s going to be good to have somewhere to call home with a proper garden. We’ve never had a garden before.”
Resident Iwan Jones

Local health worker Debbie Price was another of the residents to move into Parc Brynach.

Debbie and her two daughters aged 11 & 6 moved from their privately rented house in nearby Fishguard to one of the 2-bedroom houses on the development.

Debbie’s mum Hazel also moved to Parc Brynach after downsizing from their Wales & West Housing (WWH) family home at Gwelfor, Fishguard, where she had lived for more than 30 years.

“We’re excited to be moving to Dinas Cross, my grandfather was a vicar in the parish and my auntie lives in Dinas Cross. Having my mother living two doors away will be handy for babysitting! said Debbie, who works for the NHS at Withybush Hospital.

“The girls can’t wait to settle into our new home. It is close to their school in Newport and lots of their friends live in the area.

“The cost of private rent has been going up and up, so I was keen to find a more affordable, long-term home for us all. I’ll be saving a significant amount on rent every month.”

Pensioner Susan Stickler is also hoping her move to Parc Brynach will be a fresh start for her. Her disabled husband passed away last year, so Susan gave up their specially-adapted Wales & West Housing home in neighbouring Newport to make the move.

“Our old home was adapted for my husband who had lost his legs. It was lovely, but it felt right to move so that someone else who was in need could have the benefit of the house.”

“The old house had so many memories, so I hope that moving to Dinas Cross will give me a fresh start and the chance to make new memories.”

Resident Susan Stickler

Glenda Bowen, Housing Manager for Wales & West Housing based at Newcastle Emlyn, said: “Like many villages across Pembrokeshire, Dinas Cross suffers from a shortage of good quality, modern, homes that local people can afford to rent and heat.

“Like many villages across Pembrokeshire, Dinas Cross suffers from a shortage of good quality, modern, homes that local people can afford to rent and heat. We are pleased that we have been able to provide these good quality homes. We have worked closely with Pembrokeshire County Council to make sure the new homes have been allocated to families on the Choice Homes @ Pembrokeshire register who have a connection to Dinas Cross and the surrounding area.”
Glenda Bowen, Housing Manager for Wales & West Housing 

“Everyone moving has connections with the area and some are moving back to be closer to their families, work and schools.

“We hope the residents will be happy in their new homes for many years.”

As part of the new development WWH worked with contractors TRJ and the Dinas Cross Community Council and Memorial Playing Fields to provide sponsorship to improve the village playground with a zip line.  WH provided the sponsorship as part of its Making A Difference fund, which works with its suppliers and contractors to give back to the local communities through supporting sports and community groups and local projects.