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Council Plans to Buy and Demolish Flood-Prone Homes in Ynysybwl

lite News Desk 2 min read

At a glance

  • Rhondda Cynon Taf Council intends to acquire and demolish 16 homes
  • The estimated cost for the initiative is £2.5 million
  • Properties affected have experienced severe flooding in recent years

Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council has initiated steps to purchase and remove several homes on Clydach Terrace in Ynysybwl due to persistent flood risks. The decision follows repeated flooding incidents affecting the area.

The council’s plan involves acquiring 16 properties, excluding 6a and 6b, which have been identified as being at high risk from flooding. The homes targeted for acquisition have experienced extensive water damage during previous storms.

Storm Dennis in 2020 and Storm Bert both resulted in significant flooding for the properties on Clydach Terrace. These events contributed to the council’s decision to pursue the purchase and demolition of the affected homes.

Natural Resources Wales previously reviewed possible flood defence measures for the area. According to their assessment, available options did not meet the economic criteria required for funding under current rules.

What the numbers show

  • 16 homes on Clydach Terrace are included in the council’s plan
  • The estimated total cost for purchase and demolition is £2.5 million
  • Storm Dennis occurred in 2020, causing severe flooding to the area

The total cost of the council’s initiative is projected to be around £2.5 million. This figure includes expenses related to purchasing the properties, legal processes, and relocation support for affected residents.

A cabinet recommendation to approve the acquisition was scheduled for a meeting in early February 2026. This step is part of the council’s formal process for authorising the proposed actions.

The council’s approach follows the determination that other flood protection measures were not considered viable. The assessment by Natural Resources Wales indicated that such defences would not be funded under existing guidelines.

Properties at 1-16 Clydach Terrace, with the exception of 6a and 6b, have repeatedly suffered from flood events. The council’s plan aims to address ongoing risks to residents by removing the most vulnerable homes from the area.

* This article is based on publicly available information at the time of writing.

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