THE FIRST families have moved into their new homes on a £4 million affordable housing development overlooking Fishguard Bay.

12 new homes, on the development at Parc y Cefn off Penwallis Road, have been completed ahead of schedule allowing local families waiting on the Pembrokeshire Choice Homes housing register to move in.

The properties are Wales & West Housing's first new large-scale housing development in Pembrokeshire. Work started on site in January and when completed in February 2019 will provide 30 houses, bungalows and apartments for affordable rent for local families.

Among the first residents moving in last Thursday were Fishguard-born Shannon Ryan and her partner Shane. Shannon and her partner have two sons, aged three and one-month and were keen to move from their bungalow to a more suitable home.

"I've always lived in Fishguard. My mother lives near the site and I have watched the houses being built so I'm really pleased that our family can move to Parc y Cefn," said Shannon, who used to work in Fishguard's Co-op supermarket.

"Our old bungalow had a wet room and shower and was more suitable for someone else. I'm looking forward to having a bathroom for the boys and a bedroom with the fantastic views over the town."

Glenda Bowen, housing manager for Wales & West Housing, added: "The families are so excited to be moving into the new homes as it is a beautiful area and the houses are so modern and warm.

"We have worked closely with Pembrokeshire County Council to allocate the new properties to families on the Pembrokeshire Choice Homes register and everyone moving in lives in Fishguard and the surrounding area.

"They are being let to those people most in need of homes they can afford to rent and heat and that suit their needs. For the disabled and older residents moving in to the bungalows, they will make a huge difference to their lives and wellbeing.

Fishguard councillor Pat Davies, Pembrokeshire County Council's cabinet member for housing and regulatory services, said:

"Wales & West Housing has done a great job of sensitively developing the Parc y Cefn site. The homes are well-designed and I'm delighted that the first phase is complete.

"Several young families in Fishguard have called me say how pleased they are that they have been allocated homes at Parc y Cefn. Local authorities and housing associations are often criticised for housing people from outside the area, so I'm delighted that all the families who have been allocated the homes are local."

Wales & West Housing (WWH) employed Morgan Construction Wales to build the homes, which have been part funded by the Welsh Government in partnership with Pembrokeshire County Council. They are part of WWH's ongoing investment in quality, affordable homes in the county.

Work is also underway to build eight homes for affordable rent on the site of the Parrog Yard in Newport. Last year WWH also invested £850,000 modernising existing homes in Pembrokeshire by cleaning and decorating and fitting hundreds of new kitchens, bathrooms, windows and doors to its properties. The investment includes a £150,000 programme to clean up and modernise 32 homes on the neighbouring Gwelfor scheme in Fishguard.