Ruabon houses are torn down 20 years after they were first built

Demolition has begun on the three properties, built off High Street in Ruabon, this week to make way for social housing.

The three derelict homes were constructed in 2000 on the site of the old Victoria Garage in the middle of the village, but were never completed leading to a lengthy legal wrangle.

They are set to be replaced with new homes for local people after a long-running campaign, and has seen Wrexham Council work with Wales and West Housing Association, which now owns the site, and the Welsh Government which has provided funding for the project.

Funding from the Welsh Government is for the current financial year, meaning work will need to be underway by the end of March at the latest – subject to planning permission being granted by the local authority.

Clwyd South AM Ken Skates has welcomed work getting underway.

He said: “These properties have been a blight on Ruabon for years and I know a lot of people locally will be as pleased as I am to see them being demolished at long last. I’m glad the Welsh Government has been able to help find a resolution and I’m delighted that we’ll soon have such a positive outcome.

“I would also like to pay tribute to the hard work of local councillor Dana Davies, who is one of a number of people who have made a significant contribution over the years to get us where we are.”

Ruabon County Councillor Dana Davies said: “I’m extremely pleased that the demolition is finally taking place and hopeful that families could be moving into the three new properties by the end of this year.

“It’s been a long fight to get a solution but it demonstrates that partnership working can very much benefit our rural areas. I have to thank Wales and West Housing, Wrexham County Borough Council and the Welsh Government for their commitment and support and also Ruabon Community Council and many of our residents for all their help.”