THE MS for Arfon, Siân Gwenllian, recently visited Dyffryn Nantlle to hear of three projects which she praises as being “at the heart of the valley’s regeneration.”

Grŵp Cynefin, the North Wales housing group, is building 24 low-carbon social houses in Penygroes, a development the MS says is “desperately needed”.

Grŵp Cynefin also recently unveiled a £38million plan for a new health and wellbeing centre in Penygroes.

The proposals are the fruits of collaboration between the housing group and partners at Gwynedd Council, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board and Theatr Bara Caws.

Plaid Cymru has long campaigned for improved facilities for the people of Dyffryn Nantlle.

Siân Gwenllian said: “A few months ago, I visited the construction site of 24 low-carbon social houses in Penygroes, and it was good to be able to return recently and see the progress made.

“The houses aren’t just environmentally sustainable.

“The past few years have taught us that having affordable housing accessible to local people is absolutely crucial to ensuring the viability of our communities.

“As well as being responsible for the construction of the houses Grŵp Cynefin recently published their vision for a proposed £38m health and wellbeing scheme, a transformational move for the health infrastructure of the whole valley.

“The far-reaching project, provisionally called Canolfan Lleu will include a residential home, independent living flats, health services, a community pharmacy, dental service, multi-purpose spaces, Grŵp Cynefin offices, a new home for Theatr Bara Caws, and much, much more.

“Like other areas in Arfon, Dyffryn Nantlle has faced distinctive economic challenges, but on my recent visit I noted positive and very encouraging signs for the future.

“I also visited yr Orsaf, a community hub and café in Penygroes which is supported by Grwp Cynefin. This was one in a long list of community-led enterprises I’ve visited in recent months.

“Community orientated enterprises across Arfon are driving social change, and it’s exactly this sort of comprehensive and ambitious approach that is needed in places like Penygroes.”

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In 2010 Siop Griffiths, one of the oldest buildings in Penygroes, closed its doors, but in 2016, it was bought with money raised by the community.

A Community Benefit Society was established to ensure the building stayed in the hands of the community.

Ms Gwenllian added: “These developments also remind us that to tackle issues that affect communities like this one, we need to think outside the box.

“It requires a diversity of partners, and acknowledgement of the relationship between the arts, health, community cohesion, and a sustainable economy, environment and community.

“I’d like to thank Grŵp Cynefin for organising a very beneficial site visit, as well as thanking them for investing in communities such as Dyffryn Nantlle.”