Plans have now been submitted to redevelop an entire village in North Wales.
Penrhos Polish Village in Pwllheli was founded in 1949 by the Polish Housing Society Ltd. It housed exiled Polish airmen and soldiers who remained in the UK following World War Two.
There were around 100 exiled airmen, soldiers and sailors living there and they established a Polish-speaking community on the former RAF Penrhos base, which soon grew in numbers.
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The original and current Polish village facilities include a church, library ,a large communal dining hall, a shop and allotments. A care home for veterans was also established on the site, but this was closed in 2020 when the housing group ClwydAlyn took possession of the site.
Now the ClwydAlyn has submitted plans via Cadnant Planning to transform the entire site with a massive demolition and rebuild project.
A statement from Cadnant Planning said: "The proposal includes the demolition of 103 residential dwellings, three blocks used as four self-contained visitor accommodation units, nursing home, Scouts’ dormitories, hall and workshop, library/hall building, offices and garages and the erection of 107 residential units."
The homes - which range from 1 bed apartments to 4 bedroom houses - would all be affordable and the existing canteen, church, memorial garden and allotments would be retained. Work would take place in three stages.
The site currently accommodates those over 55 years of age with strong links to those from the Polish community as well as people from the local area.
Cadnant added: "The existing dwellings on site are in a poor condition and are not considered to provide a suitable standard of living for the residents.
"It is therefore proposed to demolish the existing residential units and erect replacement dwellings in their place. The proposal would therefore provide existing residents with modern, high-quality, affordable accommodation.
"The proposed development would provide much needed affordable housing.
"The housing mix for phase 1 has been developed to respond to an identified need for affordable dwellings in the local area at present. The proposed housing mix for the second and third phases has been developed to meet a future need, however, as phases 2 and 3 are expected to be delivered in 2.5-3.5 years time, it is proposed for the housing mix in these phases to be flexible and will require a detailed review prior to commencement of development."
They concluded: "The proposal would replace 107 existing self-contained units at the site which are open market/holiday units with 107 affordable housing units, contributing towards meeting a need for affordable housing in the local area."
The proposals will now be considered by planners on Gwynedd council.
