THE Vale of Glamorgan Council has unveiled plans to build 11 units of temporary accommodation as part of a £20 million Welsh Government plan to tackle homelessness.

Located near the Civic Amenity Site at Court Road in Barry, the development is part of the response to an increase in homelessness caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

It is hoped the project can reduce reliance on emergency accommodation.

High-quality insulated panels are used to create self-contained units that consist of a lounge/diner/kitchen, separate single or double bedroom and an en-suite shower room.

They include a small private wooden decked area to the front, while there are also plans for a section of public space, a car park and bike store.

The first stage of the project involves demolishing the vacant building on the site and it is hoped work will be completed by the end of March.

Cllr Margaret Wilkinson, Vale of Glamorgan Council Cabinet Member for Housing and Building Services, said: "Since the pandemic struck, we have helped hundreds of people affected by homelessness by providing additional units of emergency accommodation in Hotels and B&Bs to ensure that nobody is without a home or a safe place to stay.

"That is in addition to the 120 units of existing temporary accommodation the Council normally provides.

"We have also been responsible for coordinating services to homeless people across the Vale and set up a Homeless Coordination group to direct activity.

"We have also established supported accommodation schemes with private landlords and repurposed some of our existing housing.

"The construction of these units represents another strand of support on offer.

"This development should provide people with safe, modern, comfortable places to stay for an extended period of time."