THE LEADER of the Wales Green Party has lambasted the Welsh Government for their “ineptitude” in dealing with the Fairbourne situation.

Fairbourne Facing Change, a campaign group who are preparing to sue the Welsh Government for £100m, met last week with Alice Hooker-Stroud, leader of the Wales Green Party and prospective Assembly Member for Mid and West Wales in the forthcoming Welsh Assembly elections.

The community action group argues that residents of Fairbourne have been severely let down by Welsh Government’s “ineptitude” in dealing sensitively, and in a thought-out manner, with the forthcoming sea level rise that will impact communities along the Welsh coast.

Mrs Hooker-Stroud said: “What has happened to residents in Fairbourne is completely unacceptable.

“Consultation processes with the community in Fairbourne regarding their future were not carried out properly."

Fairbourne Facing Change has been battling for viable solutions for the village for two years, having first heard that their town would be ‘decommissioned’ in misleading media reports.

As a result, residents now face zero-value homes, cancelled investment in their community, and those who need to release equity from their property are left to accept low-price cash-sales for their homes.

A Welsh Government spokesperson said, “To say that we have not undertaken long term planning or offered support to the community of Fairbourne is inaccurate.

“The Shoreline Management Plan (SMP) is a key long term planning document that allows all those at risk of coastal flooding or erosion, both now and in the future, to be aware of the risks they face and plan for future change rather than react to coastal disaster when it happens.

“Our officials are engaged in the Fairbourne working group with Gwynedd Council, NRW and community representatives in taking this forward.”

See the full story in this week’s Meirionnydd edition of the Cambrian News