WORK is beginning on the new £8.5 million extra care housing scheme on the site of the former Hafod y Gest care home in Porthmadog.

The Grwp Cynefin project to redevelop Hafod y Gest, which has been empty since April 2014, received the green light by Gwynedd Council planners two years ago.

The proposal is to demolish the existing single-storey building and the adjacent Noddfa Madog day centre and erect an extra care residential development in its place which will provide 40 residential units, 26 with two bedrooms and 14 with one – offering 24-hour care.

There were concerns raised by town councillors surrounding the delay in the work beginning, but Grwp Cynefin have confirmed they have appointed Anwyl Construction to build the complex and the work will begin in a few weeks.

Rhys Dafis, director of regeneration services for Grwp Cynefin, said: “We’re pleased to be able to get this project off the ground, which will be a great asset to the town of Porthmadog.

“Site preparation work has already started, and the main construction work will begin in a few weeks.”

As well as providing 40 apartments, the multi-million-pound development will have a community hub, including activity and hobbies rooms, fitness and therapy rooms, a lounge and a restaurant.

These facilities will also be made available to older people from the wider Porthmadog community.

Cllr Jason Humphreys has welcomed the news of the start date.

He said: “It’s great to hear that work on the new Hafod y Gest is finally going ahead. It’s vital that everything goes as smoothly as possible and a series of meetings are planned in order to keep everyone in the loop.

“I’ve every expectation that this will be a fine building. The level of care provided in the old one was second to none.”