Vale Leads the Way in Bringing Empty Homes Back into Use

27 March 2026

We’re pleased to share some excellent news on our work tackling empty properties across the Vale.

New data for 2024–25, published by Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) and Data Cymru, shows that Vale of Glamorgan Council is continuing to perform among the very best councils in Wales.

Top in Wales for long-term empty homes

The Vale is ranked 1st in Wales for the percentage of private homes empty for 12 months or more brought back into use following assistance, engagement and intervention, achieving 13.1%, compared to a Wales average of 6.9%.

We are also 2nd in Wales for bringing back into use homes empty for 6 months or more, at 10.4%, well above the Wales average of 5.6%.

Offers of assistance include Empty Homes Grants and Housing Loans.

Why this matters to our communities

Bringing empty homes back into use delivers real benefits for our communities:

• Increases housing supply without the need for new development
• Helps meet local housing need, including for those on waiting lists
• Improving the appearance and safety of neighbourhoods
• Supports town centre vitality by reactivating unused buildings
• Prevents long-term deterioration of valuable housing stock

The Vale has also played a key role in shaping national guidance. We supported the development of the Welsh Government’s Empty Properties in Wales: Handbook, published in December 2025.

Alongside residential properties, we are also supporting the reuse of non-residential buildings, helping to bring disused spaces back into productive use. A strong example of this work in action – which also featured in the Welsh Government’s Empty Properties in Wales: Handbook - is the transformation of the Station Hotel in Cogan.

The former Victorian-era pub and hotel had been vacant for some time and had fallen into disrepair. Through support from the Vale of Glamorgan Council, including an Empty Property Landlord Loan of £245,000, the building was successfully converted during 2024–25 into seven high-quality residential units and a further two units in 2025-26 (a total of 9) with a mix of one-bedroom studios, one bedroom and two-bedroom homes.

Town Centre Loans are also on offer to help support empty commercial spaces being brought back into use in primary shopping districts across the Vale and Regeneration are currently assessing some early applications.

By continuing our focus on empty properties, we can make a meaningful difference to housing availability, regeneration, and the overall wellbeing of our communities making the Vale a great place to live, work and visit.