King Charles-Backed Eco-Village in Wales Left with 'Apocalyptic' Abandoned Homes
Residents living near an eco-village in South Wales, once championed by King Charles, have labelled the project as 'always doomed to fail' after seven vacant homes worth over £1 million were left to decay. The development, named Coed Darcy, was built on a former oil refinery site in Llandarcy, near Neath, with ambitious plans to transform industrial land into a thriving community.
Broken Promises and Contamination Concerns
Originally, residents were promised 1,800 houses, along with a school, shops, sporting facilities, and open spaces. However, only around 300 homes have been constructed, and the promised amenities have never materialised. A grandmother and mother-of-two living on the estate expressed frustration, stating, 'I don't get why you would build a group of houses—they were the first to go up—and then never sell them. No one has ever lived in them, but there are young families around here who are on the housing list.'
Some residents speculate that the land may be contaminated due to its history as an oil refinery, raising concerns about their own homes. 'People say the ground is contaminated because it used to be the site of an oil refinery, but if that's the case, our houses may have been built on contaminated land,' one resident added.
Developer Denials and Council Efforts
Brighton STM Group, the development and investment group owning the site, has denied any contamination issues. They claim the seven abandoned houses are 'original model buildings' constructed solely for demonstration purposes. The group asserts they have spent nearly £90 million on remediation and site preparation while awaiting planning approval for the next phase.
Neath Port Talbot Council acknowledged the project has 'stalled' in a challenging economic climate. Discussions are underway with a major Birmingham-based property developer to revitalise Coed Darcy. A council spokesperson explained, 'The development has largely stalled in recent years... The council has continued to engage in discussions with the developers in respect of reviewing its masterplan and agreeing the most appropriate way forward.'
'Zombie' Estate and Unwanted Attention
The vacant section of the estate, surrounded by a six-foot fence, has been dubbed a 'zombie' area by locals. It has attracted unwanted visitors, including filmmakers attempting to capture its eerie atmosphere, disturbing the peace of neighbours. Local filmmaker Jay Curtis described it as 'like a village that time forgot' and compared it to an apocalyptic film set.
Teacher Sarah Hughes, 32, who recently moved to the estate, noted, 'I know people living here are quite annoyed about the empty houses... I was told they were built as a sort of test, but no one has ever lived there. It's strange that they are being left to go to ruin.'
Historical Context and Future Plans
The development was visited by King Charles—then the Prince of Wales—when the first phase was completed in 2013. Developers intended the abandoned houses as show homes for the giant estate. The Daily Mail has revealed that these houses will be bulldozed under the next phase of development.
Resident Matt Wilcox, 32, a junior solutions architect, speculated, 'The houses were the first to go up, possibly to test the stability of the land after it was an oil refinery.' He added that while his part of the estate is quiet and unaffected, the overall project remains a point of contention.
The council has received a new planning application, with a consultation period closing on March 2. A spokesman for Brighton STM Group emphasised their commitment, saying, 'We have always sought to work constructively with the Council... and believe it is in the interests of local communities that these plans are approved imminently.'
