**’Always Ill’ and Facing Sky-High Bills: Llandaff North Residents Left Waiting in Freezing Prefab Homes**
Residents in the Llandaff North area of Cardiff say they are enduring another winter in “freezing” homes with rising energy bills, as long-promised government-funded works to improve their properties remain on hold. The affected homes, built using post-war prefabricated designs by the British Iron and Steel Federation (BISF), have long been recognised for their poor insulation and inefficiency, leaving many residents struggling to keep warm and facing recurring health and financial issues.
The council first announced plans for a comprehensive energy retrofit over two years ago, promising upgrades to more than 250 homes across Llandaff North and the neighbouring area of Rumney. The plans, backed by £7 million in funding, were set to bolster thermal efficiency through external wall insulation for both public and privately-owned BISF properties. However, while work has started in Rumney, no definitive timetable exists for when residents in Llandaff North can expect relief from their hardship.
Local people are now calling for greater transparency and urgency from Cardiff Council, as they struggle not just with the cold, but with its damaging effects on their health and finances. One Aberporth Road resident, who lives with a chronic illness, described daily life as a battle against the elements. “I suffer with fibromyalgia; my son suffers with Raynaud’s. We absolutely need to keep warm. My property is freezing. So, we are always ill,” she revealed, adding, “I’m just wrapped up all the time with fleeces in my living room.” She reports her gas and electric bills frequently reach over £200 a month, with persistent damp and black mould compounding their difficulties.
Another long-term resident, Rachel Gibbs-Massay, shares similar frustrations. Having lived in her BISF home on Aberdulais Road for more than two decades, she describes her gas bill as “through the roof” and explains the futility of trying to keep warm. “Keeping my house warm in the winter is really hard. As soon as you turn the heating off, the heat’s gone again, because it just goes out of the walls, out of the doors, everywhere,” she explained. “In the summer, it’s the opposite. It’s too hot because there’s no flow. It’s either too hot or too cold.”
Both residents feel let down by what they now see as a series of broken promises regarding much-needed investment. “They’ve told me they’ll insulate every year, and then they haven’t got the funding,” Rachel added. Others echo the sentiment, with Dan, another Aberdulais Road local, recounting, “We had a modern central heating system fitted last October with a smart thermostat. But when the temperature outside is below 5–10°C, the house just can’t hold the heat. If you’re not careful, the heating is on all day. Needless to say, the last two winters have not been cheap.”
Cardiff Council has acknowledged the growing frustration amongst residents, reiterating that they remain “committed to carrying out the improvement works in Llandaff North, as soon as funding becomes available.” However, the authority says it cannot currently confirm a start date for the Llandaff North retrofits, even as work continues elsewhere in the city.
The issue was further exacerbated earlier this month when a mistaken Facebook post, published in error by Llandaff North Labour, incorrectly claimed that retrofitting would commence next month. Cardiff Council has since apologised for the confusion, blaming the announcement on an “officer error” and promising to provide more accurate updates moving forward.
Local representative, Councillor Dilwar Ali, stated, “I have been assured that the Council remains committed to completing the improvement works to the BISF properties in Llandaff North, once the properties in Rumney have been completed and subject to appropriate funding being available. I will continue to press for the improvement works… as soon as possible.”
While the council acknowledges residents’ anger and disappointment, many locals say apologies and promises are cold comfort when faced with another year of damp, draughts, and mounting bills. Calls continue for clear leadership and swift action to ensure vulnerable residents are not left waiting any longer for basic comfort and safety in their homes. The situation in Llandaff North is a stark illustration of the challenges facing thousands in ageing or substandard housing across Wales, with the need for action only growing more urgent as the cost of living crisis persists and the next winter looms.