A HOMEOWNER has criticised a social landlord for converting a three-bedroom house into shared accommodation amid what he perceives as a housing shortage for families.

Cwmbran dad-of-four John Day, 68, spoke out after Bron Afon turned a house next door to his into single flats last year.

The retired road builder said the Bron Afon house in Maesgwyn featuring a large back garden was better suited for families.

Built in the Forties like his, Mr Day said the property was now rented to two tenants when it could have accommodated a family with several children.

He said: “It’s an ill thought out project I believe.

“We’ve got a shortage of family houses.

“A friend of mine has got a wife and two children. They’ve got an upstairs flat and no garden to play.

“There are lots of people where my daughter takes her children to school who are in the same position.”

Bron Afon said it had undertaken all the legal and statutory obligations before converting the property.

Mr Day complained to the social landlord about the conversion, but a Bron Afon spokeswoman said he had not followed the right procedure, adding the matter was now closed.

Cath Stenson, head of inclusion and support at Bron Afon, said: “We are concerned that there is a lack of housing in Torfaen for single people under the age of 35.

“The property in Maesgwyn is a former three bedroom house that we converted last year into shared accommodation – individual bedrooms with shared facilities – as part of our approach to tackling this housing shortage.

“As we have confirmed in detail with Mr Day, we undertook all necessary legal and statutory obligations prior to the conversion.

“We have spoken with Mr Day about his concerns and advised him to raise a complaint with us but he did not follow our full procedure, so we have since closed down the matter.”