Bungalows that when housed German prisoners go up on the market

A set of bungalows which were once converted into a German prisoner of war camp are now on the market – having been abandoned for more than two years.

Located in the hideaway forestry village of Ceinws in the Welsh hills, the bungalows at one time housed a thriving community of family homes with a church, a children’s playground and a sports field.

But the 20 corrugated bungalows have now been empty for more than two years after the last resident died and no-one moved back into any of the properties.

The buildings are now up for grabs after the Welsh Government environment body Natural Resources Wales put the lease up for sale with no fixed reserve price.

The Ceinws Forestry Camp was built in the 1930s – initially for unemployed men to live in to lay new roads through the Snowdonia mountains.

Located in the hideaway forestry village of Ceinws in the Welsh hills, the bungalows at one time housed a thriving community of family homes with a church, a children’s playground and a sports field

The bungalows are now up for grabs after the Welsh Government environment body Natural Resources Wales put the lease up for sale with no fixed reserve price

The Ceinws Forestry Camp was built in the 1930s – initially for unemployed men to live in to lay new roads through the Snowdonia mountains

The bungalow huts were then used for German POWs and as a type of borstal for youths from the Midlands

The bungalow huts were then used for German POWs and as a type of borstal for youths from the Midlands.

But then it became a happy home for Forestry Commission employees and their families – becoming its own village community on the edge of Ceinws.

Families spoke of snug homes with immaculate gardens and the commission did all it could to create a sense of community with festivals and Christmas parties.

The cookhouse-cum-village-hall hosted Christmas parties, polling stations, jumble sales, whist drives, WI meetings, a youth club, a billiards and snooker room and a library.

But by 2003 there were just two bungalows occupied and in 2020 the last resident – a man who was born at the site – passed away.

Now the bungalows’ owners – Natural Resources Wales (NRW) – is inviting developers to submit innovative proposals for a long-term lease of the area.

They said: ‘This unique site offers a prime opportunity to create projects that enhance the local environment, economy and community provision.

‘The camp’s unique location and rich history make it an ideal candidate for redevelopment.

‘The site provides developers with a blank canvas to bring their vision to life.’

The area eventually became a happy home for Forestry Commission employees and their families – becoming its own village community on the edge of Ceinws

Sarah Jennings, Executive Director of Communications, Customer and Commercial for NRW, said: ‘This project represents a significant step in the redevelopment of the former forestry camp.

‘Beyond rental income, successful proposals must demonstrate clear benefits for the local community, environment, and economy.

‘The site is ripe for redevelopment and is an ideal space for the right idea to flourish.

‘This initiative highlights NRW’s commitment to sustainable development of its legacy assets with the aim to benefit the local community and environment while fostering economic prosperity.’