Have your say on the future regeneration framework for Pontypridd
Residents can now have their say on a draft Placemaking Plan which outlines the future regeneration of Pontypridd town centre – by taking part online or at face-to-face events in a consultation running throughout March.
Last month, Cabinet agreed to seek residents’ views on the Plan, which puts forward proposals for how Pontypridd could look in years to come. It would follow the existing Pontypridd Regeneration Framework (2017-2022) that has delivered Llys Cadwyn and Cwrt yr Orsaf, and progressed investment for the Pontypridd YMCA, Muni Arts Theatre and Ynysangharad War Memorial Park.
The Placemaking Plan identifies several core ambitions for Pontypridd – as a business destination, a great place to live, that it is connected and accessible, a green waterside town, a unique townscape, a cultural and social destination, and an inclusive and resilient town. It also includes five spatial areas to be the focus of targeted future investment – Southern Gateway, Town Centre Core, Market Quarter, Northern Gateway and Ynysangharad War Memorial Park.
Among the Southern Gateway area are exciting plans to redevelop the former Bingo Hall and Angharad’s Nightclub site, as well as the Marks & Spencer, Dorothy Perkins and Burtons buildings (96-99a and 100-102 Taff Street).
During February’s Cabinet meeting, Members agreed to the Council formally beginning the procurement process in relation to a hotel-led development at the bingo site, with ground floor retail use. Members also agreed to the Council demolishing the buildings at 96-99a and 100-102 Taff Street, to allow future redevelopment of the whole site and open the town towards the river.
The Council has now started the consultation for the wider Plan, which will run to Tuesday, March 29 (5pm). Hosted by the Council’s Let’s Talk engagement website, residents can view the Placemaking Plan documents – including a masterplan of the proposed Southern Gateway area. Participants can also contribute to quick polls, an ‘ideas’ section, and take part in a larger survey.
Officers will also be out and about with the Council’s consultation trailer to meet members of the public. They will be at Mill Street on Wednesday, March 9, and by the tennis courts in the park on Thursday, March 17 (10am-2pm for both). Everyone is welcome to go along to find out more.
Councillor Robert Bevan, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Enterprise, Development and Housing, said: “At the last Cabinet meeting, Members agreed for the Council to consult residents over the draft Pontypridd Placemaking Plan, which outlines the next wave of regeneration projects across the town. So much has already been achieved in recent times, with the delivery of Llys Cadwyn, the Pontypridd Extra Care facility Cwrt yr Orsaf, a first phase of investment at Ynysangharad War Memorial Park, and excellent progress with the Pontypridd YMCA and Muni Arts Centre projects.
“The proposed Placemaking Plan would follow on from the existing Pontypridd Regeneration Framework when it expires this year, to formally set out the Council’s vision for the town centre and to bring deliverable timescales for key projects. An important aspect in introducing the Plan is to inform residents, businesses and other stakeholders about what is proposed, and to gather their views. This will allow Officers to consider the feedback received, and make any amendments before reporting back to Cabinet in the future.
“Residents and businesses can now find out more and have their say on the proposals, specifically relating to the five spatial areas earmarked for future investment. Among those are very exciting plans for the former Bingo Hall and Marks & Spencer sites, which represent two key locations in the Southern Gateway area that are proposed for revitalisation. A masterplan of draft proposals for these sites is included within the consultation documents.
“I’d urge everyone interested in finding out more about what is proposed across Pontypridd town centre to take part in the consultation. It is important that we gain as many views as possible, as it will inform the framework for investment in Pontypridd for years to come. You can take part by visiting the Let’s Talk website, or meeting officers in the town during upcoming events.”
