Redevelopment of Rock Grounds Building in Aberdare Progresses

In July 2023, Rhondda Cynon Taf’s Cabinet approved proposals to redevelop the Rock Grounds Building in Aberdare Town Centre. These plans form part of the adopted Aberdare strategy and will see the Rock Grounds Building redeveloped into a high-quality hotel with a restaurant, bar, and spa, available for both visitors and the local community.

As part of the Council’s Office Accommodation Strategy, council employees have now vacated the Rocks Grounds Building in preparation for the site’s redevelopment.

After conducting a recent procurement exercise, the Council is engaged in discussions with a potential development partner. This partner has submitted a comprehensive design proposal for the redevelopment which aims to provide high quality facilities for both visitors and locals alike and a destination of choice for special occasions.

While the submitted proposal outlines the initial design stages of the redevelopment. An update report is scheduled to go to Cabinet in September to inform members of recent progress.

Cllr. Mark Norris, Cabinet Member for Prosperity and Development, said: “I am pleased to say that the proposals for the Rock Grounds in Aberdare are progressing well. The redevelopment plans submitted align with our vision for a vibrant, dynamic, and attractive destination. The next step is for an updated progress report to be presented to Cabinet in September.

“By transforming the Rock Grounds Building into a high-quality hotel facility, complete with a restaurant, bar, and spa, we aim to enhance the overall identity of Aberdare Town Centre and create a space that both visitors and the local community can enjoy, in line with the Council’s Tourism Strategy.

“As we move forward with the redevelopment of Rock Grounds, I look forward to seeing this project progress creating a premier facility that will enrich Aberdare and provide an added attraction for people to visit the town centre.”

The Aberdare strategy, which was approved by Cabinet in December 2023, sets out the Council’s vision for the redevelopment and improvement of Aberdare, with consideration to the town’s unique heritage and strategic location. Their vision is to create a more vibrant, dynamic, and attractive destination for both local residents and visitors to the area, by:

Enhancing sustainability

Optimising the use of town centre sites

Improving the safe use of public spaces

Supporting the development of a diverse range of businesses

Enhancing the overall appearance and identity of the town centre.

The scope of the Tender is for the procurement of a Development Partner to design, develop and operate a high-end hotel on Rock Grounds site in Aberdare. The development partner will be required to: 1. Deliver a development allowing for the reuse of the buildings, preserving the attractive historic Rock Grounds building and features (including the Keir Hardie bust). 2. Provision of a high-end design hotel with restaurant, bar and spa and appropriate use of the surrounding landscape. 3. Allowing for shared space between the buildings to create a sense of unity, in line with the concept design in Appendix 2 of the Council’s Requirements contained in the ITT documentation. 4. The Council requires the design to be in keeping with the concept design detailed in Appendix 2 of the Council’s Requirements contained in the ITT documentation. 5. Preserve and enhance the character and appearance of the Aberdare Town Centre Conservation Area. 6. The hotel should be a high rating under an accredited scheme such as Visit Wales Quality Grading or AA scheme. The hotel must be operational within 18 months following contract award with works completing by end of March 2025. The Council will then enter into a commercial lease agreement for the building. For further information, please access the Tender documents.

https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=SEP450674

Nothing about this development on RCT Council Planning Register just whats below.