Plans have been approved to transform a disused shopping site in Ebbw Vale into a mixed-used business hub. The now-empty Festival Park shopping centre will be redeveloped by Birmingham-based property developer Mercia Real Estate after planning permission was approved by Blaenau Gwent Council Planning Committee.
The site is located 3km south of the town centre and comprises a c.100,000 sq. ft. retail outlet scheme together with approximately 77 acres of landscaped parklands.
Following the planning permission, the developers, which bought the site in 2021, will recycle and repurpose the existing land and buildings to create a mixed-use business centre for a range of employment generating uses including some space for professional services, food and drink, offices and commercial uses.
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Work will commence on site in late 2023 and include demolishing a small number of existing units and existing floor areas as a base for additional yard space, parking, roads and paths.
There will also be external modifications to the existing units such as introducing new doors, replacement windows, removing shopfronts and replacing them with internal facades. Resurfacing the central walkway to create a service/access road is also being proposed.
Mercia Real Estate chief executive Samuel Clark said: "The site is currently vacant and the application captures the opportunity to transform and repurpose the existing shopping mall. The focus will be on providing space for a mixture of businesses, trades and warehouse operators, but the proposals will allow a full range of employment generating activities to be considered.
"We are confident that the proposed new plans for Festival Park will be an attractive proposition to new and existing businesses”.
Councillor John C Morgan, cabinet member for place and regeneration, said: "This now allows the currently unoccupied Festival Park to be developed and utilised for a variety of uses, thereby providing the site with a new lease of life. The development fits strategically with our Tech Valleys vision and addresses local need for further business units within the area.
"From an economic development perspective, we are keen to support business start-ups, support our local indigenous businesses grow and attract inward investment projects to the area. This development will act as a catalyst for future business and enable further job creation within the area."
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