The regeneration of Porth town centre has seen “good progress” a council report has said. The Porth Town Centre Regeneration Strategy was approved by Rhondda Cynon Taf Council's cabinet in January, 2019, and a number of projects are said to be underway, with others in development.
Here's a look at different aspects of the strategy and their status according to a report presented to a council committee this week.
Transport hub
One of the main elements is the new Porth transport hub and in late 2021, a UK Government Levelling Up Fund grant bid was approved. Also funded by Welsh Government and Cardiff City Region City Deal, the Porth Transport Hub aims to deliver a “centralised and seamless transport interchange between bus, rail and active travel.”
It will be located next to the existing railway line and replace the current rail ticketing facility run by Transport for Wales. The site will cover around 1,700 square metres and as well as housing a new bus station, the council hopes the space will also act as a catalyst for further investment in the town centre in a range of commercial, retail, office and residential developments.
The report said “significant progress has been made” with the construction contract in place and that work was progressing well. Work has been taking place with project partners including Transport for Wales (TfW) to ensure that the project proceeds smoothly including legal arrangements for the bus and rail elements of the project.
At the time the report was written, Encon Construction Ltd was 42 weeks into a 60- week programme after being formally appointed as the council’s contractor for the construction of the development. The project is due to be finished by spring of next year and it is being continuously monitored by both the project manager and the contractor, the report said.
Reports are being submitted to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and the other funding bodies. The committee report said feedback from these remained positive and the project was on track to become one of the first completed Levelling Up Funded projects in Wales.
Porth Plaza community hub
Another element of the project is around Porth Plaza and the community hub. The aim of the Porth Plaza Community Hub is to “provide a range of public-facing services in a single multi-purpose community hub.”
This scheme was successfully completed during 2020 and now houses a range of centralised public services including the public library and One4All Centre, as well as a privately run day nursery. The hub has bookable rooms and a number of programmes and activities to benefit the local community, the report said.
More parking spaces and an expanded park and ride
The report said the council had bought land adjacent to 38 Hannah Street with a view to improving the street scene and providing more parking spaces for visitors. Work is being done to establish the best layout for these uses.
The site is adjacent to the co-working offices in development and directly opposite the vacant former Bingo Hall. The strategy also includes expanding the park and ride facilities. The completion of the phase two park and ride facility in 2019 means there are now 72 more parking spaces, taking the overall park and ride in the town to almost 150 parking spaces and the project has also seen new electric vehicle charging points installed.
Redeveloping derelict buildings
In terms of redeveloping underused and derelict buildings, the report said the council had identified a number of properties at key locations throughout the town centre that had the potential for mixed-use development, with commercial and retail opportunities on the ground floors. Work is underway with the relevant property owners and developers to bring forward proposals for the redevelopment of several of these properties.
The council has used Welsh Government transforming towns grant funding on 38 Hannah Street. A £160,000 grant approval has been awarded towards the refurbishment of a new commercial premises that will accommodate a co-working facility and meeting space for local businesses and this has recently been completed.
Moving council staff into the town centre
The strategy also involves moving staff into Porth town centre. Oldway House in Porth town centre had been left empty after the Department of Work and Pensions left and the council has now taken a lease on the building.
In 2021 the council completed the relocation of finance staff to Oldway House. The report said this had helped increase footfall into the town centre with the potential to also enhance it economically.
Improving public spaces
When it comes to improving public spaces in the town centre, as part of the Porth Transport Hub project the report said that the redevelopment and surfacing of the public realm in station street adjacent to the transport hub would “pave the way for an attractive and well-designed arrival point that welcomed visitors to Porth that would serve as the new station quarter.”
Funding for minor improvements to buildings in the town centre
The town centre maintenance grant scheme provides financial support to town centre traders and landlords including those of empty properties to carry out minor improvements and maintenance works which improve the front of town centre properties. The aim of the scheme is to “contribute to a positive impact on the street scene, creating a more attractive and vibrant environment, which increases retail spend and stimulates further private sector investment” the report said.
Since its roll out to Porth in 2019, 12 businesses have been supported with approved grants of just under £11,000. This had led to a minimum of £9,000 in private sector investment, the report said.
The extra care development
Another part of the strategy is the development of extra care housing for the elderly and vulnerable Planning consent was given in December, 2021, for an extra care facility at the former Dan-Y-Mynydd Centre in Porth. This facility will deliver 60 extra care apartments close to the town centre
The council is working in conjunction with Linc Cymru on this and is also considering potential uses for the Bronwydd House council
offices. The strategy said this site had the potential to be redeveloped to generate additional housing land to accommodate identified housing need.
To get the latest email updates from WalesOnline click here https://www.walesonline.co.uk/newsletter-preference-centre/
READ NEXT:
-
The brilliant video being used to market Wales to the world during the World Cup
-
Extinction Rebellion protesters dragged from Cardiff city centre bank by police
-
Head teacher warns Welsh schools could ‘crumble overnight’ due to funding crisis
-
Discontent in Plaid Cymru at culture under Adam Price as issues mount
-
New plans to expand Y Pant Comprehensive agreed by RCT council
