Work has finally started on what was called a “new town centre” at Talbot Green when plans were first mooted more than a decade ago. In 2011 proposals were revealed by Talbot Green Developments Ltd (TGDL) for a new supermarket, hotel and cinema among other amenities at the site east of Cowbridge Road near the A473.
The plans were approved in 2013 and 2014, and a new roundabout was even built to handle the expected traffic to the site which promised so much. But until this year the land has stood empty and by 2019 Leekes director Chris Leeke, who initially planned to move the furniture store’s Llantrisant base to the forecasted shopping hub, became frustrated and pulled out of the project.
However, after 12 years of waiting there is at last some movement as last week preparatory work for a 50,000 square feet Sainsbury’s store - described as the "anchor tenant" on the site - began. The group overseeing the development, England-based Scarborough Group - which is a joint venture with TGDL, remains unable to provide clarity on the future steps for the development.
