Progress made in first year of Port Talbot regeneration programme

Councillors at Neath Port Talbot Council will receive a briefing at a meeting this week (19th June) on progress made on a number of projects in Port Talbot’s Vibrant and Viable Places Regeneration Programme.

Last year Neath Port Talbot Council secured funding from the Welsh Government’s Vibrant and Viable Places (VVP) programme to undertake a number of Regeneration projects in the town centre, working alongside key partners. The programme will see over £30m invested in a number of projects in and around the town centre.

The Council is working with Coastal Housing to bring forward residential and commercial development proposals for the Burrows Yard site which now forms part of the VVP Regeneration Programme.

One of the first successes of the Programme is the Neighbourhood Renewal project where 133 homes in Port Talbot have benefited from energy efficiency improvements in this first year alone, with some having received additional renovation works making them more secure and weather proof.

Progress has also been made on other housing led regeneration projects. Acquisition of the police station and a property in Station Road are completed and the Council is now working in partnership with Gwalia to bring forward designs for the sites in a prime town centre location.

Designs for a mix of new housing and commercial units are also progressing at the Glan Afan Comprehensive school site.

Proposals are being drawn up for a new public transport hub and open space in front of the Port Talbot Parkway Station.

A business plan to develop the former Plaza Cinema into a sustainable multi-purpose cultural hub has been accepted and the Council is now seeking additional funding to ensure the long term viability of the project. It will include a flexible auditorium, gallery, exhibition space, café and media and creative production facilities.

At Green Park, excavation and recording of the remains of one of the town’s oldest tin plate works has been completed. They were found during site preparation works and construction of 34 affordable homes including houses, bungalows and flats is now underway.

Leader of Council, Cllr. Ali Thomas OBE said: “I am pleased to see good progress being made on this important regeneration programme in Port Talbot. It is good news for the residents and businesses of Port Talbot and surrounding areas.

“The programme will complement other successes such as the completion of Harbour Way, the first phase of the town’s Harbourside quarter and the redevelopment of the Parkway station.

“It will bring about a genuine transformation of the town, ensuring Port Talbot plays a major role in the future of the Swansea Bay City Region”.

For more information on regeneration in Neath Port Talbot visit www.npt.gov.uk/places