CALLS FOR HISTORIC NEATH MARKET TO BE SUPPORTED BY NET ZERO VISION

Sioned Williams MS writes to Welsh Government about “enormous potential” for Neath Market.

Sioned Williams MS has written to the Cabinet Secretary with responsibility for Net Zero about the “enormous potential in energy generation and efficiency” in Neath Market.

Ms Williams, whose constituency office is within 200 metres of the market, has asked what support Welsh Government is making available to assist cash strapped local authorities in the task of improving the energy efficiency and generating capacity of old buildings, such as Neath Market.

Neath Market is a Grade II listed building which dates back to 1837, and while it’s an iconic part of the town, traders and shoppers regularly complain about how cold it is in the winter, and how hot it gets in the summer – a clear indication of how energy inefficient the building currently is.

Buildings have already been highlighted by Welsh Government as a priority area for local authorities to help them reduce their carbon emissions. However, the concern is that cost of renovating historic buildings like Neath Market could be prohibitive, and Ms Williams has asked Welsh Government to step in to “think outside the box” to develop historic buildings such as Neath Market.

Sioned Williams MS, Plaid Cymru Member of Senedd for South Wales West, said:

“Welsh Government often talk about being ‘placemaking-led’ in relation to its role in supporting the vibrancy of communities and the need for integrated policy and actions to deliver this. There’s an opportunity here to really protect the past to safeguard the future by developing Neath Market to help it become the focal point and the reason to travel to the town. However, this won’t happen without some thinking outside the box, especially at a time when local authorities are cash strapped.

“While the most cost-effective way to make old buildings energy efficient often is to replace them, that isn’t appropriate for the historic Neath Market. Neath has already lost so much with the departure of large department stores such as Next and Marks and Spencer’s. We need a different approach that’s focused on what makes Neath so special.

“If Welsh Government get this right and are able to step in and assist with making this historic building energy efficient, then this aligns with our climate change goals, improves the environment for both shoppers and traders and would make Neath Market an even more attractive place to work, trade and shop.”