Decision details

The Director of Prosperity and Development provided Cabinet with an update on the development of regeneration proposals for the former Marks and Spencer/Dorothy Perkins site at 97-102 Taff Street, Pontypridd.

The Director sought to outline the proposed funding, procurement and engagement strategies relevant to the project and provided an overview of the necessary next steps.

Members’ attention was drawn to the proposals attached at Appendix 1 to the report. The Director proposed that the development would seek to create a new high-quality public realm that provides a clear and legible route from the top of the town through to a much more inviting access to Ynysangharad War Memorial Park and National Lido.

He continued, proposing that the integration of soft landscaping would serve to ‘green’ the high street, whilst the creation of a new riverside plaza would re-orientate the high street, for the first time in over 100 years, to the river and surrounding natural landscape.

The Cabinet Member for Prosperity and Development was supportive of the proposals before Members and praised the multi-level design, easy disabled access for the site and flood mitigations. The Cabinet Member spoke positive of the idea to involve the construction experts from the former bingo hall site, which had provided a coherent connection between the two sites located at the bottom area of Pontypridd.

The Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care echoed the positive comments and was pleased to note the Council’s investment in its major town centres and tourist areas.

The Cabinet RESOLVED:

1.    That the most recent redevelopment proposals for the site are considered and supported; and

2.    That associated funding, procurement, and engagement strategies outlined in the report are considered and endorsed, and Officers are authorised to progress their implementation.