£58 million for town centre regeneration in South Wales

13 Jun 2014 03:42 PM

Carl Sargeant, the Minister for Housing and Regeneration has given the green light to £58 million of regeneration projects in South Wales 

Bridgend (£5.98m), Merthyr Tydfil (£12.87m), Neath Port Talbot (£9.64m), Rhondda Cynon Taf (£5.98m), Swansea (£8.39m) and Newport (£14.99m) were all successful in bidding for funding through the Welsh Government’s £100 million Vibrant and Viable Places regeneration scheme. The Minister has now outlined the projects proposed by the local authorities which he has offered to fund.

The Minister said,

“Regeneration has a key role to play in terms of creating jobs, improving the quality of life and providing for communities in Wales and I’m delighted with the range of projects which Welsh Government will be supporting through this scheme.

“Providing good quality, affordable homes has long been my priority and so it will come as no surprise that many of the proposed regeneration projects have this at their heart.

“There are several excellent projects targeted at renovating empty properties, derelict buildings and empty shops, attracting more people to live in town centres and making the necessary improvements to existing housing stock, for example.

“I’ve also approved significant funding for a wide range of different projects, from a state of the art business facility in Pontypridd to an integrated transport hub in Port Talbot. Facilities like these, in conjunction with the new homes, will create jobs, improve links and breathe new life into town centre centres.”

The Minister visited Pontmorlais in Merthyr to see  some of the sites which will benefit from the funding.

He added,

“I’m delighted to see such a community focus to so many of the projects put forward by local authorities and Merthyr Tydfil is no different.

“The plans will provide much needed homes at the derelict General Hospital, Theatre Royal, Miners Arms, Miners Hall and St Tydfils Hospital sites, These projects will create jobs and homes for the local community whilst also tackling issues around vandalism and anti social behaviour at the sites.

“It’s also good to see projects in Merthyr Tydfil and elsewhere, which are working with housing associations, the private sector and in conjunction with other Welsh Government schemes, such as Houses into Homes in order to get the maximum possible return from this investment.

“I look forward to seeing communities across Wales benefiting from these exciting regeneration projects and am sure this investment will allow town centres develop and thrive.”