Support quality, independent, local journalism…that matters

From just £1 a month you can help fund our work – and use our website without adverts. Become a member today

A public consultation for a controversial redevelopment in Rhymney is set to take place this month. 

This will be the second consultation event for the redevelopment of the Buchan Building and Whitbread Centre and will be held on Tuesday July 18 by Linc Cymru, the housing association. 

The event will take place at Rhymney Day Centre and anyone can drop in between 3pm to 6pm. 

Those unable to attend the event can view the proposals and share comments online. 

What is at stake? 

In November, early-stage proposals to build around 27 homes – a mix of houses and flats – and a dedicated children’s home to be run by Caerphilly County Borough Council were unveiled. 

The initial plans from Linc Cymru were displayed to the community at the first public consultation event. 

Concerns came from residents who feared the redevelopment would see a historical building, the Buchan building, lost.

It was built by the Rhymney Ironworks Company and was once owned by Rhymney Brewery.

Back in November, Chris Monk, project manager for Linc, told Caerphilly Observer he was aware of the concern around the building and said the plan was to keep it intact as much as possible.

“It’s on the proposals to keep,” said Mr Monk, “though it may not be possible to keep the whole structure due to safety concerns. 

“Where we demolish is to be worked through,” he said. “The intention is to remain within those four walls.”

Residents like Peter Griffiths, however, said they would rather see the building used for the community. 

He said: “They could have play areas there for children, they could have community sessions there.”

The concerns were worsened by the belief that Rhymney has seen a lot of properties destroyed compared to other areas.

Peter continued: “They’ve knocked so much down in Rhymney,” adding that in his opinion modern buildings are not an improvement in terms of quality. 

Councillor Carl Cuss, who represents the Twyn Carno ward, stated in November that he supported the project – with certain conditions.

“It’s a positive step forward in terms of the Buchan Building,” said Cllr Cuss, who added that retaining the external part of the building would be a good compromise, so long as it maintains its “look”. 

Cllr Cuss, however, previously stated that he has reservations about the ratio of social housing compared to those available for people to buy. 

“[Linc] haven’t confirmed how many houses are going to be on the open market,” he said.

“Some social housing, some to buy. That I would support.”

‘It’s a people’s gym’

Other worries included what the redevelopment would mean for businesses in the area, such as the cancer charity Helping Hands – which uses the site to store medical aids which are available for seriously ill residents of the Upper Rhymney Valley. 

“We are still looking for premises in Rhymney,” said Derwyn Evans who works for the charity at November’s consultation.

“It’ll be nice if Linc Cymru could put a building up for us in that area,” he said, as Helping Hands aims to keep costs as low as possible and is currently paying no fee for the small space they use. 

Another business set to be affected is Rhymney’s only gym, Fit4Living, run by Judith Morgan in the Buchan building as part of the Whitbread Centre for around 11 years.

Though the gym hasn’t been served notice, Judith is worried she will need to leave sometime this year.

Speaking to Caerphilly Observer in February, Judith said: “I’m definitely looking proactively but there is nothing suitable around here,” she said, adding that the new premises would need to be around 2,000 square feet.

What’s available in the area is “too big” or “far too expensive”, according to Judith, who wants to keep the gym in Rhymney. 

Cllr Cuss also highlighted there are concerns about the gym.

“We don’t want to lose the gym,” he said, adding that the council is trying to help but commercial property in the area is hard to come by and can often be expensive. 

“There is a demand for this type of facility,” he said, referring to commercial buildings. “If there are any available they’re quite expensive.”

Gym users added that losing the gym would not only mean travelling to another town to exercise but would be a deeper sort of loss as it’s part of the community.  

Rhymney resident Ian Breen, who goes to the gym four or five times a week, said: “It’s a people’s gym.

“It’s a gym where we all help each other.”

It’s sociable too. “I came here to do a gym session and I ended up having about four coffees and no gym session,” he added, “that’s how it is.”

Chris Monk, Project Manager at Linc, said: “We understand the importance of the gym for the local community.

“When Linc purchased the Buchan Building and Whitbread Centre site, we were keen that the gym would be able to continue utilising the space while we developed our plans and engaged with local residents. 

“Since then, we have worked alongside Judith to help in her search to find an alternative space and offer our continued support in this going forward. 

‘Rhymney has lost such a lot’

In April Caerphilly Observer reported that a petition was started by Rhymney resident Alison Jones, to keep Fit4Living in its current premises, the Buchan building.

When Caerphilly Observer spoke to Alison the petition already had more than 500 signatures. 

Alison said: “The gym has been a success and people use it.

“I think Rhymney has lost such a lot over the years,” Alison added, “the town is already recognised as being deprived.”

Alison, who isn’t a gym-goer, said that the redevelopment was part of an ongoing problem in Rhymney, which she outlined in a letter sent to Christina Harrhy, chief executive of Caerphilly County Borough Council, in March. 

Alison said: “I wanted the chief executive to have a picture of what the town has become,” describing it as a place with an ongoing influx of people without the facilities needed. 

Though the original plan was to send the petition to the council too, Alison said the intention was to submit it during the next public meeting and possibly send it to the planning department. 

In response to the petition, Caerphilly County Borough Council said: “As we have stated previously, this is a private gym in a building that is not owned by the council. Any future development on that site by a third party would be subject to the appropriate planning process etc.

“The council would be happy to offer any support in terms of helping to identify available units or other premises in the area, should they need to relocate.”

For Alison, however, there was a wider scope of responsibility that rests with the local authority, including a duty of care over people’s wellbeing – which would be impacted without access to a gym. 

“There needs to be a vision, a better vision for Rhymney,” said Alison, “This building [the Buchan], which is still here with us, could be part of that vision.

She continued: “Having a plaque on the building isn’t going to mean anything…for just 12 occupants…a community loses something that’s important to them.”