Health board u-turns on location for new medical centre in Abertridwr

Health bosses have gone back to the drawing board on plans for a new medical centre in Abertridwr after residents objected to the potential loss of their village green.

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, with funding from Welsh Government, had already carried out scoping work for the site known as ‘the green’ – which is regularly used by children from Cwmaber Junior School and the nearby YMCA.

Around 50% of the green could have been lost if the development had gone ahead.

When the matter first arose, there was significant opposition to the board’s ‘preferred site’.

Minutes of the Aber Valley Communities Partnership Board meeting held in July last year revealed residents felt ‘blackmailed’ over the proposals.

However the health board has now listened to the community and have scrapped the plans for the green – but a new medical centre is still planned with Abertridwr Park being looked at as a potential location.

Resident Jayne Jenkins was one of the people who questioned whether the green was the right place for the medical centre.

She welcomed the turnaround and said: “We need a new medical centre here, but we didn’t think the village green was the right place.”

A spokesman for Aneurin Bevan University Health Board said: “Following feedback received from the local community, we have determined that the site at Brynhafod Road is no longer a viable option for the construction of a new medical centre.

“The health board is currently undertaking investigations and surveys on Abertridwr Park site to identify if the site is appropriate for development. At present, there has been no specific area identified within the site, as this will be pending the outcome of the investigations and public engagement.

“There will be a public engagement event held on March 20, between the hours of 2.30pm and 6.30pm, at the Nazareth Community Centre in Abertridwr in order for us to gather views.

“Once we are in a position to proceed with the project, we will be looking to secure funding from Welsh Government.”

The medical centre would replace two existing premises of Aber Medical Centre but would not include the Senghenydd branch surgery of Nantgarw Medical Centre, meaning patients living in Senghenydd would still need to travel to the Castle Maen estate, near Castle View.

Caerphilly’s Labour Senedd Member Hefin David, who had voiced residents’ concerns to the health board last year, said: “Following a meeting with the community in Abertridwr and Senghenydd, it is good to see that the health board have listened to objections about the initial proposed site.

“I will continue to work with the health board to ensure that the community is included and informed in developing further plans.”

Councillor Charlotte Bishop, who represents the Aber Valley ward for Plaid Cymru, said: “To be fair, once they realised its public opposition, they were quite happy to look at alternatives.

“I genuinely believe the medical centre in the park is the best place. It’s got the transport links and it would uplift the area.”

Abertridwr Library, which is under threat of closure, has been mooted as a possible location if the council decided to close its doors, but Caerphilly Observer understands that flooding concerns from Natural Resources Wales would rule out a new building there.

Instead, the site of the old park keepers’ cottage, near to the pavilion, shows potential.

Cllr Bishop said efforts regarding the library building are now focussed on turning it into a community-run wellbeing hub which could complement any new medical centre.