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 15-year transformation project for Caerphilly town centre is due to reach the next stage – and the county borough council wants residents to help shape the plans.
Caerphilly Town 2035 is aimed at attracting more investment and revitalising the town as a destination for residents and visitors alike.
Milestones to date include the opening of the shipping container-style market – Ffos Caerffili – and the recent completion of renovations and improvements to the tourism offer at the town’s iconic castle.
The next stage of the multimillion-pound project will focus on improvements to the top of town.
A new round of consultation has been launched in the town centre, hoping to provide decision-makers “targeted engagement with key communities from hard-to-reach groups to young people and families”.
“The Caerphilly Town 2035 plan has been bringing ambitious revitalisation to make Caerphilly the very best place to live, work, and visit it possibly can,” a Caerphilly County Borough Council spokesperson said.
“To build on our success further, we are once again asking for your input to create the Caerphilly you want to see.”
A series of closed engagement events will be held with specific groups in the town throughout August.
Then, all residents can have their say at a “public finale” on Saturday September 6, at Y Banc (the former Barclays building), and at Stockland and Windsor Squares off Cardiff Road.
The engagement campaign began earlier in August with an event organised in partnership with Valley Daffodils, a charity for people who have disabilities and additional learning needs.
Ceri Hooper, the charity’s founder and chairperson, said: “It’s really encouraging – and important – to see inclusivity built into the plans for Caerphilly Town 2035.
“Census data indicates Caerphilly has one of the highest proportions of disabled adults in Wales. This makes it even more important that this demographic is consulted and included in any plans that will affect the day-to-day of all who live in, work in, and visit Caerphilly.”
Other branches of the wider Caerphilly Town 2035 project include proposals to redevelop the railway and bus stations as a new public transport “interchange”, as well as the construction of a new leisure centre off Van Road and a housing complex in Pentrebane Street.
Some elements of the project have previously come in for criticism, with the council’s Plaid group arguing the plans should make more of the town’s heritage and historic buildings rather than replace them.
The local authority’s deputy leader and cabinet member for regeneration, Cllr Jamie Pritchard, believes the council’s work is “starting to pay off”, however.
“A new market, the redevelopment of the top of town, a new leisure centre, massive investment in the castle plus plans for a cultural centre and new hotel, [are all] wrapped up in a defined Caerphilly placemaking plan,” he said.
“The large bulk of the finance is coming from outside council funds, but we are there to help drive it.”
Cllr Pritchard said the local authority is also “committed” to similar strategies recently agreed for Bargoed and Blackwood, as well as further plans for elsewhere in the borough.
“We can see positive things happening when putting plans together,” he added.
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