Welsh Government regeneration funding
Newport
Newport Council received £14.988m under the Vibrant and Viable Places framework to target
regeneration projects in Newport city centre. Welsh Government funds will be supported by public
and private investment. The projects which will receive Vibrant and Viable Places funding will
include:
Landlord Loan Scheme
Newport Council will help landlords with future licensing and registration including, if necessary, an
interest-free loan to ensure that their property achieves a letting standard. The loan will also
support landlords of occupied properties who do not qualify for support under the Houses 2 Homes
Initiative and would not otherwise be able to afford to upgrade their properties to a satisfactory
quality. The scheme will run until March 2017.
Commercial Street
The north end of Commercial Street has been affected the recession. A number of properties have
remained empty and other buildings become empty as businesses move out. Investors are deterred
because many of these buildings are listed. Two to three large derelict buildings will be brought
back into use for new housing and commercial use.
Newport Market
Newport Council will work with Newport City Homes on improvements to homes on the first floor of
the Grade II listed Newport Market. The Vibrant and Viable Places money will fund the
refurbishment of the windows and external façade. Newport City Homes will fund the internal
refurbishment.
62-66 Cardiff Road This listed building is in a conservation area and has been empty for a number of
years. Newport City Council are working with Seren Group and the owner (a development company)
to redevelop the site as housing association accommodation. Based on a sustainability appraisal, it
will be a car free development with one cycle stand per bedroom, reflecting the excellent local cycle
routes.
Employment and Training Facility
An empty property will be developed to become a new flexible learning and employment centre. It
will provide community services, employment and training opportunities for local residents and
support for start-up businesses. Based within Central Communities First Cluster, it will create better
links between the jobs created and where people live. It will include a:
•
Flexible learning zone and IT suite with business conferencing facilities
•
Drop in centre for local employment opportunities
•
Local employer base for training and recruitment
The development is supported by the Community First partnership
Townscape Heritage Scheme
Complementing the Landlord Loan Scheme, this will improve the outside appearance of buildings,
providing high quality, attractive premises for local businesses. It will also improve perception of the
area. Newport City Council has a strong track record in the delivery of heritage related renovation other projects include Malpas Court Sustainability Centre and Lower Dock Street. Work is expected
to begin in 2015 and will run to March 2017.
Citizens Advice Bureau
Newport Citizens Advice Bureau is bringing all its services under one roof. Vibrant and Viable Places
funding will be used to create a new, larger and more appropriate reception area and meeting
rooms. The Citizens Advice Bureau is located close to two of the council’s larger developments. The
improvements will increase the support available to people living and working in the city centre.
Energy Efficiency
An energy improvement programme will run until March 2015 to support people living in fuel
poverty and reduce Newport’s energy consumption. It will work alongside the Green Deal to give
consumers support and funding for energy efficiency home improvements including solar panels.
Projects Supporting the Vibrant and Viable Places framework
The following projects are not funded by the Vibrant and Viable Places framework but support its
aims:
Housing Regeneration Toolkit
A housing regeneration toolkit will be developed. Using real-life, best practice examples, it will show
how city centre and commercial properties can be developed into homes or a mixture of
accommodation and shops.
Work Based Learning Academy
A Work Based Learning Academy will be created to co-ordinate work placements. A mixture of paid
and unpaid opportunities will be on offer aimed at supporting:
•
Young people,
•
Young people leaving care
•
Graduates and apprentices
•
Long-term unemployed
A number of placements have been identified from one-week opportunities to one year
apprenticeships.
Employment Initiatives
Newport City Council has developed a heritage and construction building skills programme, offering
jobs and training opportunities. Social enterprise start-ups will also be developed through the
programme.
Newport Explorer
The Newport Explorer trail is an internet site exploring the history of the city which is designed for
use on smartphones. It will be expanded to bring visitors using the Wales Coast Path and National
Cycle Route 47 (Usk Way) into the city centre.
Friars Walk
The Friars Walk development will include shops, restaurants, a multiplex cinema, a new car park and
bus station. It will create a large number of new jobs.
Construction Cooperative
Newport City Council will work with small and medium businesses to develop Wales’s first
Construction Cooperative to help local companies to tender for large contracts. Work has started to
develop the cooperative arrangements, including monitoring and evaluation.
Neath Port Talbot
Neath Port Talbot Council has received £9.643m under the Vibrant and Viable Places Framework to
target regeneration projects in Port Talbot. Welsh Government funds will be supported by public
and private investment. The projects which will receive Vibrant and Viable Places funding include:
Empty Homes, Energy Efficiency and Neighbourhood Renewal
A housing regeneration area will be created to make a difference to living standards through
refurbishing homes and making them more energy efficient. There will also be community safety
improvements. The project will be delivered by Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council which will
carry out housing and community surveys to make sure resources are targeted where there is the
greatest need.
Houses to Homes Initiative
This project will extend an existing initiative to bring empty homes back into use. Loans will be given
to property owners, to renovate and improve single empty properties or convert of empty
properties into homes. It will cover the Sandfields, Aberavon and Port Talbot areas of the town.
The loans are recyclable – when they are repaid, the money is used to fund more loans. The scheme
will be administered by Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council.
Glanafan School site Housing Development
A town centre site will be developed as a mixture of homes and shops. The site is owned by Neath
Port Talbot County Borough Council and is currently occupied by Glanafan School. This will close in
July 2016 and the school will be relocated to a modern, purpose built facility outside the town
centre. The site will be redeveloped by Coastal Housing.
Former Police Station Housing Redevelopment
Flats and new shops will be developed on the site of the old police station in Port Talbot town
centre. The project is one of a cluster of Vibrant and Viable Places funded projects which will
transform this area.
Green Park Housing Redevelopment
Affordable homes will be built on a brownfield site just outside the town centre, near the River Afan.
It will create a new community open space and improve links between the town centre and seafront.
The development is in a Communities First area. Delivered by Coastal Housing in two phases, it will
complement the Neath Port Talbot Housing Renewal and Neath Port Talbot Homes Improvement
programmes in the area.
Parkway Integrated Transport Hub
A new integrated transport hub will be created in the town centre at the lower end of Station Road
and next to Port Talbot train station. The hub will provide a link to employment and residential
areas in and around the town, improving accessibility. It will also help communities in the nearby
valleys areas access the employment, learning and other opportunities in the town. The project is
already identified in the Regional Transport Plan and City Region Strategy. It will also be supported
by European Structural Funds.
Connections and Linkages
A series of schemes in and around the town centre will improve accessibility and links for
pedestrians and cyclists between employment, housing and leisure areas including the coast and
Afan Valley. Two schemes are already under development which will improve links between the
Green Park Communities First area and the town centre and between the Harbourside area and the
town centre and transportation hub.
Integrated Living Employability and Information Centre
The former fire station will become a new employment and advice centre. It will be managed by
New Sandfields Aberavon Afan, a Communities First grant recipient body and serve the Port Talbot
and Aberavon wards. The building is owned by Neath and Port Talbot County Borough Council and is
next to the Green Park housing development. The centre will help improve the employability of local
people through skills training and personal development. It will complement other programmes
operating in the area.
Former Plaza Cinema Cultural Industries Hub
An iconic former cinema in the town centre will be transformed into a hub for the cultural industries.
The Grade 2 listed building is at the lower end of Station Road, close to the train station and other
Vibrant and Viable Places projects. The building is owned by Neath Port Talbot County Borough
Council which is working closely with local groups and organisations on the development. It is
seeking match funding opportunities and a detailed business plan is being prepared by an
independent consultant.
Rhondda Cynon Taf
Rhondda Cynon Taf Council has received £5.980m under the Vibrant and Viable Places Framework to
target regeneration projects in Pontypridd. Welsh Government funds will be supported by public
and private investment. The projects which will receive Vibrant and Viable Places funding include:
From Vacant to Viable: Creating Homes above Retail Premises
New homes will be created above shops in Pontypridd town centre. A mixture of social and
affordable housing, the scheme will complement the recently completed town centre
improvements.
Homestep Plus: Homing in on Empties
Building on the success of Homestep, funded by the Welsh Government’s Heads of the Valleys
Programme, this initiative will target long term empty properties in and around Pontypridd town
centre.
Properties will be purchased, refurbished and offered for sale through a low cost home ownership
70/30% shared equity scheme. When the money is repaid, the income will be recycled to buy and
refurbish more properties.
Heat and Save Ponty
Homes in and around Pontypridd town centre will receive free energy efficiency measures in this
initiative to tackle extreme fuel poverty. The scheme will be targeted at those people with the least
income and most hard to treat homes.
Building in the 'bwl’: Regenerating Lady Windsor Colliery
New homes will be built on the former Lady Windsor Colliery site. Rhondda Cynon Taf Council will
make the land available and seek expressions of interest from the development industry. The
Vibrant and Viable Places funding will be used to commission detailed information to support the
planning application and tender process.
The Pontypridd Hub
The old YMCA building in Pontypridd town centre will become a state of the art multi-purpose
facility. Vibrant and Viable Places funding will contribute towards the development which will create
new offices and workspace for rent to social enterprises and business. There will also be a suite of
arts facilities. The scheme will create new permanent jobs and volunteering opportunities.
Sustaining a prosperous and learning Glyncoch
Building on the recent development of the Flying Start annex funded by Welsh Government, the
Vibrant and Viable Places funding will contribute towards the cost of the final phase.
The centre is in the Pontypridd Communities First Cluster. The additional training, office and
community space will increase access to a range of services and learning and training opportunities.
Provided with partners through the Communities First programme, this one-stop shop will help to
break down many of the barriers faced by individuals and families.
Pontypridd Townscape Enhancement Programme+
Pontypridd town centre will be given a boost by working with owners and businesses to improve the
look of shop fronts and create new homes. The project will complement the existing Homes above
Retail Premises initiative. It will create jobs and help new and existing businesses, encouraging
economic growth.
Swansea
Swansea Council has received £8.394m under the Vibrant and Viable Places Framework to target
regeneration projects in Swansea City Centre. Welsh Government funds will be supported by public
and private investment. The projects which will receive Vibrant and Viable Places funding include:
The Kingsway - mixed use development
The run down Kingsway area will become home to young professionals through a Gwalia Housing
Association led development. The new homes will be available to rent at intermediate rates. It is
hoped the development will be the first phase of a wider investment programme. The aim is to
transform Kingsway into a vibrant area including homes, shops and a central business district.
Sandfields: Housing Renewal Area
The five-year Sandfields Housing Renewal Area programme will improve housing quality and energy
efficiency. Improvements will include external wall and loft insulation, boiler replacement, external
and internal repairs and home safety assistance for vulnerable residents. The programme will also
benefit local businesses and create job and training opportunities through City and County of
Swansea Councils’ Beyond Bricks and Mortar initiative.
Housing Above Retail Premises
Homes Above Retail Premises (HARP) grants will support the conversion of vacant floor space above
shops into new affordable homes. It will be used alongside Commercial Property Improvement
grants. The aim is to bring new tenants into the city centre, including young professionals.
High Street Regeneration - Mixed Use Development
This development will improve the High Street and help to bring in private sector investment. The
work will focus on three separate but related projects:
•
Urban Village Phase 2
•
People’s Square
•
Development of the former Iceland building
Between them, the three projects will deliver social housing, commercial and retail floor space,
business incubation units, and public space. They will also create jobs and training opportunities for
the unemployed.
Sandfields - Vetch Housing Development
Residents will be able to remain in their community into their old age through relocating an existing
residential scheme for over 50s from St David’s to Sandfields.
Property Enhancement/ Development Grant
Swansea Market, Glynn Vivian Gallery, the former Central Library building, the Dylan Thomas Centre,
Morgan’s Hotel and Dragon Hotel will all benefit from this new grant. The scheme will complement
other development proposals and the Homes Above Retail Premises (HARP) initiative.
Essential enabling Infrastructure
This project will improve the city centre including its gateways and links to the beech. The 2014-2015
programme will focus on the completion of the Boulevard scheme and High Street corridor.
Proposals for 2015-2017 will concentrate on the Kingsway, Maritime Quarter and Alexandra Road
areas. This budget will be used to match a future European funding bid for the city centre, allowing
the programme to be extended through to 2020. The improvements will complement the other
developments receiving Vibrant and Viable Places funding.
Merthyr Tydfil
Merthyr Tydfil Council has received £12.873m under the Vibrant and Viable Places Framework to
target regeneration projects in Merthyr Tydfil Town Centre. Welsh Government funds will be
supported by public and private investment. The projects which will receive Vibrant and Viable
Places funding include:
General Hospital
The derelict General Hospital is a target for vandalism and anti social behaviour. Vibrant and Viable
Places funding will create better access to the site, road improvements and work to create parking,
making the site more suitable for housing development. Initial work will also include a feasibility
study to assess the viability of the site. Match funding for the project will come from the private
sector.
St. Tydfil’s Hospital Site
The St Tydfil’s Hospital site is likely to become derelict and a target for anti social behaviour, unless it
can be developed. Vibrant and Viable Places Funding will be used for asbestos removal and
demolition costs to make the site more attractive for private housing development. The site has
recently been bought by a private sector investor and match funding for the project will come from
the private sector.
Promenade / Labour Exchange
The historic and iconic building is currently derelict. The site is owned by a housing association that
wishes to develop affordable homes. Vibrant and Viable Places funding will prepare the land and
provide an access road and pavements. Wales and West Housing Association will work in
partnership with Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council on the project. Match funding has been
secured from the Welsh Government’s Social Housing Grant.
North Merthyr Housing redevelopment
Nine sites in the northern Merthyr Tydfil area which have the potential to attract private investment
have been prioritised for development. The Vibrant and Viable Places funding will be used for site
investigations, surveys and address planning constraints. It will also be used to market the sites and
attract private sector investment. Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council will be the lead in taking
this forward and match funding has been identified from the Merthyr Tydfil capital programme.
ECO Scheme
The Energy Companies Obligation (ECO) is a programme administered by Ofgem for the UK
Government. The Vibrant and Viable Places funding will allow Merthyr County Borough Council to
develop large scale home energy projects which will attract ECO funding from energy companies.
The council will develop capital schemes with a minimum value of £1m in partnership with the
Welsh Government and the private sector.
Vacant Property Grants
The grants will bring long-term empty properties back into use as homes. The council will work with
the private sector which will also supply match funding.
Miners Hall / Arms / Kingdom Hall
Working in partnership with Merthyr Tydfil Housing Association, this project will redevelop three
derelict buildings: the Miners Arms, the Miners Hall and Kingdom Hall, into social housing situated in
the heart of the town centre. The Miners Arms is a Grade II listed building and the project will
provide much needed homes. It will also integrate public art into the town centre and improve the
town’s built environment, linking with the recently renovated Redhouse (the Old Town Hall).
Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council will work with Merthyr Tydfil Housing Association and Arts
Council Wales on the project. Match funding will be sought from Heritage Lottery Fund and Merthyr
Tydfil Housing Association.
Enterprise Hub
The Enterprise Hub is a pilot project developed by Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council with Taste
of Enterprise and Tydfil Training Consortium to deliver co-ordinated support. This project aims to
increase the number of new businesses in Merthyr Tydfil town centre through support and upskilling. Support will include developing ideas into viable propositions, business planning, financial
projections, test trading, marketing, digital up skilling, grant support, e-commerce and transition
support for those receiving benefits. Existing businesses will also be able to access these services.
The support will be underpinned by a retail forum and will link with the business community through
the Merthyr Tydfil Business Club. Match funding will come from private sector investment.
YMCA
The iconic and historic YMCA listed building will become home to the Universities Heads of the
Valleys Institute and small and medium sized businesses. Carmarthenshire Heritage Regeneration
Trust recently bought the building and will be a key partner on the project. Part of the match
funding has been secured through Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council’s capital programme.
Trevithick House
Vibrant and Viable Places funding will transform an empty run-down terraced house into a home
again. The property will be fully renovated by local contractors linked to a training programme. It will
work with the Pontmorlais Townscape Heritage Initiative which will share its knowledge and
techniques for renovating old buildings. When the house is renovated, it will be sold and the money
will be used to buy a second property which will be restored in the same way. Merthyr Tydfil County
Borough Council will identify a suitable partner for the project. Match funding has been allocated
through the Merthyr Tydfil capital programme.
Penydarren Park
Merthyr Tydfil Football Club wants to redevelop Penydarren Park to become a high-quality
community leisure complex offering conference facilities. The redevelopment of Penydarren Park is
linked to two other Vibrant and Viable Places projects. Merthyr County Borough Council will work in
partnership with Merthyr Tydfil Football Club. Match funding for this project has already been
secured.
St. Davids Hall
St David’s Hall is a Grade 2 listed building with a large stage and back stage area. When it is
refurbished, it compliment the services offered at Soar Chapel and Redhouse (the Old Town Hall).
The three venues will work together to meet the creative and artistic needs of the community. To
stop the building from falling into disrepair in the future, a maintenance programme will be
established together, along with reserved capital funding from Merthyr Tydfil County Borough
Council. The council will work in partnership with St. David’s Church and the match funding has
been secured.
Gellideg Eco Centre
Vibrant and Viable Places funding will help the Gellideg Foundation Group (GFG) build a new training
centre. This project will also enable the block of flats currently occupied by GFG to be renovated as
part of the Gellideg Flats Cooperative. Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council will work in
partnership with the Gellideg Foundation Group, Communities First and Merthyr Valley Homes.
Match funding for the project is being sought.
Cyfarthfa Heritage Area
Cyfarthfa Castle and Park are a unique and valuable part of the heritage of Merthyr Tydfil. The castle
is a Grade I listed building and the Vibrant and Viable Places funding will restore the northwest part
of the building and provide a suite of offices, an education centre and facilities for the existing
museum. Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council will work in partnership with Merthyr Tydfil
Heritage Trust and the Friends of Cyfarthfa Park. Match funding for the project is being sought.
Trails, Links and Open Spaces
Vibrant and Viable Places funding will pay for the clean up of Nant Morlais Brook and linking up the
Taff Trail and Trevithick Trails. Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council will work in partnership with
Merthyr Tydfil Trails and Access Group. Match funding has been secured through the Local Transport
Fund and the Metro Consortium.
Nant Morlais Micro Hydro
Vibrant and Viable Places funding will be used to carry out a feasibility study to assess whether NantMorlais weir could be used to generate electricity. Income from the feed-in tariffs would be used to
fund other projects in the town centre. Project partners will be sought during the feasibility stage.
Projects Supporting the Vibrant and Viable Places framework
The following projects are not funded by the Vibrant and Viable Places framework but supports its
aims:
Heartlands
Heartlands is a challenging site located in Dowlais which has been allocated for housing
development. A phased approach is proposed which will deal with contamination. The work will
mean the site can be sold and developed further.
Goatmill Road
The local authority will work with a registered social landlord to develop land at Goatmill Road into a
mixture of affordable and market value housing.
Gellideg Flats
Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council and Merthyr Valley Homes will work in partnership to bring
empty properties in the Gellideg area back into use as homes. Although no Vibrant and Viable Places
funding is allocated, this project is closely related to the Gellideg Eco Centre which will enable the
Gellideg Foundation Group to move into a new purpose built facility.
Pontmorlais Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI)
The Townscape Heritage Initiative will bring historic, derelict buildings in Pontmorlais back into use.
This programme will link the training opportunities offered by the Trevithick House project and
Merthyr College to help local companies win specialist work. Funding has been secured through the
Heritage Lottery Fund and CADW.
Business Enhancement Grants
Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council is working with private sector landlords to find ways of
bringing vacant floor space in the town centre back into use as shops and businesses. The scheme is
already being delivered through the Merthyr Town Centre Regeneration Programme funded through
the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Welsh Government’s Heads of the Valleys
Regeneration Programme. The council will work with the private sector which will provide match
funding.
Bridgend
Bridgend County Borough Council received £5.978m under the Vibrant and Viable Places framework
to target regeneration projects in Bridgend town centre. Welsh Government funds will be supported
by public and private investment. The project which will receive Vibrant and Viable Places funding is:
The Rhiw Gateway
The former Rhiw car park site will be developed in partnership with a housing association. The Rhiw
Gateway scheme has four elements:
•
delivery of affordable town centre homes and increasing access to jobs locally and further
afield in Cardiff and Swansea.
•
improvement of temporary and permanent parking to help the town centre to compete with
out-of-town retail parks
•
improvements to the traditional indoor market, which will help support local jobs and small
businesses
•
a new community/arts space.
Projects Supporting the Vibrant and Viable Places framework
The following projects are not funded by the Vibrant and Viable Places framework but support its
aims.
Homes in Town Scheme (HITS)
Many properties in the town centre have empty space, particularly above shops. The Homes in Town
grants will help owners to bring the space back into use as affordable homes. The work will not be
eligible for Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI) or Town Improvement Grant (TIG). However,
together with the Homes in Town scheme, they offer a coherent package of incentives to encourage
the redevelopment of the town centre and create affordable housing.
Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI)
This is a partnership initiative led by Bridgend County Borough Council and sponsored principally by
Heritage Lottery. The scheme will bring empty, run down buildings back into use as homes and
shops. It will also create jobs both through construction, including specialist conservation and in the
new businesses created.
Bridgend County Borough Council staff resource
Three dedicated officers will be assigned to deliver and manage the Vibrant and Viable Places
programme.
Monitoring and Evaluation
Evaluation will be carried out to monitor the impacts and delivery of projects.
Business Improvement District (BID)
Welsh Government funding has recently been secured to employ a consultant in order to develop a
Business Improvement District for Bridgend Town Centre up to the ballot stage. The aim of the
Bridgend BID will be to create a prosperous and healthy town centre that will meet the current and
future needs of the local community.
Coychurch Rd
Bridgend County Borough Council has agreed to sell this site to Hafod Housing Association for
affordable housing development.
Cowbridge Rd
This site was sold by Bridgend County Borough Council to Taylor Wimpey for housing. Work began
on the site in May 2014.
Ysgol Bryn Castell This former school site will be sold by Bridgend County Borough Council for
housing development in two phases.