Amman and Gwendraeth boost
Millions of pounds are to be pumped in to the Amman and Gwendraeth valleys as part of a major investment programme.
The regeneration scheme will improve several areas stretching from Brynamman to Penygroes, as part of the Welsh Assembly Government’s Western Valleys Strategic Regeneration Area (SRA) programme.
Plans include a Piazza scheme in Ammanford town centre, and preliminary works on a 31-hectare strategic business park in Cross Hands.
As part of the first round of project approvals Carmarthenshire County Council’s economic development division has been successful in bidding for in excess of £1million from the Assembly Government’s SRA fund.
Carmarthenshire County Council director of regeneration Dave Gilbert said: ”Our teams have worked hard to secure this money, and are eager to start implementing their plans for regenerating the Amman and Gwendraeth Valleys.
“This round of works will further enhance the area, and will set the wheels in motion for future development.”
The Western Valleys SRA programme, led by the Welsh Assembly Government, is a highly focused and highly targeted strategic approach to regeneration. It is designed to tackle a range of social and economic issues affecting communities and drive forward investment in people as well as places. It is being delivered in partnership with local authorities, the public and private sectors and community and voluntary organisations.
Deputy Minister for Regeneration Leighton Andrews said:” I am pleased to see SRA funding is acting as a catalyst, enabling the local authority to take forward a number of projects in the area.
“The investment is helping to create new employment opportunities and also improving towns and villages in the area, making them more attractive for local residents and local businesses.”
In Ammanford, there will be a phased approach to town centre improvements based on an Ammanford Framework Study. The scheme includes delivery of the Piazza scheme and includes design work to enable further physical enhancements in future years.
A masterplan will be produced for Ammanford Industrial Estate as a key employment area of the town.
Gateways, including the Pontamman link road, will be designed and landscaped to provide an attractive welcome to the town.
The town centre will be linked to the Pantyffynnon Communities First area with an appealing pedestrian walkway and new signage will also be introduced at Capel Hendre Industrial Estate.
In Brynamman, there will be visual enhancement to key gateways and public realm areas within the village, and a new car park and amenity area within the central area of the village will bring a prominent derelict site back into beneficial use.
Cross Hands will see environmental improvements in the village centre as well as land reclamation initiative to bring disused land back in to use.
A phased approach will be taken to the development of a 31-hectare strategic business park which will be well connected to local and regional transport networks providing significant opportunities for both owner-occupier and speculative developers.
Recreational facilities across the Amman and Gwendraeth Valleys are also in line for major improvement.
Phase two of improvements to a recreational area on a former coalfield at Allt Nant Y Ci will be implemented to enhance the basic infrastructure already in place.
There will also be further enhancement at Penygroes Park, Mynydd Mawr Woodland Park and Gelliwerdd Recreational Park, and further enhancement will take place at the recently opened Cwmaman trails.
Executive board member for regeneration Councillor Clive Scourfield said: “This investment is wonderful news, which I’m sure will be welcomed by people throughout the western valleys.
“This major programme of improvements will enhance existing areas and will set in place the infrastructure for future developments.
“I’m delighted that our bids for funding have been successful, and that we are ready to start fulfilling our commitment to regenerating the area.”
The local authority intends to set up a local forum made of key stakeholders from the community.
This forum will work in partnership with the Local Authority to ensure the successful delivery of the Western Valleys SRA programme for the area.
The regeneration scheme will improve several areas stretching from Brynamman to Penygroes, as part of the Welsh Assembly Government’s Western Valleys Strategic Regeneration Area (SRA) programme.
Plans include a Piazza scheme in Ammanford town centre, and preliminary works on a 31-hectare strategic business park in Cross Hands.
As part of the first round of project approvals Carmarthenshire County Council’s economic development division has been successful in bidding for in excess of £1million from the Assembly Government’s SRA fund.
Carmarthenshire County Council director of regeneration Dave Gilbert said: ”Our teams have worked hard to secure this money, and are eager to start implementing their plans for regenerating the Amman and Gwendraeth Valleys.
“This round of works will further enhance the area, and will set the wheels in motion for future development.”
The Western Valleys SRA programme, led by the Welsh Assembly Government, is a highly focused and highly targeted strategic approach to regeneration. It is designed to tackle a range of social and economic issues affecting communities and drive forward investment in people as well as places. It is being delivered in partnership with local authorities, the public and private sectors and community and voluntary organisations.
Deputy Minister for Regeneration Leighton Andrews said:” I am pleased to see SRA funding is acting as a catalyst, enabling the local authority to take forward a number of projects in the area.
“The investment is helping to create new employment opportunities and also improving towns and villages in the area, making them more attractive for local residents and local businesses.”
In Ammanford, there will be a phased approach to town centre improvements based on an Ammanford Framework Study. The scheme includes delivery of the Piazza scheme and includes design work to enable further physical enhancements in future years.
A masterplan will be produced for Ammanford Industrial Estate as a key employment area of the town.
Gateways, including the Pontamman link road, will be designed and landscaped to provide an attractive welcome to the town.
The town centre will be linked to the Pantyffynnon Communities First area with an appealing pedestrian walkway and new signage will also be introduced at Capel Hendre Industrial Estate.
In Brynamman, there will be visual enhancement to key gateways and public realm areas within the village, and a new car park and amenity area within the central area of the village will bring a prominent derelict site back into beneficial use.
Cross Hands will see environmental improvements in the village centre as well as land reclamation initiative to bring disused land back in to use.
A phased approach will be taken to the development of a 31-hectare strategic business park which will be well connected to local and regional transport networks providing significant opportunities for both owner-occupier and speculative developers.
Recreational facilities across the Amman and Gwendraeth Valleys are also in line for major improvement.
Phase two of improvements to a recreational area on a former coalfield at Allt Nant Y Ci will be implemented to enhance the basic infrastructure already in place.
There will also be further enhancement at Penygroes Park, Mynydd Mawr Woodland Park and Gelliwerdd Recreational Park, and further enhancement will take place at the recently opened Cwmaman trails.
Executive board member for regeneration Councillor Clive Scourfield said: “This investment is wonderful news, which I’m sure will be welcomed by people throughout the western valleys.
“This major programme of improvements will enhance existing areas and will set in place the infrastructure for future developments.
“I’m delighted that our bids for funding have been successful, and that we are ready to start fulfilling our commitment to regenerating the area.”
The local authority intends to set up a local forum made of key stakeholders from the community.
This forum will work in partnership with the Local Authority to ensure the successful delivery of the Western Valleys SRA programme for the area.
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