Caerphilly Town 2035: Residents to have say on next phase
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.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South Wales Argus
2 days ago
- South Wales Argus
New community gym in Rhymney gets planning permission
A community interest company plans to open the new gym in a building formerly used as a meals on wheels depot, near the St Clare's sheltered housing complex. Caerphilly County Borough Council, which owned the site, later used it for storage, but in May this year agreed to a Community Asset Transfer (CAT) to the group. Planning permission for the building's change of use has now been granted, subject to several conditions designed to limit the gym's impact on nearby homes. These include limiting the gym operations to the applicant, JM Gym Fitness CIC, and restricting opening hours to a maximum of 8am to 10pm on weekdays, and from 8am to 4pm on weekends and bank holidays. Senior councillors previously welcomed the plans to open the gym in the disused depot, with local authority leader Cllr Sean Morgan telling colleagues it was 'great to see a community coming together and wanting to work on behalf of the community'. The council will also fund around £42,000 worth of site safety works. Caerphilly Council is expanding its use of Community Asset Transfers in the hope it will encourage more groups to take over surplus or unwanted buildings, helping the local authority to save money by trimming its estate. The planning application, which has now been approved, can be viewed on the Caerphilly County Borough Council website under reference 25/0185/COU.
South Wales Argus
3 days ago
- South Wales Argus
Llancaiach Fawr Manor in Nelson to be run by new operator
Llancaiach Fawr Manor, located in Nelson and dating back to the 16th century, has been closed since December 2024 while Caerphilly County Borough Council explored alternative management options to reduce a £500,000 annual subsidy. A formal selection process attracted multiple expressions of interest, and the council's cabinet has now approved a preferred bidder, subject to the completion of detailed lease agreements. The council has confirmed that a preferred operator has been selected and said they will share further details about the successful bidder and their plans for Llancaiach Fawr in due course. The manor, set in 12 acres of the Rhymney Valley, has been restored as the 17th-century home of Edward Prichard and previously hosted a variety of public events, including the Caerphilly Motoring Festival, Bedwellty Agricultural Show, Hope Rescue Dog Day, antiques fairs, and World War II commemorations. Visitor numbers in 2023/24 topped 61,000, and the venue is licensed to host up to 5,000 people at one time. The closure of the manor became a focal point of public debate after the council decided to mothball the site as part of wider budget cuts. Councillor Gareth Jones, of the Friends of Llancaiach Fawr group, described the manor as the "jewel in the crown" of Caerphilly's cultural heritage and a "Welsh treasure" during a council meeting. In September 2024, the joint scrutiny committee recommended that the cabinet direct officers to develop long-term, sustainable options for the site's future. Caerphilly Council said: "Difficult decisions like mothballing the venue are necessary as we attempt to address an estimated £45 million budget gap over the next two years." At the time, council leader Sean Morgan said the closure was intended to be temporary while a new management model was put in place. The decision was met with anger from members of the public, who shouted "shame on you" during the meeting. Councillor Morgan replied that he needed to prioritise essential services. In 2013, the council secured Heritage Lottery funding to carry out major renovations at Llancaiach Fawr Manor, including a new roof, improved accessibility through a platform lift, and restoration of the attic to its 17th-century appearance. The manor is equipped to host conferences, meetings, weddings, banquets, and business exhibitions. The Mansell Hall conference room can accommodate up to 200 delegates, while the conservatory—with panoramic views of the countryside—can host up to 70. Both rooms can be combined with classroom spaces to support larger events. The council has not yet announced who the new operator will be or detailed their plans for the site, but has promised to update the public in the near future. Supporters of the manor have long argued for its cultural and historical value, urging the council to find a solution that preserves the site for future generations. The reopening of the manor under new management is expected to secure its long-term sustainability without the need for ongoing public subsidy.
South Wales Argus
3 days ago
- South Wales Argus
Caerphilly Town 2035: Residents to have say on next phase
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.
