Latest news with #NeathPortTalbotCouncil
Wales Online
4 days ago
- Business
- Wales Online
Plans to re-develop Neath Port Talbot care home with new 50-bed facility
Plans to re-develop Neath Port Talbot care home with new 50-bed facility It could see expanded provision for specialist dementia care, residential care, and respite care in the area Cefn Lodge Nursing Home In Skewen (Image: Google Maps) Proposals to develop a Neath Port Talbot care home have moved a step closer this month with the start of a pre-application consultation. If approved the plans could eventually see the development of a new 50-bedroom care home at Cefn Lodge Nursing Home in Skewen, located close to Skewen Park, some two miles from Neath. The proposals have been put forward by developers at Asbri Planning on behalf of Oxford Care Holdings and could see the new stand-alone care home created to the rear of the current home within the grounds of the property. The facility was first opened in the 1980s and is described as a converted building with a traditional appearance and constructions. It currently provides both personal and nursing care for up to 35 older persons, with the plans to expand the provision for specialist dementia care, residential care, and respite care. The report read: 'The proposed scheme relates to a stand-alone new residential care home building to the rear of the current care home in the ground of the property which comprise of 50 no. bedrooms with highway infrastructure, parking, landscaping and all associated works.' It added: 'It is intended that the proposal will provide a much-needed care facility within the local area for those with nursing and dementia care needs. 'At the same time, the care home will also provide full time employment opportunities for local people.' Get daily breaking news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here . We occasionally treat members to special offers, promotions and ads from us and our partners. See our Privacy Notice Plans say once completed the facility would offer en-suite bedrooms, as well as communal lounges and dinning rooms with landscaped gardens and improved access. It would also include 19 parking bays for visitors with an additional nine spaces for staff parking. The proposal for the Neath Port Talbot home is now subject to a statutory pre-application consultation. Article continues below This is a mandatory process where developers must consult with members of the public for feedback on the plans before a full planning application can be submitted to Neath Port Talbot Council. Anyone who wishes to make representations about the development must do so by August 25, 2025 by contacting Asbri Planning. Stay informed on everything Neath Port Talbot by signing up to our newsletter here
Business News Wales
4 days ago
- Business
- Business News Wales
Chancellor and First Minister Visit Key Projects in Neath Port Talbot
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves and Wales' First Minister Eluned Morgan visited Neath Port Talbot to view progress on a coal tip safety project and meet those affected by blast furnace closures at the Port Talbot steelworks. The Chancellor visited a former coal tip at the former Dyffryn Rhondda Colliery on the banks of the River Afan in the Upper Afan Valley. Work is ongoing to stabilise the site. It is being led by Neath Port Talbot Council along with contractors Walters UK. She was met by council Leader Cllr Steve Hunt, Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Economic Growth Cllr Jeremy Hurley and staff involved in the project. Later in the day, at the Opportunity Hub in Port Talbot's Aberafan Shopping Centre, the Chancellor, who was joined by First Minister Eluned Morgan, met local people seeking work, including those affected by the blast furnace closures at Port Talbot's Tata Steelworks where a £1.25 billion Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) is currently being built as a cleaner, greener alternative. At the Opportunity Hub, NPT Employability staff are focused on providing support and mentoring for those seeking employment. This includes funding for training and upskilling to improve their chance of securing long term sustainable jobs. The Chancellor also met staff from the Trailblazer Programme, which is designed to support localised approaches to reducing economic inactivity. The UK Government is providing £10 million in funding for the programme in Wales, with councils in Neath Port Talbot, Blaenau Gwent and Denbighshire being pilot delivery partners. Reeves also met ex-workers supported by the Employment and Skills Fund set up by the Tata Steel Transition Board to help those in Wales affected by the Tata Steel UK transition, whether directly or indirectly. It offers grant funding to support retraining, skill development, and sustainable employment for those impacted by the changes at Tata Steel, including those in the supply chain and associated contractors. The Leader of Neath Port Talbot Council, Cllr Steve Hunt, said: 'We're glad to see the Chancellor taking a first-hand look at the issues we're facing here in Neath Port Talbot in terms of the dangerous legacy of the mining industry and job losses due to the changes at Tata Steel. 'This council is working hard with its partners to mitigate the problems associated with our mining past and to deal with the serious employment and economic issues from decarbonising steel production and we welcome the funding that is so essential for us as we move to a cleaner, greener future.'
Wales Online
6 days ago
- Business
- Wales Online
Council approve plans for new 'net zero' primary school in Port Talbot
Council approve plans for new 'net zero' primary school in Port Talbot It is part of a Welsh Government programme to support the creation of schools that are environmentally sustainable How the new Rhosafan primary school could look once completed (Image: Neath Port Talbot Council) Plans to build a new 'net zero' school to replace the current Rhosafan Primary School in Sandfields, Port Talbot have been given the go-ahead by the local authority. The proposal which was first put forward in March of 2025, will now see the demolition of the existing Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Rhosafan and Tir Morfa Centre to make way for a new school and sports pitch, along with play facilities and associated works. The project was given the green light by council bosses at a planning committee on August 5, where members were told about the new facility that will eventually accommodate a total of 511 pupils, with nursery and childcare spaces as well as an Additional Learning Needs (ALN) Unit. The school will also contain a Welsh immersion unit once completed with what is described as a 'Winter Garden' to provide an adaptable learning space for pupils. The Tir Morfa training centre which provides local adult education services, will also be incorporated into the new development. Additionally, the new facility will provide 107 car parking spaces, along with 3 minibus spaces and 14 EV charging spaces and cycle parking. An artist impression of the new school's entrance area (Image: Neath Port Talbot Council) Officers in attendance said they recommended the plans for approval with development expected to be carried out in phases for the school to continue to operate until the new site is built. The report read: 'The proposed primary school would be constructed while the existing school and community facilities remain operational, with partial demolition to some buildings to facilitate the development. 'Once the new replacement school has been completed the existing school and associated buildings would then be fully demolished.' Rhosafan Primary School is located off Marine Drive in the Sandfields area of Port Talbot, approximately 500 metres north of the popular Aberavon Beach within a residential area. The development is part of the Welsh Government Sustainable Schools Challenge Programme which supports the creation of schools that are environmentally sustainable and involve local communities. It is one of only three sites chosen in Wales with the project expected to serve as a blueprint for school design and delivery in the future. Speaking at the meeting, Cllr Suzanne Paddison of Sandfields West said: 'It's something that is really needed in the area and I think all residents of the ward and further afield are very happy that we're going to have this Welsh medium primary school in Sandfields.' Cllr Nia Jenkins, Neath Port Talbot Council's cabinet member for education early years, added: 'This marks a major milestone in the Council's Strategic Schools Improvement Programme, which is focused on ensuring all pupils have access to high-quality education in modern, fit-for-purpose facilities.' Stay informed on everything Neath Port Talbot by signing up to our newsletter here Article continues below
Wales Online
6 days ago
- Business
- Wales Online
Three of the best places in Wales to buy a cottage
Three of the best places in Wales to buy a cottage Three areas in Wales are named in a new cottage affordability list, if you are interested in living out dreams of buying by the coast Neath Port Talbot has been named one of the most affordable areas to buy a cottage (Image: Neath Port Talbot Council) Three areas in Wales have been named in a new cottage affordability list. A new Zoopla study has pinpointed where in Wales you can buy your dream cottage for the lowest prices. Neath Port Talbot has drawn in buyers who are attracted to its coastal and valley landscapes come with an average price tag of £170,000, the website noted. It was declared one of the regions or nations where cottages are attracting the biggest concentrations of buyer inquiries. However, the cheapest option for finding your dream Welsh cottage is in Rhondda Cynon Taf, where on average they cost £129,500. Monmouthshire has been revealed as the location with some of the most expensive cottages which come in at an average price of £442,500. They rival the likes of Yorkshire and the Humber, York with average prices of £400,000, but they are almost half the average cost of cottages in South East England, Slough which averages at £824,500. North Lanarkshire in Scotland came out on top of Zoopla's value-for-money rankings, with a cottage generally costing £83,500. However, several Welsh locations have also made the list and you can read more about Welsh homes here. Zoopla also revealed that "cottage" ranked as the fourth most-searched term on their platform during 2024. Love dreamy Welsh homes? Sign up to our newsletter here . Perhaps some have taken inspiration from the snug, countryside dwelling featured in romantic comedy The Holiday, featuring Kate Winslet and Cameron Diaz, or perhaps others just want to retreat away from the city. Amongst those pursuing a way of life filled with pastoral contentment, the analysis conducted by Zoopla of homes available for sale between January and May 2025 shows where this desire is converting into marketplace interest for cottages. "Cottagecore", a lifestyle trend which has become extremely popular in recent years thanks to social media. (Image: PA) Zoopla's consumer expert, Daniel Copley, commented:"Our data shows a clear and sustained appetite for the cottagecore lifestyle, a trend that shows no signs of slowing down. "While the dream of a quaint, rural cottage is often associated with high prices, our analysis highlights that affordability can still be found across the country. From the rolling hills of North Lanarkshire to the coastal charm of Sunderland, there are options for prospective buyers on a range of budgets. "We're seeing this desire for a simpler life translate into market demand, with specific areas becoming hotspots for buyer interest. Whether you're a first-time buyer or looking for a change of pace, the cottage market offers diverse opportunities." The founder of buying agency Recoco Property Search, Nigel Bishop said: "There has always been a fan base of buyers who appreciate the typically charming designs and quaint surroundings associated with a cottage. "Many house hunters also express favouring this style of home for size as cottages tend to be smaller than typical country homes and are therefore considered to be more manageable and could reduce running costs. "Often set in rural locations, buyers need to ensure that the setting works for them long term, as some amenities such as shops and hospitals can be further away which can become inconvenient. Article continues below "Demand for cottages remains strong, however, and house hunters should brace for a competitive property search - particularly for cottages with a lower asking price as they tend to attract multiple offers." If you're keen to find your own dream Welsh cottage, sign up to our newsletter here , where you may be lucky to spot one.
Business News Wales
01-08-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
£12.16m Funding Confirmed for Historic Neath Port Talbot Bridge Project
A project to restore and reopen the historic Newbridge Road Bridge in Aberavon is set to go ahead after confirmation of £12,166,268 in UK Government funding. Cllr Wyndham Griffiths, Neath Port Talbot Council's Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, Transport and Connectivity, said the Newbridge Active Travel Link and Dock Access initiative would improve walking and cycling connections in the area and create safer, more accessible routes. The project not only involves the restoration of the Grade II listed bridge it will also see a shared pedestrian and cycle track built into the bridge's carriageway and there will also be upgrades for Newbridge Road and Riverside Road. Cllr Griffiths said: 'We welcome the confirmation of this allocation from the UK Government's Levelling Up Fund which will tie in with regeneration work currently going on in Port Talbot's Civic Square and will also improve access to the docks area. It is very much in keeping with our culture strategy and will involve improvements to dock access and active travel. ' The funding confirmation for the bridge project follows the announcement by Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves of total of £301 million for transport schemes across England and Wales from the Levelling Up Fund (LUF). The proposed overall scheme will see the reopening and renewal of the bridge and redevelopment of the adjacent Dock Road as far as the roundabout linking Dock Road and Harbour Way. The total estimated cost of the proposed project is £13.5 million, with £12,166,268 to come from UK Government and £1.35 million being matched by Neath Port Talbot Council. UK Government Local Transport Minister Simon Lightwood MP said: 'I am absolutely delighted to see more than £12 million in Government funding go towards such a fantastic project, which will see a historic local landmark restored to its former glory while creating new walking and cycling routes. 'Investment for schemes such as this will ensure that every area of the UK can benefit from improved transport links to unlock jobs and grow the economy.' Erected by the former Aberavon Corporation, the bridge was officially opened on October 29th, 1903, as a result of expansion at Port Talbot's docks. The bridge is listed by Cadw as 'a finely detailed plate-girder bridge which is unusual at this date for carrying a strategic road rather than a railway. The association with the development of Port Talbot docks is of additional historic interest.' The bases of original gas lampposts are still mounted on the bridge's large, square stone piers.
