The deposit plans outlining development in Bridgend County for the next 10 years are now online. This of course won’t be the final version, it’ll have to go through consultation, inspectors reports etc until it’s full adoption by the council.
The proposals map is here
The written deposit LDP is here
The council have adopted what it calls a “regeneration led strategy”. That means that most development is concentrated on areas that have declined in recent years, but have the opportunity for improvements that can match the projected growth in population and provide sustainable employment.
Broadly, that means that most development in the LDP is concentrated on the eastern half of Bridgend town itself (Parc Derwen, Brackla Industrial Estate), Waterton/A48, Porthcawl and what’s been dubbed the “Valleys Gateway” of Ynysawdre, Sarn, Aberkenfig, Tondu etc.
Some smaller areas of development, such as Maesteg Washery and the former Cosi factory at Ewenny Road, also in Maesteg are other sites listed for regeneration.
Key Regeneration Areas
Parc Derwen – To the north east of Bridgend, near Coity. Currently being developed as a new “village” community of around 1500 homes, but will eventually include a new school, district centre/community facilities. The vast bulk of new housing in the borough over the next ten years will be here.
Parc Afon Ewenni/Brocastle – Mixed use development along the A473 and River Ewenny, with new road access, residential development (up to 550 new homes), office development (including a landmark building at Waterton Cross) and retail. Pedestrian links with the rest of Bridgend will be improved. A plateau alongside the A48 near the Lidl warehouse will be developed for industrial uses.
Porthcawl Waterfront – An improved harbour, more than 1300 new homes, new foodstore (revealed to be Tesco) and other retail units, improved sea defences and promenade to Trecco Bay.
Valleys Gateway – New comprehensive school to replace Ynysawdre and Ogmore schools, more than 700 new homes at Sarn and Tondu, currently under development. Mixed use development on the old Christie Tyler factory.
Other Key Areas
Island Farm – Long listed as an extension to the Science Park, it’s included again this time, once more for employment use. There are current plans for a sports village and science park extension going through the council, it’s unclear what impact that will have. “Hut 9” would be retained.
Maesteg Washery – New housing to the south of Maesteg Comprehensive, with improved recreation space.
Ewenny Road – Up to 125 new homes and a flexible mixed use development “taking advantage of the riverside setting”.Coity Sidings – Currently derelict and full of overgrown vegetation. Residential led development including a park and ride facility, with bus turning circle, for Wildmill railway station and a possible expansion of allotments. The current employment area will be retained.
Waunscil Avenue – This has a long, bitter and controversial planning history with several proposed housing developments being refused – including one as recently as this week. The new LDP now lists it as land for housing and accessible green space. It remains to be seen if the number of affordable houses required makes any scheme viable as it’s an awkward site to develop.
Pencoed – NO development that results in an increase in traffic will take place in the western half of Pencoed due to problems caused by the level crossing and the bridge. It’s unlikely any development large enough to warrant a bridge replacement would be viable anyway.
Transport Schemes
- “Park and share” sites at both Junction 36 and 35.
- Duelling of the A48 between Laleston and Waterton Cross, with junction upgrades.
- Park and ride improvements at Pencoed, Sarn and Wildmill railway stations.
- New bus/rail interchange in Maesteg.
- New railway station and park and ride at Brackla.
- Bus lane between Brackla Street and Bridgend railway station (construction imminent).
- Improvements to the A4063 between Aberkenfig and Maesteg.
- Two Garw-Llynfi inter-valley cycle paths, new cycle path between Tondu-Caerau and Brynmenyn -Pencoed (via Heol y Cyw)
- Cycle paths between Bridgend Industrial Estate and Litchard (via Coity Sidings, Waunscil Avenue schemes listed above), Bridgend Designer Outlet and the town centre (via A4061), Bridgend-Porthcawl (via Merthyr Mawr), Porthcawl–North Cornelly (via Kenfig/Maudlam) and Bridgend-Pencoed.
Energy & Environment Schemes
- Green wedges between minor settlments and larger settlement are protected, including Coity-Bridgend, Penyfai-Bridgend-Sarn, Llangynwyd-Maesteg, Coychurch-Pencoed and Laleston-Bridgend.
- Biomass plant at former Llynfi power station, sewer gas energy scheme at Ogmore treatment works and landfill gas energy scheme at Tythegston landfill site. The council will “encourage major development proposals…that generate energy from renewables”.
- Green space extensions and accessibility improvements at Brackla Ridge, Newbridge Fields, Pandy Park (Ynysawdre), Rest Bay, Parc Derwen, Coegnant Reclamation Scheme and Crown Road (Kenfig Hill).