DWP plan will be ‘huge boost’ to businesses
ONE of the largest recent developments in Rhondda Cynon Taff will provide a “huge boost” to local businesses, a councillor has said.
RCT’s planning and development committee last week gave the green light to the Department of Work & Pensions’ new valleys HQ in Treforest.
The new hub will bring more than 1,500 jobs to the 14,000 sq m site off Main Avenue which will house the DWP’s benefit processing and back office functions.
And Councillor Andrew Bevan, who is the cabinet member for enterprise, development and housing, said he was very pleased that the applications have been approved and that they will provide a “huge boost” to local businesses.
The committee approved two applications, one of which was related to the main building of the DWP development, which will consist of five floors.
The smaller application concerned the change of use from a lorry/trailer park to a car park.
The plan includes space for 252 car parking spaces and 170 cycle parking spaces on the main site and a further 192 car parking spaces on the second site.
This application was approved subject to a Section 106 Agreement, which involves a £750,000 contribution to local highways by the developer.
Cllr Bevan said: “The DWP relocation will bring more than 1,500 jobs to the area, representing one of the largest recent developments in Rhondda Cynon Taff – while also showing huge commitment to Treforest as a strategic opportunity area.
“Securing this development will create quality jobs for many years in the future, and it follows
the 1,000 jobs for Pontypridd in the council’s flagship Taff Vale regeneration, which is where Transport for Wales will be based.
“These really are exciting times for the region which, alongside the DWP and Taff Vale developments, will benefit from the Cardiff Capital Region City Deal and the inclusive South Wales Metro investment.
“Pontypridd Railway Station, for example, will be served by 12 trains per hour, widely improving access to public transport for residents on the Valley lines to Cardiff.
“The DWP development will also provide a huge boost to local businesses, including the nearby Parc Nantgarw. “With full planning permission now secured, I’m looking forward to seeing further progress made on this exciting development in the near future.”