‘eyesore’ to be developed after council acquires land

A COUNCIL has taken control of an eyesore in a South Wales town and is set to redevelop it.

Rhondda Cynon Taf Council has recently completed a compulsory purchase order of land in Rhos Square, Mountain Ash, after a legal challenge.

Councillor Andrew Morgan, leader of the council, confirmed in a Tweet that after a “long and drawn out” compulsory purchase order followed by legal challenge, the council finally has taken ownership of the eyesore in the middle of Mountain Ash town centre.

He said there are plans to renovate the area and extend parking, including demolishing the vacant building which are progressing.

The scheme is part of a wider plan called the Mountain Ash Town Centre Regeneration Framework which was revealed two years ago.

As well as creating more parking to improve access for visitors and shoppers, it will allow the open-air market to be closer to the town centre.

A spokesman for Rhondda Cynon Taf council said: “The recent compulsory purchase of land will allow another scheme included within the Mountain Ash Town Centre Regeneration Framework – which was published in 2018 – to progress.

“The redevelopment will create an attractive and inviting place by providing additional parking spaces closer to the town centre, and it will enable the weekly open-air market to be brought closer to the town centre.

“The scheme will remove a town centre eyesore and will also deliver a range of improvements to the public realm, presenting the town centre as an inviting place for businesses, residents and shoppers.”