Council buys police station with view to regeneration
RHONDDA Cynon Taf Council is acquiring the police station in Pontypridd which it said would provide a significant regeneration opportunity.
A delegated officer decision showed a “mutually beneficial” simultaneous property exchange with the police and crime commissioner for South Wales to dispose of the freehold interest of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s office accommodation at Ty Trevithick, Abercynon and acquire the freehold interest of the police station and car park at Berw Road, Pontypridd.
The report said acquiring the police station would provide a “significant regeneration opportunity” to redevelop a site at a key location in Pontypridd town centre, providing opportunities for the private sector to relocate and function from an accessible town centre location, as well as an opportunity to look at improving transportation in the area.
It also said that South Wales Police needed to retain an operational policing presence within the police station and that this would be accommodated by the council allowing space to be used until final plans for the site are agreed.
The report said: “It is mutually beneficial to retain a visible police service presence in Pontypridd.
“The council are actively looking at other town centre options with the police to provide an alternative front desk facility.”
The decisions made were to dispose of the freehold interest of land and buildings comprising Ty Trevithick, Abercynon, to the police and crime comissioner for South Wales, to acquire the freehold interest of land and buildings comprising the police station and adjoining multi-storey car park at Berw Road, Pontypridd, from the police and crime commissioner, and to carry out the transactions in a collaborative manner subject to an agreed monetary adjustment to be made to the council by the police and crime commissioner.