Council to decide on revised plans for pavilion

A DECISION over revised plans for the refurbishment of Porthcawl’s Grand Pavilion is set to go before Bridgend Council this month.

The popular Grand Pavilion closed its doors in February ahead of major works to revamp the Grade II-listed building over the next two years.

The £20m project, which has been largely paid for by the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund, will see the development of new facilities at the well-known building including function spaces on the esplanade level along with new rooftop function and cafe spaces.

There could also be a new studio theatre, business incubation or workshop spaces at street level as well as increased welfare facilities including a changing places facility once completed.

However at a meeting held by Bridgend Council members heard how a revised planning application would now be presented to the authority after a review of design and costs was carried out to “account for cost price inflation and the change in the construction market since the initial designs were costed”.

The report stated: “Subsequently we have undertaken a value engineering exercise to reconsider and review the design, programme, and costs associated with progressing to tender for the main works contract within the existing budget.”

Officers said this would make sure that the costs of the building, described as an attraction at the heart of the town, would be kept under control as the development progressed.

They also added that a number of surveys were currently being undertaken before the project went out to tender as a means of “mitigating against unforeseen works” after the contract was awarded.

Speaking at the meeting Cllr Rhys Goode said while they had looked at ways to reduce costs he was confident the building would be amazing when finished.

He said: “I think this is a positive step forward and I hope to see the work beginning soon.”

The move comes after the council said lessons had been learned in their bid to refurbish the Maesteg Town Hall with unforeseen issues from dry-rot within the structure forcing the cost of the project to spiral.

Members in attendance were asked to suspend the council’s contract procedure rules to allow Awen Cultural Trust to pay for the updated designs for the pavilion with a decision on it now expected to be made at a special planning committee meeting on April 29.