Kier set to work on town scheme

NEATH Port Talbot Council will appoint Kier Construction to carry out the next phase of the ambitious redevelopment of Neath’s town centre.

Kier will build retail units on the site of the now-demolished old multi-storey car park to provide space for new national and independent retailers to complement those already trading in the town.

In the initial phase, a modern 600space multi-storey car park was built to replace the old one, together with a large Wilko store.

Kier wlll now start work on detailed designs for the retail project, as part of a planning application for the second phase of the town centre redevelopment scheme.

Plans were given the green light by Neath Port Talbot Council in December 2017. In March the authority announced it was seeking tenders for the design and construction of the new retail development.

Neath Port Talbot Council leader Rob Jones said: “This authority is, of course, aware of the competition traditional town centres are under from online shopping and out-of-town retail parks.

“But we are determined to ensure Neath continues to be an attractive destination for businesses, shoppers, residents and visitors.

“It’s very encouraging to see this project now moving on to the next step.”

Another development planned for Neath’s town centre involves the building of five to six smaller retail units, with 12 apartments on the first and second floors, all sited at the rear of the service yard of Neath’s Boots store.

It will be delivered by Coastal Housing and will also include Water Street and Orchard Street in Neath being widened.