£13m ‘big shed’ plan to reverse town’s decline
PLANS for a major £13m residential, commercial and retail development on the site of the former Co-op store in Tonypandy have been submitted.
RHA Wales Group Ltd has put an application in to Rhondda Cynon Taf Council for “The Big Shed” development on the Dunraven Street site which would include 52 flats including affordable housing.
The development would also be made up of commercial space including offices for RHA, a cafe/bistro with shared courtyard garden space and a new convenience store.
The one and two-bedroom flats would be built on the lower plateau in a new block and there would be a local lettings policy in place for over-55s to be the occupants of the block.
Seven of the flats will be specialist accommodation for adults with learning difficulties and there is the potential for the creation of jobs and training opportunities within the commercial spaces which could offer residents the chance to gain practical work experience, the design and access statement submitted with the application said.
It will be known initially as “The Big Shed” and the intention is for the proposed bistro to be let to a local business which is looking to expand and diversify.
The design and access statement said the aim of the scheme is to contribute towards the regeneration of Tonypandy town centre.
It said Dunraven Street has declined significantly over recent years, reflecting changes in the way that people choose to shop and particularly in the case of Tonypandy a growth of out-of-town supermarkets in the area.
The aim is to redevelop the site by moving from single-use retail to a broader mix of uses within an “improved public realm and physical environment that will look to bring people back to Dunraven Street to help address decline and act as a catalyst for a wider regeneration of the town”.
It said that the commercial mix proposed, while presenting a significant reduction in retail space from the original food store, is felt to be “deliverable and sustainable” and would generate economic activity for the town.
Rhianydd Jenkins, director of development and regeneration at RHA, said: “Submission of our planning application for ‘The Big Shed’ is a major project milestone and concludes around two years of work by RHA and our design team.
“During that time our world has changed, the way we live, work and shop has shifted, and our final plans are reflective of that.
“All our new buildings on the site will achieve high levels of sustainability and energy efficiency, coupled with green and biodiverse external spaces which include green roofs and rooftop gardens, will ensure our project sets the tone in Tonypandy for a greener and brighter future.
“Our proposals for the site are deliberate. Our aspiration is to complement the town, rather than to compete with existing businesses and offerings within the locality; because of this our proposed commercial areas will provide spaces that are presently not available within Tonypandy.
“‘The Big Shed will see RHA invest circa £13m and with support from our key partners and stakeholders our plans are to construct 52 new homes on the site, alongside the commercial spaces.
“The Big Shed is just one of our regeneration projects within the town; we are absolutely committed to supporting and sustaining regeneration in the long term.
“As an anchor organisation, we are in this for the long haul, and it’s important to us that the work we do now provides the platform for our future generations to build from and create a thriving town once again.”