The state of play with all the major projects bringing Port Talbot to life

Tens of millions of pounds are being invested in Port Talbot, with regeneration projects across the town transforming derelict sites and abandoned buildings.

Hundreds of homes are being built, alongside shops, offices and new schools.

Neath Port Talbot Council’s deputy leader Anthony Taylor said the regeneration was “breathing life into the town centre”.

He said: “Some of these projects have been in the planning stages for the best part of a decade. There’s been a lot of public sector investment as well as private sector investment and we are now at the stage when everything is coming together.

“The Vibrant and Viable Places fund kick-started it all off, and we have been working with partner organisations and housing associations.

“It’s all about creating a vibrant town centre – every town centre needs a retail base but the housing developments will bring more people in.”

He added: “The changes are visible already.”

A total of £12.5m has come from the Welsh Government’s Vibrant and Viable Places scheme.

With new schools being built as part of a school modernisation programme, the total amount spent in the regeneration comes to £100m.

Below are the main projects under way or recently completed in the town.

FORMER GLAN AFAN COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL

The demolition of the former Victorian school building in the town centre is making way for a £5.7m Coastal Housing development of more than 40 homes, shops and commercial units.

The facade of the old school is staying and the first residents are due to move in this autumn.

The school, which closed two years ago, celebrated its 100th anniversary in 1996.

ABERAFAN HOUSE

The £4.7m redevelopment scheme above the shopping centre involves 41 affordable flats.

The project is by Hacer Developments in partnership with the housing association Pobl Group, formerly Gwalia.

It is close to completion.

FORMER PORT TALBOT POLICE STATION

The police station was demolished last year and in its place a £4m development by the housing association Pobl Group and its contractors Morganstone is being built.

It involves 30 flats on the two upper floors, with retail space for three new shops on the ground floor.

PORT TALBOT PARKWAY TRANSPORT HUB

The £5.6m transport hub was officially opened earlier this year. It follows the £11.3m redevelopment of the railway station by Network Rail.

The scheme was funded by the Welsh Government’s Vibrant and Viable Places programme, Local Transport Fund and by European Structural Funds.

FORMER MAGISTRATES’ COURT

The magistrates’ court, which has been vacant for years after work was centralised in Swansea, is to be turned into a hi-tech business centre.

Funding of £1.5m to redevelop the site has come from the European Regional Development Fund and the

Building

The building will be equipped with “ultra-fast” broadband for technology-focused companies.

Work on the building is due to be completed by January 2019.

Before becoming a court, the building was the headquarters of the old Port Talbot Steel Company. Welsh for the Government’s Future programme.

FORMER PLAZA CINEMA

Plans involve converting this art-deco building into a multi-use community facility with a recreational hall, a small fitness centre,