APPENDIX 10: PRINCIPAL TOWN AND LOCAL CENTRE DEVELOPMENT SITES - SITE DESCRIPTIONS

Plan Allocation - partly brownfield land, partly urban scrubland

This is a large site lying close to the existing centre and shopping area of Rhymney town.  As such it would be an ideal location for a small food store.  This location would also be appropriate for a Health Centre and Further Education Facility to serve the area.  There will be a need for full ecological surveys to be undertaken as an integral part of any planning application for development of this site.

(A Health Centre & Further Education Facility are also proposed on this site - see CF1.2)

Plan Allocation -a brownfield site, partly car park and partly future made up ground

The allocation of this site for a new anchor foodstore development is in accordance with the retail strategy that began in the UDP and will be continued through this LDP.  Its development will play a major role in maintaining and enhancing the role of Bargoed as the primary retail and service centre for the Upper Rhymney Valley.  In addition to the food superstore, the development is likely to include a multi screen cinema and numerous shop units at the level of the High Street.  The site will be bordered by one of the access roads onto the Angel Way Relief Road.  Because of the relative ground levels of these two plan proposals, and the need to increase the site area to cater for them, it will be necessary to undertake infill works and construct a suitable retaining wall as part of the retail development.  Use of the existing car park for this development is acceptable because the facility has already been replaced by the Hanbury Road Car Park, which has capacity for 146 vehicles.  In addition, the new development will provide 500 more car parking spaces.  The land is owned by the Council and negotiations with a preferred chosen developer is ongoing.

Planning Permission granted - a brownfield site within the town centre

The former Hanbury Cinema has been derelict for a good number of years to the detriment of the character of the town centre.  The completion of this office proposal will be a welcome step in town centre regeneration and contribute to its economic role as a centre for service sector jobs.

Plan Allocation - a brownfield site within the town centre

The Council has tentative plans for the development of an office block as a focal point in the redevelopment of the northern end of the embankment car park.  The site faces the square created at Hall Street at the southern end of North Blackwood Retail Park.

Plan Allocation - a brownfield site on the edge of the town centre

The majority of the site has been developed as office block and a public house.  The remainder of the site has planning consent for a class A3 drive through take away.  There is scope however for the development of a new office block on this remainder as an alternative, which would serve to provide much needed employment opportunities for Newbridge.

NB:As the site lies within flood zone C2, as defined by TAN 15, an acceptable Flood Consequences Assessment will be required to accompany any future new planning applications, and this is the case even where there already is planning consent.

Plan Allocation - a brownfield site, formerly part of a colliery surface

The Masterplan for this large housing development identified an area suitable for employment and retail uses ancillary to the new community.  Suitable retail uses might include a small food store to meet the needs of the future residents, a Public House and Restaurant / Take Away.  Offices providing local services and employment opportunities would also be welcomed.

Planning Permission granted - a brownfield site, formerly commercial leisure, retail & residential

The Council has long sought the redevelopment of this key derelict building within the town centre.  The site area includes an area once occupied by two residential properties, which were demolished some years ago.  The proposal, which has gained planning consent, includes a small food store, a new library for the town and a Council “one stop shop” office.  The front fascia of the listed former cinema will be preserved in the frontage of the new development.

NB:As the site lies within flood zone C2, as defined by TAN 15, an acceptable Flood Consequences Assessment will be required to accompany any future new planning applications, and this is the case even where there already is planning consent.

(A library and Council “Customer First” Office is also proposed on this site - see CF1.36)

Planning Application received - a brownfield site formerly in education use

The allocation of this site for retail development was essential to the UDP retail strategy for Risca / Pontymister town centre.  Part of the site has been developed as a Lidl food store.  Development of the remainder of the site would improve the retail mix in the town, strengthen it as a shopping location and provide a greater element of choice to shoppers; all of which should maintain and enhance the viability and vitality of the centre.

NB:As the site lies within flood zone C2, as defined by TAN 15, an acceptable Flood Consequences Assessment will be required to accompany any future new planning applications, and this is the case even where there already is planning consent.

Planning Application received - partly brownfield site and partly urban scrubland

The allocation of this site for a new anchor food store development is in accordance with the retail strategy for a town centre like Risca / Pontymister.  It will play a major role in maintaining and enhancing the viability and vitality of the principal town centre.  A pedestrian footbridge across the river into the town centre is an essential element of the proposal to link this edge of centre site firmly with the existing retail core.  The food store will improve the retail mix in the town, strengthen it as a shopping location and provide a greater element of choice to shoppers.

Part of the site is designated as a “river corridor” SINC and the implications for the proposed development will involve finding suitable mitigation measures to accommodate both.

NB:This site has also been the subject of an outline planning application for residential development.  This proposal only requires the completion of a S.106 agreement to receive consent.

Planning Permission granted -a part brownfield site, and part urban scrubland

The Gallagher Retail Park is intended for retail warehousing units which cannot be located within the retail town centres themselves, but which have been chosen to complement the two largest retail centres in the hierarchy, and assist in meeting the need for bulky comparison goods retailing provision in the County Borough.  The allocation of this extension site for new retail warehousing development at Crossways is in accordance with the retail strategy, by assisting in filling the substantial gap in this type of shopping provision in the County Borough.  Its development in Caerphilly would also play a major supporting role in the aim to enhance the town’s position within the retail hierarchy.  The Retail Park as a whole is partly developed, with a B&Q store and development of approximately another 8,250 sq. m of retail warehousing units largely complete.

Planning Permission granted -a brownfield site currently occupied by a Focus DIY store

The Gallagher Retail Park is intended for retail warehousing units which cannot be located within the retail town centres themselves, but which have been chosen to complement the two largest retail centres in the hierarchy, and assist in filling the vacuum in bulky comparison goods retailing provision in the County Borough.  The existing store occupies a large site whose redevelopment could contain a much greater retail floorspace.

NB:As the site lies within flood zone C2, as defined by TAN 15, an acceptable Flood Consequences Assessment will be required to accompany any future new planning applications, and this is the case even where there already is planning consent.

Plan Allocation - a brownfield site; buildings formerly used as offices and a school

This is a central site within the town centre overlooking the famous Castle.  Many of the existing buildings on this north side of the lane are either derelict or underused.  Because of the prime location it is considered that this area would be an ideal place for commercial leisure development, such as restaurants and wine bars, the provision of which would enhance the town’s tourism potential.

Planning Permission granted - a brownfield site in the town centre

This is a major redevelopment proposal in the Cardiff Road area to benefit the whole town centre.  Although roughly 3,000 sq. m of low quality underutilised retail floorspace will be removed during its completion, the new development will provide approximately 6,000 sq. m of new high quality retail floorspace in its place.  The development may include a 2,000 sq. m food store and the remaining 4,000 sq. m will consist of comparison and class A3 uses.  All told, this should make a considerable contribution to the requirement for new retail provision in the town centre.  A large number of apartments will also be built above the commercial developments.

(Residential development is also proposed on this site - see HG1.64)

Plan Allocation - Some Planning Permissions granted - a brownfield site formerly used as a privately owned tipping area

Two office blocks and a Hotel have already been built.  Two further offices are planned.  A Lidl food store is open and that unit represents the retail element justified by previously unsatisfied demand from the surrounding residential area.  The public house has been the subject of a planning application but not yet been given planning consent.  Further applications for offices will be considered favourably.