Following closure in 1985, the Markham Colliery buildings were demolished and the site has since been vacant.  Such a large area near but separate from the main population centres offers a significant opportunity to establish a key component of the Valleys Regional Park.  Although some evidence of its former industrial use remains in the form of despoiled land and dismantled railway trackbeds, the site is slowly reverting to nature.

An ambitious reclamation scheme has been drawn up which would involve the clearance of any residual industrial dereliction.  Substantial engineering works are required to reprofile the land in some areas but the intention is to create an attractive new parkland landscape here.

Among the proposals designed to achieve this are:

• new paths, cycle and bridleways
• tree planting/replanting
• installation of water features including fishing pools and footbridges
• visitor centre with interpretation and refreshment facilities
• car park and public conveniences
• viewing platforms, picnic areas and nature trails
• open space/village green area
• reinstated dry stone walling
• possible rural skills centre

The land previously used as a football pitch is no longer needed for football or rugby.  The Rhymney Heads of the Valleys study has identified nearby allotments as a component in a ‘green gym’ – an initiative designed to promote healthy physical activity.  It may be possible to incorporate an appropriate reinstated formal leisure facility at this location.

This area of reclaimed land is identified for playing fields and a fishing pond.  One rugby pitch and the fishing pond have already been developed.  There is land available to develop one more playing pitch.

Land is available to provide an additional pitch to serve the community of Deri.  Due to the large number of teams that Deri Mini RFC have it is suggested that a further field is provided to meet their needs.  This will contribute to meeting the identified shortfall in the Darren Valley ward.

Just off the main road through Bargoed and adjoining the residential streets of Heol Fargoed and Hillside Park is an area of land commonly known as the ‘Grammar School Fields’.  In the past, hockey and tennis pitches were laid out here but these became disused and were removed.  It is proposed to reinstate these facilities to help address the playing pitch needs in the area.

After the closure of Bedwellty Comprehensive School in 2005 the site was cleared.  With a shortfall of land to meet the NPFA standard in the Aberbargoed area and a housing allocation occupying part of the old school grounds (see HG1.22), it is proposed that the former school playing fields are retained for leisure purposes serving both the existing and new residential population.  This will include both football and rugby pitches and will include a new changing room and community facility near the entrance from the A4049 road.

There is a shortfall in land to meet the NPFA standard and a demand for playing pitches in this area.  This site is allocated for the provision of a new playing pitch to contribute toward meeting this shortfall.

An opportunity exists to link the Memorial Park and Bryn Bach Park with an area of informal land to the east of the upper reaches of Rhymney.  This area will be landscaped and a series of footpaths created to link to the existing parks and footpaths.

New Tredegar is underprovided for in terms of open space provision according to an open and accessible natural green space assessment undertaken for the Council in 2007.  Whilst the north of the settlement does have a playing pitch at Grove Park, the south of the settlement has no formal open space of any significance.  This site has therefore been identified to provide additional informal recreation facilities.  Limited facilities such as footpaths and seating could be provided, together with landscaping.

Located near St Margaret’s Church in Gilfach, the Church Field is an attractive amenity area used for public enjoyment.  It is therefore being protected as a valuable contribution to open space needs in this part of the Gilfach / Bargoed conurbation.

In Pantside, a residential area to the east of Newbridge, there has been extensive reclamation work on the old Colliery waste tip creating a series of plateaux. Landscaping of these level areas has enabled some rugby and football pitches to be constructed but further land remains, which could be developed for this purpose.  Among the long term aspirations (subject to funding) are to erect a multi use games area and possibly a skateboard park here.  There is a need arising from an identified shortage of open spaces to meet the NPFA standard in the area.

As part of the Penallta Colliery redevelopment, a new primary school is being built.  It is proposed that a full sized rugby pitch is constructed next to the school, which would also be open for public use.

Ystrad Mynach Hospital is scheduled for replacement in 2010 by the County Borough’s new Local General Hospital (see CF1.17).  Consisting of a number of older and prefabricated buildings, the existing hospital will be demolished.  It is intended that the land is then utilised for formal leisure facilities including football and rugby pitches, a cricket ground and associated changing rooms to replace those where the hospital is to be built.

A need for additional allotments in the Ystrad Mynach area has been identified and the land at Penallta Road is allocated for this use.

The southern side of the employment plateau is not suitable for development due to the steep nature of the slope.  An opportunity exists for further development of an area of informal recreation to serve local residents. 

Croespenmaen has experienced much development in recent years.  This site provides a valuable area of informal recreation for the surrounding population and should be safeguarded from development.

This area of land is an informal area of green space and is located in an area not meeting the NPFA standard.  It needs to be retained as an amenity area for surrounding residents.

There is a shortfall in land to meet the NPFA standard in the Cefn Fforest ward. A demand for a new football pitch has been identified.  This land will fulfil this requirement

This area of open space forms part of a green area between Blackwood and Fleur-de-Lys; its use for informal recreation will be encouraged.

Islwyn Park is a formal open space with sports pitches and playgrounds adjacent to the Springfield housing estate in Pontllanfraith.  An area further south consists of unmanaged natural land along side the River Sirhowy.  It is proposed to extend the park boundaries to include this space though retaining its informal characteristics.

Adjacent to the A472 flyover at the southern edge of Newbridge, a former spoil heap from the nearby coal pits has been removed and a level area formed.  Landscaping could be undertaken to create an attractive informal green area with walks and seating alongside the River Ebbw.

Extensive reclamation work on the old Colliery waste tip has created a series of plateaux suitable for playing pitch provision adjacent to which lie areas of existing woodlands and fields which require management.  The area would benefit from waymarked paths, picnic sites and ancillary facilities.  There may be potential to create a woodland theme trail linking to meadows of habitat interest

There has been considerable development around the south west of Nelson in recent years.  An area of amenity land to cater for these houses site has been provided at the eastern edge of Ynys Las.  This includes general open space and a children’s kickabout area, together with environmental improvements.

The settlements of Tiryberth and Glanynant have very few large areas of informal open space. An ideal opportunity exists to create a substantial area of open space by the river.  The site is not developable being steep in parts, with poor access.  The Rhymney Riverside Walk runs through this site providing access for a wide variety of users.

This flat area of land provides an opportunity to create a recreational area incorporating the Riverside Walk and additional informal facilities such as picnic sites.

Land north of Hengoed is under pressure from development, and it is therefore considered desirable to protect this area of informal open space from development.

Extending from the southern boundary of Maesycwmmer, the Park is an area of informal open space that encircles a sports pitch.  The land is identified as an informal space with footpaths and seating in an area of protected broadleaf trees.

Country parks are attractions in their own right, drawing regular visitors from the County Borough’s main centres of population. Although the most populous single settlement, there is a lack of such facilities around Caerphilly town at present, although a large area of informal greenery known as the Riverside Park exists in Bedwas along the River Rhymney adjacent to Bedwas House Industrial Estate.

In order to address this, it is proposed that this park is extended to take in a swathe of land extending from here to the north east of the Graig y Rhacca housing estate in Trethomas.  This will be designated a ‘pocket’ park with a strong community focus, a development of the country park concept, promoting activities such as walking, cycling, riding, picnics and wildlife conservation.  It will incorporate a range of both formal and informal leisure uses including sports pitches, allotments and an area of open space.

A priority is to conserve sensitive areas of woodland and where possible enhance the landscape.  It is hoped to balance these needs with increased local residents’ use and enjoyment of the countryside through improved footpaths and access points here.  Also part of the National Cycle Network (NCN) runs through the site (Route 4), and it is hoped that this will feed into the loops and links network that will in turn form part of the Valleys Regional Park.

There is both a shortfall in land to meet the NPFA standard and demand for facilities in the Llanbradach ward.  It is suggested that a new facility is provided on the former Wingfield colliery tip.  In order to also accommodate the proposed park and ride scheme here (see TR4.4), this facility is likely to consist of a single full sized football pitch with changing facilities.

One of the largest brownfield sites in the County Borough, the former Colliery and railhead area extends along the northern flank of Bedwas and Trethomas.  These villages are already home to a network of amenities and services such as shops, leisure and public transport.

Considerable potential therefore exists for mixed development on this site following the necessary remediation works, incorporating housing, education and leisure facilities.  Locating the leisure provision within a school site will enable dual use of the facility.

A Sports Council for Wales analysis of sports facilities in Caerphilly identifies a need for increased provision of sports halls in the Caerphilly Basin area.  The Education and Leisure Directorate has a strategy to consider multi use facilities when developing any new schemes.  This site has been highlighted in response to the identified shortfall in Caerphilly.  The location adjacent to the school site will enable dual use of the facility.

A Sports Council for Wales analysis of sports facilities in Caerphilly identifies a need for increased provision of sports halls in the Caerphilly Basin area.  The Education and Leisure Directorate has a strategy to consider multi use facilities when developing any new schemes.  This site has been highlighted in response to the identified shortfall in the west of Caerphilly.  The location within the school site will enable dual use of the facility and link into the Council’s ‘Safe Routes to School’ initiative.

Located on the western edge of Caerphilly, the land upon which the Castlegate mixed use development is being built was previously a landfill site.  Following substantial decontamination and engineering work, the site has been restored with housing, retail, community and employment facilities being built here. In order to serve this development, an area is being levelled to provide a football pitch.

Land exists to the north of Senghenydd Welfare Park along the Nant y Parc stream. which could be used for informal leisure purposes.  It is proposed to use some of the land for the purposes of a new surgery to replace the existing one nearby at Parc Cottages (see CF1.23).  Given that the remaining land is an attractive area with mature trees, it is proposed to retain this as an amenity area for surrounding residents.

The former railway embankment forms a linear park in the centre of Abertridwr.  This site provides a valuable area of informal recreation for the surrounding population and should be safeguarded from development.  Environment Agency records show that this site is at risk of flooding and consequently they stipulate that there should be no built development or land raising on the site.

Having come to the end of its operational life, Risca Quarry is a prominent feature in the town’s landscape.  Situated at the western edge of Risca, the site is reverting to nature, which offers environmental benefits and the opportunity to develop an informal leisure facility.  By virtue of its proximity to the Ebbw Valley railway line and the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal (Crumlin Arm), the site has potential to serve a wide residential population

Along Holly Road, Risca, there are two long areas of open land where built development is restricted by their narrow width.  As these are green spaces accessible to a large area of housing, they are ideal sites for informal recreation.

Land to the north of Pontymason Lane forms part of a green wedge between Risca and Newport. This inhibits development but the land can be used for both formal and informal recreation purposes.

It is proposed to develop an informal recreation area on this area of former railway sidings. Natural tree growth has already occurred over much of the site, however it is proposed to supplement this by additional planting to help screen the road and introduce some landscape variety.  Part of the southern area of the site is identified for a new rail station, the precise location of which is still to be decided (see TR3.3).

This site will act as an area of informal recreation and accessible natural green space for the benefit of the surrounding housing estate and employment areas.

This land forms part of a green wedge between Caerphilly and Bedwas and is crossed by the National Cycle route from Caerphilly to Machen (NCN 4).  The site has an important role in improving the quality urban life for local residents.

During the relatively recent construction of the Castle View housing estate on the western outskirts of Caerphilly, a ‘balancing pond’ was created to regulate groundwater flow in the area.  This has become an attractive semi-natural feature, which, together with the surrounding open land and paths, is worthy of protection.