WYG applies its multi-disciplinary capability in planning of new £200m town centre
PRESS RELEASE
7 March 2013
The next stage in progress towards a new shopping centre near Talbot Green, South Wales, which has been described as one of the biggest planning applications in the history of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, is now underway following the Council’s resolution to approve outline planning permission at the end of last month.
The scheme builds on earlier work undertaken by WYG to secure a Local Development Plan allocation for 500 homes, 15 hectares of employment land and the new centre.
The £200m mixed-use scheme for client, Talbot Green Developments , has involved a cross-disciplinary approach involving WYG teams in delivering planning, environmental impact assessment (EIA) coordination, retail/leisure need, noise, air quality, lighting, ecology and archaeology related services, as well as early transport planning involvement.
The new town centre will include a Sainsbury’s supermarket with a net surface area of 80,000 sq ft, 280,000 sq ft (net) of other principally comparison (non food) retail floor space, 8 screen cinema, 80 bed hotel and 64 homes as well as office, community and food & drink facilities, supported by a significant highway infrastructure.
The proposal will see an area of 19 hectares regenerated, much of which is former industrial or commercial brown field land, including special provisions to protect the Pant Marsh ‘Site of Importance for Nature Conservation’. A full planning application for Phase 1 of the centre, which includes the Sainsbury’s supermarket, has also been prepared and submitted. This is due to be considered by the planning committee shortly.
The client’s spokesperson said: “We are extremely pleased with this outcome, which is a step forward towards increasing prosperity in the area and transforming it into an important hub for employment, shopping and leisure.
“During our consultation we were encouraged by the feedback from the people of Talbot Green, Pontyclun, Llantrisant and the surrounding areas, who expressed a strong appetite for the development, which will see substantial investment in the area and the creation of an estimated 1,900 jobs.”
One of the challenges faced during the consultation phase was to address local concerns over the impact of traffic: WYG predicts that the scheme will significantly reduce the outflow of retail expenditure from the area which, with the strategic highway improvements proposed as part of the development, will ease congestion in the locality.
Regional Director, Peter Waldren is looking forward to the next phase: “WYG will continue to support our client, working closely with well-known high street retailers, smaller specialist shops, and entertainment and leisure providers to demonstrate how each building will look and operate. We’re committed to consulting with the local community as we move forward. “
Image courtesy of Holder Mathias Architects
ENDS
Louise Gardner, PR and Communications Executive
WYG GROUP LTD
Arndale Court, Headingley, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS6 2UJ
Tel: : 44 (0)113 278 7111
Email: groupcommuncations@wyg.com
Twitter: @wyggroup
Notes to Editors
One of the top-ranking global consultancies employing around 1,400 people, WYG is behind some of the world’s most challenging projects. Our specialists provide expert advice and project management support that is helping shape landscapes, infrastructure, society and culture in the developed and developing world.
We advise on planning and transport, provide engineering and environmental services, consult on waste and resource management, and deliver support to enable economic and social reform.
By engaging with clients at an early stage we ensure that decisions are made which will maximise a project’s potential and deliver our client’s strategic objectives. In turn, this builds strong and lasting relationships with clients in each of our seven core sectors:
• Defence & Justice
• Energy & Waste
• Environment (including Waste & Waste Water)
• Transport
• Commercial Development & Urban Regeneration
• Mining & Metals
• Social Development & Infrastructure
WYG has an international presence with offices throughout the UK, and in Eastern Europe, the Middle East & North Africa, and South Africa.
