Plans for flats, offices, a cafe and a shop on the former Co-op store site in Tonypandy town centre have been approved.
The mixed-used development plans for the land on Dunraven Street from RHA Wales Group Ltd went before Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s planning committee on Thursday, February 24 and the committee gave its backing.
The application includes the partial demolition of the existing building, three units of commercial space for offices and retail, including a shop and cafe/bistro, and a five-storey building within the rear car park made up of 52 apartments, seven of which will be for the council’s learning difficulties scheme.
There will be 52 off-street parking spaces provided for residents with none proposed for the commercial use.
As the application involves new development where the created floor space will be 1,000 square metres or more, the applicant has done a pre-application consultation.
The statutory planning application consultation process involved 144 properties being individually notified of the proposal by letter, eight notices being placed on and within the vicinity of the application site and a notice was placed in the local press.
No letters of objection or representation have been received from members of the public, the report said.
The Community Infrastructure Levy for this development is expected to be worth £41,736.40.
The developer will also need to enter into a Section 106 agreement with the council on affordable housing.
The development will provide 100% affordable housing for social rent so a section 106 agreement will be required to ensure that the flats are “established and maintained as affordable units in perpetuity, for the continued purpose of meeting identified local housing needs” and the applicant has agreed to this, the report said.
An Employment Skills Training Plan (ESTP) should also be agreed through a Section 106 agreement for developments of 25 residential units or more.
The applicant has already produced an ESTP and submitted it in support of the application, and the plan meets each of the relevant criteria and is considered acceptable, the report said.
Councillor Gareth Hughes said town centres are facing significant challenges with people’s changing habits and so they have to look at “repurposing” them.
He said they must have a blend that complements the retail offer and is pleased to see the mix here, adding that it can act as a catalyst for further regeneration.
Councillors Wendy Lewis and Julie Barton also voiced their support for the application but Cllr Barton raised a concern about parking.
Planning officers recommended the application for approval and said in their report: “The scheme would bring a vacant and tired site at the heart of the high street back into beneficial use, improving the vitality and viability of the retail centre.
“It would also provide high quality affordable accommodation and a beneficial ‘step-down’ type facility that will each provide diversity in the town’s housing market.
“The development will therefore act as a catalyst for wider regeneration of the town, bringing people back to the high street, having a positive impact from both a social and economic perspective, and supporting and reinforcing the role of the Key Settlement.
“Further, it is considered the resulting buildings would significantly improve the public realm in this prominent gateway location and would not result in a detrimental impact to the amenities of neighbouring residents or to highway safety in the locality.”
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