Notes for V & VP Meeting 4Th July 2013

Appendix 1

PROJECT IDEAS - VIBRANT & VIABLE PLACES TREDEGAR (UPPER SIRHOWY) BID (NOT EXHAUSTIVE/NOT IN PRIORITY ORDER)

1. THI The Council intends to refurbish 17 buildings located around the Circle (including the NCB, Tredegar Arms and no.10 the Circle) and is seeking funding from the Welsh Government and via HLF’s Tredegar Townscape Heritage Initiative.

2. Commercial Improvement Grants A grant programme available to refurbish commercial properties in Castle Street/Commercial Street, Tredegar which will complement proposed refurbishment of buildings around the Circle (as described in THI above).

3. Residential living above commercial premises A grant programme will be established to encourage property owners in the town centre to bring back vacant upper floors into residential use.

4. Provision and renovation of residential properties at Upper Salisbury Street The opportunity exists to refurbish existing properties in upper Salisbury Street as well as potential residential development.

5. Southern Area (including Company Shop) The Company Shop which is in private ownership is in a state of disrepair and it is proposed to convert the building into residential development with similar development of the site off lower Coronation Street.

6. Residential development and new STAR Centre, Sirhowy 23 units are to be constructed by RSL together with additional facilities provided at the STAR Centre which currently operates from a demountable.

1 7. Residential development at Merthyr Road An area of land has been identified for residential development in conjunction with a RSL.

8. Block Improvement Grant This grant will be available to owners of properties in Bank Lane, Tredegar as the rear of the properties are currently a visual detractor.

9. Extension to Bank Lane Car Park It is proposed to provide an additional 20 car parking spaces at the Bank Lane Car Park.

10. Empty Property Clearance Programme Opportunity for empty properties to be acquired and demolished for amenity use or redevelopment.

11. Arbed Plus (Melin Homes) Bringing empty homes back into use and renovation of existing homes/maximising energy efficiency with energy providers through Energy Company Obligations (ECO)/maximising training and funding employment.

12. Community Hub Potential shared accommodation between third sector organisations.

13. Communities First/GAVO: Health, Social Care, Hospitality Apprentice Programme Employment and lifelong learning skills to those furthest away from the workplace

14. Town Centre Public Realm Works and Artwork A programme of public realm enhancement works is proposed for Castle Street, Commercial Street, Morgan Street and Bank Lane Street including artwork.

15. Gwent Shopping Centre refurbishment The precinct requires refurbishment and the underpass needs improvement.

2 16. Town centre (small business) wi-fi access The possibility of free wi-fi for property owners in the town centre will be explored in conjunction with the University of South Wales to encourage digital inclusion.

17. Meanwhile uses/shutter up policy Develop a shutter up policy and meanwhile uses to encourage temporary use of vacant town centre properties.

18. Create a town centre social enterprise To provide grants, purchase vacant properties, provide incubator units etc.

19. 3VTV It is an internet based company which assists in marketing local business and works with training providers to give people the skills to get involved. The company has been identified as an ideal partner to assist the Council in the promotion of telling the heritage story in Tredegar to a wider global audience and to marketing shops in the town centre.

20. IT Digital Inclusion: Home Access To explore the feasibility of upgrading unused council computers to donate to households to enable IT access. Training opportunity also.

21. Assisted Living Technology (Homecare/medical) IT training will be provided as part of the digital inclusion agenda to enable people living at home to access their GP directly from home via the internet.

22. Trails Digitisation of heritage trails

23. Industrial Improvement Area Grants (IIA) Grants to industrial properties located within designated industrial estates in Tredegar.

24. Tredegar Business Park Infrastructure Works Vehicular and pedestrian links will be established to link Tredegar Business Park and the Town Centre in order to increase footfall.

3 25. Training Centre/Enterprise Zone An opportunity to establish a specialised automotive Training Centre at the southern end of Tredegar Business Park to complement the proposed Circuit of Wales development.

26. Town centre & Bedwellty Park electrical infrastructure Upgrade current infrastructure to give accessible points for events and Christmas lighting

27. Sirhowy Valley Landscape The aim of this environmental project is to encourage active participation for local communities through events and activities which celebrate heritage in an effort to reconnect people with the landscape heritage of the Sirhowy Valley.

28. Parc Bryn Bach Bunkhouse Develop a free standing bunkhouse at Park Bryn Bach to cater for group and leisure markets

29. Holiday accommodation at Rhyd Hall A development at the Rhyd Hall would provide much needed accommodation for visitors to the area, especially with potential developments in heritage tourism and the proposed Circuit of Wales

30. Holiday accommodation at Milgatw Farm This potential development would benefit from its close proximity to the proposed Circuit of Wales.

31. Nye Bevan Stones Renew walling, upgrade car park, on site interpretation

32. Sirhowy Ironworks Conservation and consolidation works. Upgrade site to make it more appealing to visitors

33. Architectural audit Heritage audit of architectural elements. Many of which can be reintroduced into townscape.

34. Listed buildings at risk Develop new and innovative ways of using listed buildings and locally important buildings that are at risk

4 35. Bedwellty Park Upgrade and re open toilets at Bush Gates.

36. Bryn Oer Tramroad App and interpretation and event to mark bi centenary (2014- 15)

37. Gwent and Glamorgan Archaeological Trust (GGAT) Survey Interpretation re survey works starting in Oct 2013

38. A465 Interpretation It is proposed to introduce interpretation at the rest stops to the east and west of Tredegar to make raise awareness and encourage motorists into the town centres and tourist attractions.

39. Set up Performing Arts Centre at Kids R Us To train children to Welsh Academy of Performing Arts standard.