SD63 Llynfi Valley

Llynfi Valley VARP Baseline Report

Report To Bridgend County Borough Council May 2010

Llynfi Valley VARP Baseline Report

Report From

Powell Dobson Urbanists Charterhouse Links Business Park St Mellons Cardiff CF3 0LT +44 (0)29 20 799 699

www.powelldobsonurbanists.com

Final Report written by: J. Brown, J. Heal

Quality Checked by: S. Sullivan

January 2010

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Contents 1. Executive Summary...... 7 1.1. Health Indicators...... 8 1.2. Educational Attainment...... 8 1.3. Economic Context of the Llynfi Valley...... 8 1.4. Built Environment of the Llynfi Valley...... 9 1.5. Rural Environment in the Llynfi Valley...... 9 1.6. Movement and Transportation in the Llynfi Valley ...... 9 1.7. Tourism...... 10 1.8. Culture...... 10 1.9. Energy & Sustainability...... 11 1.10. Community Life...... 11 1.11. Conclusion...... 12 2. Background ...... 13 2.1. The Brief ...... 13 2.2. Purpose of Report ...... 13 2.3. Strategic Location...... 13 3. Regeneration Context...... 15 3.1. Housing Renewal Programme ...... 15 3.2. V2C Estate Renewal Plans ...... 16 3.3. Enhanced Education Facilities ...... 16 3.4. Caerau Community Development Trust (CCDT) ...... 16 3.5. Maesteg Town Centre Enhancements ...... 17 3.6. Valley Community Routes ...... 17 4. Policy Context...... 18 4.1. One Wales: One Planet ...... 18 4.2. National Planning Policy Planning Policy Wales (2002) ...... 18 4.3. Ministerial Interim Planning Policy Statements...... 19 4.4. Wales Spatial Plan (2008 Update)...... 19 4.5. Unitary Development Plan ...... 20 4.6. LDP Pre Deposit Proposals 2008 ...... 20 4.7. Bridgend Community Strategy & Corporate Plan...... 23

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4.8. Bridgend Borough Tourism Strategy...... 24 5. Composition Llynfi Valley...... 25 5.1 Physical Landscape of the Llynfi Valley ...... 25 5.2 Settlements and Development Patterns of the Llynfi Valley...... 27 6. Health...... 30 6.1. Health Indicators...... 30 6.2. Infrastructure...... 31 6.3. Health Promotion Services...... 33 6.4. Conclusion ...... 33 7. Skills & Learning...... 35 7.1. Existing Local Education Opportunities...... 35 7.2. Potential School Review...... 37 7.3. School Performance...... 37 7.4. Educational Attainment...... 37 7.5. Construction Skills Centre...... 38 7.6. Conclusion ...... 39 8. Economic Context of the Llynfi Valley ...... 41 8.1. Places for Business...... 41 8.2. Employment Land Supply and Demand ...... 43 8.3. Indicators of Unemployment and Economic Inactivity...... 44 8.4. Conclusion ...... 47 9. Built Environment of the Llynfi Valley ...... 48 9.1. Housing Supply & Demand: Upper Llynfi Valley...... 48 9.2. Housing Supply & Demand: Maesteg...... 50 9.3. Housing Supply: Lower Llynfi Valley...... 52 9.4. Local Distinctiveness ...... 52 9.5. Conclusion ...... 53 10. Rural Environment in the Llynfi Valley...... 55 10.1. Landscape Character & Quality in the Upper Llynfi Valley...... 55 10.2. Landscape Character & Quality in Maesteg...... 56 10.3. Landscape Character & Quality in the Lower Llynfi Valley...... 56 10.4. Conclusion...... 56 11. Movement and Transportation in the Llynfi Valley...... 58 11.1. Travel Indicators...... 58

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11.2. Cycling in the Llynfi Valley ...... 61 11.3. Bus travel in the Llynfi Valley...... 62 11.4. Rail travel in the Llynfi Valley...... 62 11.5. Highway Accessibility in the Llynfi Valley ...... 63 11.6. Conclusion...... 63 12. Tourism ...... 65 12.1. Historic Tourism...... 65 12.2. Outdoor Activities ...... 65 12.3. Infrastructure for Tourists ...... 66 12.4. Focus for Tourism...... 67 12.5. Conclusion...... 67 13. Culture ...... 68 13.1. Maesteg Town Hall...... 68 13.2. Proposals to Enhance Colonel North Hall as a Cultural Venue...... 69 13.3. Celebrating Industrial Heritage...... 70 13.4. Conclusions...... 70 14. Energy and Sustainability...... 72 14.1. Recycling and Waste...... 72 14.2. Existing Renewable Energy Infrastructure In the Llynfi Valley ...... 72 14.3. Development Opportunities, Renewable Energy and Sustainable Low Energy Design... 73 14.4. Fuel Poverty and Energy Conservation...... 74 14.5. Opportunities for Hydro‐Electric Capture ...... 74 14.6. Opportunities for Planting and Managing Bio‐Crop...... 74 14.7. Local Energy Company for Community Windfarm...... 75 14.8. Conclusion...... 75 15. Community Life ...... 76 15.1. Youth Support ...... 76 15.2. Sports Clubs and Recreation...... 76 15.3. Community Support, Project Champions and Empowerment ...... 78 15.4. Conclusion...... 80 16. Summary & Conclusion...... 81

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1.0. Executive Summary

The Llynfi Valley is one of three Valleys in the Borough of Bridgend County Borough Council (BCBC) to be included within the Western Valleys Strategic Regeneration Area (WVSRA).

Maesteg and the Upper Llynfi Valley are identified as the focus of the Pre‐Deposit LDP’s Regeneration‐led Spatial Strategy and, therefore, as Strategic Growth Area which comprises of a ‘band’ of regeneration opportunities on the eastern side of the valley. The Strategic Growth Area is made up of the following opportunities:

 Maesteg Washery – potential for housing, light industry and recreational land uses are considered appropriate for this site  Maesteg Town Centre Regeneration – improving the quality of the town centre environment  Maesteg Transport Hub – enhancing the frequency of services and the quality of infrastructure  Caerau Regeneration – a range of physical, social and economic regeneration activities focused in the north of the Valley  Coegnant Reclamation eArea – th largest opportunity in the Valley for a mixture of uses, including new housing, open‐space, formal recreation facilities and local employment opportunities and social enterprises.

The Preferred Strategy of the LDP ensures that development proposals arising on these sites and others will also make a positive contribution towards tackling the causes of, and adapt to the impacts of Climate Change. That is, by supporting the key measures of:

 Reducing energy demand, and promoting energy efficiency  Encouraging the development of renewable energy generation and community renewables

 Promoting sustainable transport (including Travel Plans and reducing the need to travel)

 Promoting locally sourced food production and local businesses  Using our resources more efficiently, and minimising waste and pollution  Adapting to the increased risk of flooding

 Promoting sustainable building methods and Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDs)

The composition of the distinct settlements within Llynfi Valley is classified for the purposes of this report as: the Upper Llynfi Valley, Maesteg and the Lower Llynfi Valley.

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1.1. Health Indicators

A variety of health indicators from the 2001 Census highlight the relative poor health of the communities living in the Valley. However, what is concerning is the increase in poor health indicators in the Upper Llynfi Valley and Maesteg Town compared to the Lower Llynfi Valley.

1.2. Educational Attainment

Compared to the Wales average, the levels of people with no qualifications in the Llynfi Valley is 25% higher. The Upper Llynfi Valley is 38% higher than the Welsh average.

1.3. Economic Context of the Llynfi Valley

Economic inactivity rates in the Llynfi Valley are almost 25% higher than Wales as a whole. However, economic inactivity in the Upper Llynfi Valley is 42% higher than the Welsh average.

In November 2008 the closure of Budelpack Cosi resulted in the loss of 800 jobs in the Valley. A year previously, Cooper Standard Automotive closed their Automotive Sealing System facility at Maesteg with the loss of 246 jobs, where there were once 600 people employed.

A legacy of an over reliance on a small number of large employers, whether these be mines or factories, has been a weakness in the economic basis of the Valley since it was first settled. The inhibited economic raison d’ệtre of the Valley continues to compromise the long term wellbeing of some of its communities. It could be argued that all of the Llynfi Valley’s current problems can be traced back to this core weakness, and addressing this must be a key objective of the VARP.

There is a dichotomy whereby the greatest economic need exists in the Upper Llynfi Valley, whereas the emerging trends for employment growth are likely to be south of the M4 and in industries where higher educational attainment is required to access these jobs.

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1.4. Built Environment of the Llynfi Valley

In the Upper Llynfi Valley the housing supply is dominated by Victorian terraced properties. Whilst other types of housing are present, they are insignificant in number compared to the proportion of terraced homes. This oversupply is a key weakness which has traditionally constrained the wellbeing of the Upper Llynfi Valley by limiting housing choice. Diversifying the housing stock is likely to be an important element in the future strategy to help to diversify the local community.

Whilst measures to improve dwellings are an important ingredient to regeneration there clearly needs to be greater focus on diversifying the local housing stock in a way which develops the vernacular and character of the Valley. This is going to be challenging when housing‐led regeneration has either failed to materialise or has resulted in bland architectural wallpaper that has eroded the sense of local distinctiveness.

The quality and built fabric of Maesteg town centre is under threat from the decline of the retail function of the town. Historically, Maesteg town centre was the main location for shopping and services such as banking and this role has been eroded. Declining profits from retail means that units become vacant and less money is available to spend on the upkeep of buildings. Declining building condition and negative impact of vacant units are significant threats to the quality of the built environment in the town centre and these need to be tackled through the VARP. In addition to this, efforts to encourage people to shop more in Maesteg will be essential.

1.5. Rural Environment in the Llynfi Valley

The eastern side of the Upper Llynfi Valley contrasts starkly due to the visual dominance of former Caerau Colliery and former Coegnant Colliery that have been reclaimed and re‐profiled. The impact of this is to create a landscape that is incongruous with its broader setting and fails to provide an adequate rural setting to the settlements of the Upper Llynfi Valley.

The Llynfi Valley is located in an area of undeniable landscape beauty, but within the Upper Llynfi Valley and Maesteg the general character and development density is extremely urban. This mismatch between town and country is something that needs to be addressed to enable the Llynfi Valley to have a more rural sense of place.

1.6. Movement and Transportation in the Llynfi Valley

The more deprived communities in the Upper Llynfi Valley are more reliant on public transport than other parts of the Valley which means that improvements to bus, rail and cycle movement should have an identifiable impact on prosperity, health and quality of life. Fortunately, there are priority

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projects that are recognised in the RTP to improve bus and rail facilities as well as the creation of a Sustrans funded community cycle route.

The likely focus for tourism in the Llynfi Valley, advocated through the Borough Tourism Strategy is potentially going to be based around day trip visitors of people who want to enjoy the Valley’s scenery, sports and culture. This will mean that local businesses and community organisations will need to be well organised to embrace the opportunities that could arise from the Strategy.

1.7. Tourism

There seems to be an array of ways in which the Llynfi Valley could benefit from attracting larger numbers of visitors, through:

 Local culture including choirs, artists and bands  Industrial and ancient history  Walking and cycling  Local food and drink  Local sports clubs (especially rugby)

1.8. Culture

The cultural life of the Llynfi Valley is not adequately represented in the Valley’s principal town where there are significant opportunities to do so. Whilst there is a group promoting an important cultural project in the town, Maesteg’s primary cultural asset, the Town Hall is currently under utilised. It is important, therefore, that efforts to enhance the status of the arts in the town are coordinated.

It would appear that there is scope to investigate the possibility of combining the objectives of the Maesteg Gallery and Heritage Centre Steering Group with the findings of the Initial Project Report on Maesteg Town Hall. In particular, there is potential through the VARP to consider how future feasibility studies can help to determine the scope to combine a new entrance for the Town Hall

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with space to display Christopher Williams’ work, alongside a gallery, exhibition space, café and function rooms.

1.9. Energy & Sustainability

Currently there are no significant alternative or renewable forms of energy available to the local community.

The sizeable opportunity sites provide the potential to develop the infrastructure for low energy living in the Llynfi Valley. Opportunities which need to be considered across these three sites could include:

 Low energy buildings (both domestic, commercial and community)  Small scale local food production  Energy generation (through wind, hydro, geothermal, methane extraction and solar)  Planting and managing energy crops  Development of CHP as part of a masterplan

There is potential for any one of eth above opportunities to be rolled out through a Community Development Trust via a local Energy Service Company (ESCO) such as the one below.

Localising energy generation, management and profit have the combined benefits of reducing poverty, providing job opportunities, reducing carbon emissions and increasing energy security. Previous models of regeneration have not fundamentally addressed deprivation in the Llynfi Valley, but the emerging energy agenda, if properly grasped, has the potential to bring exciting new opportunities to the Valley that were previously not considered.

1.10. Community Life

There is a rich network of clubs, societies and groups which has created a framework for local people to participate in community life in the Llynfi Valley. The communities of the Llynfi Valley have a well developed capacity and are well equipped to be able to contribute effectively to the regeneration

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process. VARP projects need to ensure that real community benefits are maximised, and the networks and groups outlined above provide a strong basis for doing this.

1.11. Conclusion

The problems facing the Llynfi Valley and especially those communities north of Maesteg are acute and challenging. Whilst there may be some solutions that can be imported from successful projects in similar communities elsewhere in Wales, the sustainable regeneration of the Llynfi Valley is going to also require new moulds to be made to create healthy and resilient communities.

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2. Background 2.1. The Brief

In 2006 Powell Dobson Urbanists prepared a Regeneration Framework and Area Action Plans for the Upper Llynfi Valley. Since this time the Llynfi Valley, along with the Garw and Ogmore Valleys has been designated within the Western Valleys Strategic Regeneration Area (WVSRA). The brief is to develop a Valley Area Regeneration Plan (VARP) which will be the basis of ensuring that regeneration funding from the WVSRA is targeted towards projects that can demonstrate a tangible impact on the Llynfi Valley, the sub‐region and even Wales as a whole.

Our interpretation of this brief is to identify interrelated projects which can cumulatively make the communities of the Llynfi Valley more economically, socially and environmentally more resilient and successful. In doing this, these projects should form the basis of a blueprint, which potentially can be adapted to be used elsewhere. Likewise, we are also keen to try to apply projects with similar ambitions that have worked elsewhere in Wales.

2.2. Purpose of Report

The purpose of this document is to establish the baseline for the Llynfi Valley. It will draw together the quantitative and qualitative data to demonstrate the weaknesses that need to be addressed and the opportunities that are there to be exploited to make the Llynfi Valley a better place. It will help to guide the use of future funding as part of the area planning approach.

2.3. Strategic Location

The Llynfi Valley is one of three Valleys in the Borough of Bridgend County Borough Council (BCBC) to be included within the WVSRA, the others being the Garw and Ogmore Valleys. The Llynfi Valley is the most urban of the three since it contains Maesteg town centre, which is identified in the emerging Local Development Plan (LDP) as being the Borough’s second most significant town centre, behind Bridgend itself. The Llynfi Valley is also the most populous of the three Bridgend Valleys accommodating 17,306 people within several distinct communities and multiple neighbourhoods.

Despite having Maesteg town centre and the built settlement being concentrated along the floor of the Valley, the Llynfi Valley also contains large areas of nrural, ope countryside. For this reason the southern part of the Valley is identified within the Rural Development Plan (RDP) area. Many of the challenges and opportunities are closely related with the rural status or character of large parts of the Valley.

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The Llynfi Valley adjoins the corresponding VARP in Neath Port Talbot and shares services with this area. For residents of the Afan Valley, Maesteg is an important local service centre, whilst the success of forest activities in the Afan Valley is an asset that can be exploited by the communities of the Llynfi Valley.

The northernmost part of the Valley (Blaenllynfi) is approximately ten miles from Bridgend and eight miles the M4 corridor. The relationship between the Valley and the M4/Bridgend is important for access to jobs and services (see 7.0 Economic Context of the Llynfi Valley). Similarly, the leisure facilities in Cymmer are close enough for residents of the northern part of the Llynfi to exploit.

Figure 1: The strategic location of the communities in the Llynfi Valley

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3. Regeneration Context

The VARP for the Llynfi Valley will need to take into consideration the existing regeneration context. This section outlines the current regeneration activity in the Valley.

3.1. Housing Renewal Programme

The ward of Caerau and Nantyffyllon was declared a Housing Renewal Area (HRA) on 13 September 2006. The HRA is a 10‐15 year programme and within this timescale BCBC have to submit annual bids for funding. Key purposes of The Housing Renewal Programme (HRP) are:

 Reverse the process of decline  Improve housing and general amenities in an area

 Engender pride of people towards their homes and environments  Increase (market) confidence  Encourage employment opportunities  Improve people’s quality of life

To support the above, the funding framework will incorporate environmental works such as street works, landscape works, exteriors and curtilage of buildings and miscellaneous works aiming at the area as a whole.

Since declaration 155 properties have been enhanced and a variety of environmental enhancement implemented (such as upgrading cycle links and removing Japanese Knotweed). BCBC have submitted for £2.15m of funding for the year 2010/11 and an announcement regarding this is expected in January 2010.

The pilot programme included:

 New roofs windows, doors

 Sustainable watergoods e.g. aluminium gutters & down pipes  Insulation Render

 Pointing & rendering of wall & boundary walls  Rebuilding party walls

 New steps, railings and garden gates

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This programme is an important element in improving the environment within the most deprived parts of the Llynfi Valley. It also has the potential to make properties in the Llynfi Valley more energy efficient through the upgrading of windows and doors.

3.2. V2C Estate Renewal Plans

Valleys to Coast Housing C)(V2 are coordinating improvement projects on two of its estates in the Llynfi Valley: Tudor Park and Caerau Park.

At Caerau Park, V2C are working with residents to enhance the quality of a central footpath within the estate, whilst enhancing links between the estate and the centre of Caerau. Many eof th rear boundaries are in disrepair and these are being improved in addition to the layout of the streets around the estate to promote ‘home zone’ type design. At Tudor, V2C have been working with residents to enhance the gateway to the houses.

3.3. Enhanced Education Facilities

Blaenllynfi Infants School, Blaencaerau Junior School and Blaencaerau Nursery have been closed and merged into one new primary school. The new school building is located along Pleasant View and opened in early 2010 to offer significantly higher standards of accommodation than that offered by the Blaenllynfi Infants and Blaenllynfi Junior Schools.

The proposed new school will be located in the heart of Caerau with a direct access to the Community Route making travel to and from school as environmentally friendly as possible. Children will be encouraged to walk or cycle to school.

The Maesteg Comprehensive School opened in 2007 and has been a significant means of remediating land adjacent to the former Maesteg Washeries site. The school will form an important component of the future land use mixture of this important regeneration site.

There still remain a number of schools in the middle part of the valley which are constrained in some way and could benefit from further school modernization or merging onto a larger, more suitable site.

3.4. Caerau Community Development Trust (CCDT)

The Trust is a community‐based organisation established in 2008 to improve the quality of life in the area. The Trust is acquiring land for local food projects, has plans to redevelop the former Blaenllynfi Infants School and is also looking into becoming a Community Energy Supply Company.

The Trust has a management board comprising elected members from across the political spectrum, community champions and representatives from local businesses, youth organisations and faith groups. The wider partnership includes Communities First, BCBC Regeneration Team, Valleys to Coast and Wales Coop Centre.

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In the other South Wales Valleys Community Development Trusts have been powerful engines of locally driven regeneration and the CCDT has potential to play a similar role in the Llynfi Valley and is, therefore, a significant opportunity which needs to be developed and exploited.

3.5. Maesteg Town Centre Enhancements

Following the successful implementation of earlier improvements of the public realm in Maesteg town centre, a design process is underway to consider the arrangement of: the outdoor market, the indoor market, the riverside, the bus station and the Town Hall.

All of these elements are vital ingredients for the success of Maesteg town centre. Once completed, the projects and investment arising from this process could form important components of the overall VARP.

A town centre manager has recently been appointed by BCBC for Bridgend and Maesteg town centres. This is an important step in the management of the town, especially since there is no known regeneration strategy for the town which considers wider property and management issues. It will be important that town centre management activities dovetail with the regeneration efforts of the whole Valley.

3.6. Valley Community Routes

Funding is currently being sought for several significant projects which will promote sustainable transport in the Valley.

BCBC have submitted an application for Transport Grant through Safe Routes to Communities for Maesteg School and also for Caerau Park Community Route Links which will enhance the physical connections between Caerau Park estate and the rest of the ward.

However, the most significant project is the Llynfi Valley Community Route which is promoted as part of valleys cycle network. Funding is in place from Valleys Regional Park, EU Convergence Funding and SEWTA to create a new cycle and footpath along the route of old mineral railway. Sustrans is the lead partner. The route will be constructed in summer 2010 and will link the upper Llynfi Valley with Croeserw in the adjoining Borough of Neath Port Talbot to the north and the new Maesteg Comprehensive School and Maesteg railway station to the south. This project has the potential to encourage cycling as a safe and effective mode of transport, for recreation, and potentially to capture cycle tourism. However, the links from Maesteg to the south of the Valley are less well developed, where connections to the NN4B Celtic Trail Cycle Route remain unresolved.

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4. Policy Context

This section sets out the national, regional and local planning policy context for any development which includes the following:

 One Wales: One Planet  Planning Policy Wales (2002)

 Ministerial Interim Planning Policy Statements

 Wales Spatial Plan (2008 update)

4.1. One Wales: One Planet

The Sustainable Development Scheme of the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) sets out the Assembly Government’s vision of a Sustainable Wales where we use only our fair share of the earth’s resources and become a fairer and more just society.

‘Communities which are safe, sustainable, and attractive places for people to live and work, where people have access to services, and enjoy good health’.

4.2. National Planning Policy Planning Policy Wales (2002)

Planning Policy Wales (PPW) sets out the land use planning policies of the Welsh Assembly Government. It is modified by a series of MIPPSs and supplemented by a series of TANs. Key policy objectives of this document include:

 Promoting resource efficient settlement patterns that minimise land‐take and urban sprawl, avoiding development on Greenfield sites wherever possible  Locating development so as to minimize the demand for travel, especially by private car

 Contributing to climate protection by encouraging land uses that result in reduced emissions of greenhouse gases  Conserving and enhancing the natural environment

 Minimising the use of non‐renewable resources  Reducing waste from all forms of pollution and promotion of good environmental management

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 Securing an accessible environment for everyone including accessibility by means other than the private car  Promoting quality, lasting, environmentally‐sound and flexible employment opportunities (par. 2.3.2)

Government guidance on the location of new development promotes sustainable patterns of development on previously‐used land, with higher density development at hubs and interchanges. These should also be close to route corridors where accessibility on foot and by bicycle and public transport is good. The guidance also promotes sustainability through good design which can protect the environment and enhance its quality, help to attract business and investment, promote social inclusion and improvee th quality of life. Good design should be the aim of all those involved in the development process and for all development proposals.

4.3. Ministerial Interim Planning Policy Statements A series for further statements have been issued which supplement or replace specific paragraphs in PPW.

MIPPS 01/2008 Planning for Good Design

This replaces the existing paragraph 2.9 of PPW – Promoting sustainability through good design. It explains how elements of sustainability should be integrated into different aspects of the planning system and the development process. It also sets out how good design can protect and enhance environmental quality, consider the impact of climate change, attract investment, promote social inclusion and improve the people’s quality of life. It promotes inclusive design and the efficient use of resources, highlighting the importance of flexibility and adaptability.

MIPPS 01/2009 Planning for Sustainable buildings

This provides a new section 2.12 of PPW which sets minimum requirements for new developments to achieve in terms of the Code for Sustainable Homes, and/or Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) from September 2009.

4.4. Wales Spatial Plan (2008 Update)

The Llynfi Valley is part of the Swansea Bay and Western Valleys Area which will become:

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‘A network of interdependent settlements with Swansea at its heart which pull together effectively as a city region with a modern, competitive, knowledge‐based economy designed to deliver a high quality of life, a sustainable environment, a vibrant waterfront and excellent national and international connections’

The key priorities for the region are:

 Improving accessibility. This includes improved telecommunication links as well as developing transport connections between the key settlements

 Developing a cutting edge knowledge economy  Reducing economic inactivity and developing an integrated skills strategy

 Implementing the Waterfront Masterplan to maximise opportunities along the stunning coastline  Developing a strong leisure and activity based tourism industry  Ensuring that environmental protection and enhancement are fully integrated

Within this area ten hub towns have been identified and Maesteg is one of them. To fulfill this role regeneration activity will concentrate on providing improved shopping, leisure, community and cultural facilities, more attractive and affordable housing, clean vibrant town centres, accessible open countryside and employment opportunities.

The success of the key settlements should improve life in smaller rural and valleys communities, with good access to services being a key contributor to quality of life. The focus for these places will be to create affordable and attractive places to live with a choice of transport to and from jobs and services, including for example health, when they are not available locally and set within a high quality natural and built environment, which everyone can enjoy.

4.5. Unitary Development Plan Bridgend County Borough Council adopted the Bridgend Unitary Development Plan on the 12th May 2005. The council has since begun work on the preparation of a Local Development Plan (LDP) for the area. Once adopted, the LDP will supersede the UDP.

4.6. LDP Pre Deposit Proposals 2008 Maesteg and the Upper Llynfi Valley are identified as the focus of the LDP’s Regeneration‐led Spatial Strategy and, therefore, as a Strategic Growth Area which comprises of a ‘band’ of regeneration opportunities on the eastern side of the Valley. The Strategic Growth Area is made up of the following opportunities:

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 Maesteg Washery – potential for housing, light industry and recreational end uses are considered appropriate for this site  Maesteg Town Centre Regeneration – improving the quality of the town centre environment

 Maesteg Transport Hub – enhancing the frequency of services and the quality of infrastructure  Caerau Regeneration – a range of physical, social and economic regeneration activities focused in the north of the Valley  Coegnant Reclamation Area – the largest opportunity in the Valley for a mixture of uses, including new housing, open‐space, formal recreation facilities and local employment opportunities and social enterprises

Maesteg is identified in the Pre Deposit Proposals as a key settlement and a hub whose success will benefit the surrounding smaller settlements, rural and Valley communities by offering increased access to employment and amenities whist stimulating employment, housing and retail development.

Within the regional area framework, Maesteg is identified as having opportunities for improvements to existing industrial estates and for further employment uses on brownfield land. The town centre is still a priority for townscape improvements to further enhance both the historic quality of the buildings and the investment potential for mixed use development. Further investigation into regional projects and initiatives that would assist in the development of green tourism in the valley is also recognised as a vital opportunity.

This is reflected in policy OBJ 1b “To revitalise Maesteg by recognising its role as the principal settlement serving the Llynfi Valley which has the potential capacity and infrastructure to accommodate future growth.”

The LDP states that it is of strategic importance to future growth and the implementation of the Strategy, will be bringing forward Key Strategic Regeneration Growth Areas ‐ which will deliver a range of mixed‐use developments and facilities. Within the Llynfi Valley these will be located at Maesteg Washery and former Coegnant Colliery site. However, also of relevance to the Llynfi VARP is the Valleys Gateway ‐ associated with a range of inter related private and public opportunities at Tondu and the delivery of Strategic Employment Sites capitalising on their accessibility to the M4/Strategic Highway Network.

The Preferred Strategy of the LDP ensures that development proposals will also make a positive contribution towards tackling the causes of, and adapt to the impacts of Climate Change. That is, by supporting the key measures of:

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 Reducing energy demand, and promoting energy efficiency

 Encouraging the development of renewable energy generation, and community renewables

 Promoting sustainable transport (including Travel Plans and reducing the need to travel)

 Promoting locally sourced food production and local businesses  Using our resources more efficiently, and minimising waste and pollution

 Adapting to the increased risk of flooding

 Promoting sustainable building methods and Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDs)

The Preferred Strategy of the LDP also recognises that new housing development can, at a small scale, support community regeneration projects, and, on a large scale, be used as a catalyst for major investment. It plays a vital role, therefore, in this Regeneration‐led Strategy. It can also be used to support and bring forward employment opportunities, services and community facilities.

Policy SP 2 outlines how all proposals shall contribute to creating high quality, attractive, sustainable places which enhance the community in which they are located, whilst having full regard to the natural, historic and built environment by:

 Respecting and enhancing local distinctiveness in their design  Using land efficiently, and providing for an appropriate mix of land uses  Utilising sustainable construction methods and materials wherever feasible

 Having a location and layout which reflect sustainable transport and access principles, thereby reducing the overall need to travel  Minimising waste production and energy consumption, while promoting renewable energy generation and systems where appropriate  Minimising opportunities for crime to be generated or increased

 Minimising and/or mitigating against eth pollution of air and water  Avoiding or minimising the risk from flooding, and contributing to its reduction through the use of sustainable drainage systems  Safeguarding and enhancing biodiversity  Ensuring equality of access by all

 Ensuring that the viability and amenity of neighbouring uses and their users/occupiers will not be adversely affected  Incorporating appropriate arrangements for the disposal of foul sewage, waste and water

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Policy SP 12 states that Tourism development which promotes high quality accommodation; upgraded facilities which promote ecotourism; business, events and cultural tourism, will be encouraged. In particular, tourism development linked to regeneration initiatives will be promoted at Maesteg and Upper Llynfi Valley by means of enhanced cycling routes.

4.7. Bridgend Community Strategy & Corporate Plan

The new Bridgend Community Strategy is based around 6 themes which are:

 Strength of communities

 Growth of the County’s youngest citizens

 Celebration of heritage  Quality of environment  Physical and mental wellbeing of citizens  Developing our workforce

These themes ehav been adopted by BCBC to become its Corporate Objectives.

In addition to this the Corporate Plan details the Council’s Corporate Priorities to be:

 Creating Learning Communities  Children Today, Adults Tomorrow  Caring For Our Future  Realising the Potential of Our Major Towns  Valuing Our Valleys

 A Diverse and Sustainable Economy  Opportunities for Our Disadvantaged Communities

It is important that the aims, objectives, and projects within the VARP fit neatly with the Community Strategy and Corporate Plan.

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4.8. Bridgend Borough Tourism Strategy

The Borough’s tourism strategy is currently in the process of being updated by a consultancy called the Tourism Company (due to be completed October 2010). Based on initial discussions with the authors of this emerging report the key tourism principles are likely to include:

 Allowing visitors to experience the Valley in an uncontrived way by promoting access existing facilities (rather than creating new ones)

 Promoting access of visitors to local cultural facilities such as sports clubs, performance venues and musical societies

 Improving the marketing and access to the landscape assets of the Valley that will enable people on short trips to enjoy the Countryside

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5. Composition Llynfi Valley

This section describes the main features which shape the layout and the configuration of the communities in the Llynfi Valley and are important in understanding the characteristics of the physical parameters of the place.

5.1 Physical Landscape of the Llynfi Valley

The character of the Llynfi Valley is hugely influenced by the scale and proximity of the upland areas which contain the built environment and dictate the size and shape of the settlements that lie within the Valley.

Like many Valleys in South Wales the proximity of town and country is one of the key factors that characterises a strong sense of place. The geology of the Valley was the catalyst for the industrialisation and urbanisation of the area, and the high quality landscape is a positive feature that can be exploited to help to sustain the communities within the Llynfi Valley in the future.

The Valley sides themselves have been hugely altered by human activities. In the south of the Valley, farming continues to shape the landscape, whereas in the north‐eastern part of the Valley, from Maesteg Washery to the former Coegnant Colliery in Caerau, mining has been the largest influence on the shape, condition and appearance ofe th land.

A key strength of the Llynfi Valley is the variety within the landscape which includes: open countryside, open moorland, plantation woodland, riparian valleys and Sites of Special Scientific Interest. The different landforms, such as Garth Hill, Mynydd Bach and Cwm Sychbant help to create a rich and changing context for the built settlements of the Llynfi Valley.

Along the Valley floor the River Llynfi continues to influence settlement form. The presence of the river: defines and separates communities, poses a flood risk to property and potential development, is a vital habitat and is a place for recreation and enjoyment.

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Figure 2: Landscape character in the Llynfi Valley

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5.2 Settlements and Development Patterns of the Llynfi Valley

The physical composition of the landscape has created distinct settlements within Llynfi Valley:

The Upper Llynfi Valley is north of Maesteg and is distinct from other parts of the Valley. The Upper Llynfi Valley is partially separated from the town centree by th lower slopes of Mydydd Bach to the east and Garn Wen to the west. The development pattern in the Upper Llynfi Valley is generally narrow and confined by these hillsides and also by the sites of reclaimed mines at Caerau and Coegnant. The area is set within open hillsides, but the rural character of the area is compromised by the amount of reclaimed former mining land to the east of the Valley.

Maesteg Town occupies a large, relatively flat plain of the River Llynfi between Moel Sychbant in the west and Mynydd Bach and Garn Hill to the east. The town centre and its immediate surroundings are the most populous part of the ward (7437 according to the 2001 census). Maesteg accommodates a number of distinct neighbourhoods served from the A4063 and the B4282. These neighbourhoods are defined by: roads, the river Llynfi, the railway and the age, design and tenure of the housing. All of these settlements benefit from easy access to the town centre which is the commercial hub of the Llynfi Valley.

The Lower Llynfi Valley is characterised by a more dispersed settlement pattern and smaller population in a more rural setting. Unlike the other eparts of th valley to the north, the character of the Lower Llynfi Valley has been more influenced by agriculture than industry. This rural character is emphasised by open countryside, field boundaries and a network of naturally vegetated areas. These naturally vegetated areas and a more dispersed settlement form are almost unique to this area and have a significant bearing upon the character of the Lower Llynfi Valley. Both Old Llangwnwyd and the more recent Village of Llangwnwyd are identifiable as the main built up areas of the Lower Llynfi Valley.

These three distinct settlement areas contain numerous neighbourhoods and communities within individual characteristics, needs and attributes and it is beyond the scope of this report to describe these in detail. The distinction between these three distinct parts of the Llynfi Valley described above is replicated in the ward boundaries of the Valley, which are: Area Ward

Upper Llynfi Valley Caerau Ward Maesteg Town Maesteg West and Maesteg East

Lower Llynfi Valley Llangwnwyd

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These distinctions will be used throughout this baseline assessment to extrapolate the different issues and opportunities that exist within the different parts of the Valley.

Figure 3: Distinct sub areas of the Llynfi Valley

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5.3 Transportation and Movement Networks of the Llynfi Valley

Further analysis of the transportation and movement characteristics of the Llynfi Valley is outlined in more detail in Section 10. However, this short section outlines the impact of the movement infrastructure on the three parts of the Llynfi Valley.

Understanding the configuration and alignment of the Valley’s transport infrastructure is important to understanding the configuration of the place. Whilst affording access, these linear routes also define communities and in some cases limit access to land and premises.

The A4063 is the main highway link connecting the Valley to Glyncorrwg to the north and the M4 to the south and runs along the Valley floor and defines the settlements to the west and east of the Valley.

The main railway line from Maesteg to Bridgend is another critical defining feature on the geography of the Valley. In the Lower Llynfi Valley the impact of the railway line is only significant in that it constrains access to land. In Maesteg Town the route of the track follows a similar track to the A4063, and together with the River Llynfi is a separating factor. However, the location of the station halts at Garth and Maesteg ear adjacent to major strategic development opportunities and is a significant sustainability opportunity in the Llynfi Valley.

The cycle routes in the Llynfi Valley have a much lesser impact on the shape and configuration of the settlements in the Valley. The Community Route in the Upper Llynfi Valley are ine th process of being enhanced and have the potential to connect these communities with the town centre, Maesteg Comprehensive School and the public transport hub. The connection of these routes is an important project for the Valley although more strategic links need to be made to connect the Valley to the main national cycle routes (see Section 10).

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6. Health

This section outlines the health profile of the communities in the Llynfi Valley and establishes a benchmark and highlights priorities for future regeneration projects.

6.1. Health Indicators

According to the 2001 Census the residential population of the Llynfi Valley are generally, less healthy than Bridgend or Wales average.

Maesteg Maesteg Caerau West East Llangwnwyd Llynfi Bridgend Wales General Health Not Good (%) 18.25 14.85 16.40 12.66 15.54 13.62 12.45 Source: 2001 Census

Limiting long term illness is having a negative impact on the Valley with an acute disparity in health in Caerau (Upper Llynfi Valley) and Maesteg East.

Maesteg Maesteg Caerau West East Llangwnwyd Llynfi Bridgend Wales Long term limiting illness (%) 30.8 27.47 30.8 23.25 28.08 25.00 23.70 Source: 2001 Census

The relative poor health of the communities in the Llynfi Valley is having a direct impact on the economic health of the Valley. Generally, residents of the Llynfi Valley are less likely to be economically active due to sickness or disability. Economic inactivity rates due to ill health are significantly higher in the Upper Llynfi Valley than the Borough average.

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Maesteg Maesteg Caerau West East Llangwnwyd Llynfi Bridgend Wales Economically inactive: Permanently sick / disabled (%) 16.68 13.69 14.70 10.02 13.77 10.73 9.20 Source: 2001 Census

Levels of incapacity benefit in Llynfi Valley are almost a third higher than Bridgend. In Caerau the levels of incapacity benefit are almost double that of Bridgend and over three times higher than the UK average.

Maesteg Maesteg Caerau West East Llangwnwyd Llynfi Bridgend GB Incapacity benefit 22.50 16.80 18.40 11.20 17.23 12.70 7.10 Source: Nomis, May 2009

6.2. Infrastructure

There is sufficient infrastructure for tackling ill health in the Valley. Services are delivered by the following and serve the whole of the Valley:

 Maesteg Community Hospital  Woodlands Surgery, Duffryn (Upper Llynfi Valley)  Llynfi Surgery, Maesteg  Bron y Garn Surgery, Maesteg

 Dr.Janet Megins (Dentist)  JW Stoddard (Dentist)  AT Daniels (Dentist)  DPL Benyon (Dentist)

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Figure 4: Location of health services in the Llynfi Valley

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6.3. Health Promotion Services

The Llynfi Valley is subject to the Bridgend County Borough Food and Nutrition Action Plan 2008‐ 2011. The aim of the Action Plan is “To improve the health and well being of the population of Bridgend County Borough via the promotion of good nutrition.”

The Action nPla encompasses a number of supporting strategies:

 Get Cooking ‐ to provide people with some basic cooking skills in a community setting

 Food for Thought ‐ aims to educate school children about food and where it comes from as well as the importance of a healthy diet.  Designed to Smile ‐ an oral health programme targeting 0‐3 year olds across the Borough

 Food Co‐operatives – increasing access to local produce including fresh fruit, salad and vegetables on a weekly basis at affordable prices

6.4. Conclusion

The disparity in health between the Upper and Lower Llynfi Valley is stark, with the Upper Llynfi Valley being subject to poor levels of health compared with other parts of the Valley, the rest of the Borough and Wales. The work currently being done through Food & Nutritionn Pla will take many years to come to fruition.

Opportunities to tackle poor health in the Llynfi Valley could include:

 Enhance new indoor recreation facilities so that residents are able to exercise during frequent inclement weather  Continue to invest in allotments and local allotment societies which will help to emphasise healthy eating and promote gentle exercise  Support youth workers, sports clubs and young persons organisations to help young people lead active lifestyles

 Enhance outdoor recreation by maximising the semi‐rural setting of the settlements and encourage people to participate in outdoor activities (such as Nordic walking,X BM biking, mountain biking, gardening)

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 Incorporate the Local Health Board into a regeneration Partnership that aims to enhance local service provision, bend existing budgets and encourage collaboration between partners

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7. Skills & Learning

7.1. Existing Local Education Opportunities

There are presently eight schools offering primary education in the Valley (age 3‐11) which include:

 Garth Primary School  Cwmfelin

 Plas Newydd Primary

 Llangwnwyd Primary School

 Nantyffyllon Primary  Ysgol Cynwyd Sant (Welsh Language)

 St Mary’s and St Patrick’s (RC Primary)  Caerau Primary School (which is due to open in January 2010 following the closure of Caerau Nursery, Blaenllynfi Infants and Blaencaerau Junior schools) In addition there are two schools offering education for 11‐18 year olds, these are:  Maesteg Comprehensive School  Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg (Llangwnwyd)

Furthermore, Bridgend College has a small satellite campus in Maesteg town centre on Castle Street.

In addition to the local formal education facilities the Noddfa Chapel Community Project, Caerau and the Llynfi Enterprise Centre runs training packages for young people and adults. The programme works in partnership with employment organisation Working Links to support people who want to get back into training, education and employment. A range of accredited and non‐accredited training opportunities will be on offer through partnership with organisations such as Bridgend CBC Adult Learning department, University of Glamorgan Llynfi project, Adult Welsh and Workers Education Association. A crèche facility will also be provided , however, the computers at the Noddfa Chapel are currently out of order but have the potential to be replaced through the WVSRA ‘Get It On’ project.

In the Noddfa Chapel there is also an ICT which is managed by experienced teachers. The mission of this ICT project is to support young people in all of their life skills, by using ICT. There are basic skills and educational activities to develop the knowledge and self‐esteem of the young people of Caerau and work in partnership with different agencies, such as Positive Futures, Youth Works,e and Th Youth Service.

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Figure 5: Location of schools in the Llynfi Valley

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7.2. Potential School Review The process of reviewing educational provision in the Llynfi Valley has commenced but not concluded. The overriding concern which has prompted this review by the Local Education Authority (LEA) is that the quality of existing schools is not high enough to meet modern educational requirements. Many of eth schools operate from Victorian Buildings, many without adequate outdoor space and have high maintenance liabilities. It is likely that in the near future the LEA will approve a plan to merge some of the primary provision in the Valley onto new sites elsewhere and release land for redevelopment. The process of the review will need to be integrated with the VARP to ensure that common objectives can be achieved.

7.3. School Performance The largest school in the Valley is Maesteg Comprehensive School which has a roll of 1,239 pupils. The school is a new building costing £17m and located adjacent eto th reclaimed Maesteg Washery site. The last inspection in September 2006 was positive with 65% achieving grades A‐C, which is just below local and national averages; and 94% achieving grades A‐E which is above national and local figures.

The most recently available Estyn Report concludes that “Maesteg Comprehensive School is a good school that has made significant improvement since the time of the last inspection.”

The School Inspection Report highlighted that Maesteg Comprehensive Schools particular strengths are the:

 High expectation of staff and pupils driven by strategic leadership

 Improvement in standards of achievement, teaching and learning  Commitment to ensure that everyone achieves his/her potential  Very effective strategies for identifying staff, pupils’ and students’ individual needs  Effective and constructive relationships that have been developed between the home, community and school  Inclusive ethos of the school that creates a climate of equality of opportunity for all; and  Clear direction and very effective leadership that exists at all levels

7.4. Educational Attainment

Compared to the Wales average, the levels of people with no qualifications in the Llynfi Valley is 25% higher. The Upper Llynfi Valley is 38% higher than the Welsh average.

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Levels of people with the highest qualifications in the Upper Llynfi Valley are 60% lower than the Borough average, although the rates of people with highest qualification in the Lower Llynfi Valley are higher than for the Borough as a whole.

Maesteg Maesteg Caerau West East Llangwnwyd Llynfi Bridgend Wales People aged 16‐74 with: No qualifications (%) 53.11 42.91 45.37 35 44.0975 36.4 33.02 People aged 16‐74 with: Highest qualification attained level 4/5 (%) 6.38 13.45 10.82 17.93 12.145 15.68 17.39 Source: 2001 Census

This strongly illustrates the striking educational disparity between the Upper and Lower Llynfi Valleys. This is borne out by the fact that the Wales Index of Multiple Deprivation (WIMD) 2008 identifies the Lower Super Output Area (LSOA) which contains Caerau Park and Tudor as the 3rd most educationally disadvantaged in Wales, whilst the Blaencaerau LSOA is the 62nd.

Anecdotally, the performance of children at primary school level in the Upper Llynfi Valley, Caerau, in particular, is very good and that their levels of attainment wane once they attend comprehensive school. It would appear from this information that children in Caerau find the transition to Comprehensive education more difficult than elsewhere in the Valley. If accurate, this could stem from a number of factors: apathy as a result of the lack of local employment prospects upon leaving school, lack of parental support or potentially they are stigmatised from being from the most disadvantaged part of the Valley.

7.5. Construction Skills Centre

A new, specialist Building Maintenance Training facility has been established in Caerau, near Maesteg by Neath Port Talbot College.

The Construction Training Centre, provides a 13 week ‘Skillbuild’ programme and a 39‐week course 'Skillbuild Plus’ programme – working towards NVQ level 2 in Maintenance Operations. Both of these courses include practical tuition in: carpentry, plastering, plumbing, paving, bricklaying, painting and decorating.

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Despite the downturn in the construction industry the Caerau Construction Skills Centre remains an important opportunity for adult education in the Valley. Strong links with V2C Housing will help to ensure that trainees from the centre have the potential of progressing into employment.

There is an opportunity for this construction theme to be expanded upon to enable the local people to take advantage of the new skills required for low carbon construction. The UK’s first dedicated Green Skills Training Centre was opened in Tredegar in autumn 2009. The Green Skills Centre is intended to train more than 1,300 people each year. This will include specialist help to enable local long‐term unemployed people find work in the emerging green economy. British Gas will also use the Green Skills Centre to train its new staff and up‐skill its existing workforce in renewable technologies.

The Green Skills Centre is expected to play a key part in helping to drive regeneration, aid sustainability and reduce fuel poverty, in a region where regeneration activity is centered on building local economic growth and eliminating higher than average levels of social deprivation.

It will help the Welsh Assembly Government deliver energy efficiency measures to 40,000 homes, including the installation of microgeneration and renewable technologies, as part of its Heads of the Valleys low‐carbon programme. Achieving this goal would create the largest Low Carbon Zone of its kind in Europe.

There is an opportunity to use the centre in Tredegar, alongside the Caerau Construction Skills Centre, as a model to develop training based on low carbon construction techniques.

7.6. Conclusion

Building the long term resilience of the communities in the Llynfi Valley will be impossible unless residents, particularly those in the most deprived communities, have the necessary skills and qualifications to access employment. It would seem that there are other factors which are impacting on the education of children within the most deprived communities given the good performance of the main comprehensive school in the Valley.

These need to be better understood because the low educational attainment of the Upper Llynfi Valley is a significant barrier eto th regeneration and prosperity of the Valley. There are several opportunities to re‐dress this problem:

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 The co‐location of new primary schools together on new sites to provide an improved learning environment  Greater family support to ensure education is a priority at home

 Develop a more tangible supply of locally available employment at a variety of levels

 A comprehensive programme of youth work and activity to motivate and enthuse young people outside of school

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8. Economic Context of the Llynfi Valley

A legacy of an over reliance on a small number of large employers, whether these be mines or factories, has been a weakness in the economic basis of the Valley since it was first settled. The inhibited economic raison d’etre of the Valley continues to compromise the long term wellbeing of some of its communities. It could be argued that all of the Llynfi Valley’s current problems can be traced back to this core weakness and addressing this must be a key objective of the VARP.

8.1. Places for Business

There are several identified locations for business and commercial activity ein th Llynfi Valley, these include:

 Spelter Industrial Estate  Forge Industrial Estate  Heol Ty Gwyn Industrial Estate  Abergarw Trading Estate (near Tondu)  Georgia Pacific Paper Mill (Coytrahen)  Maesteg Town Centre

The existing industrial estates are understood to be well occupied and some, like Forge Industrial Estate have recently been subject to environmental enhancements.

There are also the strategic employment sites which have been identified in the UDP and the Pre Deposit LDP at Coegnant Colliery and Maesteg Washery. In addition to this the land at Ewenny Road, formerly Budelpack Cosi, is likely to become available for development within six months. The supply of available land is, therefore, not a key inhibitor to the development of the local economy.

The shops and small businesses in town centres are easily overlooked as local economic drivers in their own right. They are often the source of a variety of local jobs, offer training, support flexible working and are often the basis for local entrepreneurial activity.

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Figure 6: Plan of various employment sites and industrial estates in the Llynfi Valley

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Maesteg town centre should, therefore, be considered a significant local employer offering a range of employment options. Many of the businesses in the town are locally run companies, employing other local businesses (such as building maintenance, accountancy services etc) and together they help to keep money locked into the local economy. New Economics Foundation (NEF) has developed a methodology for establishing the value of a local economy using its Local Multiplier Model (LM3). In Treorchy, the value of the local economy was found to be approximately £23m. It is recommended that a similar assessment is carried out in Maesteg.

8.2. Employment Land Supply and Demand

An economic forecast has been undertaken by Cambridge Econometrics for Bridgend County Borough. The forecast indicates that in overall terms employment in the County Borough is projected to increase by 3,850. The largest areas of growth are forecast to be in the service sectors, with significant growth in public and personal services, sales and other customer service occupations. Although the manufacturing sector is set to decline by 13% between 2006 and 2021, it still represents a significant proportion, although this decline may affect some communities more than others and the Llynfi Valley has already been adversely affected by this trend.

In terms of places for business, this research stresses the importance of Bridgend and M4 corridor to the County’s economic future. Access to these opportunities must be a priority if residents of deprived areas of Llynfi Valley are going to benefit. Infrastructure and education to enable people to access these jobs is, therefore, critical.

It is likely that the locational and environmental requirements of the growth sectors cited by Cambridge Economics are likely to be different from the employment sites and premises already on offer in the Valley. This is not a new phenomenon, there has traditionally been low demand for development in Upper Llynfi Valley, despite a pro‐development allocation in the UDP and a prolonged property boom, Coegnant Colliery for instance has not attracted developer interest.

Accessibility is a key requirement, which means that demand for development is likely to be focussed in and earound th M4 corridor. However, the location of the Maesteg Washery and Budelpack Cosi on the Maesteg to Bridgend railway line are opportunities that must be fully exploited.

A key consideration that must be addressed by the VARP is how public sector support can help to catalyse a local economy which is built on a stronger, broader base than that which has previously been the case. Clearly, this consideration has significant links with:

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 Environmental quality

 Accessibility

 Image

 Educational attainment, training, support and skills  Health and wellbeing

 Quality of local services

8.3. Indicators of Unemployment and Economic Inactivity

The Llynfi Valley is one of the most economically deprived places in Wales. The two LSOA’s in the Upper Llynfi Valley, and Blaencaerau and Caerau Park and Tudor are the 11th and 12th worst in Wales when ranked against levels of unemployment. (WIMD, 2008)

There are twice as many Upper Llynfi Valley residents who are currently unemployed and have never worked compared to Borough average. The number of unemployed people in the Llynfi Valley who have never worked is 32% higher than the Borough average.

Maesteg Maesteg Caerau West East Llangynwyd Llynfi Bridgend Wales People aged 16‐74: Never worked (%) 5.09 2.88 2.92 2.30 3.29 2.54 2.74 (Source: Census 2001)

Economic inactivity rates in the Llynfi Valley are almost 25% higher than Wales as a whole. However, economic inactivity in the Upper Llynfi Valley is 42% higher than the Welsh average.

Maesteg Maesteg Caerau West East Llangynwyd Llynfi Bridgend Wales People aged 16‐74: Economically inactive (%) 6.04 4.63 4.11 2.78 4.39 3.94 3.48 (Source: Census 2001) The rates for economically active people who are currently unemployed are only marginally higher in the Llynfi Valley than the Bridgend average. However, in the Upper Llynfi Valley this is over 25% higher. This indicates that in absence of employment opportunities that people are potentially more

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likely to register themselves as economically inactive. This indicates background health problems but might also reveal pessimism about the availability of relevant employment. Improving the overall health of the population and support to engender a motivation for work often lost through multi‐ generational unemployment will be important for the most deprived spart of the Valley.

Maesteg Maesteg Caerau West East Llangynwyd Llynfi Bridgend Wales People aged 16‐74: Economically active: Unemployed (%) 4.77 4.15 3.84 2.54 3.83 3.46 3.49 (Source: Census 2001)

Residents of the Llynfi Valley are more likely to work in routine occupations than in Bridgend. The most likely are those residents of the Upper Llynfi Valley. This reveals a weakness in the diversity of the workforce which is potentially compromising the future resilience and prosperity of the communities in the Valley. This is particularly concerning given that the manufacturing sector is set to decline by 13% between 2006 and 2021 (Cambridge Economics).

Maesteg Maesteg Caerau West East Llangynwyd Llynfi Bridgend Wales People aged 16‐74: Routine occupations (%) 18.33 13.92 14.42 11.41 14.52 11.41 9.94

There are almost double the amount of job seekers claimants in the Upper Llynfi Valley than in the Borough as a whole and 30% more in Llynfi Valley as a whole compared to Bridgend. However, also significant is that there are statistically fewer Job Seekers Claimants in the Lower Llynfi Valley than in the Borough as a whole, indicating a more stable prosperous community with greater access to employment outside the Valley. In addition, Llynfi Valley residents are a third more likely to be Benefits Claimants than in the Borough as a whole. In the Upper Llynfi Valley this figure is almost double the Borough average and almost three times the Great British average.

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Maesteg Maesteg Caerau West East Llangynwyd Llynfi Bridgend GB Job Seekers Claimants (May 2009) 8.30 6.80 6.30 3.90 6.33 4.60 4.10 Total DWP Benefit Claimants (May 2009) 41.30 30.20 32.40 20.40 31.08 23.40 15.70 (Source: DWP May 2009)

These trends can probably be explained by the loss of local jobs outlined above and it is possible to identify the impact of the closure of Budelpack Cosi and Coopers Standard on the economic health of the Upper Llynfi Valley as levels of job seekers increased significantly following these closures.

(Source: Nomis, 2009)

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8.4. Conclusion

In previous times of economic stress, investment was attracted from outside the Valley to bolster the base of the local economy following the loss of the primary industries. This option no longer exists and a different model will need to be developed to alleviate economic underperformance. There are several opportunities which exist which may bee abl to help re‐dress the situation and provide employment opportunities.

 The green economy – building on the successes in the Heads of Valleys with the Green Skills Centre  The environment ‐ measures to improve the Valley to attract greater tourism will have the same impact on making the Valley more attractive to potential employers  Connections ‐ railway connections and public transport could help to attract employers, but could also connect employees with places of work  Local skills ‐ broad entrepreneurial base of the Valley through the active development of local SME’s

 Digital connections – enabling the creation eof hom ‐based micro‐businesses  Stem leakage of spending and actively promote locally biased procurement ‐ consider steps to measure the value of the Llynfi Valley local economy and develop proposals which help to prevent money leaving the Valley and increase local money flows

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9. Built Environment of the Llynfi Valley

The quality of the built environment is an essential determinant in the way that people perceive an area, both residents and visitors alike. The regeneration of the Llynfi Valley will need to ensure that the quality of the built environment is addressed as part of a broad package of actions. This section highlights the issues and opportunities for regeneration within the built environment of the Valley.

9.1. Housing Supply & Demand: Upper Llynfi Valley

Typically, a broad supply of house types, styles, tenures and sizes is an essential ingredient in promoting vibrant mixed communities. Following a review of the housing ein th Llynfi Valley there appears to be stark differences in housing choice between the different sub‐areas of the Valley.

In the Upper Llynfi Valley the housing supply is dominated by Victorian terraced properties. Whilst other types of housing are present, they are insignificant in number compared to the proportion of terraced homes. This oversupply is a key weakness which has traditionally constrained the wellbeing of the Upper Llynfi Valley by limiting housing choice. From a review of three bedroom mid terrace properties currently on the market, the typical asking price in Caerau is £80,000 whilst similar properties in Nantyffyllon / Maesteg are typically priced at £110,000 indicative of the structure of housing supply in the northernmost parts of the Llynfi Valley.

Although, the housing mix is a concern, the sheer number and uniformity of terraced homes is hugely characteristic of the Valleys and an important part of the Valleys vernacular and identity.

An additional weakness in the housing supply of the Upper Llynfi Valley is that the majority of ‘other house types’ are in the social rented sector, owned by V2C, and some of these are of non‐traditional build. These houses have had a long history of underinvestment, but are programmed to be enhanced to bring them up to the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS). Valleys to Coast has estimated that £70 million will be spent upgrading the properties within the Borough as a whole in the five years following stock transfer. This is an important opportunity, not only for housing, but skills development, local procurement and stimulating the local economy.

Of additional significance in the Upper Llynfi Valley is the investment that is being injected into the fabric of private sector dwellings through the Housing Renewal Area (HRA) initiative. Within this programme one hundred and fifty five propertiese hav already been improved and the programme has another 10 years to run (see 2.1).

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Figure 7: Housing typology in the Llynfi Valley

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Notwithstanding these improvements, diversifying the housing stock is likely to be an important element in the future strategy to help to diversify the local community. This should be one of the objectives of the Regeneration Growth Strategy outlined in the LDP. Despite the availability of land, and the former Coegnant Colliery in particular, this is going to be a considerable challenge given the lack of interest from national housebuilders and the continuing stigma which the Upper Llynfi Valley seems unable to remove. Given the lack of appetite from the traditional national housebuilders, models of housing/development led regeneration that have worked elsewhere are not going to be applicable in the Upper Llynfi Valley and different development models will almost certainly need to be found.

Terraced housing in Caerau

9.2. Housing Supply & Demand: Maesteg

The composition of the housing in Maesteg is such that much of the terraced housing exists close to the town centre, with newer, larger properties on the outskirts and rural fringe. Within the older Victorian housing there exists much diversity in the house types with grand detached Villas, semi‐ detached and smaller terraced properties all present within a short walk of the town centre. These properties add considerable charm and character to the fringes of the town centre. The newer homes on the edges of Maesteg complement those in the town centre, with the only concern being

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the ‘anywhere’ character of some of these estates. Similarly damaging to the distinctiveness of the Valley is some of the highly visible V2C owned non‐traditional homes on the entrance to Maesteg.

The broad mixture of house types and tenures suggests that there is a solid base for a community which caters well for people of different incomes, family sizes and social class in Maesteg.

As to be expected, on the demand side it is understood that asking prices for homes in Maesteg, while stronger than Caerau, remains weaker than Bridgend. A typical three bedroomed semi‐ detached property in Maesteg is likely to be in the region of £155,000 whereas a similar property in Bridgend would be £10,000 to £15,000 higher in value.

Demand from national housebuilders in Maesteg is likely to be similar to the Upper Llynfi Valley. The housebuilding industry is increasingly risk averse and their current view ofe th Valley is likely to be jaundiced by the recent large scale job losses indicating a weak local economy and limited demand for new homes. Indeed, the Pre‐Deposit LDP identifies that in recent years the amount of new housing development which has taken place in Maesteg has not reflecteds it position as a hub settlement and the 2nd largest settlement in the County Borough. This will have an impact on the deliverability of the key sites like Maesteg Washery and Budelpack Cosi and measures to find new development models for the Upper Llynfi Valley will also be relevant to sites in Maesteg.

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9.3. Housing Supply: Lower Llynfi Valley

The principle area of housing in the Lower Llynfi Valley is concentrated in the ‘new’ Llangynwyd and Cwmfelin (the historic hamlet and original Llangynwyd, or ‘Old Llan’ is half a mile to the west). The housing mixture of the main developed areas of the Lower Llynfi Valley is the reverse of the Upper Llynfi Valley as it is dominated by ‘suburban’ housing developments of the 1970’s and 1980’s which has resulted in a large proportion of three and four bedroom executive homes.

The demand for these properties is broadly in line with similar propertiese on th fringe of Maesteg. Although it is reasonable to suggest that the main housing demand issue is likely to be around affordable housing and units for smaller households. However, there are going to be few opportunities to address these issues through the VARP process as the Lower Llynfi Valley falls outside the Strategic Growth Area in the Pre Deposit LDP.

9.4. Local Distinctiveness

There are multiple factors of the built environment that are uniquely distinctive to the Llynfi Valley. Like other Valley communities the Llynfi contains a plethora of Methodist Chapels. Several of these buildings are still in use and others have been successfully converted into private residences. However, a significant number of such buildings exist which are now vacant and increasingly dilapidated. The size of these buildings, along with the cost to repair and to run them, and the low demand for floorspace in the Valley means that the chances of all of these buildings being brought back into active use appear slim at the moment. A strategy to consider the future of these buildings throughout the Valley is clearly required.

Similar to the Chapels are the challenges and opportunities presented by the number of Victorian schools throughout the Valley. These buildings are almost as iconic to the Valleys as the long terraces and the Chapels and some of these could be lost as a result of any future schools review. The Caerau Development Trust’s efforts to re‐use the Blaenllynfi Infants School will be of particular interest for breathing life into redundant former community buildings.

As the principle town of the Valley the local vernacular and distinctiveness of the built environment of the Llynfi is informed most by Maesteg town centre. The town is fortunate to have a collection of handsome background buildings which gives the town muchs of it character. Within these stand the cluster of the town’s principal buildings: the Town Hall, the Town Council offices as well as the Colonel North building. These structures, especially the Town Hall, are iconic to Maesteg.

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The built environment of the town centre is extremely sensitive and the protection offered by the Conservation Area and Listed Building Status is important. Care needs to be taken to ensure that peripheral developments do not erode the qualities within the centre. The plans currently being prepared to improve the towns market adjacent to the Town Hall is an important opportunity to enhance the town’s best building.

Maesteg Town Hall The quality and built fabric of Maesteg town centre is under threat from the decline of the retail function of the town. Historically, Maesteg town centre was the main location for shopping and services such as banking. However, this role has been eroded by edge of centre superstores, out of town retail (in particular the nearby McArthurGlen retail park), pressures from other centres (such as Cardiff and Swansea), and the increasing share of retail business and banking conducted on the internet. Declining profits from retail means that units become vacant and less money is available to spend on the upkeep of buildings. Declining building condition and negative impact of vacant units are significant threats to the quality of the built environment in the town centre and these need to be tackled through the VARP. In addition to this efforts to encourage people to shop more in Maesteg will be essential.

9.5. Conclusion

The distorted nature of the local housing supply is reflective of the inequalities that exist in the principle deprivation indicators such as health, education and unemployment. There appears to be a link between housing choice and broader community wellbeing. It is essential that this link informs the final projects arising from the VARP.

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Whilst measures to improve dwellings are an important ingredient to regeneration, there clearly needs to be greater focus on diversifying the local housing stock in a way which develops the vernacular and character of the Valley. This is going to be challenging when housing‐led regeneration has either failed to materialise or has resulted in bland architectural wallpaper that has eroded the sense of local distinctiveness.

Opportunities that may be explored to enhance the quality of the built environment at the next stages of this project could include:

 Developing a model for community self build residential plots using indigenous materials and low energy construction  Maximising the opportunities and enhancing the setting of Maesteg Town Hall  Engaging with Housing Associations, local builders and other partners to tackle larger development opportunities

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10. Rural Environment in the Llynfi Valley

The factor which contributes most to the sense of place in the Llynfi Valley is the landscape setting within which the settlements of the Valley sit.

The landscape is the constant backdrop to the settlements in the Valley, however, the landscape quality and character is extremely variable and has a direct consequence on the lifestyles, wellbeing, recreation and sense of place, and is likely to form an important part of the VARP.

10.1. Landscape Character & Quality in the Upper Llynfi Valley

The Upper Llynfi Valley is dominated by Mynydd Bach and Mynydd Penhydd between which the settlements of Nantyffyllon, Duffryn and Caerau are situated. (See Figure 1). The lower slopes of the western side of the Valley (Mynydd Penhydd) contain some good examples of broadleaf deciduous woodland, whilst the upper slopes are part of a Forestry Commission Wales evergreen plantation (which incidentally contains the Penhydd Trail, which is one of mountain bike routes that form part of Afan Forest Park). Despite this plantation, the predominant character of the western side of the Valley is of indigenous woodland.

The eastern side of the Valley contrasts starkly due to the visual dominance of former Caerau Colliery and former Coegnant Colliery that have been reclaimed and reprofiled. The key difference is the lack of tree planting and sparse character of this area, separated by unnatural looking bunds and earthworks. Where planting is present its formal and dense character continues to contrast with the indigenous, natural woodland opposite. The impact of this is to create a landscape that is incongruous with its broader setting and fails to provide an adequate rural setting to the settlements of the Upper Llynfi Valley. Despite the rugged beauty of the topography of the Upper Llynfi Valley, the landscape does not convey the rural sense of place that should be inherent in such a location. Addressing these weaknesses and linking them with economic development, housing, tourism, local energy generation and recreation will be important parts of the landscape revitalisation of the Upper Llynfi Valley.

By studying the location and structure of natural tree cover in the Upper Llynfi Valley it is evident that there is a lack of meaningful planting and tree cover within the actual settlement itself. This is especially evident when comparing the Upper Llynfi with other parts of the Valley. This probably owes much to the history of the place where housing workers was the primary motivation, ebut th impact today is that the settlement is located in an area of undeniable landscape beauty but its general character and development density is extremely urban. This mismatch between town and country is something that needs to be addressed to enable the Upper Llynfi Valley to have a more rural sense of place.

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Generally in the Upper Llynfi Valley the transition between town and country is unnatural and will need significant consideration as part of the VARP if the settlement is to feel part of the wider landscape.

10.2. Landscape Character & Quality in Maesteg

The landscape and character quality of the areas surrounding Maesteg follows a similar commentary as for the Upper Llynfi Valley (above) as the eastern reclamation area from Coegnant Colliery extends into the former Maesteg Washery site immediately to the east of the town centre. The characteristics of this area of open space, in particular, is of contrived stark plateaux set against a backdrop of hedgerows, fields and woodland which form the rural area between Mynydd Bach and Garth Hill.

It is also significant that the Maesteg area contains the only Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in the Llynfi Valley at Garn Forest on the north western slopes ofh Gart Hill.

10.3. Landscape Character & Quality in the Lower Llynfi Valley

The landscape and character quality of the Lower Llynfi Valley is of higher quality than elsewhere in the Valley largely due to the concentrated size of the built areas and through absence of large areas of remediated eland. Th views out from Llangynwyd include field boundaries, fingers of woodlands that straddle the Valley and landscaping that has a positive interface with the built environment.

10.4. Conclusion

The large areas of remediated land in Maesteg and the Upper Llynfi Valley are out of character with the rest of the landscape surrounding the Valley. Also, the dense urbanised form of the settlements around Maesteg and at Nantyffyllon, Duffryn and Caerau include very little indigenous landscaping which is often of poor quality. These characteristics are in direct contrast with the natural landscape character and quality in the south of the Valley. This creates the paradox that the communities that are most peripheral live in the most urban conditions.

The biggest concern has to be that the disparity in the quality and character of the landscape overlaps with the principle deprivation indicators of health, education and employment. Improvements to landscape must be considered in a way which helps to alleviate other weaknesses in the communities of the Upper Llynfi Valley. Opportunities could include:

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 Preparing a landscape strategy and management plan as part of a broader Masterplan for Caerau Colliery, Coegnant Colliery and Maesteg Washery  Encouraging recreation, allotment and energy crops as a means of creating productive landscapes that can have a tangible impact on the adjacent communities  Designating the Llynfi Valley as a ‘country park’ as a means of improving landscape and coordinating rural access, education, recreation and marketing

View towards the eastern slopes of the Valley

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11. Movement and Transportation in the Llynfi Valley

The wellbeing and prosperity of the Llynfi Valley is partly reliant on being able to access jobs, services and activities from elsewhere.

11.1. Travel Indicators

The approximate travel times from the head of the Llynfi Valley using private car and bus are shown below:

Access times from Caerau via bus

Access times from Caerau via private car

Llynfi Valley has a relatively high proportion of households who do have access to a car or van, particularly in Maesteg and the Upper Llynfi Valley. In the Lower Llynfi Valley the amount of households without access to private transport is much lower than the Bridgend and Wales average indicating the greater levels of affluence that are borne out by other indicators above.

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Maesteg Maesteg Caerau West East Llangynwyd Llynfi Bridgend Wales Households with no cars or vans (%) 37.17 32.49 34.35 18.92 30.73 25.62 25.95 (Source: 2001 Census)

As a result of these low levels of car ownership, people in the Upper Llynfi Valley in particular, are over twice as likely to travel to work using a taxi compared the Borough average.

Maesteg Maesteg Caerau West East Llangynwyd Llynfi Bridgend Wales People aged 16‐74 who travel to work by: Taxi or Minicab (%) 1.54 1.06 0.78 0.63 1.00 0.65 0.50 (Source: 2001 Census)

Similarly, there is also a huge reliance in the Upper Llynfi Valley on bus services to access employment.

Maesteg Maesteg Caerau West East Llangynwyd Llynfi Bridgend Wales People aged 16‐74 who usually travel to work by: Bus, Mini Bus or Coach (%) 9.13 4.10 4.90 4.02 5.54 4.16 5.25 (Source: 2001 Census)

It would appear from a review of the 2001 Census data that there is less of a culture of cycling in the Llynfi Valley when compared to Bridgend and Wales, as cycling is not currently used as a regular mode of daily transport to work. Maesteg Maesteg Caerau West East Llangynwyd Llynfi Bridgend Wales People aged 16-74 who usually travel to work by: Bicycle (%) 0.46 0.48 0.36 0.24 0.385 0.95 1.38 (Source: 2001 Census)

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In the context of low car ownership, low cost travel, health, carbon reduction and long term energy security there represents a significant opportunity build a culture of cycling in the Llynfi Valley.

Figure 8: Movement and connections in the Llynfi Valley

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11.2. Cycling in the Llynfi Valley

The majority of the built up areas of the Valley are flat and, therefore, conducive to encouraging the right conditions for cycling to become more frequently used as a mode of transport and recreation in the Llynfi Valley.

BCBC have obtained funding to construct a ‘Community Route’ from Maesteg to Caerau along the eastern side of the Valley, which will connect Maesteg town centre with the former Maesteg Washery site, Maesteg Comprehensive School, the former Coegnant Colliery, the new Caerau Primary school and the former Caerau Colliery. The work is scheduled for mid‐2010 and is a significant opportunity to encourage cycling in the Valley, particularly as it links several schools and a transport interchange.

One of the current weaknesses in the cycle network is the lack of a link from the Celtic Trail which would join together the Community Route, described above to the national network. This connection is an aspiration of BCBC and SUSTRANS. Historically BCBC have pursued an on‐road cycle route through the Lower Llynfi Valley, although a riverside off road cycle route is now preferred and BCBC are currently negotiating the rights of way.

Part of the significance of cyclinge in th Llynfi Valley is the proximity to the renowned Afan Forest Park. Maesteg town centre is the nearest town to Afan Forest Park and the railway station in particular is the nearest rail terminus. There are currently not established cycle routes directly linking the Llynfi Valley to Afan Forest Park.

At a community level there is huge local support (a 1500 name petition) to construct a National Standard BMX track in the Valley and Coegnant Colliery has emerged as a potential location. This project should be supported by the VARP, although care must be taken to integrate the proposals with other ambitions for the Coegnant site. Maintaining support and the momentum that has been generated from within the community for this project will be as important as dovetailing it into wider aims.

It is essential that through the VARP cycling is considered appropriately whilst enhancements to other modes of transport are being considered. For instance rail enhancements should encourage cycling for commuting and tourism by integrating secure and dry cycle parking, and incorporating cycle storage on rolling stock.

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11.3. Bus travel in the Llynfi Valley

The 2001 Census data (above) indicates how important bus travel is for residents of the Llynfi Valley and in particular for those in the more deprived communities.

There are regular services from Caerau Square to Maesteg bus station which take 10‐15 minutes and run two to three times an hour. The service onwards to Bridgend takes approximately forty‐five minutes.

In addition to those services run by commercial bus companies there is also the Llynfi Valley Community Transport Ltd who provide transport services to residents of Caerau who cannot access other transport services.

The SEWTA Regional Transport Plan (RTP) has identified Maesteg Rail/Bus Interchange as a priority project. This is essential as the current waiting environment at Maesteg Bus Station is not adequate considering the importance of bus services to the economic, social and environmental wellbeing of the Valley.

In addition, a recommendation of the bus investment programme in the RTP was to focus on improvements to the Maesteg – Tondu – Aberkenfig – Bridgend corridor route as part of the strategic network. Preliminary costings have been offered for this scheme, along with additional works and costings that have further been identified that are common to all schemes, including real time passenger information system and area wide bus stop improvements.

Accessibility and frequency of service is important but pricing is also an important determinant on people’s attitudes towards using public transport on a regular basis to access employment. Given that it is conceivable that much of the employment growth in the Borough will be focussed outside the Llynfi Valley it is essential to the future of the Llynfi Valley that bus services are regular, frequent and priced in a manner which connects people with employment effectively. The current bus service Maesteg to Bridgend on a First Group bus is costed at £4.75 a day or a weekly fare of £17.50. A person living in the Llynfi Valley who earned £16,000 per annum in a job that they travel to by bus, (using a weekly ticket), would (after tax) be effectively spending 6.5% of theirl tota income on bus fare. Such calculations highlight the difference between economic activity or benefit dependence and the VARP may need to consider the feasibility of subsidising public transport.

11.4. Rail travel in the Llynfi Valley

There are currently three halts on the Maesteg to Bridgend line: Maesteg, Maesteg Ewenny Road and Garth. The existing average frequency of train services departing from Maesteg is one train per

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hour and the service operates between 06:30 and 18:50 and offers a direct connection with Bridgend and Cardiff.

A priority project within the SEWTA RTP is to increase the frequency of this line to a half hourly service. For this to be achieved, funding is being sought for capacity improvements (including signalling and passing loop), between Maesteg and Bridgend.

Apart from the frequency of the service, the quality of the waiting environment at the three halts on the Llynfi Valley line are an impediment to encouraging greater rail travel. Improving the waiting environment at these stations will need to be an important component on the VARP and the RTP funded proposals.

In terms of cost an anytime day return between Maesteg and Bridgend is £3.00.

11.5. Highway Accessibility in the Llynfi Valley

The Valley is served by a central primary route, the A4063 which serves as the main corridor linking the Valley with the national motorway network to the south at junction 36. The route also links the Valley to Cymmer and the A4107 east west route between Port Talbot and the Rhondda at Pentre. Another important highway link is the B4282, Neath Road linking Maesteg to the Afan Valley and junction 39 of the M4.

Road accessibility to the Valley is poor, given the paucity of connections and Maesteg can be almost cut‐off if there is an incident on the A4063. Within the SEWTA RTP there are improvements proposed to the A4063 to increase safety and reduce the risk of closure from road traffic accident.

The improvements to the highways and public realm throughout Maesteg town centre have had a positive impact on traffic speed and perception. However, through the public consultation process there have been concerns raised with the efficiency of the signal controlled junction at the junction of the B4282 and A4063. It has been claimed that the junction operates more efficiently when the signals are not working. Reviewing whether this junction can operate more effectively under a different management regime that does not require traffic lights is something that could be reviewed through the VARP process.

11.6. Conclusion

The indicators from the 2001 Census show very clearly the strong relationship between the prosperity and wellbeing of a community and its ability to travel. The more deprived communities in

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the Upper Llynfi Valley are more reliant on public transport than other parts of the Valley which means that improvements to bus, rail and cycle movement should have an identifiable impact on prosperity, health and quality of life. Whilst enhancements to the highway network are important, it will be the investment in public transport and cycling that will have the biggest impact on the communities of the Llynfi Valley. Fortunately, there are priority projects that are recognised in the RTP. Ensuring that these join up with other initiatives will be a key challenge of the VARP.

The opportunities arising from the review of movement and accessibility which could be considered as part of the VARP process could include:

 Improving the capacity of the community to cycle through access to off‐road cycle routes, training and cycle recreation. It is especially important that future increases in prosperity do not translate to an increase in car ownership and that cycling is seen as a means of improving health  Establishing a community car share club to reduce the reliance on private hire taxis  Broadening the community transport service to include the whole of the community

 Greater emphasis on cycling in schools and an alternative to the car borne school run  Improving bus and rail infrastructure and frequency of service in the Valley to enable residents to access work elsewhere

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12. Tourism

The Policy Review (3.6) outlines the emerging BCBC Tourism Strategy and states that tourism opportunities are likely to emerge from existing community cultural activities (like male voice choirs, brass bands, arts and sports) and existing historic features.

12.1. Historic Tourism

The most significant opportunity for industrial tourism in the Llynfi Valley is at the former Tondu Ironworks. Sir Robert Price established Tondu Ironworks in 1838 when Welsh iron was in great demand. The Ironworks are built into the side of a hill, with ramps and gangways, part of the open furnace section is protected by a 12 metre high retaining wall. The works still has many historic features intact including a large square chimney feature and a series of open grate furnaces. Bridgend Young Archaeologists Club is based at the Ironworks. Tondu Ironworks has been called the most complete Victorian Ironworks in Wales.

Linking this opportunity to others in South Wales (such as Big Pit) through joint promotion will be important as will physical links to national networks like the SUSTRANS Celtic Trail cycle route.

Also of potential interest to visitors is the ancient history of the Llynfi Valley. The earliest settlement in the Llynfi Valley was sited at the Bwlwarcau Iron Age Hill fort near to Llangynwyd Village, which dates back some 2,000 years. Surrounding the Maesteg Area there is significant evidence of settlements from the Bronze Age, such as the ones at Carn Llechart, Carn Bugail and Crug yr Afan; these date back to nearly 4,000 years ago.

There appears to be a strong basis for attracting increased numbers of visitors to the Llynfi Valley to enjoy the various historic attractions, although these need to be better linked to other potential activities in the Valley, the Borough and Neath Port Talbot.

12.2. Outdoor Activities

Maesteg Town Council has prepared a series of walking guides to the Llynfi Valley which include excellent maps and interpretive information about the Valley. Making these more widely available to visitors will be one way of encouraging visitors to enjoy the scenery of the Valley. Shortcomings of route publications are: none of them are circular walks, information about places to obtain rest, toilets or refreshment is not provided and information about accessibility (whether through physical disabilities or people with young children) is also absent. Given the proximity of town and country,

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there is greater potential to have routes that start and finish in the town centre so that visitors can benefit from services in Maesteg.

As well as walking there are significant tourism opportunities arising from the Llynfi Valley’s proximity to Afan Forest Park and the internationally renowned mountain biking trails ewhich hav been built in Afan and also in Glyncorrwg.

It is unlikely in the short to medium term that new trails will be extended from Afan Valley in to the Llynfi Valley as Forestry Commission Wales have resisted further mountain bike expansion outside of the five main sites in Wales (which includes Afan Forest Park)1. For the Llynfi Valley to benefit from proximity to Afan Forest Park it needs to be better placed to act as a local service centre in terms of transport, accommodation, shops, refreshments and additional tourism spin‐offs. Other complimentary forms of cycling in addition to singletrack and downhill trails will also help to broaden the attraction.

Another shortcoming in attracting greater numbers of cyclists to the Valley is the current lack of connection to the national SUSTRANS Celtic Trail. Implementing this connection will be an important infrastructure project to increase day trip tourists to the Valley.

There is potential for Maesteg in particular to capture some of these visitors by making sure it has the right offer, facilities and connections, and is attractive and welcoming.

12.3. Infrastructure for Tourists

It is understood that there is a dearth of available accommodation in the Llynfi Valley and this has been verified through a web search for accommodation in Maesteg and the wider Llynfi Valley which identifies accommodation in Bridgend and the Heritage Coast rather than the three Bridgend Valleys. This lack of accommodation is an impediment to the development of tourism in the Valley. In order to address this, the Caerau Community Development Trust is attempting to develop bunkhouse accommodation in Caerau. This is an encouraging project which will help to test demand for overnight stays for budget travellers in the Valley. As a result of this lack of tourist accommodation, the short term tourism strategy is likely to focus on day trip tourism from the domestic market of visitors from South Wales.

There are numerous pubs in the Llynfi Valley which have the potential of offering a valuable service to visitors. The most prominent of these as far as visitors are concerned are likely to be the Sawers Arms in the centre of Maesteg (central location), The Old House in Llangynwyd, which is one of the

1 Forestry Commission Wales Strategic Action Plan for Mountain Biking 2005-2007

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oldest pubs in Wales dating back to approximately 1147AD, and the Tylers Arms (also Llangynwyd) which is well known locally because the local Male Voice Choir use it as a rehearsal venue.

A growing consideration for many UK residents looking to take a short break in the UK is experiencing regional culture and this includes local food and drink. The southern part of the VARP area is within the Rural Development Plan area, which means that there is an opportunity to enable local hospitality industry to use local suppliers and growers and sell seasonal produce.

12.4. Focus for Tourism

12.5. Conclusion

There seems to be an array of ways in which the Llynfi Valley could benefit from attracting larger numbers of visitors, through:

 Local culture including choirs, artists and bands  Industrial and ancient history  Walking and cycling  Local food and drink  Local sports clubs (especially rugby)

There is scope for the VARP to fund projects which will help to create greater economic, social and environmental resilience through increased tourism. These projects will need to take into consideration the updated Borough Tourism Strategy and identify suitable local opportunities to help implement this strategy.

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13. Culture

Some of the cultural background of the Llynfi Valley has been explored above with a perspective on its potential to attract tourism. This section will look more specifically at the arts and the potential for using creative endeavours as a potential vehicle for regeneration.

13.1. Maesteg Town Hall

The principal cultural venue in the Llynfi Valley is Maesteg Town Hall. Historically the main activities of the Hall have been as a venue for the Valley’s amateur groups and choral societies. The current operational practice of the Town Hall has been subject to recent scrutiny through an Initial Project Report2. The findings were generally that:

 It is an excellent auditorium if in need of some restoration and has a technically equipped stage  Whilst the amateur market enjoys good houses for their shows, there hasn’t been a programme of professional performances to assess whether there is an audience efor th professional product  The main entrance is not inviting and has the air of permanent closure about it. Visitors have to negotiate steep steps and open a fire door into a space that is dark and confusing  There is a lack of office space and the interior has aged somewhat  The auditorium houses some significant works by Christopher Williams (Royal Academy artist and born in Maesteg)  With no programme of professional events, there is little marketing instigated by the Town Hall of either the forthcoming events or of the Hall’s facilities  The average audience is yover fort and reflective of the material on offer  The Hall has no Box Office procedure or ability to sell ticket via the internet or via credit/debit cards  The Hall’s finances are in a precarious position. Financially the Hall is dependent on wedding bookings though these are proving less popular  There is no professional arts experience within the Directors or Management Committee members.

2 Maesteg Town Hall Ltd: Initial Project Report, Valleys Development Initiative, Louise Ralph, 2009

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The Initial Project Report (2009) outlines a short‐term Action Plan and longer term recommendations, which include:

 Potential for an annual training programme for theatre technical staff which could be affiliated with OCN  Ensuring that the organisation has the expertise to formulate and implement the plans

 Submitting an application to the Arts Council of Wales for funding

 Investing in the personnel with the ability to research and re‐orientate the organisation  Developing and adhering to clear systems and procedures, including box office and booking systems, programming and marketing

 Research and identify routes to sustainability: grant funding, commercial activity, etc  The organisation needs to re‐position itself so that it can capitalise on all commercially viable activities. It needs to promote all its resources and activities to a much wider audience  Feasibility studies need to ascertain what can be modified or changed about the physical structure of the Hall and the Market to address the shortcomings  A mix of both professional and project led performances allocating space within the year for the amateur and choral performances

“The Hall is a wonderful building. It is uniquely placed both historically and socially, and should be a central part of life in the Llynfi valley.” Initial Project Report (2009)

“The opportunity to develop the organisation and create a legacy for the future is imperative for Valley life… and in doing so can shape the cultural future for all of the Llynfi valley.” Initial Project Report (2009)

Maesteg Town Hall represents an underutilised resource in the Llynfi Valley for the arts and for more general use by the community for events. As it is now a Limited Company it represents a community business that is ill‐equipped to maximise its potential to act as a cultural, arts and community catalyst for the town of Maesteg and the Llynfi Valley. Given the focus for the improvement currently upon the area surrounding the Town Hall, it is essential that it forms a pivotal role in the town centre and that the VARP projects are able to support the future viability eof th building and the cultural, arts and community activities that could operate from it.

13.2. Proposals to Enhance Colonel North Hall as a Cultural Venue

The Maesteg Gallery and Heritage Centre Steering Group are striving to establish an Art Gallery and Heritage Centre in Maesteg. The proposed development will incorporate heritage and tourist

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displays, a permanent collection of Christopher Williams (RA) work, a café, shop, exhibition space and function rooms.

“The objective of the Group is to explore the potential for establishing and sustaining an Art Gallery and Heritage Centre in Maesteg town to promote, educate and encourage public interest in the heritage eof th Llynfi Valley through the media of art, history, literature and where necessary to engage professional bodies to assist in this endeavour by the preparation of feasibility studies and business plans to further the aims of this project”.3

The objectives of this group appear to be consistent with the findings of the Initial Project Report for Maesteg Town Hall and are supported in the context of the regeneration of the Llynfi Valley. A future VARP project should determine how the above project could be integrated with Maesteg Town Hall to ensure that the two projects become dovetailed. At present there is a risk of a duplication of effort between projects that may share similar objectives.

13.3. Celebrating Industrial Heritage

There are ongoing projects to integrate artworks into the cycle infrastructure of the Valley which provide adequate reminders eof th areas industrial legacy. Several of these have been implemented at Caerau and others are planned for the proposed Community Cycle Route. Meanwhile, the brief for the latest phase of public realm works in Maesteg Town Centre has included the need to consider how public art can help to contributee to th sense of place and celebrate local culture.

13.4. Conclusions

The cultural life of the Llynfi Valley is not adequately represented in the Valley’s principal town where there are significant opportunities to do so. Whilst there is a group promoting an important cultural project in the town, Maesteg’s primary cultural asset, the Town Hall, is currently under utilised. It is important, therefore, that efforts to enhance the status of the arts in the town are coordinated.

3 Feasibility Study for Maesteg Gallery and Heritage Centre, 2003

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with space to display Christopher Williams’ work, alongside a gallery, exhibition space, café and function rooms.

Other relatively small Valley towns are well known for artistic endeavours through well run arts centres such as the Park & Dare in Treorchy and the Blackwood Miners Institute, although both of these are owned and operated by Local Authorities. There is a real opportunity to create a centre for cultural activities which is based on a model of community ownership and supported by experienced/professional management. This could help to link the cultural project in the town centre with other community run businesses and enterprises elsewhere in the Valley.

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14. Energy and Sustainability

The future of the Llynfi Valley needs to be considered in the context of adapting to and mitigating climate change and the combined threats posed by uncertain energy security, peak oil and fuel poverty. The regeneration of the Llynfi Valley is an opportunity to build in measures that make the Valley more resilient to these threats. This section will outline the existing baseline scenario and some potential opportunities.

14.1. Recycling and Waste

The Llynfi Valley has its own waste transfer station at Heol Ty Gwyn where residents are able to recycle and dispose of household waste. BCBC also operate a weekly recycling collection service throughout the Borough, although there are currently no services to collect compostable material, but composting bins are available at a discount to residents.

There is an historic problem of fly‐tipping in the Upper Llynfi Valley. BCBC are part of the WAG funded three year, Tidy Towns Initiative which helps to fund clean‐ups and preventative measures to discourage tipping. BCBC and V2C are responsible for clearing illegal fly tipping and actively enforce and prosecute offenders, whilst regular river clean ups are organised by the Llynfi Valley Rivercare Group. Work is done with Green Flag primary schools to educate children in the Valley about the negative impact of fly‐tipping and littering, yet problems still persist into adulthood. Given that there is adequate infrastructure in place to deal with illegal waste in the Valley other measures need to be considered, potentially as part of the VARP, to reduce this problem which is having a deleterious impact on the quality of the environment and is a threat to the long term impact of any planned environmental projects.

14.2. Existing Renewable Energy Infrastructure In the Llynfi Valley

The existing energy supply requirements of the Llynfi Valley are typical of emuch of th UK, with a reliance on mains gas and electricity. There are no significant alternative or renewable forms of energy available to the local community. However, the Tesco store in Maesteg, completed in 2007 included a Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plant and also a small wind turbine for microgeneration.

A planning application for a bio‐mass power station at the former Llynfi Power Station site was recently granted (19/10/09, application P/05/364/FUL) subject to conditions and a Section 106 agreement. Although planning permission has been granted there are a number of onerous conditions and requirements to overcome and satisfy ebefore th proposal can be implemented, these relate to the submission of additional flooding information and a highway requirement for a

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new roundabout to serve the development. If implemented this development could stimulate demand to develop more locally based energy crops within the Llynfi and adjoining Valleys.

14.3. Development Opportunities, Renewable Energy and Sustainable Low Energy Design

The Llynfi Valley has several significant brownfield development sites (3.4) at the former Coegnant Colliery, former Maesteg Washery and at the former Budelpack‐Cosi site. These sizeable opportunity sites provide the potential to develop the infrastructure for low energy living in the Llynfi Valley. Opportunities which need to be considered across these three sites could include:

 Low energy buildings (both domestic, commercial and community)

 Small scale local food production

 Energy generation (through wind, hydro, geothermal, methane extraction and solar)  Planting and managing energy crops  Development of CHP as part of a masterplan

Each of these opportunities could have a significant impact on the eventual site users and also the wider community. For these opportunities to have a tangible impact on the people who live in the Llynfi Valley, the benefits need to be felt locally. There is potential for any one of the above opportunities to be rolled out via a Community Development Trust via a local Energy Service Company (ESCO) such as the one below.

WELCOME TO OVESCO

The Ouse Valley Energy Service Company or OVESCo was set up in 2007

OVESCo provides the following services on behalf of Lewes District Council:

Energy Advice and grants for Insulation and Heating - see our insulation grants page for more information

Grants for Renewables to generate heat and power for homes - see our renewables grant page for more information

PV for industrial roof's: OVESCo is actively seeking potential roof space to lease in East Sussex for community PV systems. Please contact us if you have large flat roofs over 10,000M sq and would consider OVESCo running a PV system on your building? Call 01273 472405 or e-mail [email protected]

Wind turbine and water hydro sites: If you have windy site in East Sussex suitable for a medium size wind turbine such as on a farm or access to a river with a weir and want to generate power as part of a community project, please let us know.

28.05.2010 73 Llynfi Valley VARP Baseline Report

OVESCo's additional services include:

Investigating ways to produce Local Sustainable Power by using natural resources to produce heat and power for the benefit of the local community. This includes projects to use resources such as wind, water, wave, sun and biomass fuel in a sensative and sustainable way.

Working with Transition Town Lewes and other groups in the South East, on ways to help reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and cut our greenhouse gas emissions.

OVESCo is not for profit and uses all its resources, as well as voluntary help to work towards a sustainable low carbon future. Our aim is to help the people in the Lewes District area and East Sussex find ways to cope with climate change and the rising cost of fossil fuels such as gas and oil.

The following sections will outline the potential that exists for renewable energy generation which could have an impact locally on: alleviating fuel poverty, reducing carbon emissions, creating generated income, creating jobs and reducing reliance on fossil fuels and centralised energy supplies.

14.4. Fuel Poverty and Energy Conservation

Energy conservation has a significant role to play in reducing carbon emissions and tackling fuel poverty in households with low incomes. The Upper Llynfi Valley, Caerau in particular, is eligible for the Community Energy Saving Programme (CESP). CESP promotes a “whole house” approach i.e. a package of energy efficiency measures best suited to the individual property. The programme is delivered through the development of community‐based partnerships between Local Authorities, community groups and energy companies, via a house‐by‐house, street‐by‐street approach. CESP is expected to deliver annual average fuel bill savings for those households involved of up to £300.

14.5. Opportunities for Hydro‐Electric Capture

There is potential (albeit untested) to develop a small hydroelectric scheme on the Upper Llynfi Valley in the region of Blaencaerau. This scheme would use the area’s assets (topography and high rainfall) to develop a small hydro‐electric scheme that would provide a constant source of electricity for sale to the grid (and potential revenue for a local community organisation) or as direct power to supplement the energy requirements of any future development on the nearby Coegnant Colliery. The technical parameters for this need to be tested to determine its feasibility. If deliverable this will need to be delivered in a way which provides income, energy and jobs to local people.

14.6. Opportunities for Planting and Managing Bio‐Crop

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Section 9.1 (above) outlines the need to remediate the eastern slopes of the Llynfi Valley, which are left scarred from previous industrial reclamation, whilst plans are being developed for a bio‐mass power station in the Valley. The visual remediation of the landscape could be harnessed to provide an economic and environmental gain by planting and managing a short rotation energy crop including Willow, Birch and Elephant Grass. This crop could be used to power the bio‐mass power station and/or local CHP infrastructure whilst any surplus could be sold for a profit and used to fund revenue schemes for the community.

14.7. Local Energy Company for Community Windfarm

Another local asset is that the northern part of Llynfi Valley is in a Strategic Area of Search for windfarms within the Wales Spatial Plan. There is significant scope for a small community windfarm of two or three turbines. This has the potential of offering energy to new developments on the eastern side of the Valley north of Maesteg or as a means of selling the energy back to the grid at a profit and raising revenue for the local community projects, potentially through a Community Development Trust.

14.8. Conclusion

Localising energy generation, management and profit have the combined benefits of reducing poverty, providing job opportunities, reducing carbon emissions and increasing energy security. Previous models of regeneration have not fundamentally addressed deprivation in the Llynfi Valley but the emerging energy agenda, if properly grasped, has the potential to bring new exciting new opportunities eto th Valley that were not previously considered.

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15. Community Life

There is a rich network of clubs, societies and groups which has created a framework for local people to participate in community life in the Llynfi Valley. It is not the purpose of this report to document the whereabouts and activities of all of them, as this would be an undertaking outside the remit of this commission.

The purpose of this section is to highlight some of the more prominent groups and proposals that have emerged through: public consultation, working knowledge of the Llynfi Valley and a thorough review of available sources on the internet.

15.1. Youth Support

There is a growing network of youth support in the Llynfi Valley. There are currently two Youthworks centres in the Valley, at Heol Ceulanydd, Caerau Park and The Courthouse, Station Street in Maesteg in addition to youth facilities at the Noddfa Chapel. The Caerau Park and Courthouse centres operate as drop in facilities for young people and are staffed by youth workers. The aims of these centres are to provide a place for young people to go and activities to keep them occupied. These centres also provide a valuable base for the local Police and PCSOs to engage with young people. For example, the team in Caerau has been successful in organising events, such as street rugby and hill walking which helps alleviate youth boredom and divert young people from anti‐social behaviour.

In addition to this groups like the Scouting Association and Cadets are well represented in the Llynfi Valley by Caerau Cadets and the 3rd Maesteg Scout Group

15.2. Sports Clubs and Recreation

There is a rich tradition of sporting achievement in the Llynfi Valley and there is a mosaic of sports clubs and associations throughout the Valley, which include:

 Maesteg Youth RFC  Nantyffyllon RFC

 Maesteg Celtic Rugby Club  Maesteg Harlequins RFC

 Maesteg RFC  Maesteg Badminton Club  St Patrick's Rovers FC  Maesteg Golf Club

 Maesteg Park Football Club  Maesteg Judo Club

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 Maesteg Football Club  Maesteg Gymnastics Club

 Celtic Cricket Club  Maesteg Squash Club

 Maesteg Bowling Club  Maesteg Yoga Studio  Celtic Athletics Club  Unknown Dance Group (Noddfa Chapel)

 Caerau Dragons Boxing Club

Given the concerning health indicators from the 2001 Census (see paragraph1 5. above) supporting sport and recreation will be an important way of encouraging healthier lifestyles. Improving the sporting facilities of the Upper Llynfi Valley, in particular, will be an opportunity to further address issues of social cohesion and poor health.

Maesteg Sports Centre is a superbly renovated building, dating back to 1828, when iron was manufactured on the site. The old Blast Engine Building houses a sports hall, dance studio, squash courts and No Limits Fitness Suite, which has been recently updated with the Technogym and Wellness System, a state of the art interactive and motivational tool which stores personalised gym workout programmes, giving feedback and guidance. The Sports Centre is well located between the town centre and Welfare Park.

There are several important ongoing developments which are likely to impact on sport and recreation in the Llynfi Valley, these include:

 BCBC were considering the closure of Maesteg Swimming Pool. Work is being undertaken to change the filters to keep the pool active but the building is in a poor condition which is likely to require significant financial investment. However, the swimming pool represents an important resource to maintain and improve the health of local people. The VARP projects should consider mechanisms and projects that will help enhance and retain sporting and recreation facilities within the Valley.  Proposals have emerged from the community for a national standard BMX track to be located in the Valley and the local movement has garnered widespread support within the community as well as within BCBC (see 10.2 above) and has recently been granted planning permission. There is even a commitment from a Bridgend cycle shop to sponsor and run a team from the future facility. This represents an opportunity to build upon a grassroots project which will help to tackle some of the issues within the Upper Llynfi Valley in particular and should, therefore, be supported.  There is an aspiration from Caerau Development Trust to create an indoor sports facility on the former Blaenllynfi Infants School.

 The community feels that as a result of the reclamation of Coegnant Colliery and alterations to Maesteg Welfare Park that there is a historical promise to create a new sports pitch and that Caerau and Nantyffyllon require at least one new sports pitch.

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15.3. Community Support, Project Champions and Empowerment

The Upper Llynfi Valley has a well developed network of community support which has developed in response to the area’s acute needs. As a result of the challenging deprivation indicators, the area has been designated a Communities First (C1st) area and Caerau C1st are a key organisation working to develop the capacity and confidence of the local community and are working to address the community’s weaknesses. It is important that projects in the Upper Llynfi Valley are implemented in close cooperation with Caerau C1st.

Caerau Development Trust is a non‐profit community‐based organisation established in 2008 to improve the quality of life in the area. The Trust has a management board comprising elected members from across the political spectrum, community champions and representatives from local businesses youth organisations and faith groups. The wider partnership includes Communities First, Bridgend County Borough Council (BCBC) Regeneration Team, Valleys to Coast and Wales Co‐op Centre. Chief Executives of two well‐established Welsh Development Trusts are on board to strengthen the management team.

The Trust has acquired the former Blaenllynfi Infants School from under licence BCBC and intends to use this building as:

 A hub for local services with the relocation of: o Local Post Office o Neighbourhood Police Team o Credit Union and Citizens Advice Bureau  Offices for private sector businesses providing income to be reinvested in projects that improve quality of life in Caerau  Community space including: o Amenity areas and community meeting rooms o Space for other recreational and educational activities

The Trust is also in the process of acquiring land for local food projects and also looking at becoming a Community Energy Supply Company.

The emergence of Caerau Development Trust is an exciting opportunity to build a regeneration model withine th VARP that ensures that all benefits from regeneration projects are retained locally for maximum impact. Caerau Development Trust is developing strong links with a similar organisation, Creation Development Trust in the Garw Valley which indicates that there is potential

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for such a model to be applicable to each of the three Bridgend Valleys. These development trusts are, therefore, important project champions for implementation of WVSRA funded schemes.

The Noddfa Chapel is one of the busiest community centres in Caerau and is situated in the north of the village. The building is a community hub and boasts a range of facilities including the local library, ICT suite, youth clubs, toddlers’ groups, and a boxing ring (home of the Caerau Dragons).

Support and services will include a parent and child group, Flying Start, a drop‐in facility for 16‐25 year olds, Bridgend Youth Service, which will provide access to relevant projects, advice, and training and employment opportunities.

Through working in partnership with employment organisation Working Links, support is also provided to people who want to get back into training, education and employment. A range of accredited and non‐accredited training opportunities will be on offer through partnership with organisations such as Bridgend CBC Adult Learning department, University of Glamorgan Llynfi project, Adult Welsh and Workers Education Association. A crèche facility is also provided. The Noddfa Chapel also accommodates the Caerau Library.

The Noddfa Chapel, therefore, plays an essential role in the slive of the communities of the Upper Llynfi Valley and projects implemented through the VARP need to ensure that the function of the Noddfa is not impeded, but enhanced by encouraging collaboration between project development and implementation and the people who manage and attend the centre.

In the Lower Llynfi Valley there is an active community group in the village of Llangynwyd through Llangynwyd Community Council. This group provide services for the whole community by offering coffee mornings for residents over fifty as well as providing a place for young people to go. However, the group are currently operating these services on a volunteer basis, with the support of local police, from unsuitable accommodation in Llangynwyd. There exists an historical s.106 agreement whereby the developer of the nearby Parc Tyn‐yr‐Waun was expected to provide a new community hall on land within this development. The residential scheme has been implemented ebut th s.106 agreement appears not to have been honoured.

The Llangynwyd Community Group have been offered the freehold of a local chapel (situated at the crossroads of Llan Road, Maesteg Road, Station Road and Bridgend Road) along with adjacent land and are currently trying to ascertain whether the planning obligation can be transferred to assist with this purchase. Despite the prevailing deprivation indicators in Llangynwyd generally being consistent with the Wales average there is an opportunity, through the VARP to provide assistance to this community project in the Lower Llynfi Valley.

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In addition to community support groups and organisations that have been established in response to the Llynfi Valleys high levels of deprivation there is also a rich network of community support resulting from the good coverage of churches in the area, which include:

 St Cynwyd Llangynwyd  Bethal Caerau

 St Michael's Maesteg  Our Lady and St Patrick

 St David's Maesteg  Canaan Maesteg

 St Cynfelyn's Caerau  Carmel Maesteg  St Mary's Garth  Calfaria Cwmfelin

 Central Ecumenical Church  Bethania Maesteg

 Salem Nantyffyllon  Libanus Garth

 New Life Christian Centre  Moriah Pontrhydycyff  Hope Church Caerau  Bethesda Welsh Chapel  Dyffryn Caerau

15.4. Conclusion

The communities of the Llynfi Valley have a well developed capacity and are well equipped to be able to contribute effectively to the regeneration process. VARP projects need to ensure that real community benefits are maximised and the networks and groups outlined above provide a strong basis for doing this. The opportunities capable of being exploited through the VARP include:

 Supporting local sport and recreation through the VARP process should, therefore, be a priority.  Continuing to support the role of the Noddfa Chapel

 The emerging innovative approach of the Caerau Development Trust and potential to maximise community buy‐in, participation and benefit in the regeneration process.

The networks that are currently in place suggest that there is scope to create a regeneration model through that VARP that is more locally determined and driven, with the scope for this framework to be set up to manage projects into the future.

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16. Summary & Conclusion

This report establishes the factors that, despite continued effort and significant public expenditure, continue to compromise the wellbeing and resilience of the communities living in the Llynfi Valley. The empirical evidence, much of which sourced from the 2001 Census and 2008 Wales Index of Multiple Deprivation, highlights the Upper Llynfi Valley as one of the most deprived parts of Wales.

The key problem undermining the confidence of the communities in the most deprived parts of the Valley is their inability to access employment due to relatively: poor health, poor educational attainment and physical isolation. The jobs that are likely to emerge simply do not fit with the levels of attainment and horizons of the most deprived communities. The loss of coal mining and the more recent erosion of manufacturing has created multi‐generational worklessness which is having an impact on the health and attitude to education among the Valleys most deprived residents.

Meanwhile the quality and diversity of housing available in the Valley is largely dominated by Victorian terraced properties, especially in the most deprived parts of the Valley. Whilst efforts to improve these types of homes are important, they are not addressing the weakness in supply. The limited demand from traditional housebuilders for sites to develop new homes in the upper reaches of the Llynfi Valley is exacerbating the problem.

Whilst these problems persist there are opportunities to be exploited in the Llynfi Valley that could be developed as key themes through the next stages of this project.

The communities living in the Valley are largely active in social life and have a well developed network of clubs, groups and societies. In comparison to other deprived areas, the level of community engagement as a result of these support organisations is high. This is an excellent opportunity to ensure that local people are really involved in the projects that are intended to help them.

The housing led model of regeneration (that is now largely an anachronism) never really applied to the Llynfi Valley, due to the suppressed demand from private housebuilders for sites in the Valley. The strength of the community capacity throughout the Llynfi Valley is, therefore, an opportunity for the WVSRA to develop a new model based on greater community ownership and stewardship, alongside other partners. A community led model has the potential to prevent benefits leaking out of the area and could potentially be applied to a number of different regeneration projects. Developing this further as the VARP moves forward is likely to be a significant task.

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Although compromised by previous mining activity and reclamation, the landscape setting of the Llynfi Valley is a resource that needs to be exploited in a manner which can be sustained over generations. This landscape can provide greater opportunities for tourism, local environmental improvement, energy generation and income development. Harnessing the qualitye of th landscape is a potential key theme of the VARP which will require further exploration.

To conclude, the problems facing the Llynfi Valley and especially those communities north of Maesteg are acute and challenging. Whilst there may be some solutions that can be imported from successful projects in similar communities elsewhere in Wales, the sustainable regeneration of the Llynfi Valley is going to also require new moulds to be made to create healthy and resilient communities.

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Llynfi Valley VARP Strategy and Action Plan

Report To Bridgend County Borough Council

May 2010

Llynfi Valley VARP Strategy & Action Plan

Report From

Powell Dodson Urbanists

Charterhouse

Links Business Park

St Mellons

Cardiff

CF3 0LT

+44 (0)29 20 799 699

www.powelldobsonurbanists.com

Final Report written by: J. Brown, J. Heal

Quality Checked by: J. Brown

May 2010

28.05.2010 1 Llynfi Valley VARP Strategy & Action Plan

1. Introduction...... 1

1.1. Purpose of Report...... 1

1.2. Strategic Context ...... 2

1.3. Structure of this Report ...... 2

1.4. Strategic Location...... 2

1.5. Llynfi Valley Character ...... 3

Upper Llynfi Valley...... 3 Maesteg Town...... 4 Lower Llynfi Valley...... 5 2. Background ...... 6

2.1. Baseline Summary...... 6

Health...... 7 Skills and Learning ...... 7 The Economy...... 7 Built/Natural Environment...... 8 Transport and Connectivity...... 8 Social Environment...... 8 Tourism and Culture ...... 9 Walking and cycling ...... 9 SWOT Analysis...... 10 3. Stakeholder and Community Priorities...... 11

3.1. Community Engagement...... 11

3.2. Stakeholder Engagement...... 12

3.3. Stakeholder Priority Issues and Opportunities ...... 13

3.4. Stakeholder Priority Projects ...... 13

Economic...... 13 Environmental ...... 13 Social...... 14 Community Priorities...... 14 4. Strategy...... 15

4.1. Strategy Approach...... 15

28.05.2010 1 Llynfi Valley VARP Strategy & Action Plan

4.2. Llynfi VARP Objectives ...... 16

5. Action Plan ...... 18

5.1. Long List of Projects and Project Assessment ...... 18

5.2. Economy and Enterprise Project Assessment ...... 19

5.3. Skills and Education Project Assessment ...... 20

5.4. Health and Wellbeing Project Assessment ...... 21

5.5. Transport and Connections Project Assessment ...... 22

5.6. Housing Project Assessment ...... 23

5.7. Community and Place-making Project Assessment...... 25

5.8. Shortlisted Projects...... 27

5.9. 2010/11 WVSRA Projects ...... 30

Commercialisation of Small Hydropower Project through Community Participation...... 31 Dyfi Valley Community Renewable Project...... 32 Torrs Hydro New Mills ...... 33 6. WVSRA VARP Project Pro-forma...... 34

6.1. Pro-forma ...... 34

28.05.2010 2 Llynfi Valley VARP Strategy & Action Plan

1. Introduction

The Llynfi Valley ‘Valley Area Regeneration Plan’ (VARP) will outline the regeneration needs that have been identified within the Valley and how these can be met. The Western Valleys Strategic Regeneration Area (WVSRA) designation is a significant opportunity to begin to address these needs, although some of these deep rooted problems will require a long term, multi‐generational approach that draws on other sources of funding in order to implement change.

This VARP establishes:

 what the regeneration needs of the LLynfi Valley are

 the opportunities that need to be exploited

 objectives for the regeneration of the Llynfi Valley (whichk lin with the broader WVSRA objectives and Bridgend Valleys regeneration objectives)

 a strategy which outlines how the Llynfi Valley could become a more sustainable and more resilient place in the future

 an action plan of projects that will implement the strategy

 a shortlist of priority projects and 2010/11 projects

 an indication of potential cross valley opportunities

1.1. Purpose of Report

The purpose of this document is to outline the Valley Area Regeneration Plan (VARP) for the Llynfi Valley. This report builds upon the findings of the Llynfi Valley Baseline Report, public consultation and a VARP Stakeholder Summit to recommend a VARP Strategy for the Llynfi Valley and an Action Plan of prioritised projects which will contribute to the regeneration of the Valley.

The Baseline Report (which is supplementary to this report) sets out:

 The wider regeneration context of the strategy  Policy context  The physical composition of the valley  A number of regeneration indicators including: o health, o skills and learning, o the local economy, o the environment, o movement and transportation, o tourism, o culture, o energy, and o community  A summary and conclusion

28.05.2010 1 Llynfi Valley VARP Strategy & Action Plan

1.2. Strategic Context

This report is set within the context of the overarching strategy for the three Bridgend Valleys (Llynfi, Ogmore and Garw) which identifies the common issues and cross‐cutting themes for the whole VARP area. This report identifies projects that can be developed at a cross‐valley level but applied locally within eth context of the Llynfi Valley.

1.3. Structure of this Report

The following sections of this report will provide a background to the valley, the essence of its character and the key issues for the area that need to be addressed through the VARP. The key issues have been informed by a process of community engagement and stakeholder consultation which is outlined in Section 3. Drawing on the full extent of this background information, Section 4 presents the strategy for the future regeneration of the Valley and Section 5 an action plan for taking key projects forward.

1.4. Strategic Location The Llynfi Valley is one of three Valleys in the Bridgend County Borough all of which are included within the WVSRA, the others being the Garw and Ogmore Valleys. The Llynfi Valley is the most urban of the three since it contains Maesteg Town Centre, which is identified in the emergingl Loca Development Plan (LDP) as the Borough’s second most significant town centre, behind Bridgend itself. The Llynfi Valley is also the most populous of the three Bridgend Valleys accommodating 17,306 people within several distinct communities and multiple neighbourhoods.

Despite the presence of Maesteg Town Centre and the concentration of the built settlement along the valley floor, the Llynfi Valley also contains large areas of rural, open countryside. Therefore the southern part of the Valley is included within the Rural Development Plan (RDP) area. Many of the challenges and opportunities are closely related with the rural status or character of large parts of the Valley.

The northernmost part of the Valley (Blaenllynfi) is approximately ten miles from Bridgend and eight miles from the M4 corridor. The relationship between the Valley and the M4/Bridgend is important for access to jobs and services. Similarly, the leisure facilities in Cymmer are close enough for residents of the northern part of the Llynfi to exploit.

28.05.2010 2 Llynfi Valley VARP Strategy & Action Plan

Figure 1: The strategic location of the communities in the Llynfi Valley

1.5. Llynfi Valley Character Upper Llynfi Valley The Upper Llynfi Valley is north of Maesteg and is distinct from other parts of the Valley. The Upper Llynfi Valley is partially separated from the town centre by the lower slopes of Mydydd Bach to the east and Garn Wen to the west. The development pattern in the Upper Llynfi Valley is generally narrow and confined by these hillsides and also by the sites of reclaimed mines at Caerau and Coegnant. The area is set within open hillsides, but the rural character of the area is compromised by the amount of reclaimed former mining land to the east of the Valley.e Th built environment here is mainly comprised of densely laid out Victorian terraced properties. At the time these workers homes were constructed, there was little regard to urban landscaping or open space. The result is that there is a distinct contrast between the character of the hillsides and open space eand th hard urban character of the settlements.

28.05.2010 3 Llynfi Valley VARP Strategy & Action Plan

The Upper Llynfi Valley

Maesteg Town Maesteg Town occupies a large, relatively flat plain of the River Llynfi between Moel Sychbant in the west and Mynydd Bach and Garn Hill to the east. The town centre and its immediate surroundings are the most populous part of the ward (7437 according to the 2001 census). Maesteg accommodates a number of distinct neighbourhoods served from the A4063 and the B4282. These neighbourhoods are defined by: roads, the river Llynfi, the railway and the age, design and tenure of the housing. All of these settlements benefit from easy access to the town centre which is the commercial hub of the Llynfi Valley. There is greater diversity of housing in this part of the Valley and better access to services and facilities.

Maesteg Town Centre showing Maesteg Town Hall

28.05.2010 4 Llynfi Valley VARP Strategy & Action Plan

Lower Llynfi Valley The Lower Llynfi Valley is characterised by a more dispersed settlement pattern and smaller population in a more rural setting. Although the last mine in the Llynfi Valley, St.Johns Colliery, was located here, the character of the Lower Llynfi Valley has been more influenced by agriculture than industry. This rural character is emphasised by open countryside, field boundaries and a network of naturally vegetated areas. These naturally vegetated areas and more dispersed settlement form are almost unique to this area and have a significant bearing upon the character of the Lower Llynfi Valley. Both Old Llangwnwyd and the more recent Village of Llangwnwyd are identifiable as the main built up areas of the Lower Llynfi Valley.

The old village of Llangwnwyd

The three distinct settlement areas of the Llynfi Valley contain numerous neighbourhoods and communities with individual characteristics, needs and attributes and it is beyond the scope of this report to describe these in detail.

28.05.2010 5 Llynfi Valley VARP Strategy & Action Plan

2. Background 2.1. Baseline Summary

The baseline report identified a wide range of issues that highlight the deprivation and deep rooted problems faced in the Valley. In particular it identified the inequality between the north of the valley, which experiences much higher levels of economic inactivity, poor health, poor educational attainment and poor housing stock, and eth south of the valley which has better access to jobs and a choice of housing and generally has better health and education indicators.

At the heart of many of the issues in the Llynfi Valley is the lack of employment opportunities stemming from the loss of large employers in the area. This problem began with the closure of the coal mines and has been compounded in recent years by the loss of large manufacturing industries. Worklessness amongst the population of the valley is due in part to relatively poor health and poor educational attainment however these are themselves exacerbated bye th lack of incentive of a well paid job.

However, there are opportunities in the Llynfi Valley that need to be exploited. The baseline report identified that the communities living in the Valley have a well developed network of clubs, groups and societies. This high level of community engagement is a great opportunity to ensure that local people are really involved in the projects that stem from this strategy.

The strength of community capacity within the valley presents an opportunity for the WVSRA to develop a new model based on greater community ownership and stewardship and which prevents the benefits of investment from leaking out of the area.

The landscape setting of the Valley is also identified as an opportunity for tourism, local environmental improvement, energy generation and income development.

View across the settlements of the Llynfi Valley

28.05.2010 6 Llynfi Valley VARP Strategy & Action Plan

The issues and priorities arising from the baseline study are outlined below:

Health 30.8% of people in Caerau A variety of health indicators from the 2001 census highlight the in the north of the valley relative poor health of the communities living in the Valley. Of had a long term limiting greatest concern is the increase in poor health indicators in the illness compared to 23.25% Upper Llynfi Valley and Maesteg Town compared to the Lower in Llangwnwyd in the south Llynfi Valley. of the valley (2001 Census)

Priorities of the VARP will be to:

 work closely with the Local Health Board to ensure targeted delivery of services and projects

 encourage active lifestyles

 encourage the connection between local food production, cooking skills and healthy eating

There are significant opportunities to work with the various clubs and societies to promote active lifestyles. The semi‐rural setting is a further opportunity to encourage physical activity and good health.

Skills and Learning Compared to the Wales average, the levels of people with no qualifications is 25% higher in the Llynfi Valley. The Upper Llynfi Valley is 38% higher than the Welsh average.

Building the long term resilience of the communities in the Llynfi Valley will be impossible unless residents have the necessary skills and qualifications to access employment.

A new primary school and comprehensive school have both recently been completed and provide an opportunity for the community to learn in a more appropriate environment. There is potential for further development of new schools in the valley and this will contribute towards reducing the educational disadvantage of these communities. However, there needs to be a supply of jobs that local people feel they can attain if education and training is going to be seen as a priority for people living in the most disadvantaged areas.

The Economy Economic inactivity rates in the Llynfi Valley are almost 25% higher than Wales as a whole but economic inactivity in the Upper Llynfi Valley is 42% higher than the Welsh Average at 6.04%. The heavy reliance on a The greatest economic need exists in the Upper Llynfi Valley, small number of large whereas the emerging trends for employment growth are likely to employers has been a be south of the M4 which will be more accessible to communities weakness in the economic in the south of the valley and in industries where higher basis of the Valley since it educational attainment is required to access these jobs. was first settled. Closures in the past few years have The lack of locally based jobs available to people with lower levels resulted in a surge of of attainment is a contributory factor behind the high levels of unemployment. worklessness. There is a feeling, particularly in the Upper Llynfi

28.05.2010 7 Llynfi Valley VARP Strategy & Action Plan

Valley that education will not make a difference to future prospects of finding a job and more general wellbeing.

Built/Natural Environment There are a number of brownfield sites within the The housing supply in the Upper Llynfi Valley is dominated by valley that provide the Victorian terraced properties limiting the housing choice within the potential to develop the area. infrastructure for mixed The quality of the built fabric of Maesteg Town Centre is under use, low energy living in the threat from the decline of the retail function of the town. Llynfi Valley. Opportunities Declining building condition and the negative impact of vacant that have been identified shop units are significant threats to the quality of the built include: environment of the Town Centre.  Low energy homes and business The natural landscape quality in the south of the Valley is an accommodation attractive backdrop to the settlement and is of higher quality than  Small scale local food elsewhere in the valley. In Maesteg and the Upper Llynfi Valley production there are large areas of remediated land which are out of character  Energy generation – with the rest of the landscape surrounding the Valley. wind, hydro, bio‐mass  School expansion and Transport and Connectivity development  Planting and managing The more deprived communities in the Upper Llynfi Valley are energy crops more reliant on public transport than other parts of the Valley due  Development of CHP as to low levels of car ownership. This means that improvements to part of a masterplan bus, rail and cycle movement would have an identifiable impact on prosperity, health and quality of life. The passenger train line to Maesteg is an asset which could be improved to improve the accessibility of the Valley to the broader region, and could also be attractive for incoming visitors. Relatively low car ownership is an opportunity to develop a high quality public transport system which will encourage future sustainable travel patterns in the local community and reduce their reliance on fossil fuels. It is important that as income rises that people do not feel the need to purchase private cars due to the paucity of public transport.

There is one main vehicular route through the valley, the A4063, which provides adequate access but means that the Llynfi Valley can be effectively isolated in the event of an incident on this route. Improving safety and reducing the frequency of road traffic accidents on this route is a priority.

The Valley is not well connected via a high speed broadband connection toe th internet. This virtual connectivity is a potential barrier to encouraging people to start small home‐based businesses.

Social Environment

There is a rich network of clubs, groups and societies in the Valley The communities of the which has created a framework for local people to participate in Llynfi Valley have a well community life. Caerau Communities First has had an impact in developed capacity and are helping develop community capacity in the most deprived parts of well equipped to be able to the Valley. There is an opportunity to develop the work of contribute effectively to Communities First further to actively enable the establishment of the regeneration process. more effective community and voluntary organisations that are equipped to take on greater responsibilities. This is especially important to ensure that a long term mechanism of regeneration impetus is in place as the WVSRA is only for three years (2009‐

28.05.2010 8 Llynfi Valley VARP Strategy & Action Plan

2012) with the possibility of a further three years. Therefore, supporting and enabling social enterprise is likely to be a priority of the VARP.

Tourism and Culture

Bridgend County Borough Council are currently carrying out a “Why is money not being Tourism Strategy Review for the whole borough. The focus for used to refurbish the tourism in the Llynfi Valley is likely to be based around day visitors internals of the Town Hall to enjoy the Valley’s scenery, sports and culture. which is the centre piece of the town? If used to its full Currently the cultural life of the Llynfi Valley is not adequately potential this facility would represented in the principal town of Maesteg. The primary employ more local people cultural asset here, the Town Hall, is currently underutilised. There and attract more visitors.” is a strong opportunity to expand the role of the Town Hall for the (Local resident) benefit of the valley and the wider area.

There are a number of ways in which the Llynfi Valley could attract a larger number of visitors, including:

 Local culture including choirs, artists and bands

 Industrial and ancient history

Walking and cycling  Local food and drink

 Local sports clubs

28.05.2010 9 Llynfi Valley VARP Strategy & Action Plan

 SWOT Analysis

A summary of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats that have been identified is provided below:

STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES  Construction Skills Centre  Low educational attainment (esp. Upper  Improved educational provision (new Llynfi Valley) comprehensive and primary school)  Poor health which limits employment  Sufficient health infrastructure  Dominance of terraced housing limits choice  Maesteg provides a centre for retail and  Lack of locally available and accessible jobs services  Culture of worklessness  Attractive rural setting in most areas  Some outdated school facilities  Strong community network of clubs,  Settlement structure limits accessibility and societies and groups which can help to contributes to isolation support and facilitate projects  Eastern side of the Valley scarred by former  Caerau Community Development Trust colliery activity  Maesteg Town Centre improvements  Lack of confidence and aspiration amongst  Passenger train line to Maesteg young people

OPPORTUNITIES THREATS  Potential for the construction skills centre to  Further job losses with the decline of include low carbon construction techniques manufacturing industries  Identified brownfield development sites  Lack of private housing‐led regeneration (Coegnant Colliery, Maesteg Washery, interest Budelpack Cosi, Cooper Standard)  Increasing fuel prices and availability  WHQS and HRA investment in housing  Investment spread too thinly quality  The loss of skilled/educated young people  Increasing rail service to two trains per hour  Further development of cycle routes  Potential rfo the development of the tourist industry  Further develop Maesteg Town Hall as a cultural venue  Localising energy generation and reducing energy use to create jobs and reduce fuel poverty  Potential improvement to bus and train facilities in Maesteg  Expansion of Caerau Community Development Trust activities  Youth volunteering  Skills opportunities  Redevelopment of school sites  Building on social enterprises

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3. Stakeholder and Community Priorities

The development of the regeneration plan, and in particular the priority issues for the Valley, have been informed by a programme of initial consultation and communication with the local community and key stakeholders in the area. Although, it is recognised that further consultation and engagement is required in order to ratify eth VARP strategy. This section presents the headlines from this consultation and its impact on the direction of the strategy.

3.1. Community Engagement

At the baseline stage a series of exhibitions and consultations were undertaken within the Valley. This helped to identify some of the issues that local people regarded as significant. The priorities raised by the community representatives over these two exhibitions included:

 Diversionary activities for young people and the provision of youth workers (The Courthouse in Maesteg in particular was mentioned)

 Improve the quality and diversity of the offer in Maesteg Town Hall and enhance the cultural impact it has on the Llynfi Valley communities

 Address the negative perception of Caerau which is a barrier to training and employment

 Encourage new employment opportunities in the Valley

 Increase bus services to Maesteg from Caerau

 Develop the role of community development trusts in the Valley, particularly in relation to renewable energy

 Develop new cycle facilities (particularly BMX) in the Upper Llynfi Valley to encourage active lifestyles amongst children

 Enable Nodffa Chapel to work more closely with young people who are not in education, employment or training to develop their skills and confidence

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3.2. Stakeholder Engagement

The consultation with the local community was supplemented at a later stage by a ‘VARP Summit’ which brought together a range of people who have a vested interest in the three Bridgend Valleys.

At the summit the delegates were divided into focus groups for each of the Valleys. This provided the opportunity to review the key issues that had been identified to date and identify those that were missing and most pressing. The group were asked to identify what they regarded as the top three issues and the top three opportunities for the valley from their perspective. This provided the following results:

Key Issues Key Opportunities

 Local employment (x6)  More training and skills programmes (x3)  Transport infrastructure (x5)  Tourism Opportunities (x3)  Education/Skills (x4)  Developing new housing (x2)  Community development/capacity (x2)  Energy generation (x2)  Upper/lower divide  Improve/extend rail links (x2)  Inactivity  Community/social enterprise and plugging  Health economic leaks (x2)  Community inclusion  Active community (x2)  Youth provision  Redevelop Cooper Standard/Budelpack Cosi  Business support site/ other brownfield sites (x2)  Broadband speed  Communities First  Local services  Maesteg Town Centre  Community transport  Diversify recreation/play areas  Lack of public transport  New development should retain/enhance valley  Derelict sites for development character  Lack of attractive housing  More trees in urban areas  Cleanliness of the town  Activities for the unemployed (e.g. clean ups)  ‘Quality’ open space  Support for voluntary groups  Tourism attractions and accommodation  Community Development Trust  Supporting Noddfa Chapel (e.g. IT suite)

In addition to this the SWOT analysis was reviewed by the group and some additional points added. These have been reflected in the SWOT presented in the previous section.

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3.3. Stakeholder Priority Issues and Opportunities

The majority of the points raised in the focus group session backed Issues up the baseline research. In particular the lack of employment was  Lack of employment highlighted as a key issue as well as the poor educational  Poor educational attainment of the local population which, in turn, contributes to the attainment high levels of unemployment.  Transport infrastructure  Public transport Transport infrastructure was identified as a particular issue amongst  Broadband connectivity the focus group and was considered to be more of an issue than initially expected following the baseline report. A particular issue Opportunities identified was the significant disruption caused when an accident  Skills takes place on the main road through the valley. Concern was  Tourism expressed eabout th implication of potential new housing on  Social Enterprise congestion on the roads and also the limited potential to attract large employers to the area given the accessibility of the valley. Issues were also identified around the availability and reliability of public transport.

The speed and availability of broadband services in the valley is an issue particularly for businesses and the potential for home based businesses.

The opportunities identified by the group were diverse, however, there was a general consensus regarding the opportunities for improving skills, opportunities for a tourism offer in the area, and that social enterprise should be developed to maximise benefits for the local economy and community.

3.4. Stakeholder Priority Projects

The focus group session was also used to start identifying priority projects for the area. These were categorised as projects with an economic, environmental or social focus. The following projects were highlighted:

Economic

 Local Employment‐ support for small businesses to help with start‐up and sustaining business  Tourism‐ develop the offer of the valley including walking, view points, local businesses and wildlife and support for accommodation, branding and advertising  Local Energy Production‐ developing the skills and infrastructure to enable energy to be produced and distributed locally  Connections‐ ensuring that there are efficient transport networks and faster broadband speed

Environmental  Access to the Natural Environment‐ improved landscape quality and better access to the river, local wildlife and walks  Volunteering Opportunities‐ involving people in projects that help to improve the local environment in exchange for skills development, health benefits and social interaction  Housing Improvements‐ providing a greater choice, more attractive and affordable housing for the local population and new residents

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Social

 Sports Facilities‐ provision of facilities (particularly indoor facilities) to be incorporated into the development of vacant sites to help tackle health issues  Maesteg Town Hall‐ develop as a cultural centre of the valley to sustain the building and consolidate a number of uses  Street Ambassadors‐ local residents appointed hfor eac street to promote improvement and safety  Inter‐generational Mentoring‐ connecting young and old people to improve understanding between generations and support the progress of young people

Community Priorities Following the consultation with the community and stakeholder a ‘word cloud’ has been produced (below) which identifies common words and phrases that were mentioned.

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4. Strategy 4.1. Strategy Approach

The Llynfi Valley VARP Baseline Report highlighted the regeneration needs for the Llynfi Valley and the earlier sections of this report outline how these have been interpreted as regeneration objectives to inform this strategy.

There are undoubtedly needs across a broad spectrum of measures including health, environment, education, economy, housing and community and the VARP will seek to address all of these. However, it is very likely that all of these needs can be traced back to the economic weakness undermining the Llynfi Valley. This is; the historical reliance on a small number of externally owned businesses for employment. Former engines eof th local economy which are now consigned to history include: Coegnant Colliery, St. John's Colliery, Caerau Colliery, Coopers Standard, Revlon and Budelpack Cosi. These businesses were the economic impetus for the Valley and provided a focus for education, training and large scale employment. Together they helped sustain the communities of the Llynfi Valley over several generations. The loss of jobs and the weakness of the local economy has been a key concern raised throughout the process by residents and stakeholders.

Attracting external investment to the Llynfi Valley on the scale commensurate with previous major employers is extremely unlikely. Even if it were possible, it would not be sustainable. Incoming companies in receipt of grant would probably relocate once the grants expired. Meanwhile the LDP has recognised that employment growth is likely to be focussed on available sites close to the M4 corridor and Bridgend and be geared towards in service sector industries.

The VARP is not going to be able to work against the grain of wider changes and bring back employment on the previous scale to revive the fortunes of the Valley. Neither can the regeneration of the Llynfi Valley be sustainable if it concedes that people need to leave the Valley to work in jobs which, in terms of attainment, are currently out of reach for the most deprived parts of the community.

The VARP strategy is based on a different approach and a new way of doing things that works within the economic and policy realities. The role of the VARP will be to act across a spectrum

of measures to create the appropriate conditions for a stronger economy and more sustainable communities to emerge. This economy will almost certainly be broader based, probably smaller and more locally owned and will be driven by local people who are closely connected to its survival and have a vested interest in its health and resilience.

The ethos of the overall VARP strategy will incorporate:

 Building the role of social enterprise and community involvement  Encouraging small business excellence through local business mentoring, business incubation and other support  Plugging the leaks in the local economy building robust and interwoven local supply chains  Capitalising on i sem ‐rural upland location for tourism, promoting active lifestyles and renewable energy generation  Encouraging improvement of homes including aesthetics, public realm and energy efficiency  Facilitating the development of new mixed use places on brownfield sites  Enhancing the image of the Valley and especially Maesteg town centre  Improving the sustainable travel infrastructure in the Valley

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This strategy and the projects which are delivered by the VARP funding will seek to address these challenges.

4.2. Llynfi VARP Objectives

Following the contribution of the stakeholder consultation and in line with the strategy outlined above, the objectives for the Llynfi VARP were defined as the following:

1. Economy and Enterprise To include: Diversify and grow the  Encouraging business development and enterprise local economy in order to  Enhancing perceptions and confidence increase levels of local enterprise and improve  Insulating the local economy from ‘leakage’ prospects for better paid  Growing the tourism industry and skilled employment.  Encouraging more social enterprise  Strengthening the intermediate labour market (worklessness)

2. Skills and Education To include: Increase levels of  Improving educational attainment educational attainment  Increased access to skills and training and the achievement of basic and essential skills  Providing family support that are appropriate for

the local labour market.

3. Health and Wellbeing To include: Reduce levels of ill‐health  Healthy living measures and improve the  Sport and recreation opportunities opportunities for the local community to live  Tourism infrastructure healthier and more active lives.

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4. Transport and To include: Connections  Sustainable transport and movement Improve sustainable access to services and  Digital connections employment and enhance  Access to services connections within the valley and beyond.  Improving the quality of green and blue infrastructure Ensure fast and widely  Building attractive tourist infrastructure available digital connections.

5. Housing To include: Improve the energy  Improving the physical environment and public realm efficiency, affordability  Increasing energy efficiency and range of housing to support a growing and  Broadening housing choice balanced community.  Improving housing quality  Redeveloping brownfield land

6.1. CommunityHousing and Place‐ To include: making Improve the energy  GrowingImproving community the physical infrastructure environment and public realm Develop confident and wholesomeefficiency, affordability communities  IncreasingSupporting energy community efficiency governance that are engaged in the and range of housing to  EnablingBroadening community housing choicecohesion delivery of projects and support a growing and can sustain the benefits  PromotingImproving housingcommunity quality safety

ofbalanced local investment. community.  ContinuingRedeveloping to buildbrownfield capacity land  Enabling effective management and ownership

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5. Action Plan

This section sets out the projects that have been considered as part of the regeneration strategy for the Llynfi Valley. It highlights those projects that are considered to be a priority for regeneration and those that can be considered across all of the valleys.

The projects have been categorised according to eth theme to which they most closely relate. The themes are as follows:

1. Economy and Enterprise

2. Skills and Education

3. Health and Wellbeing

4. Transport and Connections

5. Housing

5.1. Long List of Projects and Project Assessment

An initial project list was collated containing sixty potential projects that reflect the regeneration priorities and objectives fit with the ethos of the Llynfi VARP Strategy. This full list can be found in Appendix 1.

A toolkit was developed to assess projects with each projects prioritisation based on its expected impact upon a wide variety of indicators and the extent to which it is capable of being implemented. Further the impact of projects was assessed against BCBC’s Sustainability Impact Screening Tool. The deliverability of projects was assessed against the OCG’s Five Case Business Model, which has since been adopted by WEFO.

The detailed assessment of each potential project is available in Appendix 2.

The following sub‐sections of the report present the list of projects and their relative position on the impact/deliverability scale based on the assessment described above. The projects are categorised under the relevant objective. The priority projects that emerged from this process are highlighted in bold.

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5.2. Economy and Enterprise Project Assessment

Project Name Brief Project Description

E1 3 valleys tourism Create action plan to integrate and improve the tourism offer of the implementation plan Bridgend Valleys (in line with BCBC strategy) E2 Targeted promotion of Promote Maesteg as a place for business and tourism based on rail Maesteg access, culture, heritage and environment E3 Local Business Enterprise Support the Llynfi Enterprise Centre at Heol Ty Gwyn. Explore the Centre(s) potential for more accommodation, potential located on a brownfield site in Maesteg, to provide help and support for start‐up businesses. Emphasis on green jobs, tourism and hospitality.

Develop links with college E4 Re‐establish Maesteg Enable the local trading/business community to become more Chamber of Trade organised and involved in the regeneration process Enterprise E5 Plugging the leaks in the Value the economy of the Llynfi Valley, assess local money flows and

and Local Economy identify leakages. Work closely with the Chamber of Trade and

Valley Forum to encourage local businesses (and consumers) to consider the broader benefits of local procurement E6 Local Procurement policy Create an action plan and commitment to greater local procurement Economy within BCBC contracts from the LA E7 Industrial Estate Environmental enhancements to support and promote the industrial Improvements estates in the valley (Spelter, Forge and Heol Ty Gwyn) E8 Getting into Work Support programmes that help people to find and apply for jobs and support to help remain in employment E9 Establish Local Business Create a format for advice and mentoring for the Llynfi business Mentoring Panel community to ensure a network of healthy and resilient SME's

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5.3. Skills and Education Project Assessment

S1 Enhance Caerau construction Provide additional training on skills in green construction and energy skills centre efficiency S2 Rural Skills Development Training based on rural management and recreation as a pathway to Programme volunteering, work and potential tourism spin offs S3 Cycle Training Courses Training programme for young people to encourage them to stick with cycling and potentially gain employment through cycle tourism. Can include cycle maintenance and cycle proficiency (for children and adults) to encourage more people into cycling

Education S4 Sound and Theatre Train young people in sound production and theatre management at

Management Training Maesteg Town Hall and S5 Enterprise training and Relevant training to help local people set up and run their own monitoring businesses such as time management, bookkeeping, marketing and Skills advertising. Support from other local businesses. Linked to enterprise centres. S6 School Transitions Support and promote initiatives that support children through the transition between schools, and from school to training or employment. Particularly target those dropping out of the mainstream education system

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5.4. Health and Wellbeing Project Assessment

W1 Initiate local veg box scheme Develop a local fruit and veg box by working in partnership with community, growers and existing merchants W2 Valley Allotment Scheme Support the establishment and maintenance of local allotment societies under the umbrella of the CDTs W3 Communal Food Scheme Support the community to plant fruit and nut trees/shrubs on small plots of LA/community owned land W4 Cooking Classes Support Caerau Development Trust to run and manage cookery courses aimed at different age groups with peer support using the proposed commercial kitchen at the former school.

W5 Coegnant Leisure Park Create new leisure facility at Coegnant Colliery. To include: BMX track, football, rugby, skateboarding with shared changing facilities. Potential to host events and provide camping

wellbeing accommodation. Link into community routes and improved bridal

paths and W6 Venture Out Llynfi Extend this project to Llynfi Valley and create versions suited to other sections of community (i.e., young people, mum’s with small children). Health W7 Sports demonstrations Encourage local sports /activity clubs and societies to host sessions demonstration sessions at a single event to encourage membership and participation W8 Upgrade Llynfi Valley Walks Enhance the signage and way marking of the existing walks promoted by Maesteg Town Council. Create and promote new circular walks starting at Maesteg town centre W9 Health Programme Brokers Identify existing health programmes and facilities in the area and use brokers to raise awareness of these. This can include promotion in schools and community centres and door‐to‐door visits.

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5.5. Transport and Connections Project Assessment

T1 Noddfa Chapel IT Suite Provide an up to date and fully equipped IT suite at Noddfa Chapel and ensure ongoing technical support T2 Broadband Improvement Encourage and promote higher speed broadband connection within Llynfi Valley T3 Communities 2.0 Support and encourage CDTs and community groups to access ongoing assistance from Communities 2.0 T4 Llynfi Bus Corridor Improve bus waiting facilities and information to promote bus use Improvement as a sustainable mode of transport T5 Llynfi Rail Corridor Upgrade waiting environments at train stations and provide more Improvements information about services and the local area. Connections T6 Maesteg Transport Enhance Maesteg bus and rail stations and improve links, signage, Interchange ticketing and information. Project linked to Maesteg outdoor and market improvements T7 Llynfi Valley Cycling To promote local trips by bicycle and to develop recreational cycle Improvement Strategy opportunities to other valleys and strategic routes

Transport T8 Community Car Share Clubs Develop car clubs to give people access to a car when needed providing an alternative to private car ownership and taxis T9 A4063 Enhancement Improvements to the setting of the main route through the valley, particularly to highlight neighbourhood centres where traffic should move at a slower speed T10 Community Transport Expand existing social enterprise to create a service for the whole Scheme community of the Upper Llynfi Valley

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5.6. Housing Project Assessment

H1 Alley Gating Scheme Develop a pilot project for making rear lanes of terraced properties more secure, easier to manage and more attractive H2 Maesteg Vacant Shop Develop a legal and creative format for 'dressing' vacant shops in Enhancements the town centre to reduce visual impact of voids H3 Shop front improvement Invest in the quality of shopfronts and building facades in Maesteg scheme town centre. Explore the potential for higher percentage grants particularly key buildings in the town centre and provide support and advice on the grant process H4 Maesteg Market Create new market buildings and space adjacent to Maesteg Town Improvement Scheme Hall H5 Residential Street Creation of ‘home zones’ in some residential streets to improve Improvement safety and quality H6 Social Housing Renewal Housing remodelling and environmental improvements in areas of Area social housing (Caerau, Tudor, Duffryn Road, Oaklands Estate)

H7 Llynfi Development A strategy to coordinate and promote the development of non‐ Strategy strategic sites within the valley with a vision for mix of uses, energy standards and design guidelines in the form of

Development Briefs H8 River Llynfi Corridor To prioritise where riverside enhancements will have greatest Strategy impact

Housing H9 Ewenny Road / Oakwood Develop a combined masterplan/regeneration/community Initiative development plan for former industrial sites and V2C housing to provide new jobs, training facilities and homes H10 Coegnant Colliery & Further technical studies required to determine how the sites can be Maesteg Washery developed for recreation, education and residential uses H11 Community Energy Undertake a feasibility study to understand the potential within Strategy the valley for energy generation including methane capture (Coegnant Colliery site), wind, hydro and energy crops (on FC land on the eastern side of the Upper Llynfi Valley). The most appropriate sites within the valley should be determined and implemented in following years. CDTs could be the mechanism for delivering this through an energy services company H12 Zero Waste Valley Initiate a zero waste project based on the successful scheme in Glyncoch (RCT) to reduce flytipping and increase recycling and local pride H13 Energy Reduction A programme to educate and assist households and businesses in Programme the Valley to reduce their energy consumption. This could include managing a Community Energy Saving Programme to be matched against future phases of Housing Renewal Area investment. A Carbon Emissions Reduction Target should also be established

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28.05.2010 24 Llynfi Valley VARP Strategy & Action Plan

5.7. Community and Place‐making Project Assessment

C1 Police and Youth Liaison Support the existing diversionary work being done by local police, CSO’s and youth workers C2 Support for Community Provide assistance to community groups who contribute towards Organisations the aims of the VARP. Provide assistance for grant applications C3 Community Development Link Caerau CDT to a network of linked CDTs. These organisations Trust (CDT) Network will be the basis for community driven regeneration in the future whereby profits and gains are all retained within the community. Lessons from more mature CDTs (like Creation) can be applied to younger organisations C4 Llynfi Valley Festival Initiate community run Valley festival (a celebration of Llynfi Valley life) where various events take place over a single weekend.

(cultural events, local food market, craft fair, sports demonstrations, local choirs/bands, guided walks etc). Provide training and support for the coordination and management of the making

‐ event C5 Street Ambassadors Encourage a network of local people to act as a focal point for place

discussions, questions and reporting problems C6 Llangynwyd Community Establish a base for community activity in Llangynwyd (potentially and Base former St Stephen’s Church) C7 Development Trust Support Provide support for the activities of the Caerau Community Development Trust. Particularly establish a framework for community volunteering in the form of a timebank to help develop

Community work focused attitudes C8 Llynfi Transition Valley Support grass roots community driven and inspired action to confront climate change and peak oil simultaneously C9 Maesteg Town Hall Develop a business plan for the Town Hall which should also Business Plan consider an extension incorporating a new entrance, box office, Christopher Williams gallery etc. C10 Landscape Enhancement A programme of initiatives to improve the landscape of the valley, Programme building on the remediation of the colliery sites

C11 Tin Shops Improvement Enhance a key eyesore sight in a prominent location at the entrance to Caerau

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28.05.2010 26 Llynfi Valley VARP Strategy & Action Plan

5.8. Shortlisted Projects

Twenty nine projects have been shortlisted via the process highlighted above. The shortlisted projects are presented in the table below with a short summary of the expected delivery and impact rating.

Project Name Deliverability Impact E3 Local Business Enterprise Rebuilding the local economy based Strong positive impact on Centre(s) on diversity and local ownership is an employment and potentially essential component of the VARP energy and conservation. strategy. There is much best practice and Indirect positive benefits on experience in Wales/UK for this type other aspects of project E4 Re‐establish Maesteg Potentially high delivery rating, but it Impact could be high depending Chamber of Trade is not certain if the capacity or desire on the ability to find a core group exists. The Charter or culture of the of traders from which to re‐start organisation will need to address the the Chamber need to provide creative influence

and commercial energy behind the regeneration effort E5 Plugging the leaks in the Strong delivery rating with potential Positive impact especially on local economy to be funded by WVSRA and economic measures and Enterprise

implemented by CDT. Excellent deliverable by either BCBC or the delivery rating. Project should ideally local community. Funding would and be linked with ‘Think Local’ campaign be short term. Ethos could be and the local procurement policy applied to other Valleys. In within BCBC for maximum impact isolation the impact is relatively minor, but it could be used in a Economy comprehensive manner as part of other initiatives to improve the robustness of the local economy E6 Local Procurement policy Excellent delivery rating. Project Huge potential for enhancing the within the BCBC needs to be approved at the most quality and diversity of the senior levels of BCBC to be Bridgend economy which would implemented. have a significant impact on the Clear precedent from Llynfi Valley Northumberland County Council. E8 Getting into Work Good delivery rating, the project is Critical project to remove the based on a sound template and will barriers to employment that exist match the accord with the matters in deprived communities. which concern local people the most.

S3 Cycle Training Courses Delivery rating is promising, providing High priority project. Strong the right local champions can be impact in a number of areas found including skills, health and the environment Education S5 Enterprise Training and The project has a good delivery rating. Potential for a positive impact in Mentoring Coordination and organisational an area of identified need but is and structures are required to establish only likely to reach a limited the scheme proportion of the local Skills population

W5 Coegnant Leisure Park Further feasibility work needs to be Strong direct benefits to health undertaken but there is strong local and indirect benefits in other interest and support for the project areas Wellbeing

W6 Venture Out Llynfi An achievable project with little Strong direct benefit to health and investment required. Needs coordination and take up from local

Health groups to ensure sustainability

28.05.2010 27 Llynfi Valley VARP Strategy & Action Plan

T4 Llynfi Bus Corridor Project relatively easy to implement Strong contribution to Improvement but with some ongoing costs likely sustainable transport improvements and some other areas including access to jobs

T5 Llynfi Rail Corridor Achievable project with some ongoing Strong contribution to Improvements costs associated. Further feasibility sustainable transport work required improvements and benefits to the environment and access to Connections

jobs T6 Maesteg Transport Initial and ongoing investment likely Strong impact on connections and Interchange to be required, attractive project for and benefits environmentally and the valley. Some uncertainties to be contributes to visitor resolved to establish deliverability improvements Transport T9 A4063 Enhancement Improvements can be implemented Moderate benefits in a number of depending on cost but work will be areas required to establish local participation

H2 Maesteg Vacant Shop Deliverable project provided property Impact on perception and Enhancements owners are on board with the broader economic performance of town strategy and principles centre

H3 Shop front improvement Deliverable project. The method of Impact on perception and scheme delivery and the financial package on economic performance of town offer will determine impact centre

H4 Maesteg Market No major obstacles to delivery Potential impact across a range of Improvement Scheme subjects is medium. However the site is currently the most prominent detractor in the town centre. The design of the space and buildings will determine impact.

H6 Social Housing Renewal A deliverable project with V2C as the Addressing some of the weakest Area champion with potential support from housing stock in the Valley by

WVSRA making homes nice places to live which use less resources is important

Housing H7 Llynfi Development Strategy This collating of information about the The impact of the project is future use and disposal strategy for clearly unknown at this stage. sites is a deliverable project However, it could yield opportunities of small scale development / conversion / open space enhancement projects which could have a range of impacts. Could also be linked to proposed schools review. Impact needs to be retested as part of strategy

H9 Ewenny Road / Oakwood Medium / High delivery rating High priority project. Significant Initiative providing commitment from positive impact. Potential project WAG/BCBC is forthcoming for major investment to hit a wide number of objectives H11 Community Energy Strategy Uncertain delivery rating. Barriers to Further work required to implementation would need to be determine extent of impact identified and removed if possible but which could be significant it is considered to be worth perusing

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H13 Energy Reduction Potential to work with the community High impact, low cost project that Programme to increase practical uptake of energy could support other higher cost and money saving measures interventions or stand alone C1 Police and Youth Liaison Project likely to support ongoing work Medium/High delivery rating with providing diversionary activities albeit over a narrow range of for young people impacts C2 Support for Community Limited cost but potentially significant Very high impact project. Would Organisations outcomes over 3‐5 years need to work alongside Communities First to ensure the appropriate groups are

supported. Building the capacity of local groups is an essential way of building local ownership and making

‐ control of regeneration. C3 Community Development Very high delivery potential Medium positive impact in the

Place Trust (CDT) Network short term. Medium to long term

the impact of this project should and be hugely significant C4 Llynfi Valley Festival Strong basis for an implementable Potential for a positive impact project across a range of objectives with good precedents for other similar

Community sustainable projects C7 Development Trust Support High delivery rating, especially given Project could be delivered by the proximity of a good precedent various community groups / project CDT’s throughout the valley and could have significant cumulative impact C9 Maesteg Town Hall Business The structure is already in place, but Potential high impact project. Plan the Board require additional support

28.05.2010 29 Llynfi Valley VARP Strategy & Action Plan

5.9. 2010/11 WVSRA Projects

The shortlist of projects presented in Section 5.8 has been further refined to identify what projects are most suitable for implementation in 2010/11 through the Western Valleys Strategic Regeneration Programme.

Theme Project

Economy & Enterprise E5 Valuing the local economy

Health and Wellbeing W5 Llynfi Leisure Park

+ Caerau Market Garden

Transport and connections + DIY Streets

Housing/Built Environment H11 Community Energy Strategy

H4 Maesteg Market (Strategic)

H9 Ewenny Road Initiative (Strategic)

+ Caerau Tin Shops

The following pages present a number of case studies relating to some of the priority projects based on local energy production and the WAG WVSRA project pro‐forma which outline in more detail those projects that should be the priority for BCBC, WAG, BAVO and stakeholders for implementation.

28.05.2010 30 Llynfi Valley VARP Strategy & Action Plan

Commercialisation of Small Hydropower Project through Community Participation

Type of Project: Renewable Energy

Network: n/a

Location: Dolgellau, North Wales

Technology: Hydro

Lead Organisation: Dulas Ltd

Total project budget: n/a

Funding Bodies: n/a

This project aimed to carry out the initial development stages for a community owned and managed small‐scale hydro project near Dolgellau, North Wales. The project also aimed to provide a model for the development of a community‐owned, grid‐connected renewable energy business, which can be applied to other renewable energy initiatives.

A local community group in Dolgellau was set up through Cymad. Small hydro sites were selected by the group and analysed for resource and environmental implications by Dulas. The group worked through the steps to set up the small hydro scheme. The project results indicated that there are still substantial barriers to community‐led renewable electricity generation schemes. The project identified the most suitable mechanisms in terms of setting up the group, community group structure, financial structure and sale of electricity.

28.05.2010 31 Llynfi Valley VARP Strategy & Action Plan

Dyfi Valley Community Renewable Project

Type of Project: Renewable Energy

Network: Ecodyfi

Location: Dyfi Valley, Wales

Technology: Hydro, Wind, Solar Electric, Solar Thermal, Ground Source Heat Pump, Biomass

Lead Organisation: Dyfi Eco Valley Partnership

Total project budget: £1,000,000

Funding Bodies: Shell Better Britain Campaign, Ceredigion County Council and Cymad, European Regional Development Fund, Welsh Development Agency, Powys County Council

This project is based in the Dyfi Valley, near Machynlleth in mid Wales. The project is a collaboration of several organisations to enable people to carry out small‐scale schemes using various renewable energy technologies. A large number of schemes have been completed which include: a grid‐ connected hydro‐electric unit installed by a farmer; three domestic solar electric installations, one of which powers a ground‐source heat pump; and a solar electric array at Dyfi Eco park.

EU funding has enabled the project to provide grant aid for eligible community‐based renewable energy schemes. The project criteria are that the scheme must: be of local benefit, have local support, have majority local ownership, have majority local control. Schemes may be held in private, joint or common ownership.

The project also promoted solar water heating to householders via the Dyfi Solar Club. The Dyfi Eco Valley Partnership, a company limited by guarantee, managed the project. It has drawn in other partners and local people in becoming the sustainable community regeneration body for the area, and was managed by a board of local people.

28.05.2010 32 Llynfi Valley VARP Strategy & Action Plan

Torrs Hydro New Mills

Type of Project: Renewable Energy

Network: Local People and Businesses

Location: Torrs Hydro New Mills, England

Technology: Hydro

Lead Organisation: Torrs Hydro New Mills Limited

Total project budget: £330,000

Funding Bodies: Community share Grant funding providing

Torrs Hydro is a community owned and community funded organisation. It has 230 shareholders who own the scheme. It has had two general annual meetings which have attracted several hundred attendees. AGMs will be held each November. The organisation has held a series of well attended open afternoons over the summer and have commenced an educational programme with local schools. This pioneering scheme has generated nationwide interest and has put New Mills on the map. Future profits from the scheme will fund a community grants programme.

The reverse Archimedes screw turbine (known as Archie) is designed to produce around a 250 000 kWh of electricity over a typical year. This is the equivalent of the annual electricity consumption of around 50 typical British homes and saves over 150 tonnes of CO2 emissions compared to conventional electricity generation.

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6. WVSRA VARP Project Pro‐forma 6.1. Pro‐forma

Project Title: Maesteg Public Realm Improvements (Strategic)

Location: Maesteg Town Centre ‐ outdoor market, bus station and riverside

- in what location(s) is the project to be implemented

Project Description: Recent public realm works in Maesteg have improved the environment and uplifted the quality of the Town Centre. However, the outdoor market area and the bus station remain in need of improvement; the market is poorly laid out and attracts a low footfall given its central position, and the bus - Background station provides a poor waiting environment for passengers and a negative needs/opportunities met first impression to visitors.

- Actions to be taken The Town Centre is an important asset to the valley providing access to goods and services and supporting local employment. It is therefore important, givene th many challenges that town centres in general are currently facing, that the market and the bus station make a strong positive contribution to the offer and attraction of the town centre.

Proposals for the market see a redevelopment of the site to provide new units for the market traders arranged around a new public space. The addition of a flexible space in the centre of the town will allow the town to accommodate events and visiting markets. The bus station waiting environment will be improved with a new enclosed shelter, information and better links to the train station.

Issues Addressed & Economy & Enterprise Will support the existing traders in the Expected Outcomes: outdoor market (at least 17 jobs) and the potential for new local enterprises to be established in the market.

- Identify which of the key The improvements will also contribute to issues will be addressed making Maesteg a more attractive and interesting place to visit

- Quantify expected Skills & Education output

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Health & Wellbeing

Transport & Connections Improvements to public transport to make bus use more attractive and improve the link between transport modes including taxis and rail service

Housing Improvements to a rundown part of the town centre

Community & Place Changes to the outdoor market should create Making a much greater sense of place within the town centre

Project Delivery Partners: Communities First

CDT

- What groups will help to Schools deliver the project and maintain its impact? Established community The groups who use Maesteg Town Hall (e.g. groups dance groups, theatre, choral etc) should be involved in the development of a programme - Are new groups/bodies of events for the use of the public space needed? Service providers BCBC

Local businesses Local traders have been consulted on the project and should be involved in the development of the design and implementation

Interest groups

Voluntary Organisations

Other Local Authority own the land and manage the market

Cross Valley Potential: Project specific to Maesteg Town Centre

- Can the project be rolled out across other valleys?

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Funding Requirements: Western Valleys Funding Yes

Match Funding Convergence funding, possible SEWA funding for bus station element

Ongoing Funding

Priority: High priority for the improvement of the town centre

- High/Medium/Low

Timescale: Concept designs have been prepared. Detailed design and implementation to be undertaken

- Short/Medium/Long

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Project Title: Llynfi Leisure Park

Location: Coegnant Colliery Site

- in what location(s) is the project to be implemented

Project Description: There is a good network of sports groups within the valley but a currently lack of pitches, facilities and diversity of a sporting offer. Following the loss of a pitch elsewhere in the valley, the community feel they are owed a new pitch which could form part of a more comprehensive leisure facility for the - Background valley. needs/opportunities met

- Actions to be taken There is strong local support for the provision of a BMX track in the valley which would provide an additional activity for a wide age group.

The leisure needs and desires within the valley should be considered holistically to create a comprehensive leisure facility including a BMX track, football/rugby pitch, and skateboarding facilities. Focusing these facilities in one location will enable the shared use of changing facilities, car parking, management, security, maintenance etc. Sporting events could be accommodated in this location particularly if the XBM track is built to regional or national standard.

The scope of the project could be broadened to include camping and outdoor pursuit facilities. The park should be well linked to improve foot and cycle paths and bridal ways.

A community leisure company could be established as a component of the Community Development Trust to manage the leisure facilities and potentially those existing in the valley already. Celtic Leisure in Neath Port Talbot provides a modal for this.

Issues Addressed & Expected Economy & Enterprise Potential creation of a number of jobs and Outcomes: support for the visitor/tourism offer of the valley

Skills & Education Can have links with schools to provide - Identify which of the key additional facilities issues will be addressed

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- Quantify expected output Health & Wellbeing Promotes active lifestyles for a wide range of the population

Transport & Connections Should link to cycle routes and bridal paths to provide sustainable connections from the local area

Housing

Community & Place Will make a positive contribution to a number Making of local sports groups and keen members of the local community

Project Delivery Partners: Communities First

CDT

- What groups will help to Schools Should be developed in conjunction with the deliver the project and new primary school in Caerau and the maintain its impact? comprehensive in Maesteg

Established community Develop proposals in conjunction with local - Are new groups/bodies groups sports teams needed? Service providers BCBC

Local businesses

Interest groups

Voluntary Organisations

Other The BMX proposals are being developed by members of the local community who are keen to see the facility put in place

Cross Valley Potential: Locationally specific project but should be coordinated with the provision of similar facilities in the other valleys

- Can the project be rolled out across other valleys?

Funding Requirements: Western Valleys Funding yes

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Match Funding

Ongoing Funding Should be largely self supporting through membership fees etc

Priority: High priority for a variety of local people. There is particular interest in the BMX track

- High/Medium/Low

Timescale: Site planning work should be undertaken as soon as possible. The BMX track could form the first stage of development.

Development of facilities will take place over time - Short/Medium/Long

28.05.2010 39 Llynfi Valley VARP Strategy & Action Plan

Project Title: Community Energy Strategy

Location: Various locations

- in what location(s) is the project to be implemented

Project Description: The overall objective of the project is to act as a catalyst for the creation of a resilient valley community with a low carbon future. The aims of the project are to:

 Reduce fuel poverty - Background  Decentralise energy production needs/opportunities met  Create a community development and management company  Reduce local energy consumption  Remediate land  Promote the ‘green economy’ and new training and employment - Actions to be taken opportunities

This project will consist of a number of components that need to be linked together to be holistic and achievable and create a much greater impact. The Caerau Development Trust (CDT) could form the basis of a model for the local implementation of this project as this fits with the groups ethos of projects for the long term benefit of the community. CDT need to be supported and enabled to take on a greater role in drawing together the various regeneration and renewal strands withine th Valley including energy.

The different elements of a local energy programme that have been identified include the following:

Develop hydro‐electric capture on the head of the River Llynfi

Explore the potential to develop a small hydroelectric scheme on the upper Llynfi River. This scheme could use the areas assets (topography and high rainfall) to develop a small hydro‐electric scheme that would provide a constant source of electricity for sale to the grid (and revenue for CDT) or as direct power to new developments such as Coegnant Colliery.

Plant and manage bio‐crop

The previous regeneration strategy for Caerau outlines the need to remediate the eastern slopes of the Llynfi Valley which are left scarred from previous industrial reclamation. CDT and Forestry Commission Wales could plant and manage a short

28.05.2010 40 Llynfi Valley VARP Strategy & Action Plan

rotation energy crop including Willow, Birch and Elephant Grass. This crop could be used to power a CHP and surplus could be sold for a profit and used to fund revenue schemes for CDT.

Develop & Manage Community Heat and Power (CHP)

There is scope to locate a CHP plant to power a mixture of uses on the large redevelopment sites in the valley using renewable, local resources for power. This could be owned and operated by CDT.

Manage the feasibility process for methane capture and extraction

The former WDA remediated the Coegnant Colliery site and have secured the methane which is being omitted from the former mine adits. The quantity and pressure of the methane is unknown. Whilst the presence of mine gas presents a development risk, it is also an energy opportunity. Methane could be harnessed, cracked and used as a source of energy. A feasibility study would need to be undertaken to understand the potential opportunity that this presents and the cost implications of undertaking these works.

Alternatively, there are opportunities to use the pressure of the methane to force ground heated minewater to the surface. This water, likely to have a temperature of twelve to eighteen degrees centigrade sha a potential use in heat exchangers and could work in the same way as a ground source heat pump.

Local energy company for community windfarm

This project should be linked to an energy reduction programme which could include a Community Energy Savings Programme (CESP) and CERT

CESP promotes a “whole house” approach i.e. a package of energy efficiency measures best suited to the individual property. The programme is delivered through the development of community‐based partnerships between Local Authorities (LAs), community groups and energy companies, via a house‐by‐house, street‐by‐street approach. CESP is expected to deliver annual average fuel bill savings for those households involved of up to £300. Caerau is an eligible Ward and

28.05.2010 41 Llynfi Valley VARP Strategy & Action Plan

can be linked to Cymmer in Neath Port Talbot CBC.

Issues Addressed & Expected Economy & Enterprise The scope of the proposals could support a Outcomes: number of jobs and community enterprises where money is earned locally from natural resources and retained within the valley

- Identify which of the key Skills & Education Could link to the expansion of green skills. issues will be addressed Could develop links with local schools to support education on renewable energy

- Quantify expected output Health & Wellbeing

Transport & Connections

Housing Should be looked at in relation to large development sites within the valley and also the provision of energy to existing homes

Community & Place There is a great opportunity for these Making proposals to be led by the Community Development Trust to retain local ownership and capture the full benefit of the project

Project Delivery Partners: Communities First

CDT Caerau Community Development should be the driver of this project. CDT have been - What groups will help to involved in the development of the ideas for deliver the project and this project maintain its impact? Schools Link with local schools

- Are new groups/bodies Established community needed? groups

Service providers BCBC and energy providers

Local businesses Local business involvement and uptake should be encouraged

Interest groups Link with Llynfi Rivercare group

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Voluntary Organisations

Other

Cross Valley Potential: This project should be developed across the three valleys and in coordination with the rest of the Western Valleys SRA. Local opportunities need to be identified and developed in each of the valleys

- Can the project be rolled out across other valleys?

Funding Requirements: Western Valleys Funding

Match Funding

Ongoing Funding

Priority: Medium/High‐ although perhaps not an immediate priority for all it is important for the valley that a future energy strategy is determined

- High/Medium/Low

Timescale: The initial stage of the project, which can be undertaken within the first year, is a feasibility study to identify the potential within the valley

- Short/Medium/Long

28.05.2010 43 Llynfi Valley VARP Strategy & Action Plan

Project Title: Valuing the Local Economy

Location: Llynfi Valley

- in what location(s) is the project to be implemented

Project Description: Money flows within a local economy and the extent to which money re‐circulates is a vital component of local economic health. An economy with businesses that do not employ or procure locally will suffer from money leakage: money in the form of income and supplier payments will be spent outside eth economy. In contrast, - Background money will leak less slowly out of an economy with significant local employment needs/opportunities met and procurement; instead it will re‐circulate. This re‐circulation is critical to the creation and retention of wealth locally.

- Actions to be taken Research by the Countryside Agency has shown that on average upwards of 40 percent of business turnover ‘leaks’ outside of the local economy. By finding ways to ‘plug the leaks’ by creating economic linkages between local businesses, labour, and public bodies, poorer communities can build a healthy local economy from within that can stand on its own long after regeneration funding dries up.

For the VARP strategy to succeed it will be necessary to increase the money being continually re‐spent in the Llynfi Valley. A baseline exercise is required to establish the dynamics of the local economy and identify the leaks so that they can be plugged. This will involve auditing organisations through which money flows and should start by assessing the impact of:

 Public sector organisations  Valleys to Coast Housing  Voluntary sector organisations  Retail businesses in Maesteg town centre

Following this initial phase of assessments, the methodology could be adapted to fit the myriad of small businesses on industrial estates like: Spelter, Forge and Heol Ty Gwyn.

The outcomes of this project are to:

 measure the economic impact of key sectors  measure the multiplier effect of each sector  identify key pathways for economic leakage in the Llynfi Valley  encourage stakeholders to examine the impact of their organisation and

28.05.2010 44 Llynfi Valley VARP Strategy & Action Plan

promote positive change

The actions to be taken will involve working with an organisation to either assist with the evaluation process or to train BCBC officers or other local stakeholders to carry out the evaluation.

Issues Addressed & Expected Economy & Enterprise Better understanding of strengths and Outcomes: weaknesses of the local economy.

Identify ways of enhancing the local economy

- Identify which of the key Skills & Education Potential to work alongside a local issues will be addressed organisation, train them and work alongside them to carry out the analysis

- Quantify expected output Health & Wellbeing ‐

Transport & Connections ‐

Housing ‐

Community & Place ‐ Making

Project Delivery Partners: Communities First

CDT Potential to empower a CDT to assist with the process - What groups will help to deliver the project and Schools Potential to work alongside local schools, maintain its impact? through the LEA to build a picture up of their economic impact

- Are new groups/bodies Established community Important for a range of voluntary needed? groups organisations to participate with the process

Service providers Important for a range of service providers to participate with the process

Local businesses

Interest groups

Voluntary Organisations Important for a range of voluntary organisations to participate with the process

28.05.2010 45 Llynfi Valley VARP Strategy & Action Plan

Other No new organisations are required.

Cross Valley Potential: This is a project that could be piloted in the Llynfi Valley with a view to it being applied to the Garw and Ogmore Valleys. The application of the assessment criteria and evaluation methods could be reviewed from this exercise and refined for use in the other Bridgend Valleys. - Can the project be rolled out across other valleys?

Funding Requirements: Western Valleys Funding The project does not require any capital funding or ongoing revenue requirements. The funding would enable the assessment and evaluation expertise to be brought to the Valley.

Match Funding

Ongoing Funding A similar assessment should be undertaken at the end of WVSRA funding and this could be undertaken by those trained to perform it during the initial exercise.

Priority: High priority

- High/Medium/Low

Timescale: Short

- Short/Medium/Long

28.05.2010 46 Llynfi Valley VARP Strategy & Action Plan

Project Title: Ewenny Road / Oakwood Initiative (Strategic)

Location: Ewenny Road, Maesteg, Llynfi Valley

- in what location(s) is the project to be implemented

Project Description: Background

The vacant employment sites, formerly Budelpack Cosi and Coopers Standard at Ewenny Road, Maesteg sit adjacent to the Oakwood estate, - Background which is a renewal priority for V2C. The strategic location of these sites needs/opportunities met adjacent to a rail halt on the Maesteg to Bridgend line means that these three areas are a regeneration opportunity which could have an impact of the whole of the Llynfi Valley. - Actions to be taken

Proposal

This project will develop a combined masterplan/regeneration/community development plan and renewable energy plan for former industrial sites and V2C housing.

To achieve this the needs of various stakeholders must be met, these include:

 The residents of Oakwood  Valleys to Coast Housing  BCBC as landowner of the former Coopers Standard  WAG as a financial stakeholder in Coopers Standard  The owners of Budelpack Cosi  Network Rail as adjacent landowner  The rail operator  Environment Agency (due to the proximity of sites adjacent to the River Llynfi)  BCBC as the Local Planning Authority and Highway Authority

The needs of these different stakeholders will need to be brought together so that collectively they are able to work towards the outcomes of this project which are to:

 Improve access to work for existing residents of Oakwood and the wider Llynfi Valley  Improve the wellbeing the residents of Oakwood and the wider

28.05.2010 47 Llynfi Valley VARP Strategy & Action Plan

Llynfi Valley  Create new habitats and new high quality built environment  Enhance the layout and quality of homes on the Oakwood estate  Develop new workspace for small businesses  Build new homes and refurbish existing ones to high standards of environmental design  Develop integrated renewable energy solutions rfo the Oakwood estate and for future uses on the former employment sites.  Improve public transport infrastructure

The most important action to be undertaken involves bringing together a project group of the various stakeholders. Once this has been achieved the project group will need to develop a masterplan that is based upon knowledge of current site constraints and which is prepared in such as way so that it is possible to establish the economic, social and environmental impact of all the proposals.

Issues Addressed & Expected Economy & Enterprise Develop space for small businesses, possibly Outcomes: on an incubator basis.

In the region of 50,000sq.ft

- Identify which of the key Skills & Education Create opportunities for training placements issues will be addressed through the site investigation, preparation and construction / enhancement process

- Quantify expected output In the region of 50 training places.

Health & Wellbeing Ensure the active participation of nearby residents in the investigation, masterplan and development process.

The masterplan should allow access to the riverside to connect to the riverside walk.

Create a walkable environment and one which is designed with natural surveillance in mind.

Transport & Connections Enhancements to one of the rail halts on the Maesteg to Bridgend line

Housing Enhancements to approximately 150 existing residential units

Community & Place Create a new mixed neighbourhood Making

28.05.2010 48 Llynfi Valley VARP Strategy & Action Plan

Project Delivery Partners: Communities First See above

CDT “

- What groups will help to Schools “ deliver the project and maintain its impact? Established community “ groups

- Are new groups/bodies Service providers “ needed? Local businesses “

Interest groups “

Voluntary Organisations “

Other “

Cross Valley Potential: Location specific project. However, lessons from this project should be exported throughout the Borough and the rest of Wales.

- Can the project be rolled out across other valleys?

Funding Requirements: Western Valleys Funding

Match Funding

Ongoing Funding

Priority: A high priority due to scale of opportunities.

- High/Medium/Low

Timescale: The project should be commenced in the short term as part of the WVSRA process, but a long term perspective on project implementation will be - Short/Medium/Long required.

28.05.2010 49

Llynfi Valley VARP Strategy and Action Plan APPENDIX Final Draft Report To Bridgend County Borough Council

April 2010

Police and Youth Liaison – Community and Place‐making Appendix 1: Long List of Projects

Project Name Brief Project Description

1 3 valleys tourism Create action plan to integrate and improve the tourism offer of the implementation plan Bridgend Valleys (in line with BCBC strategy) 2 Targeted promotion of Promote Maesteg as a place for business and tourism based on rail Maesteg access, culture, heritage and environment 3 Local Business Enterprise Support the Llynfi Enterprise Centre at Heol Ty Gwyn. Explore the Centre(s) potential for more accommodation, potential located on a brownfield site in Maesteg, to provide help and support for start‐up businesses. Emphasis on green jobs, tourism and hospitality. Develop links with college

4 Re‐establish Maesteg Enable the local trading/business community to become more Chamber of Trade organised and involved in the regeneration process 5 Plugging the leaks in the Value the economy of the Llynfi Valley, assess local money flows and Enterprise Local Economy identify leakages. Work closely with the Chamber of Trade and Valley Forum to encourage local businesses (and consumers) to consider the and broader benefits of local procurement

6 Local Procurement policy Create an action plan and commitment to greater local procurement Economy within the BCBC contracts from the LA 7 Industrial Estate Environmental enhancements to support and promote the industrial Improvements estates in the valley (Spelter, Forge and Heol Ty Gwyn)

8 Getting into Work Support programmes that help people to find and apply for jobs and support to help remain in employment 9 Establish Local Business Create a format for advice and mentoring for the Llynfi business Mentoring Panel community to ensure a network of healthy and resilient SME's

1 Enhance Careau Provide additional training on skills in green construction and energy construction skills centre efficiency 2 Rural Skills Development Training based on rural management and recreation as a pathway to Programme volunteering, work and potential tourism spin offs 3 Cycle Training Courses Training programme for young people to encourage them to stick with cycling and potentially gain employment through cycle tourism. Can include cycle maintenance and cycle proficiency (for children and adults) to encourage more people into cycling Education 4 Sound and Theatre Train young people in sound production and theatre management at Management Training Maesteg Town Hall and

5 Enterprise training and Relevant training to help local people set up and run their own mentoring businsess such as time management, bookkeeping, marketing and Skills advertising. Support from other local businesses. Linked to enterprise centres 6 School Transitions Support and promote initiatives that support children through the transition between schools and from school to training or employment. Particularly target those dropping out of the mainstream education system

Police and Youth Liaison – Community and Place‐making 1 Initiate local veg box Develop a local fruit and veg box by working in partnership with scheme community, growers and existing merchants 2 Valley Allotment Scheme Support the establishment and maintenance of local allotment societies under the umbrella of the CDTs 3 Communal Food Scheme Support the community to plant fruit and nut trees/shrubs on small plots of LA/community owned land 4 Cooking Classes Support Caerau Development Trust to run and manage cookery courses aimed at different age groups with peer support using the proposed commercial kitchen at the former school.

5 Coegnant Leisure Park Create new leisure facility at Coegnant Colliery. To include: BMX track, football, rugby, skateboarding with shared changing facilities. Potential to host events and provide camping accommodation. Link into community routes and improved bridle paths Wellbeing and

6 Venture Out Llynfi Extend this project to Llynfi Valley and create versions suited to other sections of community (i.e., young people, mum’s with small children). Health 7 Sports demonstrations Encourage local sports /activity clubs and societies to host sessions demonstration sessions at a single event to encourage membership and participation 8 Upgrade Llynfi Valley Walks Enhance the signage and way marking of the existing walks promoted by Maesteg Town Council. Create and promote new circular walks starting at Maesteg town centre 9 Health Programme Brokers Identify existing health programmes and facilities in the area and use brokers to raise awareness of these. This can include promotion in schools and community centres and door‐to‐door visits

1 Noddfa Chapel IT Suite Provide an up to date and fully equipped IT suite at Noddfa Chapel and ensure ongoing technical support 2 Broadband Improvement Encourage and promote higher speed broadband connection within Llynfi Valley 3 Communities 2.0 Support and encourage CDTs and community groups to access ongoing assistance from Communities 2.0

4 Llynfi Bus Corridor Improve bus waiting facilities and information to promote bus use as a Improvement sustainable mode of transport 5 Llynfi Rail Corridor Upgrade waiting environments at train stations and provide more Improvements information about services and the local area. Maesteg Transport Enhance Maesteg bus and rail stations and improve, links, signage, Connections 6

& Interchange ticketing and information. Project linked to Maesteg outdoor market improvements 7 Llynfi Valley Cycling To promote local trips by bicycle and to develop recreational cycle Improvement Strategy opportunities to other valleys and strategic routes Transport 8 Community Car Share Clubs Develop car clubs to give people access to a car when needed providing an alternative to private car ownership and taxis 9 A4063 Enhancement Improvements to the setting of the main route through the valley, particularly to highlight neighbourhood centres where traffic should move at a slower speed 10 Community Transport Expand existing social enterprise to create a service for the whole Scheme community of the Upper Llynfi Valley

1 Alley Gating Scheme Develop a pilot project for making rear lanes of terraced properties more secure, easier to manage and more attractive 2 Maesteg Vacant Shop Develop a legal and creative format for 'dressing' vacant shops in the Housing Enhancements town centre to reduce visual impact of voids

Police and Youth Liaison – Community and Place‐making 3 Shop front improvement Invest in the quality of shopfronts and building facades in Maesteg scheme town centre. Explore the potential for higher percentatge grants particularly for key buildings in the town centre and provide support and advice on the grant process 4 Maesteg Market Create new market buildings and space adjacent to Maesteg Town Improvement Scheme Hall 5 Residential Street Creation of ‘home zones’ in some residential streets to improve safety Improvement and quality 6 Social Housing Renewal Housing remodelling and environmental improvements in areas of Area social housing (Caerau, Tudor, Duffryn Road, Oaklands Estate)

7 Llynfi Development Strategy A strategy to coordinate and promote the development of non‐ strategic sites within the valley with a vision for mix of uses, energy standards and design guidelines in the form of Development Briefs

8 River Llynfi Corridor To prioritise where riverside enhancements will have greatest impact Strategy 9 Ewenny Road / Oakwood Develop a combined masterplan/regeneration/community Initiative development plan for former industrial sites and V2C housing to provide new jobs, training facilities and homes 10 Coegnant Colliery & Further technical studies required to determine how the sites can be Maesteg Washery developed for recreation, education and residential uses 11 Community Energy Strategy Undertake a feasibility study to understand the potential within the valley for energy generation including methane capture (Coegnant Colliery site), wind, hydro, and energy crops (on FC land on the eastern side of the Upper Llynfi Valley). The most appropriate sites within the valley should be determined and implemented in following years. CDTs could be the mechanism for delivering this through an energy services company

12 Zero Waste Valley Initiate a zero waste project based on the successful scheme in Glyncoch (RCT) to reduce flytipping and increase recycling and local pride 13 Energy Reduction A programme to educate and assist households and businesses in the Programme valley to reduce their energy consumption. This could include managing a Community Energy Saving Programme to be matched against future phases of Housing Renewal Area investment. A Carbon Emissions Reduction Target should also be established

1 Police and Youth Liaison Support the existing diversionary work being done by local police, CSO’s and youth workers

making 2 Support for Community Establish a fund for smaller grant applications from community groups Organisations where it can be demonstrated that the project fits the aims of the VARP. Provide assistance for grant applications Place ‐ and 3 Community Development Link Caerau CDT to a network of linked CDTs. These organisations will Trust (CDT) Network be the basis for community driven regeneration in the future whereby profits and gains are all retained within the community. Lessons from more mature CDTs (like Creation) can be applied to younger organisations Community

Police and Youth Liaison – Community and Place‐making 4 Llynfi Valley Festival Initiate community run Valley festival (a celebration of Llynfi Valley life) where various events take place over a single weekend (cultural events, local food market, craft fair, sports demonstrations, local choirs/bands, guided walks etc). Provide training and support for the coordination and management of the event

5 Street Ambassadors Encourage a network of local people to act as a focal point for discussions, questions and reporting problems 6 Llangynwyd Community Establish a base for community activity in Llangynwyd (potentially Base former St Stephen’s Church) 7 Development Trust Support Provide support for the activities of the Caerau Community Development Trust. Particularly the establishment of a framework for community volunteering in the form of a timebank to help develop work focused attitudes 8 Llynfi Transition Valley Support grass roots community driven and inspired action to confront climate change and peak oil simultaneously 9 Maesteg Town Hall Business Develop a business plan for the Town Hall which should also consider Plan an extension incorporating a new entrance, box office, Christopher Williams gallery etc. 10 Landscape Enhancement A programme of initiatives to improve the landscape of the valley, Programme building on the remediation of the colliery sites 11 Tin Shops Improvement Enhance a key eyesore sight in a prominent location at the entrance to Caerau

Police and Youth Liaison – Community and Place‐making Appendix 2: Detailed Project Assessment

Impact and Deliverability Analysis

Project Name: Police and Youth Liaison – Community and Place‐making

DELIVERABILITY

RATING NOTES

at stage

Definitely not Probably not Probably yes Definitely yes Unsure this Is the project Small set up and running costs affordable? x

Is the project value Small cost, limited financial for money? return but benefits to the local x community

Is the project Project to be adopted and run by sustainable? the community‐ limited ongoing x costs

Is the project Potentially attractive to the attractive to police investors? x

Is the project Yes. Youth boredom an attractive to the x important local concern community? throughout the Valley

Police and Youth Liaison – Community and Place‐making Is the project Yes. Existing networks are in achievable? place (e.g., The Courthouse) x

Is the project No. Unless it can be linked to a commercial? social enterprise x

Can the project be Yes. delivered by the x local community?

Conclusion: Strong delivery rating

Project likely to support ongoing work with providing diversionary activities for young people

Police and Youth Liaison – Community and Place‐making IMPACT

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Supporting the local Negligible direct impact economy and sustainable x employment opportunities

Ensuring access to Negligible direct impact adequate income x

Buying goods and Negligible direct impact services that are x green, ethical and local

Providing training Activities could be linked and educational x to ongoing training and opportunities education

Promoting healthy Participation in activity lifestyles will lead to better health x

Sustainable Negligible direct impact transport x

Ensuring access to Negligible direct impact affordable, healthy x and appropriate housing

Preserving and Negligible direct impact enhancing x biodiversity and green spaces and

Police and Youth Liaison – Community and Place‐making using sustainable design

Reducing Negligible direct impact consumption of natural resources x and managing waste sustainably

Tackling climate Negligible direct impact change and adapting to it x

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Ensuring future Negligible direct impact energy security x

Promoting safe and Will help to increase sustainable x community cohesion and communities allay fears of crime

Equality Impact An aim of the project needs to consider inter‐ x generational activities

Can the project be A range of link activities applied across the could help to bring valleys? x communities together and exploit wider valley environment

Conclusion: Medium/High delivery rating albeit over a narrow range of impacts

Police and Youth Liaison – Community and Place‐making Project Name: Support for Community Organisations – Community and Place‐making

DELIVERABILITY

RATING NOTES

at stage

Definitely not Probably not Probably yes Definitely yes Unsure this Is the project Limited set up costs affordable? x

Is the project value Provided support is targeted for money? towards groups whose activities x fit with broader VARP strategy

Is the project Depends on the group being sustainable? supported. x

Is the project Attractive to funding attractive to organisations (WAG, Esme investors? x Fairburn, Joseph Rowntree etc)

Is the project Yes. attractive to the x community?

Is the project A network of groups already achievable? exist which work towards the x aims of the VARP strategy (e.g., rivercare group)

Is the project Potentially. Opportunities for x commercial? fostering social enterprise should

Support for Community Organisations – Community and Place‐making be an explicit aim of project

Can the project be Yes. delivered by the x local community?

Conclusion: (High delivery rating) Limited cost but potentially significant outcomes over 3‐5 years

Support for Community Organisations – Community and Place‐making IMPACT

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Supporting the local Only if social enterprise economy and is a key component of sustainable x support employment opportunities

Ensuring access to Could provide a way of adequate income supporting operations of x community groups / social enterprise

Buying goods and These ambitions would services that are need to be embedded x green, ethical and into the support local

Providing training Potential to support and educational x groups involved in opportunities training

Promoting healthy Potential to support lifestyles sports/activity groups x

Sustainable Potential to support transport community transport x enterprises

Ensuring access to Negligible direct impact affordable, healthy x and appropriate housing

Preserving and Potential to support enhancing x open space enterprises / biodiversity and groups green spaces and

Support for Community Organisations – Community and Place‐making using sustainable design

Reducing Potential to support consumption of waste/environmental natural resources x enterprises / groups and managing waste sustainably

Tackling climate Potential to support change and waste/environmental adapting to it x enterprises / groups

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Ensuring future Potential to support energy security waste/environmental x enterprises / groups

Promoting safe and Will help foster greater sustainable x community participation communities in regeneration

Equality Impact Will help foster greater community participation x in regeneration

Can the project be Can be replicated and applied across the x coordinated across valleys? valleys

Conclusion: Very high impact project. Would need to work alongside Communities First to ensure the appropriate groups are supported. Building the capacity of local groups is an essential way of building local ownership and control of regeneration.

Support for Community Organisations – Community and Place‐making Project Name: Community Development Trust Network – Community and Place‐making

DELIVERABILITY

RATING NOTES

at stage

Definitely not Probably not Probably yes Definitely yes Unsure this Is the project Already existing tentative steps affordable? to establish a network which will x help to share expertise, knowledge and best practice

Is the project value Excellent VFM. The CDT’s are for money? potentially a key future delivery x vehicle for community owned regeneration and social enterprise

Is the project Yes. Building the capacity of sustainable? these groups through the x development of a network will help sustain regeneration after the end of WVSRA funding

Is the project fits squarely with the VARP attractive to strategy investors? x

Is the project Attractive to community attractive to the x community?

Is the project Yes. Tentative steps have already achievable? been taken. WVSRA funding will x help accelerate process

Community Development Trust Network – Community and Place‐making Is the project On the basis of social enterprise commercial? – yes x

Can the project be Ethos of project about building delivered by the the delivery capacity of x local community? community manage projects and services

Conclusion: Very high delivery potential

Community Development Trust Network – Community and Place‐making IMPACT

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Supporting the local Would help create the economy and framework for emerging sustainable x myriad of social employment enterprises opportunities

Ensuring access to Would provide initial adequate income support to network and x emerging CDT’s

Buying goods and Medium term outcome services that are is the centralisation of x green, ethical and community enterprise local into the local economy

Providing training Training and enabling is a and educational x critical part of the opportunities project

Promoting healthy Negligible direct impact x lifestyles

Sustainable Negligible direct impact, transport unless specific projects x emerge from this initiative

Ensuring access to Negligible direct impact, affordable, healthy unless specific projects x and appropriate emerge from this housing initiative

Preserving and Negligible direct impact, enhancing unless specific projects x biodiversity and emerge from this green spaces and initiative using sustainable

Community Development Trust Network – Community and Place‐making design

Reducing Negligible direct impact, consumption of unless specific projects natural resources x emerge from this and managing waste initiative sustainably

Tackling climate Negligible direct impact, change and unless specific projects adapting to it x emerge from this initiative

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Ensuring future Negligible direct impact, energy security unless specific projects x emerge from this initiative

Promoting safe and Would help provide a sustainable x voice and structure for communities community ownership

Equality Impact Would help provide a voice and structure for x community ownership

Can the project be A Valley‐wide project, applied across the which could even valleys? become an SRA wide x project. Emerging project has linked BCBC CDT’s with NPTCBC

Conclusion: Medium positive impact in the short term. Medium to long term the impact of this project should be hugely significant

Community Development Trust Network – Community and Place‐making Impact and Deliverability Analysis

Project Name: Llynfi Valley Festival – Community and Place‐making

DELIVERABILITY

RATING NOTES

at stage

Definitely not Probably not Probably yes Definitely yes Unsure this Is the project Yes affordable? x

Is the project value Would allow groups to for money? participate in a joint celebration x of Valley life

Is the project Initial project would be sustainable? sponsored by WVSRA. x Subsequent years it would need to raise its own revenue to maintain the initiative

Is the project Initial investor would be WAG. If attractive to successful future investors could investors? x be attracted

Is the project Could be very attractive to bring attractive to the x the communities of the Valley community? together

Is the project Levenshulme Festival achievable? x (Manchester) has been running successfully for 11 years

Llynfi Valley Festival – Community and Place‐making

Is the project Potential to bring in local commercial? business involvement x

Can the project be Outcome is for a community run delivered by the x festival local community?

Conclusion: High delivery rating. Strong basis for an implementable project

Llynfi Valley Festival – Community and Place‐making IMPACT

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Supporting the local Potential spins offs in economy and terms of tourism and sustainable x promotion employment opportunities

Ensuring access to Negligible direct impact adequate income x

Buying goods and Local groups and services that are companies would come x green, ethical and together to organise and local run

Providing training Potential component of and educational x festival opportunities

Promoting healthy Potential component of lifestyles festival x

Sustainable Negligible direct impact transport x

Ensuring access to Negligible direct impact affordable, healthy x and appropriate housing

Preserving and Negligible direct impact enhancing x but potential component biodiversity and of festival green spaces and

Llynfi Valley Festival – Community and Place‐making using sustainable design

Reducing Negligible direct impact consumption of but potential component natural resources x of festival and managing waste sustainably

Tackling climate Negligible direct impact change and but potential component adapting to it x of festival

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Ensuring future Negligible direct impact energy security but potential component x of festival

Promoting safe and Promote community sustainable x cohesion and civic pride communities

Equality Impact All members of community could be x involved

Can the project be Could be linked into a applied across the x single festival or a series valleys? of linked activities

Conclusion: Potential for a positive impact across a range of objectives with good precedents for other similar sustainable projects

Llynfi Valley Festival – Community and Place‐making Impact and Deliverability Analysis

Project Name: Street Ambassadors – Community and Place‐making

DELIVERABILITY

RATING NOTES

at stage

Definitely not Probably not Probably yes Definitely yes Unsure this Is the project Minimal Costs affordable? x

Is the project value Probably, but would need to be for money? explored further x

Is the project No cost Street Ambassadors on a sustainable? voluntary basis x x

Is the project Yes. BCBC are keen to roll out attractive to the scheme to other investors? x communities

Is the project Uncertain attractive to the x community?

Is the project Has been a success in Blaengarw achievable? x

Street Ambassadors – Community and Place‐making Is the project No commercial? x

Can the project be Yes delivered by the x local community?

Conclusion: Strong potential would need to be tested against the availability of volunteers

(Medium/High)

Street Ambassadors – Community and Place‐making IMPACT

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Supporting the local Negligible direct impact economy and sustainable x employment opportunities

Ensuring access to Negligible direct impact adequate income x

Buying goods and Negligible direct impact services that are x green, ethical and local

Providing training Negligible direct impact and educational x opportunities

Promoting healthy Negligible direct impact lifestyles x

Sustainable Negligible direct impact transport x

Ensuring access to Negligible direct impact affordable, healthy x and appropriate housing

Preserving and Negligible direct impact enhancing x biodiversity and green spaces and

Street Ambassadors – Community and Place‐making using sustainable design

Reducing Negligible direct impact consumption of natural resources x and managing waste sustainably

Tackling climate Negligible direct impact change and adapting to it x

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Ensuring future Negligible direct impact energy security x

Promoting safe and Would help to raise sustainable community concerns to x communities relevant sections of the Council

Equality Impact Negligible direct impact

Can the project be Has already been applied across the implemented by x valleys? Creation Development Trust and BCBC

Conclusion: Overall impact is limited, although the implementation is not onerous. A potential supporting project

(Low/Medium)

Street Ambassadors – Community and Place‐making Impact and Deliverability Analysis

Project Name: LLangynwyd Community Base – Community and Place‐ making

DELIVERABILITY

RATING NOTES

at stage

Definitely not Probably not Probably yes Definitely yes Unsure this Is the project Would need gap funding affordable? x

Is the project value Not in an area of deprivation, but for money? there is a pronounced need for x the community to have a base for their operations

Is the project Would need to be subject to a sustainable? business plan. Would need to be x linked to other community groups and facilities in the Bridgend Valleys

Is the project Only WAG attractive to investors? x

Is the project Local group formed to develop attractive to the x the concept of a community community? building in the Llangynwyd

Is the project Community don’t own preferred x achievable? site. Issue with s.106

Llangynwyd Community Base – Community and Place‐making contribution is uncertain.

Is the project Would need significant amount commercial? of support x

Can the project be Local group are struggling to delivered by the overcome land acquisition and x local community? utilise s.106 funds. Assistance required

Conclusion: Low to medium delivery rating with some uncertainty in key areas

The project has stalled amidst an impasse over access to land and s.106 funding. Further details regarding the precise nature of the s.106 need to be reviewed.

Llangynwyd Community Base – Community and Place‐making IMPACT

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Supporting the local Negligible direct impact economy and sustainable x employment opportunities

Ensuring access to Negligible direct impact adequate income x

Buying goods and Negligible direct impact services that are x green, ethical and local

Providing training Negligible direct impact and educational X opportunities

Promoting healthy Negligible direct impact lifestyles x

Sustainable Negligible direct impact transport x

Ensuring access to Negligible direct impact affordable, healthy x and appropriate housing

Preserving and Negligible direct impact enhancing x biodiversity and green spaces and

Llangynwyd Community Base – Community and Place‐making using sustainable design

Reducing Negligible direct impact consumption of natural resources x and managing waste sustainably

Tackling climate Negligible direct impact change and adapting to it x

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Ensuring future Negligible direct impact energy security x

Promoting safe and Would help to bring sustainable different groups communities together and provide a x base from which local volunteers can build their role.

Equality Impact

Can the project be No. Place specific applied across the x valleys?

Conclusion: (Low/Medium)

The group are seeking support to find better accommodation and require support. Their ability to make an impact over a number of

Llangynwyd Community Base – Community and Place‐making key areas is currently severely limited.

The group require more general support. Although starting from a low base, there is no reason why impact could not be significant over time

Llangynwyd Community Base – Community and Place‐making Impact and Deliverability Analysis

Project Name: Development Trust Support – Community and Place‐ making

DELIVERABILITY

RATING NOTES

at stage

Definitely not Probably not Probably yes Definitely yes Unsure this Is the project Uncertain of set up costs. Likely affordable? cost to be in energy and x commitment than money.

Is the project value Excellent impact for not a lot of for money? spend x

Is the project Would need to be operated as sustainable? an addition to an existing x community organisation

Is the project Fits in neatly with VARP strategy attractive to investors? x

Is the project Uncertain appetite would need attractive to the x to be tested and grown gradually community?

Is the project Yes. The Time Centre in achievable? x Blaengarw is recognised as best practice

Development Trust Support – Community and Place‐making

Is the project No. Not dependent on commercial? commercial support x

Can the project be Yes this project should be driven delivered by the x by the community local community?

Conclusion: High delivery rating, especially given the proximity of a good precedent project

Development Trust Support – Community and Place‐making IMPACT

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Supporting the local Volunteering is proven economy and to be a route to full time sustainable x employment employment opportunities

Ensuring access to Would encourage the adequate income development of an x alternative economy based on volunteering

Buying goods and Local exchange of time services that are and skills x green, ethical and local

Providing training Negligible direct impact and educational X opportunities

Promoting healthy Potential to include lifestyles healthy living activities x

Sustainable Negligible direct impact transport x

Ensuring access to Negligible direct impact affordable, healthy x and appropriate housing

Preserving and Open space enhancing x improvement could biodiversity and qualify as bankable time green spaces and

Development Trust Support – Community and Place‐making using sustainable design

Reducing Negligible direct impact consumption of natural resources x and managing waste sustainably

Tackling climate Negligible direct impact change and adapting to it x

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Ensuring future Negligible direct impact energy security x

Promoting safe and Would help to bring sustainable different groups x communities together and promote community spirit

Equality Impact Would help to bring different groups x together and promote community spirit

Can the project be Yes. Already active in the applied across the x Garw Valley valleys?

Conclusion: (High)

Project could be delivered by various community groups / CDT’s throughout the valley and could have significant cumulative impact

Development Trust Support – Community and Place‐making Impact and Deliverability Analysis

Project Name: Llynfi Transition Valley – Community and Place‐making

DELIVERABILITY

RATING NOTES

at stage

Definitely not Probably not Probably yes Definitely yes Unsure this Is the project Community energy and public affordable? sector support rather than public x funding required

Is the project value Excellent VFM given impact v for money? cost x

Is the project Yes. Not reliant on external sustainable? funding streams for continuation x

Is the project Fits in neatly with VARP strategy attractive to and should be supported by investors? x BCBC

Is the project It could take some time for the attractive to the Transition concept to take hold x community? and would naturally start with a small group.

Is the project Yes. There are currently 11 x achievable? Transition Towns in Wales

Llynfi Transition Valley – Community and Place‐making

Is the project No. Not dependent on commercial? commercial support, but could x link in with commercial sector

Can the project be Project is managed and delivered delivered by the entirely by the community with x local community? support from the Transition Network in Totnes.

Conclusion: High delivery rating. As it is a community run project, there is a limit to which this can be instigated by the public sector. However, it could be promoted to BAVO and local community champions as an effective model that they could operate within.

Very few precedents of Transition initiatives working in deprived communities like this. Any transition initiative in the Llynfi would be breaking new ground.

Llynfi Transition Valley – Community and Place‐making IMPACT

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Supporting the local Includes measures to economy and stimulate a diverse local sustainable x economy by encouraging employment a local economy task opportunities group

Ensuring access to Includes measures to adequate income stimulate a diverse local x economy by encouraging a local economy task group

Buying goods and Includes measures to services that are stimulate a diverse local green, ethical and x economy by encouraging local a local economy task group

Providing training Training available and educational through the national x opportunities network for Transition initiatives

Promoting healthy Includes measures to lifestyles stimulate a healthier x community by encouraging a local health task group

Sustainable Includes measures to transport promote sustainable x transport by encouraging a local health task group

Ensuring access to Negligible direct impact affordable, healthy x and appropriate housing

Llynfi Transition Valley – Community and Place‐making Preserving and Includes measures to enhancing protect environment and biodiversity and grow food by x green spaces and encouraging a en using sustainable environment and a food design group

Reducing Promotes the reduction consumption of of consumption and natural resources x recycling and managing waste sustainably

Tackling climate See all of the above change and adapting to it x

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Ensuring future Ultimate outcome is a energy security energy descent plan and x promotion of community owned renewable energy generation

Promoting safe and Helps to promote strong sustainable x community spirit and communities cooperation

Equality Impact Would help to bring different groups x together and promote community spirit

Can the project be Yes. A Transition Valley applied across the would be of huge x valleys? significance across WV and HoV

Conclusion: (High)

A long term project with potentially

Llynfi Transition Valley – Community and Place‐making significant local impact. This could also be the means of coordinating a number of other diverse projects

Llynfi Transition Valley – Community and Place‐making Impact and Deliverability Analysis

Project Name: Maesteg Town Hall Business Plan – Community and Place‐making

DELIVERABILITY

RATING NOTES

at stage

Definitely not Probably not Probably yes Definitely yes Unsure this Is the project Support is required to support affordable? the Town Hall Limited to prepare x a business plan

Is the project value Potential benefits arising from for money? the plan include: finding new x forms of income, extending the town hall, broadening uses etc

Is the project Yes, as the building is already a sustainable? social enterprise, but one which x requires assistance to maximise the opportunities available

Is the project Potential to lever in other forms attractive to of funding (i.e., lottery, arts investors? x council etc)

Is the project Yes. The Town Hall is the cultural attractive to the x hub of the Llynfi Valley, but is community? underperforming

Is the project Yes. A review of the ‘business’ x achievable? has already been prepared by Louise Ralf and an action plan

Maesteg Town Hall Business Plan – Community and Place‐making has been prepared.

Is the project There are elements of the action commercial? plan which would allow the Town Hall Ltd to become a more x effective social enterprise and in turn a more useful cultural resource for residents and visitors

Can the project be Yes, but additional support is delivered by the x required to assist them. local community?

Conclusion: (High rating) The structure is already in place, but the Board require additional support

IMPACT

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Supporting the local Will help to support the economy and local creative economy sustainable x employment opportunities

Ensuring access to Business plan will help to adequate income identify new forms of x income for the business

Buying goods and Potential to maximise services that are local supply chains to x green, ethical and offer an experience local rooted in valley’s culture

Providing training Significant potential for and educational x theatre production opportunities training

Maesteg Town Hall Business Plan – Community and Place‐making Promoting healthy Potential use for indoor lifestyles activities x

Sustainable Negligible direct impact transport x

Ensuring access to Negligible direct impact affordable, healthy x and appropriate housing

Preserving and Negligible direct impact enhancing biodiversity and x green spaces and using sustainable design

Reducing Negligible direct impact consumption of natural resources x and managing waste sustainably

Tackling climate Negligible direct impact change and x adapting to it

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Ensuring future Negligible direct impact energy security x

Promoting safe and Create a stronger basis sustainable x for cultural endeavours communities in the Valley

Equality Impact x Negligible direct impact

Maesteg Town Hall Business Plan – Community and Place‐making

Can the project be Could be a linked applied across the programme of events valleys? x with other Bridgend valleys and even Park and Dare, Treorchy

Conclusion: (High)

Potential high impact project.

Maesteg Town Hall Business Plan – Community and Place‐making

Impact and Deliverability Analysis

Project Name: Landscape Enhancement Programme – Community and Place‐making

DELIVERABILITY

RATING NOTES

at stage

Definitely not Probably not Probably yes Definitely yes Unsure this Is the project Yes affordable? x

Is the project value Landscape of eastern Upper for money? Llynfi Valley important detractor. X Distressed environment in settlements in Upper Llynfi Valley

Is the project Would require social enterprise / sustainable? BCBC to maintain initial X investment

Is the project Potentially other public sector attractive to X bodies investors?

Is the project Very likely attractive to the x community?

Landscape Enhancement Programme – Community and Place‐making Is the project Yes achievable? x

Is the project Commercial opportunities could commercial? be designed into the x improvements and the way they are managed

Can the project be Could be a partnership project delivered by the x local community?

Conclusion: Medium delivery rating. Would require strong community commitment and a creative approach to ensuring that social enterprises / wider benefit stemmed from initial investment

Landscape Enhancement Programme – Community and Place‐making IMPACT

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Supporting the local Would need to be built economy and into the project sustainable x employment opportunities

Ensuring access to Unknown adequate income x

Buying goods and Negligible direct impact services that are x green, ethical and local

Providing training Potential to utilise and educational x training programmes as opportunities part of works

Promoting healthy Access to open space lifestyles could encourage x healthier lifestyles

Sustainable Negligible direct impact transport x

Ensuring access to Would enhance setting affordable, healthy to homes x and appropriate housing

Preserving and Direct beneficial impact enhancing x biodiversity and green spaces and

Landscape Enhancement Programme – Community and Place‐making using sustainable design

Reducing Negligible direct impact consumption of natural resources x and managing waste sustainably

Tackling climate Negligible direct impact change and adapting to it x

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Ensuring future Potential for energy energy security crops to be planted as x part of the process on eastern side of Upper Llynfi Valley

Promoting safe and Could increase sustainable x community pride in their communities surroundings

Equality Impact Negligible direct impact

Can the project be Could be linked as part applied across the x of a broader package of valleys? improvements

Conclusion: Medium impact

Landscape Enhancement Programme – Community and Place‐making Impact and Deliverability Analysis

Project Name: Tin Shops Improvement – Community/Placemaking

DELIVERABILITY

RATING NOTES

stage

Definitely not Probably not Probably yes Definitely yes Unsure this Is the project Land not in Council ownership. affordable? x Would need to acquire prior to environmental enhancements Is the project value Will have impact on perception for money? of the most deprived part of the x Valley. Uncertain whether other outcomes are likely. Is the project Will require a maintenance plan sustainable? for the impact to be sustained. x Local maintenance budgets under threat Is the project Not a strategic priority for WAG attractive to and other investors are unlikely x investors? to be forthcoming. Unless it can be bought and handed to CDT Is the project Yes. This site is a prominent local attractive to the X eyesore which the community community? would like to see improved Is the project Yes. This will depend on achievable? ambitions of owner. The site has X extremely limited development potential Is the project No. Most demand for the site commercial? X relates to car parking

Can the project be Unless the site is bought and delivered by the X gifted to them to manage and local community? maintain Conclusion: Low / medium – some barriers that need to be explored further

Tin Shops Improvement – Community/Placemaking IMPACT

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Supporting the local May have some impact economy and on the performance of sustainable x local businesses in employment Caerau opportunities Ensuring access to Negligible direct impact adequate income x

Buying goods and Negligible direct impact services that are x green, ethical and local Providing training Negligible direct impact and educational X opportunities Promoting healthy Negligible direct impact lifestyles X

Sustainable Negligible direct impact transport x

Ensuring access to Negligible direct impact affordable, healthy x and appropriate housing Preserving and Would improve a enhancing prominent eyesore sight biodiversity and x green spaces and using sustainable design Reducing Negligible direct impact consumption of natural resources x and managing waste sustainably Tackling climate Negligible direct impact change and x adapting to it

Tin Shops Improvement – Community/Placemaking IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Ensuring future Negligible direct impact energy security X

Promoting safe and Would improve the sustainable x appearance and safety of communities a central part of Caerau Equality Impact Negligible direct impact X

Can the project be No applied across the x valleys? Conclusion: Important local issue which will need to be resolved, but it is not very strategic

Tin Shops Improvement – Community/Placemaking Impact and Deliverability Analysis

Project Name: Initiate Local Veg Box Scheme – Health and Wellbeing

DELIVERABILITY

RATING NOTES

stage

Definitely not Probably not Probably yes Definitely yes Unsure this Is the project Small set up and running costs affordable? x

Is the project value Small initial cost, limited financial for money? x return but benefits to the local economy, community and health Is the project Project to be adopted and run by sustainable? x the community‐ limited ongoing costs Is the project Unlikely to attract private attractive to investment x investors?

Is the project Existing interest from the local attractive to the x community and local need for community? fresh food Is the project Models exist to guide set up achievable? x

Is the project Could generate a profit that can commercial? x be fed back into the community

Can the project be Community Development Trusts delivered by the x act as the delivery body local community? Conclusion: Strong delivery rating Project unlikely to attract investment from the private sector (High)

Initiate Local Veg Box Scheme – Health and Wellbeing Impact and Deliverability Analysis

Project Name:

DELIVERABILITY

RATING NOTES

stage

Definitely not Probably not Probably yes Definitely yes Unsure this Is the project affordable?

Is the project value for money?

Is the project sustainable?

Is the project attractive to investors?

Is the project attractive to the community? Is the project achievable?

Is the project commercial?

Can the project be delivered by the local community? Conclusion:

Initiate Local Veg Box Scheme – Health and Wellbeing Impact and Deliverability Analysis

Project Name: Noddfa Chapel IT Suite – Transport and Connections

DELIVERABILITY

RATING NOTES

stage

Definitely not Probably not Probably yes Definitely yes Unsure this Is the project Development of a new IT suite affordable? x within the centre

Is the project value Capital outlay is modest for money? x

Is the project Some sort of ongoing IT support sustainable? x is essential to make the project more sustainable Is the project Would fit with VARP strategy and attractive to priorities (in terms of access to investors? employment) and has potential to lever in other forms of funding Is the project Yes. The current facility is out of attractive to the x date. community? Is the project Yes. achievable? x

Is the project No commercial? x

Can the project be The element that could be delivered by the delivered by the community local community? x would be the ongoing technical support which is important to the sustainability of the project Conclusion: (Medium) the project is deliverable, but the real value lies in the commitment for longer term technical support. This important component will need to be explored further.

Initiate Local Veg Box Scheme – Health and Wellbeing Impact and Deliverability Analysis

Project Name: Three Valleys Tourism Implementation Plan – Economy and Enterprise

DELIVERABILITY

RATING NOTES

stage

Definitely not Probably not Probably yes Definitely yes Unsure this Is the project affordable? x

Is the project value VFM depend on quality of for money? x outcomes and tangible projects

Is the project Scope for tourism needs to be sustainable? x more clearly defined to commercially sound projects Is the project Dependent on funding or BCBC attractive to time to develop detailed tourism x investors? projects

Is the project Tourism a high priority. attractive to the Community would need to x community? identify a series of linked opportunities Is the project Natural assets, VARP and BCBC achievable? x tourism strategy provide solid framework for detail Is the project Potential to ensure communities commercial? x benefit directly.

Can the project be CDT’s are one delivery body. delivered by the x Strong community consensus local community? behind growing tourism Conclusion: Strong delivery rating Community role in determining the more detailed tourism projects and the linkage between them important

Initiate Local Veg Box Scheme – Health and Wellbeing Impact and Deliverability Analysis

Project Name: Alley Gating Scheme ‐ Housing DELIVERABILITY

RATING NOTES

stage

Definitely not Probably not Probably yes Definitely yes Unsure this Is the project Could be added to works affordable? x through HRA

Is the project value Primarily a project typical in for money? areas of high crime and anti‐ x social behaviour. Which are not key issues in the Llynfi valley. Is the project Capital project with limited sustainable? x revenue implications

Is the project No other likely investors attractive to x investors?

Is the project Specific consultation required to attractive to the x determine local appetite for this community? project Is the project Significant precedents in NW of achievable? x England and West Midlands

Is the project Public sector led project commercial? x

Can the project be Unlikely. delivered by the x local community? Conclusion: Not viable project to roll out over large areas although a way of addressing a clearly defined local problem. Especially where this coincides with Housing Renewal Area (HRA) status

Initiate Local Veg Box Scheme – Health and Wellbeing Project Name: Enhance Caerau Construction Skills Centre – Skills and Education

DELIVERABILITY RATING NOTES

stage

Definitely not Probably not Probably yes Definitely yes Unsure this Is the project Would fall within the remit of affordable? x WVSRA

Is the project value Would need to address the level for money? of need for capital costs (extension) and revenue x (increased staffing). Could provide workforce with skills for emerging types of construction Is the project Further work would need to sustainable? identify a business plan. Future phases of HRA/WHQS could x ensure that the skills were implemented on future improvements Is the project Not yet been tested with Neath attractive to Port Talbot college who run the x investors? centre

Is the project Employment was a key area of attractive to the concern to stakeholders and this community? x would help to make trainees more attractive to potential employers. Is the project Would depend on Neath Port achievable? Talbot College. A similarly x themed initiative has been successful in Tredegar Is the project No. Would require public funding commercial? x from WVSRA and college to fund.

Can the project be No. delivered by the x local community? Conclusion: Mixed delivery rating. Some key questions need to be addressed for the project to be deemed viable.

Initiate Local Veg Box Scheme – Health and Wellbeing

Impact and Deliverability Analysis

Project Name: Initiate Local Veg Box Scheme – Health and Wellbeing

DELIVERABILITY

RATING NOTES

at stage

Definitely not Probably not Probably yes Definitely yes Unsure this Is the project Small set up and running costs affordable? x

Is the project value Small initial cost, limited financial for money? return but benefits to the local x economy, community and health

Is the project Project to be adopted and run by sustainable? the community‐ limited ongoing x costs

Is the project Unlikely to attract private attractive to investment investors? x

Is the project Existing interest from the local attractive to the x community and local need for community? fresh food

Is the project Models exist to guide set up x achievable?

Initiate Local Veg Box Scheme – Health and Wellbeing

Is the project Could generate a profit that can commercial? be fed back into the community x

Can the project be Community Development Trusts delivered by the x act as the delivery body local community?

Conclusion: Strong delivery rating

Project unlikely to attract investment from the private sector

(High)

Initiate Local Veg Box Scheme – Health and Wellbeing IMPACT

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Supporting the local Support for local food economy and production industries sustainable x employment opportunities

Ensuring access to Additional income for adequate income producers and CDT x

Buying goods and Helps to reduce carbon services that are footprint and support x green, ethical and local economy local

Providing training and educational x opportunities

Promoting healthy Providing better access lifestyles to healthy food x

Sustainable transport x

Ensuring access to affordable, healthy x and appropriate housing

Preserving and Can be linked with the enhancing x use of derelict spaces for biodiversity and the production of food green spaces and

Initiate Local Veg Box Scheme – Health and Wellbeing using sustainable design

Reducing Reduces food miles consumption of natural resources x and managing waste sustainably

Tackling climate change and adapting to it x

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Ensuring future energy security x

Promoting safe and sustainable x communities

Equality Impact Provides greater equality for accessing fresh food x

Can the project be Can be replicated and applied across the x coordinated to share valleys? resources

Conclusion: No negative impact

Some strong positive impacts

(Medium/High)

Initiate Local Veg Box Scheme – Health and Wellbeing Project Name: Valley Allotment Scheme – Health and Wellbeing

DELIVERABILITY

RATING NOTES

at stage

Definitely not Probably not Probably yes Definitely yes Unsure this Is the project Limited set up costs affordable? x

Is the project value Limited returns but strong for money? community benefits x

Is the project Limited ongoing costs sustainable? x

Is the project Unlikely to attract private attractive to investment investors? x

Is the project High demand for allotments in attractive to the x the area community?

Is the project Clear process for setting up achievable? project x

Is the project Community focused rather than commercial? commercial project x

Valley Allotment Scheme – Health and Wellbeing Can the project be Existing local interest delivered by the x local community?

Conclusion: Limited financial outputs but strong local interest and support for delivery

(High)

Valley Allotment Scheme – Health and Wellbeing IMPACT

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Supporting the local No direct impact on economy and economy and sustainable x employment employment opportunities

Ensuring access to adequate income x

Buying goods and Support local food services that are markets x green, ethical and local

Providing training Can be linked to school and educational x education programmes opportunities

Promoting healthy Encourages active lifestyles lifestyles and healthy x eating

Sustainable transport x

Ensuring access to affordable, healthy x and appropriate housing

Preserving and Making positive use of enhancing x spaces within the biodiversity and settlement green spaces and

Valley Allotment Scheme – Health and Wellbeing using sustainable design

Reducing Local produce reduces consumption of food miles natural resources x and managing waste sustainably

Tackling climate change and adapting to it x

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Ensuring future energy security x

Promoting safe and sustainable x communities

Equality Impact

Can the project be Can be replicated and applied across the x coordinated across valleys? valleys

Conclusion: No negative impact

Some strong positive outcomes

(Medium/High)

Valley Allotment Scheme – Health and Wellbeing Project Name: Communal Food Scheme – Health and Wellbeing

DELIVERABILITY

RATING NOTES

at stage

Definitely not Probably not Probably yes Definitely yes Unsure this Is the project Costs of buying fruit and nut affordable? trees x

Is the project value Impacts are likely to be low for money? x

Is the project Possibly not depending on the sustainable? community’s ability to procure x future saplings for future phases

Is the project May have alignment with certain attractive to types of funding, but unlikely for investors? x WVSRA

Is the project Not a priority, but unlikely to be attractive to the x opposed community?

Is the project Yes. Other trees are regularly achievable? planted, but focus on those x bearing edible fruit

Is the project No commercial? x

Communal Food Scheme – Health and Wellbeing Can the project be Yes. Could be part of the food delivered by the x group on any future transition local community? town initiative

Conclusion: (Low / Medium)

Communal Food Scheme – Health and Wellbeing IMPACT

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Supporting the local No direct impact economy and sustainable x employment opportunities

Ensuring access to No direct impact adequate income x

Buying goods and No direct impact services that are x green, ethical and local

Providing training No direct impact and educational x opportunities

Promoting healthy Could assist those who lifestyles plant the trees and those x who regularly make use of the fruit

Sustainable No direct impact transport x

Ensuring access to No direct impact affordable, healthy x and appropriate housing

Preserving and Positive impact on the enhancing x diversity of species and biodiversity and potential positive habitat green spaces and

Communal Food Scheme – Health and Wellbeing using sustainable impact design

Reducing No direct impact consumption of natural resources x and managing waste sustainably

Tackling climate No direct impact change and adapting to it x

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Ensuring future No direct impact energy security x

Promoting safe and No direct impact sustainable x communities

Equality Impact Widening the availability of training and life skills x

Can the project be applied across the x valleys?

Conclusion: No negative impact

Could be undertaken in future by community venture, but insufficient impact to justify further funding

(Medium)

Communal Food Scheme – Health and Wellbeing Project Name: Cooking Classes – Health and Wellbeing

DELIVERABILITY

RATING NOTES

at stage

Definitely not Probably not Probably yes Definitely yes Unsure this Is the project Initial set up costs required and affordable? may require ongoing funding x

Is the project value for money? x

Is the project Project to be taken up and run sustainable? by Caerau CDT x

Is the project Unlikely to attract private attractive to interest investors? x

Is the project Local need identified attractive to the x community?

Is the project A number of steps need to be achievable? undertaken to establish project x including setting up a base

Is the project commercial? x

Cooking Classes – Health and Wellbeing Can the project be Potential Community delivered by the x Development Trust project local community?

Conclusion: Some uncertainties regarding establishing and running the project

No major obstacles identified

Further feasibility work required

(Medium)

Cooking Classes – Health and Wellbeing IMPACT

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Supporting the local economy and sustainable x employment opportunities

Ensuring access to adequate income x

Buying goods and services that are x green, ethical and local

Providing training Can provide basic and and educational x professional skills opportunities

Promoting healthy Better understanding of lifestyles food and food x preparation

Sustainable transport x

Ensuring access to affordable, healthy x and appropriate housing

Preserving and enhancing x biodiversity and green spaces and

Cooking Classes – Health and Wellbeing using sustainable design

Reducing consumption of natural resources x and managing waste sustainably

Tackling climate change and adapting to it x

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Ensuring future energy security x

Promoting safe and sustainable x communities

Equality Impact Widening the availability of training and life skills x

Can the project be Can be rolled out in applied across the every Valley given x valleys? appropriate facilities and delivery mechanisms

Conclusion: No negative impact

Focused positive impact‐ health and life skills and certain sections of the community

(Medium)

Cooking Classes – Health and Wellbeing Impact and Deliverability Analysis

Project Name: Coegnant Leisure Park – Health and Wellbeing

DELIVERABILITY

RATING NOTES

at stage

Definitely not Probably not Probably yes Definitely yes Unsure this Is the project Full costs and funding availability affordable? to be established. Some x elements may be delivered independently

Is the project value Initial investment will bring for money? significant improvements to x health and bring brownfield land back into use. Cost saving can be made by coordinated approach

Is the project Business planning needs to be sustainable? undertaken to establish long x term financial feasibility

Is the project Project may attract some private attractive to interest. Project requires greater investors? integration with broader Coegnant proposals

Is the project Strong demand in the local area attractive to the x for sports facilities community?

Is the project Initial investigations been x achievable? undertaken on some elements of the scheme. Further work

Coegnant Leisure Park – Health and Wellbeing needed on coordinated approach

Is the project Project may achieve a commercial? commercial turnover x

Can the project be Various local groups support the delivered by the x project and can help to local community? implement and run it

Conclusion: Some uncertainty regarding the feasibility of the project‐ more work needs to be undertaken

Strong local interest and support for the project

(Medium)

Coegnant Leisure Park – Health and Wellbeing IMPACT

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Supporting the local Potential creation of a economy and number of jobs sustainable x employment Contribution to the opportunities visitor offer of the valley

Ensuring access to adequate income x

Buying goods and This could be built into services that are the procurement process x green, ethical and local

Providing training Can have links with and educational x schools opportunities

Promoting healthy Promotes active lifestyles lifestyles for a wide x range of the population

Sustainable transport x

Ensuring access to affordable, healthy x and appropriate housing

Preserving and Bringing brownfield land enhancing x back into use biodiversity and green spaces and Sustainable design

Coegnant Leisure Park – Health and Wellbeing using sustainable principles to be adopted design

Reducing consumption of natural resources x and managing waste sustainably

Tackling climate change and adapting to it x

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Ensuring future energy security x

Promoting safe and sustainable x communities

Equality Impact Wider access to sport and recreation facilities x

Can the project be Needs to be coordinated applied across the with sport and x valleys? recreation proposals in other valleys

Conclusion: Positive benefits in a number of different areas

No negative impacts

(High)

Coegnant Leisure Park – Health and Wellbeing

Impact and Deliverability Analysis

Project Name: Venture Out Llynfi Valley – Health and Wellbeing

DELIVERABILITY

RATING NOTES

at stage

Definitely not Probably not Probably yes Definitely yes Unsure this Is the project Yes. Already a successful project affordable? in the Garw Valley and x elsewhere in Wales

Is the project value Yes. ‘Health by Stealth’ by for money? encouraging participation in X physical activity

Is the project Needs to be funded. Currently sustainable? funded for 4 years by Big Lottery x fund

Is the project May attract ongoing funding attractive to from CDT’s investors? x

Is the project Yes. attractive to the x community?

Is the project Existing models to follow x achievable?

Venture Out Llynfi Valley – Health and Wellbeing

Is the project No. Debateable whether the commercial? project can be sustained on a x subscription basis

Can the project be Future opportunities for this to delivered by the x happen local community?

Conclusion: An achievable projects with little investment required

Needs coordination and take up from local groups to ensure sustainability

(High)

Venture Out Llynfi Valley – Health and Wellbeing IMPACT

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Supporting the local No direct benefit economy and sustainable x employment opportunities

Ensuring access to No direct benefit adequate income x

Buying goods and No direct benefit services that are x green, ethical and local

Providing training Potential opportunities and educational X to recruit local opportunities volunteers

Promoting healthy Will encourage lifestyles participation in physical x exercise

Sustainable Could encourage cycling transport and walking as a spin‐off x

Ensuring access to No direct benefit affordable, healthy x and appropriate housing

Preserving and Indirect benefit. enhancing x Increased awareness of biodiversity and nature and conservation green spaces and through access to

Venture Out Llynfi Valley – Health and Wellbeing using sustainable countryside design

Reducing No direct benefit consumption of natural resources x and managing waste sustainably

Tackling climate No direct benefit change and adapting to it x

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Ensuring future No direct benefit energy security x

Promoting safe and Will encourage sustainable x participation communities

Equality Impact Could exclude certain groups x

Can the project be Already active in Garw applied across the x Valley valleys?

Conclusion: (Medium)

Venture Out Llynfi Valley – Health and Wellbeing Impact and Deliverability Analysis

Project Name: Sport Demonstration Sessions – Health and Wellbeing

DELIVERABILITY

RATING NOTES

at stage

Definitely not Probably not Probably yes Definitely yes Unsure this Is the project Minimal Costs affordable? x

Is the project value for money? x

Is the project If taken up by local clubs and sustainable? societies x

Is the project May attract a small element of attractive to sponsorship investors? x

Is the project attractive to the x community?

Is the project Wide range of clubs in place that achievable? could be involved x

Sports Demonstration Sessions – Health and Wellbeing Is the project commercial? x

Can the project be Coordination between a number delivered by the x of local groups and a project local community? leader will be required

Conclusion: Some uncertainty regarding project delivery and sustainability

(Medium/High)

Sports Demonstration Sessions – Health and Wellbeing IMPACT

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Supporting the local economy and sustainable x employment opportunities

Ensuring access to adequate income x

Buying goods and services that are x green, ethical and local

Providing training and educational x opportunities

Promoting healthy Encourage participation lifestyles in sporting activities x

Sustainable transport x

Ensuring access to affordable, healthy x and appropriate housing

Preserving and enhancing x biodiversity and green spaces and

Sports Demonstration Sessions – Health and Wellbeing using sustainable design

Reducing consumption of natural resources x and managing waste sustainably

Tackling climate change and adapting to it x

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Ensuring future energy security x

Promoting safe and Events that help to bring sustainable the community together x communities and celebrate positive achievements

Equality Impact

Can the project be Can be conducted in applied across the x each of the valleys valleys?

Conclusion: Overall impact is positive but limited‐ only addresses a small number of issues

(Low/Medium)

Sports Demonstration Sessions – Health and Wellbeing Impact and Deliverability Analysis

Project Name: Upgrade Llynfi Valley Walks – Health and Wellbeing

DELIVERABILITY

RATING NOTES

at stage

Definitely not Probably not Probably yes Definitely yes Unsure this Is the project Yes. Basic enhancement to affordable? signage and footpaths x

Is the project value Potential spin offs from the for money? investment in the routes x

Is the project Future maintenance funding sustainable? would need to be identified x

Is the project Uncertain whether any other attractive to sources of funding are available investors? x

Is the project Consensus that access to attractive to the x countryside needs to be community? improved

Is the project Existing models to follow achievable? x

Upgrade Llynfi Valley Walks – Health and Wellbeing Is the project No commercial? x

Can the project be Could be rolled out in delivered by the x partnership with other services local community? (e.g., probation)

Conclusion: An achievable projects but still with some areas that require further research

(Medium)

Upgrade Llynfi Valley Walks – Health and Wellbeing IMPACT

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Supporting the local No direct benefit economy and sustainable x employment opportunities

Ensuring access to No direct benefit adequate income x

Buying goods and No direct benefit services that are x green, ethical and local

Providing training No direct benefit and educational X opportunities

Promoting healthy Would help to encourage lifestyles access to countryside x and active lifestyles

Sustainable No direct benefit transport x

Ensuring access to No direct benefit affordable, healthy x and appropriate housing

Preserving and Potential to enhance enhancing x access to some of the biodiversity and most significant nature green spaces and conservation areas in the

Upgrade Llynfi Valley Walks – Health and Wellbeing using sustainable Valley design

Reducing consumption of natural resources x and managing waste sustainably

Tackling climate change and adapting to it x

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Ensuring future energy security x

Promoting safe and sustainable x communities

Equality Impact

Can the project be Can be replicated in applied across the x other valleys valleys?

Conclusion: Positive impacts limited to certain areas

(Low/Medium)

Upgrade Llynfi Valley Walks – Health and Wellbeing Impact and Deliverability Analysis

Project Name: Health Programme Brokers – Health and Wellbeing

DELIVERABILITY

RATING NOTES

at stage

Definitely not Probably not Probably yes Definitely yes Unsure this Is the project Unsure of cost implications at affordable? this stage, could potentially be * run cheaply if the right organisations are involved

Is the project value Encouraging people to be more for money? active and involved will have * health, social and potentially economic benefits

Is the project Unlikely to be a long term sustainable? project. Could be run * periodically e.g. every couple of years

Is the project attractive to investors? *

Is the project Health is identified as a issue attractive to the * amongst the local population community?

Is the project Similar initiative is being achievable? explored which could be * expanded in the Llynfi valley

Noddfa Chapel IT Suite – Transport and Connections Is the project Could be linked to private or commercial? local authority run leisure and * health facilities

Can the project be delivered by the * local community?

Conclusion: Currently some uncertainties surrounding delivery however similar initiatives are being explored. Is likely to be a limited term project

Noddfa Chapel IT Suite – Transport and Connections IMPACT

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Supporting the local Will support local leisure economy and facilities sustainable * employment opportunities

Ensuring access to Negligible direct impact adequate income *

Buying goods and Negligible direct impact services that are * green, ethical and local

Providing training Negligible direct impact and educational * opportunities

Promoting healthy Will encourage and lifestyles support people to * become more active and address common health issues

Sustainable Negligible direct impact transport *

Ensuring access to Negligible direct impact affordable, healthy * and appropriate housing

Preserving and Negligible direct impact * enhancing biodiversity and

Noddfa Chapel IT Suite – Transport and Connections green spaces and using sustainable design

Reducing Negligible direct impact consumption of natural resources * and managing waste sustainably

Tackling climate Negligible direct impact change and adapting to it *

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Ensuring future Negligible direct impact energy security *

Promoting safe and Will help to support the sustainable * health of the community communities

Equality Impact Will help to reach some hard to reach groups and * encourage engagement

Can the project be This could be rolled out applied across the * in other areas valleys?

Conclusion: Project will help to reach certain sectors of the community who perhaps aren’t currently engaged in healthy activities.

Noddfa Chapel IT Suite – Transport and Connections Impact and Deliverability Analysis

Project Name: Noddfa Chapel IT Suite – Transport and Connections

DELIVERABILITY

RATING NOTES

at stage

Definitely not Probably not Probably yes Definitely yes Unsure this Is the project Development of a new IT suite affordable? within the centre x

Is the project value Capital outlay is modest for money? x

Is the project Some sort of ongoing IT support sustainable? is essential to make the project x more sustainable

Is the project Would fit with VARP strategy and attractive to priorities (in terms of access to investors? employment) and has potential to lever in other forms of funding

Is the project Yes. The current facility is out of attractive to the x date. community?

Is the project Yes. achievable? x

Noddfa Chapel IT Suite – Transport and Connections Is the project No commercial? x

Conclusion: (Medium) the project is deliverable, but the real value lies in the commitment for longer term technical support. This important component will need to be explored further.

Noddfa Chapel IT Suite – Transport and Connections IMPACT

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Supporting the local Nodffa Chapel assist economy and young people with job sustainable applications and training. x employment This facility could have opportunities an impact on access to employment

Ensuring access to Unless it can be adequate income developed into a social x enterprise this project is unlikely to generate income

Buying goods and No direct impact services that are x green, ethical and local

Providing training Broader training is an and educational opportunity dependent x opportunities on having someone to carry it out

Promoting healthy No direct impact lifestyles x

Sustainable No direct impact transport x

Ensuring access to No direct impact affordable, healthy x and appropriate housing

Noddfa Chapel IT Suite – Transport and Connections Preserving and No direct impact enhancing biodiversity and x green spaces and using sustainable design

Reducing No direct impact consumption of natural resources x and managing waste sustainably

Tackling climate No direct impact change and adapting to it

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Ensuring future No direct impact energy security x

Promoting safe and Will help to address IT sustainable x literacy for those not in communities education or training

Equality Impact Will help to address IT literacy for those not in x education or training

Can the project be No direct impact applied across the x valleys?

Conclusion: (Low/medium) High impact in a narrow area, but low impact across others

Noddfa Chapel IT Suite – Transport and Connections Impact and Deliverability Analysis

Project Name: Broadband Improvement – Transport and Connections

DELIVERABILITY

RATING NOTES

at stage

Definitely not Probably not Probably yes Definitely yes Unsure this Is the project Scope of works required and affordable? resultant costs needs to be x investigated

Is the project value Will have long term benefits for for money? local people and the business x community

Is the project sustainable? x

Is the project Implemented in conjunction with attractive to broadband providers investors? x

Is the project Improves digital connections attractive to the x which has a wide range of community? benefits

Is the project Further work needs to be achievable? undertaken to understand the x what is required

Broadband Improvement – Transport and Connections Is the project commercial? x

Can the project be External providers delivered by the x local community?

Conclusion: Further work needs to be done to establish project requirements and identify any potential issues

(Medium)

Broadband Improvement – Transport and Connections IMPACT

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Supporting the local Will benefit local economy and businesses and support sustainable x the potential for tele‐ employment working opportunities

Ensuring access to Would support web‐ x adequate income based jobs

Buying goods and services that are x green, ethical and local

Providing training and educational x opportunities

Promoting healthy lifestyles x

Sustainable Better access to goods transport and services through the x internet‐ reduces the need to travel

Ensuring access to affordable, healthy x and appropriate housing

Preserving and enhancing x biodiversity and green spaces and using sustainable

Broadband Improvement – Transport and Connections design

Reducing consumption of natural resources x and managing waste sustainably

Tackling climate change and adapting to it x

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Ensuring future energy security x

Promoting safe and sustainable x communities

Equality Impact

Can the project be Could be undertaken in applied across the x other valleys valleys?

Conclusion: Project will have a positive impact in a few areas and will benefit the local area in the long term

(Medium/High)

Broadband Improvement – Transport and Connections Impact and Deliverability Analysis

Project Name: Communities 2.0 – Transport and Connections

DELIVERABILITY

RATING NOTES

at stage

Definitely not Probably not Probably yes Definitely yes Unsure this Is the project affordable? x

Is the project value for money? x

Is the project sustainable? x

Is the project attractive to investors? x

Is the project attractive to the x community?

Is the project achievable? x

Communities 2.0 – Transport and Connections Is the project commercial? x

Can the project be delivered by the x local community?

Conclusion: (Medium)

Communities 2.0 – Transport and Connections IMPACT

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Supporting the local economy and sustainable x employment opportunities

Ensuring access to x adequate income

Buying goods and services that are x green, ethical and local

Providing training and educational x opportunities

Promoting healthy lifestyles x

Sustainable transport x

Ensuring access to affordable, healthy x and appropriate housing

Preserving and enhancing x biodiversity and green spaces and using sustainable

Communities 2.0 – Transport and Connections design

Reducing consumption of natural resources x and managing waste sustainably

Tackling climate change and adapting to it

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Ensuring future energy security x

Promoting safe and sustainable x communities

Equality Impact

Can the project be applied across the x valleys?

Conclusion: (Medium/High)

Communities 2.0 – Transport and Connections Impact and Deliverability Analysis

Project Name: Llynfi Bus Corridor Improvements – Transport and Connections

DELIVERABILITY

RATING NOTES

at stage

Definitely not Probably not Probably yes Definitely yes Unsure this Is the project Cost of proposals need to be affordable? established x

Is the project value Promoted use of public transport for money? and improved access to jobs and x services

Is the project Sustainable infrastructure. Initial sustainable? investment will need to be x maintained.

Is the project SEWTA could assist as the attractive to project is in the 5 year strategy investors? x

Is the project Improved facilities for the local attractive to the x community. Strong demand for community? bus improvements

Is the project Standard improvements to be x achievable? applied locally

Llynfi Bus Corridor Improvements – Transport and Connections

Is the project Will help to make services more commercial? profitable for operators x

Can the project be Not a community based project‐ delivered by the x need to identify methods to get local community? local people involved

Conclusion: Project relatively easy to implement but with some ongoing costs likely

IMPACT

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Supporting the local Will enable communities economy and to access jobs and sustainable x facilities outside the employment valley opportunities

Ensuring access to Improved public x adequate income transport connections to employment

Llynfi Bus Corridor Improvements – Transport and Connections opportunities

Buying goods and services that are x green, ethical and local

Providing training and educational x opportunities

Promoting healthy lifestyles x

Sustainable Improved public transport transport will help to x promote use

Ensuring access to affordable, healthy x and appropriate housing

Preserving and enhancing biodiversity and x green spaces and using sustainable design

Reducing Improved public consumption of transport will reduce natural resources x reliance on the private and managing waste car sustainably

Tackling climate Will help to reduce change and private car use adapting to it x

IMPACT NOTES

Llynfi Bus Corridor Improvements – Transport and Connections

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Ensuring future energy security x

Promoting safe and sustainable x communities

Equality Impact

Can the project be Improvements can be applied across the x implemented in other valleys? locations

Conclusion: Strong contribution to sustainable transport improvements and some other areas

(Medium/High)

Llynfi Bus Corridor Improvements – Transport and Connections Impact and Deliverability Analysis

Project Name: Llynfi Rail Corridor Improvements – Transport and Connections

DELIVERABILITY

RATING NOTES

at stage

Definitely not Probably not Probably yes Definitely yes Unsure this Is the project Cost of proposals need to be affordable? established x

Is the project value Should improve the waiting for money? environment of halts on the line x and make the line more profitable

Is the project Initial investment in sustainable? infrastructure will need to be x maintained

Is the project Uncertain attractive to investors? x

Is the project Improved facilities for the local attractive to the x community community?

Is the project Yes. Modest improvements to achievable? x lighting, CCTV and waiting facilities will have a big impact

Llynfi Rail Corridor Improvements – Transport and Connections

Is the project Uncertain whether commercial? railtrack/network rail will be x willing to contribute to the project

Can the project be Not a community based project‐ delivered by the x need to identify methods to get local community? local people involved

Conclusion: Project relatively easy to implement but with some ongoing costs likely

IMPACT

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Supporting the local Will help to support economy and economic links with sustainable x broader region employment opportunities

Ensuring access to Improved public x adequate income transport connections to employment

Llynfi Rail Corridor Improvements – Transport and Connections opportunities

Buying goods and services that are x green, ethical and local

Providing training and educational x opportunities

Promoting healthy lifestyles x

Sustainable Improved public transport transport will help to x promote use

Ensuring access to affordable, healthy x and appropriate housing

Preserving and enhancing biodiversity and x green spaces and using sustainable design

Reducing Improved public consumption of transport will reduce natural resources x reliance on the private and managing waste car sustainably

Tackling climate change and adapting to it x

IMPACT NOTES

Llynfi Rail Corridor Improvements – Transport and Connections

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Ensuring future energy security x

Promoting safe and sustainable x communities

Equality Impact

Can the project be Improvements can be applied across the x implemented in other valleys? locations

Conclusion: Strong contribution to sustainable transport improvements and some other areas

(Medium)

Llynfi Rail Corridor Improvements – Transport and Connections

Impact and Deliverability Analysis

Project Name: Maesteg Transport Interchange – Transport and Connections

DELIVERABILITY

RATING NOTES

at stage

Definitely not Probably not Probably yes Definitely yes Unsure this Is the project Cost of improvements needs to affordable? be established x

Is the project value for money? x

Is the project Key sustainability infrastructure sustainable? for valley. Economically x sustainable if passenger numbers can be enhanced

Is the project Rail and bus companies will be attractive to supportive of measures investors? x

Is the project Increasing the bus station and attractive to the x the frequency of rail services are community? key priorities for the community

Maesteg Transport Interchange – Transport and Connections Is the project Yes, subject to cost. achievable? x

Is the project Improvements will help to boost commercial? passenger numbers on bus and x rail links

Can the project be Not a community based project‐ delivered by the x need to identify methods to get local community? local people involved

Conclusion: Initial and ongoing investment likely to be required and several uncertainties to be resolved to establish deliverability

(High)

Maesteg Transport Interchange – Transport and Connections IMPACT

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Supporting the local Will help to allow access economy and to employment outside sustainable x the Valley employment opportunities

Ensuring access to Improved passenger adequate income train service will improve x access to jobs outside the valley

Buying goods and services that are x green, ethical and local

Providing training and educational x opportunities

Promoting healthy lifestyles x

Sustainable Improvements will transport promote the use of x public transport

Ensuring access to affordable, healthy x and appropriate housing

Preserving and enhancing biodiversity and green spaces and

Maesteg Transport Interchange – Transport and Connections using sustainable design

Reducing Improvements to public consumption of transport reduce natural resources x reliance on the private and managing waste car sustainably

Tackling climate change and adapting to it x

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Ensuring future energy security x

Promoting safe and sustainable x communities

Equality Impact

Can the project be Specific to the Llynfi applied across the x Valley train line valleys?

Conclusion: Strong impact on connections and benefits environmentally

(Medium/High)

Maesteg Transport Interchange – Transport and Connections

Impact and Deliverability Analysis

Project Name: Llynfi Valley Cycling Improvement Strategy – Transport and Connections

DELIVERABILITY

RATING NOTES

at stage

Definitely not Probably not Probably yes Definitely yes Unsure this Is the project Future linkages to strategic affordable? routes, other Valleys and MTB x links between Valleys need to be determined.

Is the project value Whilst costly, the extent of for money? cycling opportunity for health x and tourism is significant

Is the project Uncertain how the routes would sustainable? be maintained, but would x contribute to sustainable infrastructure

Is the project SUSTRANS? attractive to investors? x

Is the project Yes. Recognition of the benefits attractive to the x of cycling and cycle tourism community? locally

Llynfi Valley Cycling Improvement Strategy – Transport and Connections Is the project The level of opportunity is high achievable? but there is insufficient evidence x what elements could be brought forward

Is the project No commercial? x

Can the project be No delivered by the x local community?

Conclusion: Medium delivery rating. Strong fit with regeneration strategy but some significant unknowns at present

Llynfi Valley Cycling Improvement Strategy – Transport and Connections IMPACT

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Supporting the local Could contribute economy and towards local tourism sustainable x employment opportunities

Ensuring access to No immediate impact on adequate income income x

Buying goods and Negligible direct impact services that are x green, ethical and local

Providing training Negligible direct impact and educational x opportunities

Promoting healthy Well demonstrated links lifestyles between cycling and x health

Sustainable Improves mobility of the transport local community x

Ensuring access to Negligible direct impact affordable, healthy x and appropriate housing

Preserving and Negligible direct impact enhancing x biodiversity and green spaces and

Llynfi Valley Cycling Improvement Strategy – Transport and Connections using sustainable design

Reducing Cumulative direct impact consumption of natural resources x and managing waste sustainably

Tackling climate Cumulative direct impact change and adapting to it x

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Ensuring future Cumulative direct impact energy security x

Promoting safe and Helps develop sustainable x sustainable communities communities

Equality Impact Helps to integrate people into the local x community

Can the project be Can be replicated in applied across the x other valleys valleys?

Conclusion: Local impact in a number of areas but for a certain section of the community

(Medium)

Llynfi Valley Cycling Improvement Strategy – Transport and Connections Impact and Deliverability Analysis

Project Name: Community Car Share Clubs – Transport and Connections

DELIVERABILITY

RATING NOTES

at stage

Definitely not Probably not Probably yes Definitely yes Unsure this Is the project The initial and ongoing affordable? management costs are unknown x

Is the project value Huge local reliance on taxi’s and for money? low car ownership indicating x sufficient demand

Is the project Uncertain. Should consider a sustainable? pilot to test feasibility x

Is the project attractive to investors? X

Is the project The concept has not been tested. attractive to the Although if it is cheaper and x community? more reliable than taxi’s it would work

Is the project Moorcar in Devon has x achievable? established a rural car share

Community Car Share Clubs – Transport and Connections scheme

Is the project Uncertain. Should consider a commercial? pilot to test feasibility x

Can the project be Yes. Moorcar is a social delivered by the x enterprise. local community?

Conclusion: No major obstacles to delivery. Potential to be run as a social enterprise, which WVSRA could support

(High)

Community Car Share Clubs – Transport and Connections IMPACT

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Supporting the local economy and sustainable x employment opportunities

Ensuring access to Could assist people in adequate income gaining access to x employment

Buying goods and services that are x green, ethical and local

Providing training and educational x opportunities

Promoting healthy lifestyles x

Sustainable Improves mobility transport without the need for the x private car

Ensuring access to affordable, healthy x and appropriate housing

Preserving and enhancing x biodiversity and green spaces and

Community Car Share Clubs – Transport and Connections using sustainable design

Reducing Reduces reliance on consumption of private car ownership natural resources x and use and managing waste sustainably

Tackling climate change and adapting to it x

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Ensuring future Reduces the need for energy security private car ownership x

Promoting safe and sustainable x communities

Equality Impact

Can the project be Can be replicated in applied across the x other locations valleys?

Conclusion: Anticipate a moderate positive impact in a number of areas

(Medium)

Community Car Share Clubs – Transport and Connections Impact and Deliverability Analysis

Project Name: A4063 Enhancement – Transport and Connections

DELIVERABILITY

RATING NOTES

at stage

Definitely not Probably not Probably yes Definitely yes Unsure this Is the project Cost of works dependent on affordable? extent of project. Some x elements can be delivered independently

Is the project value for money? x

Is the project One off investment‐ may require sustainable? further investment in the future x

Is the project attractive to investors? x

Is the project Limited direct benefit to the local attractive to the x community community?

Is the project Strategy and detailed design to achievable? be developed x

A4063 Enhancement – Transport and Connections Is the project commercial? x

Can the project be Proposals to be informed by the delivered by the x local community local community?

Conclusion: Improvements can be implemented depending on cost but work will be required to establish local participation

(Medium/High)

A4063 Enhancement – Transport and Connections IMPACT

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Supporting the local Some positive impact on economy and the attraction of the sustainable x valley for investors employment opportunities

Ensuring access to x adequate income

Buying goods and services that are x green, ethical and local

Providing training and educational x opportunities

Promoting healthy lifestyles x

Sustainable Route improved transport particularly for x pedestrians in central areas

Ensuring access to affordable, healthy x and appropriate housing

Preserving and enhancing x biodiversity and green spaces and using sustainable

A4063 Enhancement – Transport and Connections design

Reducing consumption of natural resources x and managing waste sustainably

Tackling climate change and adapting to it x

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Ensuring future energy security x

Promoting safe and Help to improve road sustainable x safety in central areas communities

Equality Impact

Can the project be Specific to Llynfi Valley applied across the x but principles could be valleys? applied elsewhere

Conclusion: Moderate benefits in a number of areas

(Medium/High)

A4063 Enhancement – Transport and Connections Impact and Deliverability Analysis

Project Name: Community Transport Scheme – Transport and Connections

DELIVERABILITY

RATING NOTES

at stage

Definitely not Probably not Probably yes Definitely yes Unsure this Is the project Yes affordable? x

Is the project value for money? x

Is the project sustainable? x

Is the project attractive to investors? x

Is the project attractive to the x community?

Is the project x achievable?

Community Transport Scheme – Transport and Connections

Is the project commercial? x

Can the project be delivered by the x local community?

Conclusion:

Community Transport Scheme – Transport and Connections IMPACT

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Supporting the local economy and sustainable x employment opportunities

Ensuring access to adequate income x

Buying goods and services that are x green, ethical and local

Providing training and educational x opportunities

Promoting healthy Helps people to gain lifestyles access to services and x engage in social and community activities

Sustainable Improves mobility of the transport local community x

Ensuring access to affordable, healthy x and appropriate housing

Preserving and enhancing x biodiversity and green spaces and

Community Transport Scheme – Transport and Connections using sustainable design

Reducing consumption of natural resources x and managing waste sustainably

Tackling climate change and adapting to it x

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Ensuring future energy security x

Promoting safe and Helps develop sustainable x sustainable communities communities

Equality Impact Helps to integrate people into the local x community

Can the project be Can be replicated in applied across the x other valleys valleys?

Conclusion: Local impact in a number of areas but for a certain section of the community

(Medium)

Community Transport Scheme – Transport and Connections

Impact and Deliverability Analysis

Project Name: Three Valleys Tourism Implementation Plan – Economy and Enterprise

DELIVERABILITY

RATING NOTES

at stage

Definitely not Probably not Probably yes Definitely yes Unsure this Is the project affordable? x

Is the project value VFM depend on quality of for money? outcomes and tangible projects x

Is the project Scope for tourism needs to be sustainable? more clearly defined to x commercially sound projects

Is the project Dependent on funding or BCBC attractive to time to develop detailed tourism investors? x projects

Is the project Tourism a high priority. attractive to the Community would need to x community? identify a series of linked opportunities

Three Valleys Tourism Information Plan – Economy and Enterprise Is the project Natural assets, VARP and BCBC achievable? tourism strategy provide solid x framework for detail

Is the project Potential to ensure communities commercial? benefit directly. x

Can the project be CDT’s are one delivery body. delivered by the x Strong community consensus local community? behind growing tourism

Conclusion: Strong delivery rating

Community role in determining the more detailed tourism projects and the linkage between them important

Three Valleys Tourism Information Plan – Economy and Enterprise IMPACT

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Supporting the local The local physical assets economy and are permanent sustainable x employment Small scale, positive long opportunities term impact on economy

Ensuring access to Broader customer base adequate income for retail and hospitality x businesses

Buying goods and Helps to reduce carbon services that are footprint and support x green, ethical and local economy local

Providing training Potential, but longer and educational term and dependent on x opportunities short term growth of tourism

Promoting healthy Negligible direct impact lifestyles x

Sustainable Negligible direct impact transport x

Ensuring access to Negligible direct impact affordable, healthy x and appropriate housing

Preserving and x Open space and enhancing countryside routes are

Three Valleys Tourism Information Plan – Economy and Enterprise biodiversity and likely to be enhanced as green spaces and a result of this project using sustainable design

Reducing consumption of natural resources x and managing waste sustainably

Tackling climate change and adapting to it x

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Ensuring future energy security x

Promoting safe and sustainable x communities

Equality Impact

Can the project be Benefits will be greater if applied across the x assets and attractions valleys? are linked

Conclusion: Positive impact in short term expected to be slight

Gains likely to be magnified over time and long term impact could be significant

Three Valleys Tourism Information Plan – Economy and Enterprise

Project Name: Targeted Promotion of Maesteg – Economy and Enterprise

DELIVERABILITY

RATING NOTES

at stage

Definitely not Probably not Probably yes Definitely yes Unsure this Is the project Third party assistance potentially affordable? required x

Is the project value Essential to improve image of for money? town centre as part of VARP. x Only good value if the offer of the town can match the marketing message

Is the project A time limited project. The initial sustainable? branding will have a ‘shelf life’ x

Is the project Fits in neatly with the aims of the attractive to VARP investors? x

Is the project Potentially. Will need to sell a attractive to the tangible offer that the x community? community feel is being undersold

Is the project Yes. Place branding is now a achievable? x mainstream regeneration project throughout the UK.

Targeted Promotion of Maesteg – Economy and Enterprise

Is the project It will help to make the town commercial? more attractive to potential x visitors

Can the project be Local chamber of trade (or delivered by the x similar group) should have a key local community? role in the project

Conclusion: Strong delivery rating

The town has been re‐paved, but other weaknesses need to be addressed alongside promotion of Maesteg

Targeted Promotion of Maesteg – Economy and Enterprise IMPACT

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Supporting the local Will help local businesses economy and increase trade sustainable x employment opportunities

Ensuring access to Broaden customer base adequate income for retail and hospitality x businesses

Buying goods and Potential greater support services that are for local businesses x green, ethical and local

Providing training Negligible direct impact and educational x opportunities

Promoting healthy Negligible direct impact lifestyles x

Sustainable Negligible direct impact transport x

Ensuring access to Negligible direct impact affordable, healthy x and appropriate housing

Preserving and Negligible direct impact x enhancing biodiversity and

Targeted Promotion of Maesteg – Economy and Enterprise green spaces and using sustainable design

Reducing Could reduce trips to consumption of shop elsewhere natural resources x and managing waste sustainably

Tackling climate change and x adapting to it

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Ensuring future Negligible direct impact energy security x

Promoting safe and sustainable x communities

Equality Impact

Can the project be Strong potential to applied across the x promote the offer of all valleys? three valleys

Conclusion: Positive impact in short term expected to be slight. Longer term it is likely to be more cumulative.

Targeted Promotion of Maesteg – Economy and Enterprise Project Name: Local Business Enterprise Centre(s) – Economy and Enterprise

DELIVERABILITY

RATING NOTES

at stage

Definitely not Probably not Probably yes Definitely yes Unsure this Is the project Fits neatly with WVSRA affordable? objectives x

Is the project value Rebuilding the local economy for money? based on diversity and local x ownership is an essential component of the VARP strategy

Is the project Project will need public sector sustainable? support for three years but will x be supported long term by a core number of tenants.

Is the project Fits in neatly with the aims of the attractive to VARP. Potential to draw in other investors? x funding.

Is the project Jobs are repeatedly the top of attractive to the x the local priority list community?

Is the project Yes. There is much best practice achievable? and experience in Wales/UK for x this type of project

Is the project A longer term business plan is x commercial? required to ensure that the building is not in need of

Local Business Enterprise Centre(s) – Economy and Enterprise indefinite public funding

Can the project be Community Develop Trust could delivered by the have a role in building local community? x management as part of a network of other such buildings in the other valleys

Conclusion: Strong delivery rating

Local Business Enterprise Centre(s) – Economy and Enterprise IMPACT

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Supporting the local Will help to support economy and more sustainable sustainable x patterns of employment employment in the valley opportunities

Ensuring access to Multiplier effect of a adequate income larger number of smaller x business

Buying goods and Potential greater support services that are for local businesses x green, ethical and local

Providing training Indirect impact. More and educational local jobs provides a x opportunities reason for people to train / learn

Promoting healthy Indirect impact. Local lifestyles employment likely to x give extra reason for people to stay healthy

Sustainable Negligible direct impact transport x

Ensuring access to Negligible direct impact affordable, healthy x and appropriate housing

Preserving and x Negligible direct impact enhancing

Local Business Enterprise Centre(s) – Economy and Enterprise biodiversity and green spaces and using sustainable design

Reducing Significant potential for consumption of waste and energy natural resources x business growth which and managing waste can contribute to lower sustainably local resource use

Tackling climate Significant potential for change and waste and energy adapting to it x business growth which can contribute to lower local resource use

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Ensuring future Significant potential for energy security waste and energy x business growth which can contribute to lower local resource use

Promoting safe and sustainable x communities

Equality Impact

Can the project be Strong potential to applied across the create linked x valleys? establishments across all three Valleys

Conclusion: Strong positive impact on employment and potentially energy and conservation.

Local Business Enterprise Centre(s) – Economy and Enterprise Impact and Deliverability Analysis

Project Name: Re‐ establish Maesteg Chamber of Trade – Economy and Enterprise

DELIVERABILITY

RATING NOTES

at stage

Definitely not Probably not Probably yes Definitely yes Unsure this Is the project No operational cost to public affordable? sector but small subscription x from members

Is the project value Excellent value for money. The for money? Chamber of Trade will require support from a number of x sources (BCBC, BAVO, Llynfi Forum). No capital outlay required

Is the project Yes. sustainable? x

Is the project Important that business people attractive to of the Llynfi valley are the investors? x principle investors

Is the project Untested whether there is attractive to the demand for a Chamber of Trade, x community? but understood that there is no operational group in the Valley

Re‐establish Maesteg Chamber of Trade – Economy and Enterprise Is the project Yes. Numerous examples of achievable? active Chambers throughout UK. x Abergavenny being one.

Is the project Yes. It the Chamber will provide commercial? a voice to members and allow x networking opportunities

Can the project be Yes, but a project champion to delivered by the x bring the Chamber back together local community? is required

Conclusion: Potentially high delivery rating, but it is not certain if the capacity or desire exists. The Charter or culture of the organisation will need to address the need to provide creative influence and commercial energy behind the regeneration effort.

Re‐establish Maesteg Chamber of Trade – Economy and Enterprise IMPACT

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Supporting the local Will help to create a economy and better unified network of sustainable x local businesses employment opportunities

Ensuring access to Create better adequate income connections between x business and Government

Buying goods and Opportunity for the services that are Chamber to sign up to x green, ethical and the objectives of the local regeneration strategy

Providing training Training and mentoring and educational x could be developed opportunities through the Chamber

Promoting healthy Negligible direct impact lifestyles x

Sustainable Negligible direct impact transport x

Ensuring access to Negligible direct impact affordable, healthy x and appropriate housing

Preserving and Negligible direct impact x enhancing biodiversity and

Re‐establish Maesteg Chamber of Trade – Economy and Enterprise green spaces and using sustainable design

Reducing Negligible direct impact consumption of natural resources x and managing waste sustainably

Tackling climate Negligible direct impact change and x adapting to it

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Ensuring future Negligible direct impact energy security x

Promoting safe and Create a stronger voice sustainable x for the business communities community

Equality Impact Negligible direct impact

Can the project be Yes. applied across the x valleys?

Conclusion: (High)

Impact could be high depending on the ability to find a core group of traders from which to re‐start the Chamber.

Re‐establish Maesteg Chamber of Trade – Economy and Enterprise

Project Name: Plugging the leaks in the local Economy – Economy and Enterprise

DELIVERABILITY

RATING NOTES

at stage

Definitely not Probably not Probably yes Definitely yes Unsure this Is the project Small scale investment required. affordable? Project delivery could be linked with BCBC local procurement x contracts. A study would need to be undertaken to place a value on the local economy.

Is the project value The best way of supporting the for money? local economy is to encourage local people to engage more x consciously with it and to baseline the existing value of the local economy

Is the project Part of the project is short term sustainable? and finite so does not need to be. Valuing the local economy x could be re‐evaluated in several years to assess impact of VARP, otherwise does not need to be sustained

Is the project Fits in neatly with the broader attractive to strategy for the Llynfi VARP and investors? is unlikely to be capital intensive. x BCBC would have to adopt and implement using existing officer resource, attractive to social

Plugging the leaks in the local Economy – Economy and Enterprise enterprises

Is the project From speaking to local people attractive to the they are particularly concerned community? about the loss of local retail x businesses. An excellent way of CDT’s understanding their economic impact

Is the project Yes. Brighton & Hove Council achievable? have implemented a similar successful project. The tool for valuing the Llynfi economy is in x active use by over 20 local authorities and over 30 private and not for profit organisations across the UK.

Is the project Potential strong backing from commercial? local business community and x public sector lead delivery body

Can the project be This could be a community led delivered by the campaign led from a CDT rather local community? x than BCBC. The local community should be informed of the valuing the economy

Conclusion: Strong delivery rating with potential to be funded by WVSRA and implemented by CDT. Should be linked with the local procurement policy within BCBC for maximum impact

Plugging the leaks in the local Economy – Economy and Enterprise IMPACT

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Supporting the local Will help the LLynfi economy and residents of the sustainable collective benefit of local employment x procurement and see opportunities where there is least multiplier effect of money circulation

Ensuring access to Yes. A significant boost adequate income to the local economy and x valuing the economy should ensure that income is increased

Buying goods and Multiplier effect will services that are ensure that more money x green, ethical and stays and recirculates in local the local economy

Providing training Indirect impact is and educational x possible opportunities

Promoting healthy Indirect impact is lifestyles possible x

Sustainable Negligible direct impact. transport People may travel less, x but not in any significant numbers

Ensuring access to Negligible direct impact affordable, healthy x and appropriate housing

Plugging the leaks in the local Economy – Economy and Enterprise Preserving and Negligible direct impact enhancing biodiversity and x green spaces and using sustainable design

Reducing Negligible direct impact consumption of natural resources x and managing waste sustainably

Tackling climate Slight positive through change and x the reduced need to adapting to it travel

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Ensuring future More diverse economy is energy security more likely to be more x resilient if local energy generation is included

Promoting safe and Increasing local money sustainable circulation a key x communities component of long term sustainability

Equality Impact

Can the project be Strong potential to applied across the extend this campaign valleys? x and ethos across all three Valleys and Borough‐wide

Conclusion: Positive impact especially on economic measures and deliverable by either BCBC or the local community. Funding would be short

Plugging the leaks in the local Economy – Economy and Enterprise term. Ethos could be applied to other Valleys. The valuing process is the start of strengthening the economy of the Llynfi Valley. These could be used in a comprehensive manner as part of other initiatives to improve the robustness of the local economy

Plugging the leaks in the local Economy – Economy and Enterprise Project Name: Local Procurement Contracts within BCBC – Economy and Enterprise

DELIVERABILITY

RATING NOTES

at stage

Definitely not Probably not Probably yes Definitely yes Unsure this Is the project No external funding required. affordable? BCBC officer time required, x especially at a senior level. Cabinet support critical.

Is the project value Every £1 spent with a local for money? supplier is worth £1.76 to the local economy, and only 36 pence if it is spent out of the area. A 10% increase in the x proportion of the council's annual procurement spent locally would mean £34 million extra circulating in the local economy each year (NEF 2005)

Is the project No ongoing funding required sustainable? x

Is the project BCBC action on this will attractive to demonstrates clearly to local investors? CDT’s and WAG the importance x of local procurement. Clearance will be required from Wales Audit Office

Is the project Yes attractive to the x community?

Local Procurement Policy within BCBC – Economy and Enterprise Is the project Yes. Northumberland County achievable? Council adopted this in 2005 x

Is the project Yes. Potential strong backing commercial? from local business community. x Although BCBC delivered

Can the project be No. Not relevant, but the local delivered by the x community should be informed local community? of the project

Conclusion: Excellent delivery rating. Project needs to be approved at the most senior levels of BCBC to be implemented. Clear precedent from Northumberland County Council which can be researched in more detail.

Local Procurement Policy within BCBC – Economy and Enterprise IMPACT

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Supporting the local Financial impact likely to economy and significantly outweigh sustainable x the financial support employment from WVSRA opportunities

Ensuring access to Yes. A significant boost x adequate income to the local economy

Buying goods and Multiplier effect will services that are ensure that more money x green, ethical and stays and recirculates in local the local economy

Providing training Indirect impact is and educational probable at this scale. opportunities Training and x development should be available to local suppliers to enable them to benefit

Promoting healthy Indirect impact is lifestyles probable due to the x scale of impact

Sustainable Indirect impact is transport probable due to the x scale of impact

Ensuring access to Negligible direct impact affordable, healthy x and appropriate housing

Local Procurement Policy within BCBC – Economy and Enterprise Preserving and Negligible direct impact enhancing biodiversity and x green spaces and using sustainable design

Reducing Likely to reduce demand consumption of for travel natural resources x and managing waste sustainably

Tackling climate Slight positive through change and the reduced need to adapting to it x travel

IMPACT NOTES

Promoting safe and Scale of impact could sustainable result in more x communities prosperous local communities

Equality Impact Negligible direct impact

Can the project be Impact would be applied across the x Borough‐wide valleys?

Conclusion: Huge potential for enhancing the quality and diversity of the Bridgend economy. Which would have a significant impact on the Llynfi

Local Procurement Policy within BCBC – Economy and Enterprise Project Name: Industrial Estate Improvements – Economy and Enterprise

DELIVERABILITY

RATING NOTES

at stage

Definitely not Probably not Probably yes Definitely yes Unsure this Is the project Would fall within the remit of affordable? WVSRA x

Is the project value Improving the physical condition for money? of employment locations will not x strengthen the economy in isolation but will be a supportive project

Is the project After an initial impact the sustainable? sustainability of the programme x will depend largely on how well the improvements are maintained

Is the project The project fits neatly within attractive to WAG’s funding expectations investors? x

Is the project It will be a visible sign of progress attractive to the x community?

Is the project Yes. Improvements need to be achievable? specified and contracted out to x be implemented.

Industrial Estate Improvements – Economy and Enterprise Is the project Public sector lead delivery body. commercial? x

Can the project be No. Not relevant, but the local delivered by the x community should be informed local community? of the project

Conclusion: Good delivery rating, almost entirely dependent on BCBC to implement. A useful supporting project.

Industrial Estate Improvements – Economy and Enterprise IMPACT

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Supporting the local Will create better places economy and for business, but will not sustainable address underlying employment x business weakness or opportunities help to make the local economy substantially stronger

Ensuring access to Yes. A significant boost adequate income to the local economy x

Buying goods and Negligible direct impact services that are x green, ethical and local

Providing training Potential for training and educational opportunities in the x opportunities implementation of the scheme

Promoting healthy Negligible direct impact lifestyles x

Sustainable Negligible direct impact transport x

Ensuring access to Negligible direct impact affordable, healthy x and appropriate housing

Industrial Estate Improvements – Economy and Enterprise Preserving and Negligible direct impact enhancing biodiversity and x green spaces and using sustainable design

Reducing Negligible direct impact consumption of natural resources x and managing waste sustainably

Tackling climate Slight positive through change and the reduced need to adapting to it x travel

IMPACT NOTES

Promoting safe and Attractiveness of work sustainable environment is of communities concern to some businesses but not x others. Cost and connection most important which this project unlikely to address

Equality Impact Negligible direct impact

Can the project be x Impact would be applied across the Borough‐wide if

Industrial Estate Improvements – Economy and Enterprise valleys? implemented as a Valleys wide programme of improvement

Conclusion: This project is potentially a useful supporting project and one which will be visible. Some employment areas have suffered from under investment and this is a good opportunity to maintain these business locations for the future.

Industrial Estate Improvements – Economy and Enterprise Project Name: Getting into Work – Economy and Enterprise

DELIVERABILITY

RATING NOTES

at stage

Definitely not Probably not Probably yes Definitely yes Unsure this Is the project Would fall within the remit of affordable? WVSRA x

Is the project value Has prove successful in HoVSRA for money? x

Is the project No. The economic benefits of the sustainable? scheme are long term and x recurring however

Is the project The project fits neatly within attractive to WAG’s funding expectations investors? x

Is the project Employment was a key area of attractive to the x concern to stakeholders community?

Is the project Yes. Based on successful scheme achievable? in HoV. x

Is the project Public sector lead delivery body. x commercial?

Getting into Work – Economy and Enterprise

Can the project be No. Not relevant, but the local delivered by the x community will be informed of local community? the project

Conclusion: Good delivery rating, the project is based on a sound template and will match the accord with the matters which concern local people the most.

Getting into Work – Economy and Enterprise IMPACT

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Supporting the local Will enable people economy and excluded from sustainable x employment easier entry employment into the labour market opportunities

Ensuring access to Whilst the project will adequate income not generate income it x will have a positive impact on the finances of local people

Buying goods and Negligible direct impact services that are x green, ethical and local

Providing training Will offer support and and educational x advice for job seekers opportunities

Promoting healthy Likely slight positive lifestyles impact for those finding x employment through the scheme

Sustainable Negligible direct impact transport x

Ensuring access to Negligible direct impact affordable, healthy x and appropriate housing

Preserving and x Negligible direct impact

Getting into Work – Economy and Enterprise enhancing biodiversity and green spaces and using sustainable design

Reducing Negligible direct impact consumption of natural resources x and managing waste sustainably

Tackling climate Negligible direct impact change and adapting to it x

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Ensuring future Negligible direct impact energy security x

Promoting safe and Increased employment sustainable will have substantial communities x impacts on the wellbeing and sustainability of Llynfi communities

Equality Impact Negligible direct impact

Can the project be Impact would be applied across the Borough‐wide if x valleys? implemented as a WV Valleys wide programme

Conclusion: Critical project to remove the barriers to employment that exist in deprived

Getting into Work – Economy and Enterprise Project Name: Establish Local Business Mentoring Panel – Economy and Enterprise

DELIVERABILITY

RATING NOTES

at stage

Definitely not Probably not Probably yes Definitely yes Unsure this Is the project Would fall within the remit of affordable? WVSRA x

Is the project value Cost is potentially over three for money? years, but impact is significant x

Is the project Initial programme funded for sustainable? three years. Following this a well x established local support panel will have been developed

Is the project The project fits neatly within attractive to WAG’s WVSRA and is investors? x complimentary to other WAG business support endeavours (FSfB)

Is the project Employment was a key area of attractive to the concern to stakeholders whilst community? inward investment on large scale x is unlikely. Enhancing the quality of indigenous employers is therefore critical.

Is the project Yes. 19 of these projects have achievable? been running for the last five x years in places including: Stoke, Glasgow, Hastings, Walsall

Is the project x Set up costs are from the public sector, but operated by

Alley Gating Scheme – Housing commercial? businesses.

Can the project be Yes. Establishing a panel and a delivered by the x network of local business local community? mentors is essential.

Conclusion: Excellent delivery rating. This project would add to the support offered by the EDU of BCBC and WAG programmes to be more tailored to the local community. Excellent potential for involving local business community whilst learning from a national network. Potential to learn from other communities who have already been through process.

Alley Gating Scheme – Housing IMPACT

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Supporting the local Provide support to make economy and individual SME’s more sustainable x competitive. Cumulative employment impact in one area could opportunities be significant

Ensuring access to Whilst the project will adequate income not generate income it x will have a positive impact on the finances of local people

Buying goods and Will help to support the services that are use of local goods and x green, ethical and services local

Providing training Informal training for and educational x business people in the opportunities Valley

Promoting healthy Negligible direct impact lifestyles x

Sustainable Negligible direct impact transport x

Ensuring access to Negligible direct impact affordable, healthy x and appropriate housing

Preserving and Negligible direct impact x enhancing biodiversity and

Alley Gating Scheme – Housing green spaces and using sustainable design

Reducing Negligible direct impact consumption of natural resources x and managing waste sustainably

Tackling climate Negligible direct impact change and adapting to it x

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Ensuring future Negligible direct impact energy security x

Promoting safe and Strong economic impacts sustainable are likely to yield a more x communities prosperous and sustainable community

Equality Impact Negligible direct impact

Can the project be Impact would be applied across the Borough‐wide if x valleys? implemented as a WV Valleys wide programme

Conclusion: Tangible economic impact which can add to (and not replace) existing methods of business support. Excellent opportunities to link this with other Economy/Jobs projects

Alley Gating Scheme – Housing Impact and Deliverability Analysis

Project Name: Alley Gating Scheme ‐ Housing

DELIVERABILITY

RATING NOTES

at stage

Definitely not Probably not Probably yes Definitely yes Unsure this Is the project Could be added to works affordable? through HRA x

Is the project value Primarily a project typical in for money? areas of high crime and anti‐ x social behaviour. Which are not key issues in the Llynfi valley.

Is the project Capital project with limited sustainable? revenue implications x

Is the project No other likely investors attractive to investors? x

Is the project Specific consultation required to attractive to the x determine local appetite for this community? project

Is the project Significant precedents in NW of achievable? England and West Midlands x

Is the project x Public sector led project

Alley Gating Scheme – Housing commercial?

Can the project be Unlikely. delivered by the x local community?

Conclusion: Not viable project to roll out over large areas although a way of addressing a clearly defined local problem. Especially where this coincides with Housing Renewal Area (HRA) status

Alley Gating Scheme – Housing IMPACT

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Supporting the local Negligible direct impact economy and sustainable x employment opportunities

Ensuring access to Negligible direct impact adequate income x

Buying goods and Negligible direct impact services that are x green, ethical and local

Providing training Negligible direct impact. and educational x But benefits could stem opportunities from local labour

Promoting healthy Negligible direct impact lifestyles x

Sustainable Negligible direct impact transport x

Ensuring access to Will help to make homes affordable, healthy more attractive and and appropriate x secure. Will help to housing increase amenity of rear alleys

Preserving and Negligible direct impact x enhancing biodiversity and

Alley Gating Scheme – Housing green spaces and using sustainable design

Reducing Negligible direct impact consumption of natural resources x and managing waste sustainably

Tackling climate Negligible direct impact change and adapting to it x

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Ensuring future Negligible direct impact energy security x

Promoting safe and Will help to reduce sustainable x vulnerability of rear communities alleys to crime

Equality Impact Negligible direct impact

Can the project be Can be targeted on other applied across the x areas with specific needs valleys?

Conclusion: Not a significant impact, but could help in areas with specific needs

(Medium)

Alley Gating Scheme – Housing Impact and Deliverability Analysis

Project Name: Maesteg Vacant Shop Enhancements ‐ Housing Environment

DELIVERABILITY

RATING NOTES

at stage

Definitely not Probably not Probably yes Definitely yes Unsure this Is the project Cost of improvements are affordable? relatively minor to ‘dress’ x otherwise vacant shop windows

Is the project value Will help to reduce visual impact for money? of void units x

Is the project Yes. This is something that could sustainable? potential be managed by local x community or business group

Is the project Potentially although legal attractive to agreements will need to be investors? x determine regarding access.

Is the project Yes. Concern over visual decline attractive to the x of town centre community?

Is the project Yes. The ‘Window of achievable? x Opportunity’ project in Margate has achieved something similar

Maesteg Vacant Shop Enhancements – Housing

Is the project Likely to appeal to property commercial? owners providing it doesn’t x affect quick re‐letting

Can the project be Potentially. Hay‐on‐Wye has a delivered by the x similar project delivered by the local community? local traders group

Conclusion: Deliverable project provided property owners are on board with the broader strategy and principles

(High)

Maesteg Vacant Shop Enhancements – Housing IMPACT

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Supporting the local Potential to attract more economy and custom and make the sustainable x town appear more employment vibrant opportunities

Ensuring access to Negligible direct impact adequate income x

Buying goods and Any shop displays could services that are reflect local x green, ethical and project/priorities local

Providing training Negligible direct impact. and educational x opportunities

Promoting healthy Negligible direct impact lifestyles x

Sustainable Negligible direct impact transport x

Ensuring access to Negligible direct impact affordable, healthy x and appropriate housing

Preserving and Negligible direct impact enhancing x biodiversity and green spaces and

Maesteg Vacant Shop Enhancements – Housing using sustainable design

Reducing Negligible direct impact consumption of natural resources x and managing waste sustainably

Tackling climate Negligible direct impact change and adapting to it x

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Ensuring future Negligible direct impact energy security x

Promoting safe and Enhance sense of pride sustainable x in the town centre communities

Equality Impact Negligible direct impact

Can the project be Yes applied across the x valleys?

Conclusion: Impact on perception and economic performance of town centre

(Medium/High)

Maesteg Vacant Shop Enhancements – Housing

Impact and Deliverability Analysis

Project Name: Shopfront Improvement Scheme ‐ Housing

DELIVERABILITY

RATING NOTES

at stage

Definitely not Probably not Probably yes Definitely yes Unsure this Is the project Cost of improvements and rate affordable? of grant needs to be established. x Significant investment required

Is the project value Visual impact can be significant for money? x

Is the project No. Intended as a means of sustainable? improving physical fabric. x

Is the project This will depend on the rate of attractive to grant offered. An interest free investors? x loan from WAG will help make it more attractive to investors

Is the project Yes. Concern over visual decline attractive to the x of town centre community?

Is the project Yes. Clifton Street, Cardiff have x achievable? adopted this approach with

Shopfront Improvement Scheme – Housing success

Is the project Will depend on the package commercial? offered x

Can the project be Not a community based project‐ delivered by the x local community?

Conclusion: Deliverable project. The method of delivery and the financial package on offer will determine impact

(Medium)

Shopfront Improvement Scheme – Housing IMPACT

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Supporting the local Will provide an economy and economic impetus to the sustainable x town. Potential to attract employment more custom. opportunities

Ensuring access to Project will not generate adequate income income but should x enhance income for traders

Buying goods and Negligible direct impact. services that are Will depend on design x green, ethical and specification local

Providing training Negligible direct impact. and educational x Will depend on use of opportunities local contractors

Promoting healthy Negligible direct impact lifestyles x

Sustainable Negligible direct impact transport x

Ensuring access to Negligible direct impact affordable, healthy x and appropriate housing

Preserving and Negligible direct impact enhancing x biodiversity and green spaces and

Shopfront Improvement Scheme – Housing using sustainable design

Reducing Negligible direct impact consumption of natural resources x and managing waste sustainably

Tackling climate Negligible direct impact change and adapting to it x

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Ensuring future Negligible direct impact energy security x

Promoting safe and Enhance sense of pride sustainable x in the town centre communities

Equality Impact Negligible direct impact

Can the project be Yes applied across the x valleys?

Conclusion: Impact on perception and economic performance of town centre

(Medium/High)

Shopfront Improvement Scheme – Housing Impact and Deliverability Analysis

Project Name: Maesteg Market Improvement Scheme – Housing

DELIVERABILITY

RATING NOTES

at stage

Definitely not Probably not Probably yes Definitely yes Unsure this Is the project Large capitol cost affordable? x

Is the project value An area of intense need within for money? the town centre and an x underperforming asset

Is the project Robust design and sustainable? implementation should minimise x maintenance costs

Is the project Set piece project likely to add attractive to value to other projects (public investors? x transport, cultural projects etc)

Is the project Definitely .A strong consensus of attractive to the x change within traders and community? shoppers

Is the project Yes. BCBC own the land and achievable? traders (tenants) are keen for x change.

Maesteg Market Improvement Scheme – Housing Is the project The project will enhance the commercial? value of a public asset. x

Can the project be Can be community run, but can delivered by the x be community influenced local community?

Conclusion: No major obstacles to delivery

(High)

Maesteg Market Improvement Scheme – Housing IMPACT

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Supporting the local Market is an essential economy and component of town sustainable x centre and potential employment catalyst for change opportunities

Ensuring access to Negligible direct impact adequate income x

Buying goods and All traders are local services that are businesses. x green, ethical and local

Providing training Negligible direct impact. and educational x opportunities

Promoting healthy Negligible direct impact lifestyles x

Sustainable Significant impact on transport attractiveness of x adjacent bus station

Ensuring access to Negligible direct impact affordable, healthy x and appropriate housing

Preserving and Negligible direct impact enhancing x biodiversity and green spaces and

Maesteg Market Improvement Scheme – Housing using sustainable design

Reducing Potential to use locally consumption of sourced materials and natural resources x low carbon forms of and managing waste construction as well sustainably micro generation

Tackling climate Low carbon design change and potential adapting to it x

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Ensuring future Negligible direct impact energy security x

Promoting safe and Will attract more sustainable x shoppers to the town communities centre

Equality Impact Negligible direct impact

Can the project be Place specific applied across the x intervention valleys?

Conclusion: Potential impact across a range of subjects is medium. However the site is currently the most prominent detractor in the town centre. The design of the space and buildings will determine impact.

(Medium/High)

Maesteg Market Improvement Scheme – Housing Impact and Deliverability Analysis

Project Name: Residential Street Improvement ‐ Housing

DELIVERABILITY

RATING NOTES

at stage

Definitely not Probably not Probably yes Definitely yes Unsure this Is the project Depends on the scope of works. affordable? Not appropriate for Valley wide x intervention, but is relevant for areas of acute need

Is the project value Across the whole valley – no, its for money? not value for money. However, x in areas like Caerau park it is value for money

Is the project One off investment‐ would need sustainable? to be adequately maintained x

Is the project Would be attractive to V2C if this attractive to was allied to WHQS investors? x improvements

Is the project Yes. Where there is well attractive to the x understood need. community?

Is the project Yes. Much best practice achievable? available. The Dings in Bristol x and Northmoor in Manchester.

Residential Street Improvements – Housing Is the project No commercial? x

Can the project be Proposals to be informed by the delivered by the x local community local community?

Conclusion: Not a deliverable project on a large scale, but potentially relevant to areas of need, especially where V2C could contribute to the implementation and funding of the project

(Medium)

Residential Street Improvements – Housing IMPACT

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Supporting the local Negligible direct impact. economy and Would depend on the sustainable x ability of local employment contractors to complete opportunities the work

Ensuring access to Negligible direct impact x adequate income

Buying goods and Negligible direct impact services that are x green, ethical and local

Providing training Potential to work with and educational x appointed contractors opportunities and colleges / CTC

Promoting healthy Negligible direct impact lifestyles x

Sustainable Negligible direct impact transport x

Ensuring access to In areas suffering acute affordable, healthy parking / road safety x and appropriate problems this can have a housing significant impact

Preserving and Negligible direct impact enhancing x biodiversity and green spaces and using sustainable

Residential Street Improvements – Housing design

Reducing Negligible direct impact consumption of natural resources x and managing waste sustainably

Tackling climate Negligible direct impact change and adapting to it x

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Ensuring future Negligible direct impact energy security x

Promoting safe and Help to improve road sustainable x safety in certain areas communities

Equality Impact Could make residential streets more accessible x

Can the project be Specific to areas of need, applied across the but principles of design x valleys? and delivery are universal

Conclusion: Huge potential impact in a small number of defined areas. Impact multiplied where V2C own stock. (Medium)

Residential Street Improvements – Housing Impact and Deliverability Analysis

Project Name: Social Housing Renewal Area ‐ Housing

DELIVERABILITY

RATING NOTES

at stage

Definitely not Probably not Probably yes Definitely yes Unsure this Is the project Costs for this would be extensive affordable? and are currently unknown. x Further feasibility required

Is the project value Long term approach to asset for money? management x

Is the project Will make stock easier to let and sustainable? manage in long term x

Is the project Attractive to V2C and tenants attractive to investors? x

Is the project Scale of intervention needs to be attractive to the x commensurate with need for community? project to be attractive

Is the project Yes. Significant impact of housing achievable? enhancement remodelling in Ings x (Hull) and other Housing Market Renewal Pathfinder areas

Social Housing Renewal Area – Housing Is the project Commercially appropriate in commercial? terms of V2C’s 30 year business x plan

Can the project be Significant community delivered by the x involvement essential, but can local community? be delivered alone by community

Conclusion: A deliverable project with V2C as the champion with potential support from WVSRA

(High)

Social Housing Renewal Area – Housing IMPACT

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Supporting the local Multiplier effect can be economy and realised with local sustainable x contractors/ training and employment labour clauses opportunities

Ensuring access to Negligible direct impact adequate income x

Buying goods and Negligible direct impact services that are x green, ethical and local

Providing training Multiplier effect can be and educational realised with local x opportunities contractors/ training and labour clauses

Promoting healthy Negligible direct impact lifestyles x

Sustainable Negligible direct impact transport x

Ensuring access to Will help to address affordable, healthy some of the poorer x and appropriate quality housing in the housing Valley in RSL ownership

Preserving and Opportunity to make x enhancing homes more energy biodiversity and

Social Housing Renewal Area – Housing green spaces and efficient using sustainable design

Reducing Opportunity to make consumption of homes more energy natural resources x efficient and managing waste sustainably

Tackling climate Opportunity to make change and homes more energy adapting to it x efficient

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Ensuring future Opportunity to make energy security homes more energy x efficient

Promoting safe and Will help to reduce sustainable housing turnover and communities enhance demand for x homes which traditionally have lowest demand in V2C portfolio

Equality Impact Helps to integrate people into the local x community

Can the project be Can be replicated in applied across the x other valleys valleys?

Conclusion: Addressing some of the weakest housing stock in the Valley by making homes nice places to live which use less resources is important

Social Housing Renewal Area – Housing Impact and Deliverability Analysis

Project Name: Llynfi Development Strategy ‐ Housing

DELIVERABILITY

RATING NOTES

at stage

Definitely not Probably not Probably yes Definitely yes Unsure this Is the project Officer/consultant time to affordable? review development potential x and assemble into packages for different end uses

Is the project value Potential to generate capital for money? receipts and capitalise x community enterprises

Is the project Use of assets to generate income sustainable? in short and long term x

Is the project Attractive to investors if the sites attractive to are packaged in a pragmatic way investors? x which creates greater certainty about future use

Is the project The Caerau Development Trust attractive to the are likely to be hungry in the x community? future for new opportunities to develop social enterprises

Is the project Yes provided the outcomes for achievable? x the sites are deliverable and realistic

Llynfi Development Strategy – Housing

Is the project There are potentially some sites commercial? which might be of interest to the x private sector

Can the project be Partly, depending on the delivered by the x availability of sites local community?

Conclusion: This collating of information about the future use and disposal strategy for sites is a deliverable project

(High)

Llynfi Development Strategy – Housing IMPACT

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Supporting the local Could help to catalyse economy and social enterprises as well sustainable x as attract new employment investment to the Valley opportunities

Ensuring access to The project will generate adequate income a small amount of x income for the LA and partners

Buying goods and Negligible direct impact. services that are Depends on outcomes of x green, ethical and strategy local

Providing training Negligible direct impact and educational x Depends on outcomes of opportunities strategy

Promoting healthy Negligible direct impact lifestyles Depends on outcomes of x strategy

Sustainable Negligible direct impact transport Depends on outcomes of x strategy

Ensuring access to Negligible direct impact affordable, healthy Depends on outcomes of x and appropriate strategy housing

Preserving and Negligible direct impact enhancing x Depends on outcomes of biodiversity and strategy green spaces and

Llynfi Development Strategy – Housing using sustainable design

Reducing Negligible direct impact consumption of Depends on outcomes of natural resources x strategy and managing waste sustainably

Tackling climate Negligible direct impact change and x Depends on outcomes of adapting to it strategy

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Ensuring future Negligible direct impact energy security Depends on outcomes of x strategy

Promoting safe and Negligible direct impact sustainable x Depends on outcomes of communities strategy

Equality Impact Negligible direct impact Depends on outcomes of x strategy

Can the project be Could be undertaken in applied across the x other valleys valleys?

Conclusion: The impact of the project is clearly unknown No immediate impact as at this stage. However, it could yield a result of investment in opportunities of small scale development / project. However, future conversion / open space enhancement priorities will be much projects which could have a range of impacts. clearer and impact will Could also be linked to proposed schools be felt in years after the review. Impact needs to be retested as part of completion of this strategy project

Llynfi Development Strategy – Housing Impact and Deliverability Analysis

Project Name: River Llynfi Corridor Strategy ‐ Housing

DELIVERABILITY

RATING NOTES

at stage

Definitely not Probably not Probably yes Definitely yes Unsure this Is the project Small scale investment required affordable? x

Is the project value River a key unexploited asset for money? x

Is the project This is a one off project to sustainable? determine precisely how WVSRA x might be able to support the work of the rivercare group

Is the project No immediate results are attractive to realised, but will inform future investors? years of SRA projects

Is the project Yes. Strong local connection to attractive to the X the river. Active rivercare group community?

Is the project Yes. Existing activity could be X achievable? enhanced and supported

River Llynfi Corridor Strategy – Housing

Is the project No commercial partners sought commercial? X

Can the project be Support existing community delivered by the X efforts local community?

Conclusion: Medium delivery rating with strong community support

River Llynfi Corridor Strategy – Housing IMPACT

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Supporting the local Broader impact on image economy and of Valley is possible sustainable x employment opportunities

Ensuring access to Negligible direct impact adequate income x

Buying goods and Negligible direct impact services that are x green, ethical and local

Providing training Potential to include and educational x training element into opportunities eventual works

Promoting healthy Potential for measures lifestyles to encourage healthy x lifestyles

Sustainable Negligible direct impact transport x

Ensuring access to Negligible direct impact, affordable, healthy but will provide an x and appropriate enhanced setting to housing homes

Preserving and Potentially significant x enhancing biodiversity impact. biodiversity and Baseline study and WV

River Llynfi Corridor Strategy – Housing green spaces and Landscape Strategy using sustainable baseline both noted the design poor quality green space within settlements

Reducing Negligible direct impact consumption of natural resources x and managing waste sustainably

Tackling climate Negligible direct impact change and adapting to it x

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Ensuring future Negligible direct impact. energy security Although potential to x explore micro‐hydro schemes

Promoting safe and Negligible direct impact sustainable x communities

Equality Impact Negligible direct impact

Can the project be Place specific project applied across the x valleys?

Conclusion: Limited immediate impact on multiple objectives as a result of investment in project.

River Llynfi Corridor Strategy – Housing Impact and Deliverability Analysis

Project Name: Ewenny Road / Oakwood Initiative – Housing

DELIVERABILITY

RATING NOTES

at stage

Definitely not Probably not Probably yes Definitely yes Unsure this Is the project Uncertain. Will probably be the affordable? most expensive project in the Valley. Financially, additional gap x funding from JESSICA could be a consideration to reduce reliance on WVSRA

Is the project value Benefits of the project are far for money? reaching, diverse and could be x factored over a number of years

Is the project Requires significant gap funding, sustainable? but outputs could be low energy x design

Is the project There is potential to bring attractive to together a Joint Venture investors? Development company

Is the project Yes. The site is the most attractive to the X significant potential regeneration community? catalyst in the Valley

Is the project Yes. Significant preparation work achievable? X is required. Although not as complex as The Works, this project represents a similar level

Ewenny Road / Oakwood Initiative – Housing of opportunity for the Llynfi Valley.

Is the project The project would need to be commercial? established in a way which X makes it attractive for the private sector

Can the project be No, but discrete elements should delivered by the be community‐led or community X local community? representatives could have a role on the board of the JV

Conclusion: Medium / High delivery rating providing commitment from WAG/BCBC is forthcoming

Ewenny Road / Oakwood Initiative – Housing IMPACT

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Supporting the local A significant element of economy and development will need sustainable x to be small scale employment employment opportunities

Ensuring access to Potential source of adequate income employment through x locally owned SME’s

Buying goods and Negligible direct impact services that are x green, ethical and local

Providing training A significant element of and educational development will need opportunities X to be training provision unless it is available elsewhere

Promoting healthy Negligible direct impact lifestyles X

Sustainable Adjacent to a railway transport station x

Ensuring access to Potential to enhance affordable, healthy social housing as well as and appropriate x develop new homes to housing address housing supply constraints

Ewenny Road / Oakwood Initiative – Housing Preserving and Potential links to enhancing biodiversity along river. biodiversity and Biodiversity likely to be x green spaces and poor due to historic use. using sustainable Opportunity therefore to design enhance

Reducing Negligible direct impact consumption of natural resources x and managing waste sustainably

Tackling climate change and adapting to it x

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Ensuring future Potential for low energy energy security design and on‐site x renewable

Promoting safe and Potential mixed use sustainable x development and mixed communities tenure community

Equality Impact New approach to site design would allow x opportunity to design in equality measures

Can the project be Site specific applied across the x valleys?

Conclusion: High priority project. Significant positive impact. Potential project for major investment to hit a wide number of objectives

Ewenny Road / Oakwood Initiative – Housing Impact and Deliverability Analysis

Project Name: Coegnant Colliery and Maesteg Washery ‐ Housing

DELIVERABILITY

RATING NOTES

at stage

Definitely not Probably not Probably yes Definitely yes Unsure this Is the project Significant gap funding required affordable? to service both sites due to x limited market demand

Is the project value A pragmatic option is required to for money? enable opportunities to be X exploited

Is the project A sustainable implementation sustainable? vehicle is yet to be explored. X Traditional approaches likely to require significant gap funding

Is the project Zero private sector interest. A attractive to model needs to be developed investors? x which will enable the regeneration benefits of these sites to be exploited

Is the project Yes. Strong community desire to attractive to the X see the sites fulfil potential community?

Is the project Uncertain at present. X achievable?

Coegnant Colliery and Maesteg Washery – Housing

Is the project Private house builders – no. commercial? X FC Wales – possibly

CDT ‐ possibly

Can the project be Potential alternative model may delivered by the X rest with a community local community? development trust

Conclusion: Low delivery rating. Despite status in Deposit LDP there are significant barriers to investment. Creative ways of extracting regeneration benefit need to be understood.

Coegnant Colliery and Maesteg Washery – Housing IMPACT

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Supporting the local Potential for a range of economy and employment sustainable x opportunities employment opportunities

Ensuring access to Scope for income adequate income generating uses (e.g., X methane extraction)

Buying goods and Potential for sites to play services that are significant role in x green, ethical and stronger local economy local

Providing training Training, education and and educational skills development could opportunities x form a significant part of the final mix of uses on either site

Promoting healthy Existing proposals from lifestyles community for BMX x track.

Sustainable Adjacent to a community transport cycle route and x connection to public transport

Ensuring access to Housing development is affordable, healthy an opportunity on both x and appropriate sites housing

Coegnant Colliery and Maesteg Washery – Housing Preserving and Scope to enhance the enhancing habitats on both sites as biodiversity and part of regeneration x green spaces and process using sustainable design

Reducing Opportunity for consumption of renewable energy natural resources x generation on Coegnant and managing waste in particular sustainably

Tackling climate Potential development change and of brownfield land adapting to it x

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Ensuring future Potential for low energy energy security design and on‐site x renewables

Promoting safe and Potential mixed use sustainable X development and mixed communities tenure community

Equality Impact New approach to site design would allow x opportunity to design in equality measures

Can the project be Site specific. Although a applied across the model could be created valleys? x for other similarly constrained sites in Wales

Conclusion: High priority project. Significant positive impact. Potential project for major

Coegnant Colliery and Maesteg Washery – Housing investment to hit a wide number of objectives

Coegnant Colliery and Maesteg Washery – Housing Impact and Deliverability Analysis

Project Name: Community Energy Strategy ‐ Housing

DELIVERABILITY

RATING NOTES

at stage

Definitely not Probably not Probably yes Definitely yes Unsure this Is the project Uncertain cost of feasibility study affordable? x

Is the project value Potential to bring forward micro‐ for money? generation from a variety of X energy sources

Is the project Project will help to establish the sustainable? sustainable future of the valley X

Is the project Potentially attractive to X investors?

Is the project Could form part of a community attractive to the X run Energy Services Company community? (ESCO)

Is the project Uncertain at present. achievable? X

Community Energy Strategy – Housing Is the project Dependent of feasibility and the commercial? potential energy generation X

Can the project be No, but could be a partnership delivered by the X project local community?

Conclusion: Uncertain delivery rating. Barriers to implementation would need to be identified and removed if possible but it is considered to be worth perusing

Community Energy Strategy – Housing IMPACT

IMPACT NOTES

Ensuring access to Scope for income adequate income generating uses (e.g., X methane extraction)

Buying goods and Negligible direct impact services that are x green, ethical and local

Providing training Negligible direct impact and educational X opportunities

Promoting healthy Negligible direct impact lifestyles x

Sustainable Negligible direct impact transport X

Ensuring access to Negligible direct impact affordable, healthy X and appropriate housing

Preserving and Negligible direct impact x enhancing biodiversity and

Community Energy Strategy – Housing green spaces and using sustainable design

Reducing Negligible direct impact consumption of natural resources x and managing waste sustainably

Tackling climate Potential to reduce change and X emissions of damaging adapting to it greenhouse gas and use

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Ensuring future Potential for a range of energy security renewable energy X generating schemes

Promoting safe and Negligible direct impact sustainable x communities

Equality Impact Negligible direct impact

Can the project be No. Site specific applied across the x valleys?

Conclusion: Further work required to determine extent of impact which could be significant

Community Energy Strategy – Housing Impact and Deliverability Analysis

Project Name: Llynfi Zero Waste Valley ‐ Housing

DELIVERABILITY

RATING NOTES

at stage

Definitely not Probably not Probably yes Definitely yes Unsure this Is the project Yes affordable? x

Is the project value Yes for money? x

Is the project Yes. Could be embedded into sustainable? BCBC rubbish collection services x

Is the project Would need to be discussed with attractive to X appropriate officer / Cabinet investors?

Is the project Yes attractive to the x community?

Is the project Yes. A similar project has been achievable? developed by RCTCBC and x Glyncoch Communities First

Llynfi Zero Waste Valley – Housing Is the project X Negligible direct impact commercial?

Can the project be Could be a partnership project delivered by the X local community?

Conclusion: Medium/High delivery rating. Would need to consider how to apply principles from precedent to a larger geographic area

Llynfi Zero Waste Valley – Housing IMPACT

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Supporting the local Negligible direct impact economy and sustainable x employment opportunities

Ensuring access to Negligible direct impact adequate income x

Buying goods and Negligible direct impact services that are x green, ethical and local

Providing training Negligible direct impact and educational x opportunities

Promoting healthy Negligible direct impact lifestyles x

Sustainable Negligible direct impact transport x

Ensuring access to Negligible direct impact affordable, healthy x and appropriate housing

Preserving and Could be biodiversity x enhancing benefit biodiversity and

Llynfi Zero Waste Valley – Housing green spaces and using sustainable design

Reducing Would reduce resource consumption of use, increase recycling natural resources x and reduce waste to and managing waste landfill sustainably

Tackling climate Would help to focus change and attention on adapting to it x environmental impact of consumption

IMPACT NOTES

Promoting safe and Negligible direct impact sustainable x communities

Equality Impact Negligible direct impact

Can the project be Could be linked as part applied across the x of a broader package of valleys? initiatives

Conclusion: Medium impact. Could form part of a wider initiative

Llynfi Zero Waste Valley – Housing Impact and Deliverability Analysis

Project Name: Energy Reduction Programme ‐ Housing

DELIVERABILITY

RATING NOTES

at stage

Definitely not Probably not Probably yes Definitely yes Unsure this Is the project Yes. Could be implemented by affordable? Communities First or other x community groups

Is the project value Yes. It will help educate people for money? how to reduce their energy x

Is the project Yes. Will help to alleviate fuel sustainable? poverty x

Is the project Consistent with the objectives of attractive to X a number of potential funding investors? agencies

Is the project Yes. Reduce energy bills attractive to the x community?

Is the project Yes. There are existing networks achievable? for this project to be x implemented through

Enhance Caerau Construction Skills Centre – Skills and Education

Is the project Could lever in additional finances commercial? other funders X

Can the project be Initial role out by experts. delivered by the X Subsequent rounds could be local community? community led

Conclusion: High delivery rating. Potential to work with the community to increase practical uptake of energy and money saving measures

Enhance Caerau Construction Skills Centre – Skills and Education

IMPACT

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Supporting the local Negligible direct impact economy and sustainable x employment opportunities

Ensuring access to Opportunity to work adequate income with community on basis x of energy budgeting which could increase local expendable income

Buying goods and Could lead to greater services that are ‘green awareness’ x green, ethical and local

Providing training Opportunity to increase and educational x awareness of energy and opportunities costs within community

Promoting healthy Negligible direct impact lifestyles x

Sustainable Impact of travel could be transport addressed as part of the x programme

Ensuring access to Opportunity to make affordable, healthy homes more energy x and appropriate efficient housing

Preserving and x Negligible direct impact enhancing

Enhance Caerau Construction Skills Centre – Skills and Education biodiversity and green spaces and using sustainable design

Reducing Would reduce resource consumption of use natural resources x and managing waste sustainably

Tackling climate Best way of reducing change and national carbon footprint adapting to it x is to retrofit existing buildings

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Ensuring future Would assist with future energy security energy security by x making homes and lifestyles less energy hungry

Promoting safe and Would result in more sustainable x sustainable community communities

Equality Impact Negligible direct impact

Can the project be Yes applied across the x valleys?

Conclusion: High impact, low cost project that could support other higher cost interventions or stand alone

Enhance Caerau Construction Skills Centre – Skills and Education

Project Name: Enhance Caerau Construction Skills Centre – Skills and Education

DELIVERABILITY

RATING NOTES

at stage

Definitely not Probably not Probably yes Definitely yes Unsure this Is the project Would fall within the remit of affordable? WVSRA x

Is the project Further work would need to sustainable? identify a business plan. Future phases of HRA/WHQS could x ensure that the skills were implemented on future improvements

Is the project Not yet been tested with Neath attractive to Port Talbot college who run the investors? x centre

Is the project Employment was a key area of attractive to the concern to stakeholders and this community? x would help to make trainees more attractive to potential employers.

Is the project Would depend on Neath Port x achievable? Talbot College. A similarly themed initiative has been

Enhance Caerau Construction Skills Centre – Skills and Education

successful in Tredegar

Is the project No. Would require public funding commercial? from WVSRA and college to fund. x

Can the project be No. delivered by the x local community?

Conclusion: Mixed delivery rating. Some key questions need to be addressed for the project to be deemed viable.

Enhance Caerau Construction Skills Centre – Skills and Education

IMPACT

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Supporting the local Provide a pool of economy and graduates with skills sustainable x likely to be in increasing employment demand opportunities

Ensuring access to Whilst the project will adequate income not generate income it will have a positive x impact on the opportunities of local people

Buying goods and Negligible direct impact services that are x green, ethical and local

Providing training Training focussed project and educational x opportunities

Promoting healthy Negligible direct impact lifestyles x

Sustainable Negligible direct impact transport x

Ensuring access to Negligible direct impact affordable, healthy x and appropriate housing

Enhance Caerau Construction Skills Centre – Skills and Education

Preserving and Negligible direct impact enhancing biodiversity and x green spaces and using sustainable design

Reducing Would help to ensure consumption of reduction of natural natural resources resources. Would be x and managing waste directly beneficial if sustainably applied to HRA and WHQS

Tackling climate Would have a direct change and impact on societies adapting to it x ability to reduce resource consumption

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Ensuring future Would have a direct energy security impact on societies x ability to reduce energy consumption

Promoting safe and Economic and sustainable x environmental impact communities likely

Equality Impact Negligible direct impact

Can the project be Probably only limited applied across the x scope for such as centre. valleys?

Conclusion: Generally positive impact

Enhance Caerau Construction Skills Centre – Skills and Education

Project Name: Rural Skills Development Programme – Skills and Education

DELIVERABILITY

RATING NOTES

at stage

Definitely not Probably not Probably yes Definitely yes Unsure this Is the project Would fall within the remit of affordable? WVSRA and compliment RDP x

Is the project value The skills learned would not yield for money? high numbers of jobs but could x lead to skilled volunteering roles

Is the project Outcomes of the project fit well sustainable? with sustainability objectives. x Not financially sustainable.

Is the project Potential links to FC Wales and attractive to future social enterprises. investors? x

Is the project Rural skills not high on local attractive to the x priorities community?

Is the project If it was carried out by a CDT or achievable? FC Wales with public sector x support

Is the project No. Would require public funding x commercial?

Rural Skills Development Programme – Skills and Education

Can the project be Partly, but not their own delivered by the x local community?

Conclusion: Relatively weak delivery rating

Rural Skills Development Programme – Skills and Education

IMPACT

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Supporting the local Negligible direct impact economy and sustainable x employment opportunities

Ensuring access to Negligible direct impact adequate income x

Buying goods and Potential link ups with services that are craft and arts as well as x green, ethical and countryside local management services

Providing training Training focussed project and educational x opportunities

Promoting healthy Active participation likely lifestyles x

Sustainable Negligible direct impact transport x

Ensuring access to Negligible direct impact affordable, healthy x and appropriate housing

Preserving and Focussed on areas x enhancing requiring improvement biodiversity and

Rural Skills Development Programme – Skills and Education green spaces and using sustainable design

Reducing Negligible direct impact consumption of natural resources x and managing waste sustainably

Tackling climate Small direct impact change and x adapting to it

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Ensuring future Negligible direct impact energy security x

Promoting safe and Negligible direct impact sustainable x communities

Equality Impact Negligible direct impact

Can the project be Potentially more suitable applied across the x in RDP areas of valleys? deprivation

Conclusion: Low priority project

Rural Skills Development Programme – Skills and Education

Impact and Deliverability Analysis

Project Name: Cycle Training Courses – Skills and Education

DELIVERABILITY

RATING NOTES

at stage

Definitely not Probably not Probably yes Definitely yes Unsure this Is the project Small scale funding required affordable? x

Is the project value Potential to engage with large for money? numbers of people x

Is the project Can be taken up and run by sustainable? established CDT x

Is the project Could be a project which a future attractive to CDT would like to invest time investors? x and resources towards

Is the project Local groundswell of support for attractive to the x cycling project which this could community? be linked to

Is the project Would need a local partner achievable? x organisation (bike shop? CDT?) to run the project

Cycle Training Courses – Skills and Education

Is the project No profit could be generated commercial? from this project, but a small fee x could be charged to cover costs

Can the project be Strong community group role in delivered by the x delivery local community?

Conclusion: Delivery rating is promising, providing the right local champions can be found

Cycle Training Courses – Skills and Education

IMPACT

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Supporting the local Negligible direct impact economy and sustainable x employment opportunities

Ensuring access to Negligible direct impact adequate income x

Buying goods and Negligible direct impact services that are x green, ethical and local

Providing training and educational x opportunities

Promoting healthy Promotes cycle use lifestyles x

Sustainable Promotes cycle use transport x

Ensuring access to Negligible direct impact affordable, healthy x and appropriate housing

Preserving and Negligible direct impact x enhancing biodiversity and

Cycle Training Courses – Skills and Education green spaces and using sustainable design

Reducing Promotes cycle use and consumption of re‐use of materials natural resources x and managing waste sustainably

Tackling climate Promotes cycle use and change and x re‐use of materials adapting to it

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Ensuring future Promotes cycle use and energy security re‐use of materials x

Promoting safe and Promotes cycle use and sustainable x re‐use of materials communities

Equality Impact Relevant for broad demographic profile x

Can the project be Can be replicated in applied across the x other areas valleys?

Conclusion: High priority project

Cycle Training Courses – Skills and Education

Impact and Deliverability Analysis

Project Name: Sound and Theatre Management Training – Skills and Education

DELIVERABILITY

RATING NOTES

at stage

Definitely not Probably not Probably yes Definitely yes Unsure this Is the project affordable? x

Is the project value for money? x

Is the project Can be taken up and run by sustainable? established bodies x

Is the project attractive to investors? x

Is the project attractive to the x community?

Is the project Proposal put forward outlining achievable? the potential scope of the x project, this needs to be developed

Sound and Theatre Management Training – Skills and Education

Is the project commercial? x

Can the project be Local skills and facilities available delivered by the x local community?

Conclusion: Deliverability needs to be developed

Sound and Theatre Management Training – Skills and Education

IMPACT

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Supporting the local economy and sustainable x employment opportunities

Ensuring access to Provides skills for adequate income employment x

Buying goods and services that are x green, ethical and local

Providing training Provides specialist and educational x training opportunities

Promoting healthy lifestyles x

Sustainable transport x

Ensuring access to affordable, healthy x and appropriate housing

Preserving and x enhancing biodiversity and

Sound and Theatre Management Training – Skills and Education green spaces and using sustainable design

Reducing consumption of natural resources x and managing waste sustainably

Tackling climate change and x adapting to it

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Ensuring future energy security x

Promoting safe and sustainable x communities

Equality Impact

Can the project be Can be replicated in applied across the x other area valleys?

Conclusion: Positive impacts focused in one particular area

(Medium)

Sound and Theatre Management Training – Skills and Education

Impact and Deliverability Analysis

Project Name: Enterprise Training and Mentoring – Skills and Education

DELIVERABILITY

RATING NOTES

at stage

Definitely not Probably not Probably yes Definitely yes Unsure this Is the project The project requires a limited affordable? amount of capital funding for * establishment

Is the project value Given the limited initial for money? investment the project will have * significant economic and social returns

Is the project Once established the scheme sustainable? should be self‐sustaining *

Is the project Should encourage support from attractive to local businesses investors? *

Is the project Training and development of attractive to the skills relevant to the local job community? * market is considered highly important in the local community

Is the project * Organisational steps to be undertaken to establish the

Enterprise Training and Mentoring – Skills and Education achievable? project

Is the project commercial? *

Can the project be Local people should be involved delivered by the * in mentoring local community?

Conclusion: The project has a good delivery rating. Coordination and organisational structures are required to establish the scheme.

Enterprise Training and Mentoring – Skills and Education

IMPACT

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Supporting the local Project should help economy and people into employment sustainable in the local area by * employment equipping them with the opportunities skills, knowledge and connections they require

Ensuring access to Creates greater adequate income opportunities for skilled * employment in the local area

Buying goods and Gives support to and services that are fosters relationships with * green, ethical and local businesses local

Providing training Skills and training based and educational * project opportunities

Promoting healthy Negligible direct impact lifestyles *

Sustainable May have some benefit transport in gaining access to local * employment

Ensuring access to Negligible direct impact affordable, healthy * and appropriate housing

Preserving and * Negligible direct impact enhancing

Enterprise Training and Mentoring – Skills and Education biodiversity and green spaces and using sustainable design

Reducing Negligible direct impact consumption of natural resources * and managing waste sustainably

Tackling climate Negligible direct impact change and adapting to it *

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Ensuring future Negligible direct impact energy security *

Promoting safe and Mentoring helps to sustainable develop cross‐ * communities generational links within the community

Equality Impact Negligible direct impact

Can the project be Potential to be rolled out applied across the * across each of the valleys valleys?

Conclusion: Potential for a positive impact in an area of identified need but is only likely to reach a limited proportion of the local population

Enterprise Training and Mentoring – Skills and Education

Impact and Deliverability Analysis

Project Name: School Transitions – Skills and Education

DELIVERABILITY

RATING NOTES

stage

Definitely not Probably not Probably yes Definitely yes Unsure this Is the project Small scale funding requirement affordable? but likely to require ongoing * support

Is the project value Difficult to measure direct for money? benefit but will have a longer * term impact on attainment and employment rates

Is the project Will require ongoing support sustainable? *

Is the project attractive to investors? *

Is the project Education is an area of local attractive to the * concern community?

Is the project Some initiatives already in place, achievable? should be supported and * extended where needed

Is the project * commercial?

Enterprise Training and Mentoring – Skills and Education

Can the project be Local authority driven project delivered by the * local community?

Conclusion: Some delivery issues that need to be overcome. Not a project to be driven by the local community

Enterprise Training and Mentoring – Skills and Education

IMPACT

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Supporting the local Negligible direct impact economy and sustainable * employment opportunities

Ensuring access to Improving educational adequate income attainment will help * improve access to skilled jobs

Buying goods and services that are * green, ethical and local

Providing training Will provide support for and educational those who might opportunities otherwise have a low * educational attainment or leave the education system early

Promoting healthy Negligible direct impact lifestyles *

Sustainable Negligible direct impact transport *

Ensuring access to Negligible direct impact affordable, healthy * and appropriate housing

Preserving and Negligible direct impact * enhancing biodiversity and

Enterprise Training and Mentoring – Skills and Education green spaces and using sustainable design

Reducing Negligible direct impact consumption of natural resources * and managing waste sustainably

Tackling climate Negligible direct impact change and adapting to it *

IMPACT NOTES

Strong negative Negative impact Neutral impact Positive impact Strong positive Don’t know Ensuring future * Negligible direct impact energy security

Promoting safe and * Negligible direct impact sustainable communities

Equality Impact * Negligible direct impact

Can the project be Can be applied and applied across the * supported elsewhere valleys?

Conclusion: Would support initiatives that help to improve educational attainment but has limited strategic scope

Enterprise Training and Mentoring – Skills and Education