Discover Housing Opportunities in

HOUSING PROSPECTUS October 2018 HOUSING & INNOVATION IS IMPORTANT TO US In Blaenau Gwent we recognise that increasing the volume, choice and quality of housing is integral to our wider social and economic regeneration plans. A strong housing programme not only provides homes but is key to creating connected and sustainable communities.

Local facilities including improving Education establishments with, well being and quality at their heart will support the housing offer.

Connectivity through improving infrastructure including a new direct rail link to Cardiff Central Station, fast links to the M4 and M5 motorways and recent removal of the Severn Bridge tolls, offer further incentives. We’re a 2 ½ hour drive to London, a 1 ¾ hour drive to Birmingham and a 1 hour drive to Cardiff International Airport.

Driving forward our housing aspirations will ensure we have quality homes where people want to live; in turn supporting a strong and skilled local workforce to meet the demands of indigenous business and emerging inward investment opportunities, as well as maximising spend within our local economy.

OUR PLANS

Our plans are ambitious and challenging but we believe that the time is right to capitalise on the exciting opportunities that lay before us including Cardiff City Deal, METRO and Tech Valleys investment; and exploit the existing assets of the area, not least the proximity to the beautiful natural landscape such as the Brecon Beacons.

WORKING TOGETHER We are keen to explore opportunities and work with housing developers, the starting point for which is to promote the range of high quality sites we have available for you to develop.

Unmet demand together with a pro development Council and officers available to assist in a project team approach are some of the opportunities we offer.

2 BLAENAU GWENT IS A GOOD PLACE TO LIVE Blaenau Gwent is an area steeped in industrial heritage, surrounded by areas of outstanding natural beauty and home to friendly and passionate communities; it offers a wealth of untapped potential, which alongside a range of emerging opportunities, makes it an ideal time to consider investing. ENTERPRISE ZONE STATUS INFRASTRUCTURE Ebbw Vales Enterprise Zone Status has enabled The infrastructure to support housing and Blaenau Gwent to confirm it position as a strategically employment growth is in place. important area in the region with a focus on advanced manufacturing, automotive, pharmaceutical and • Rail link to Cardiff re-opened providing hourly food businesses. Investment through the Enterprise service Zone has provided a platform on which further • Dualling of the Heads of the Valleys road opportunities can be explored not least through City • Road network improvements to support the two Deal and Valleys Tech Park. The aspiration is that main regeneration sites of North and The these opportunities will; Works.

• Improve the physical infrastructure of the area HOUSING INVESTMENT • Improve connectivity within Blaenau Gwent and beyond Our aim is to stabilise the population and this will • Support existing indigenous businesses to grow require the provision of at least 250 new houses per • Attract significant inward investment and annum to 2021. We expect at least 10% of the houses associated employment to be affordable. • Support the upskilling of the local work force • Promote learning, skills and training opportunities Where appropriate we would be keen to explore for the population available funding opportunities to support development opportunities, such as Welsh Beyond this we are exploring how best to support the Government’s Innovation in Housing funding. wider economy through digital and energy innovation, supporting our foundational economy sectors and Blaenau Gwent is part of the Cardiff Capital City Region re-defining our town centres. The realisation of these and through City Deal there is Housing Investment fund opportunities will all support and enhance our housing available to support the development of a number of aspirations. the sites identified within this document. Whether it is a guarantee, loan or grant or a combination of all three will depend on the circumstances but would be a further opportunity to encourage housing development in Blaenau Gwent.

Tel: 01495 355539 | Web: www.blaenau-gwent.gov.uk 3 HOUSING DEVELOPMENT ABOUT THE SITES OPPORTUNITIES

This prospectus has been produced to provide The larger sites are located in the northern part of developers and investors with a list of the major the Borough in Ebbw Vale, and Upper Ebbw housing development opportunities in Blaenau Fach. Lower Ebbw Fach is more constrained and Gwent. It is intended to summarise the known opportunities here tend to be smaller in size. housing development opportunities in order that prospective developers, either from the private Within this document the key sites are listed within sector or Registered Social Landlords are aware of the following defined geographical areas as listed: these opportunities and are incentivised to pursue • Ebbw Vale (Ebbw Fawr Valley) them. This document: • Tredegar ( Valley) • Upper Ebbw Fach • Identifies the overall levels of housing growth that • Lower Ebbw Fach the Council is aiming to deliver. • Gives an overview of the factors which have a key influence over the delivery of housing sites including development infrastructure. Trefil EBBW A465 • Sets out actions that will be undertaken/are VALE

underway to enable housing site delivery. A465

A4046

The general focus of this document is on the delivery

TREDEGAR A467 of large scale development sites (over 10 units), as

it is recognised that these will be of greatest interest A4048 to developers. It is these larger sites that make the most significant contribution to meeting the overall

A4046 levels of growth identified in the Blaenau Gwent Local Pochin

Development Plan. KEY Cwm Sirhowy Valley OVERALL LEVELS OF Ebbw Fawr Valley

Upper Ebbw Fach Valley HOUSING GROWTH Lower Ebbw Fach Valley A Roads The overall objective of the Council is to stabilise Rail Link the resident population at 71,000 which means that Proposed Rail Link we need to plan for significant new development to meet the needs of the population in light of a reducing household size. This will also ensure that we build a prosperous economy for the future.

Over the period of 2006-2021 3,500 additional dwellings are required. Delivering this number of homes will require focusing significant development into a number of key locations which will provide homes, jobs and supporting facilities. This ensures a focussed approach to driving forward major sites which act as catalyst for wider development in the surrounding areas.

4 EBBW VALE (EBBW FAWR VALLEY)

The Ebbw Fawr valley is the largest of Blaenau Gwent’s valleys and has the largest share of the overall population. Ebbw Vale is the main hub and administrative centre for Blaenau Gwent. The vibrant town centre contains over 100 units. Ebbw Vale also has a retail outlet (Festival Park) which also offers leisure facilities to attract visitors.

Ebbw Vale Sustainable Regeneration Framework The main development opportunities are: (Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) (adopted in 2011). 1 Ebbw Vale Northern Corridor 2 The Works Provides a vision and strategy to complement and 3 Pant-y-Fforest enhance the vibrancy of Ebbw Vale. It proposes significant mixed-use retail, office, employment, leisure, housing and office development taking place within Ebbw Vale to provide improved economic opportunity. Ind Est This strategy is embedded within the Blaenau Gwent Local Development Plan. The Ebbw Vale North site delivers the housing element of this SPG. 1 3 The Works Design and Masterplan SPG

(adopted in 2013) EBBW VALE TOWN CENTRE

Provides a vision and strategy for the regeneration of the former steelworks in Ebbw Vale this includes 2 transforming the site into a vibrant and distinctive area. The Works is widely recognised across Wales and the UK as a major sustainable regeneration project driven by four objectives; economic, social, resources and environmental, all of which give the project its Festival Park sustainable credentials. It’s a multi-million pound Cwm project that has already delivered a learning zone, hospital, central valley wetland park, refurbished Grade II Listed Building, office space, 2 km railway extension and KEY a mechanical link to the town centre. Ebbw Fawr Valley Settlement Area Remaining development opportunities include business Housing Site development, mixed use and housing. A Roads Rail Link

Tel: 01495 355539 | Web: www.blaenau-gwent.gov.uk 5 1 EBBW VALE 2 THE NORTHERN CORRIDOR WORKS

Description: Description: The site is located on a major route into Ebbw Vale Town Centre The Works is a regeneration project to redevelop the former from the A465 and benefits from excellent rail connection, bus Ebbw Vale steelworks site. The site has been transformed by and road links. There are three sites at this location which the a number of buildings and squares which provide schools, a separate landowners are promoting. college, hospital, sports centre and offices. There are a number of residential areas and mixed-use sites where housing is to be Type of Housing: Mix of medium to high density part of the mix. The site has excellent links to the town centre and the site has its own rail terminus. Indicative Capacity: 805 dwellings Type of Housing: Mix of high to low density with 1-5 storeys. Size of Site: 13.9ha Indicative Capacity: 320 dwellings Delivery Considerations: Road and sewerage improvements have been made to Size of Site: 78 ha accommodate the level of development anticipated. Two of the sites have been cleared (1 and 2) and are ready for Delivery Considerations: development. One is in private ownership (1) and has the All sites are in single ownership and are ready to be developed. benefit of outline planning consent subject to the signing of a One of the sites is to be brought forward to the market S106. The second site is being brought forward in partnership imminently. The remainder of the sites will then follow. between the Council, two local RSL’s and a private developer. The third site is in three separate ownerships two thirds of Planning Status: the site is cleared and ready for development. Part of the site The site is identified in the Blaenau Gwent Local Development is currently under offer the remainder has yet to be brought Plan and forms part of the Works SPG. forward to the market. Anticipated Timescales for delivery: Planning Status: This site is ready for development. The site is identified in the Blaenau Gwent Local Development Plan and forms part of the Ebbw Vale Sustainable Regeneration Landowner or Agent Contacts: Framework. Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council Regeneration Team Anticipated Timescales for delivery: Tel No: (01495) 355539 Parts of the site are ready for development.

Landowner or Agent Contacts: Lewis Civil Engineering, Newbridge Construction Coleg Gwent, DWP, Magistrate Court Services and BGCBC (Details available on request)

6 Discover Housing Opportunities in Blaenau Gwent | Housing Prospectus 2018 3 PANT-Y-FFOREST

Description: The site is located in a desirable residential area close to the town centre of Ebbw Vale and the rail link.

Type of Housing: Low density

Indicative Capacity: 21 dwellings

Size of Site: 1.63ha

Delivery Considerations: The site is in single ownership and is ready for development.

Planning Status: The site has outline planning permission subject to the signing of a S106 agreement.

Anticipated Timescales for delivery: The site is immediately available for development.

Landowner or Agent Contacts: Vale Developments (Details available on request)

Tel: 01495 355539 | Web: www.blaenau-gwent.gov.uk 7 TREDEGAR (SIRHOWY VALLEY)

Tredegar comprises a wide range of established residential neighbourhoods. Traditional areas of terraced housing make up most of the inner area whilst large former Council esates and private developments are found on the periphery. To the north of Tredegar there is the village of and to the south the hamlet of Pochin.

The main town centre of Tredegar has an impressive The main development opportunities are: historic core which features the famous clock tower. Close by is the historic Bedwellty Park and House 1 BKF Plastics, Gwent Way and a Victorian parkland that includes one of the 2 Parkhill very few remaining Ice Houses in Wales. Significant 3 Pochin investment has been made to restore key buildings to their former glory and ensure their sustainability in to the future. Tredegar is also the birthplace of Aneurin Bevan the founder of the NHS.

Tredegar is home to Parc Bryn Bach set in 340 acres of idyllic grass and woodland with a stunning 36 acre Trefil lake at it’s heart. It is the perfect setting for a range of activities for visitors of all ages and abilities. The park has it’s own golf course and driving range, BMX track, A465 bunkhouse and campsite. It also offers opportunities Ind Est for adventure activities.

1 A particular feature of the Sirhowy Valley is the TREDEGAR landscape the hillsides are dramatic and maginificent TOWN CENTRE views are obtained from minor roads and long distance footpaths along the ridgeways.

2 A4048

3 KEY Pochin Sirhowy Valley Settlement Area Housing Site A Roads

8 Discover Housing Opportunities in Blaenau Gwent | Housing Prospectus 2018 1 BKF PLASTICS, 2 PARKHILL, GWENT WAY TREDEGAR

Description: Description: The site is located north west of Tredegar town centre. A greenfield site on the southern edge of Tredegar. The It is a pleasant residential area which adjoins Bryn Bach site enjoys stunning views of the Sirhowy Valley to the east Parc, with its stunning lake. The site benefits from good and south. This is a popular residential area close to the accessibility by road and bus. town centre and local amentities.

Type of Housing: Low to Medium density. Type of Housing: High to medium density

Indicative Capacity: 54 dwellings Indicative Capacity: 293 dwellings

Size of Site: 1.8ha Size of Site: 13.9ha

Delivery Considerations: Delivery Considerations: The site is in single ownership and ready for development. The site is in single ownership and ready for development.

Planning Status: Planning Status: Outline planning permission is in place for residential Full permission is in place on part of the site and outline development. planning permission is in place for the remainder of the site. A S106 agreement is also in place. Anticipated Timescales for delivery: The site is immediately available for development. Anticipated Timescales for delivery: The site is available though it does require some Landowner or Agent Contacts: infrastructure improvements. Asbri Planning Ltd (Details available on request) Landowner or Agent Contacts: George and Thomas Pensai Architects (Details available on request)

Tel: 01495 355539 | Web: www.blaenau-gwent.gov.uk 9 3 POCHIN

Description: Located in the rural village of Pochin south of Tredegar this site offers a rare opportunity to build in a rural village surrounded by stunning scenery. It is conveniently located adjacent to main north/south distributor road, commuting distance to Newport, Caerphilly and Cardiff.

Type of Housing: Medium density

Indicative Capacity: 28 dwellings

Size of Site: 0.63ha

Delivery Considerations: The site is cleared and ready for development.

Planning Status: Outline planning permission is in place for residential development.

Anticipated Timescales for delivery: The site is available for development.

Landowner or Agent Contacts: Rhyd Developments (Details available on request)

10 Discover Housing Opportunities in Blaenau Gwent | Housing Prospectus 2018 UPPER EBBW FACH VALLEY

Located at the top of the County Borough’s Eastern Valley the area comprises the towns of Brynmawr, .

The main commercial hub is Brynmawr which The main development opportunities are: contains over 100 units, the oldest independent cinema in Wales and an edge of centre retail unit 1 Infant School and Old Griffin Yard, Brynmawr including a large supermarket. There is also a local 2 Nantyglo School Site town centre at Blaina. 3 Former Garnfach School Site

Brynmawr is well located in terms of tourism with the Brecon Beacons Brecon Beacons National Park and Blaenavon World Heritage Site on it’s doorstep.

A465 Nantyglo and Blaina both have great historic links to the iron industry and the Chartists. 1

Retail BRYNMAWR Park TOWN CENTRE

Nantyglo 2

3

A467

Blaina

KEY Upper Ebbw Fach Valley Settlement Area Housing Site A Roads

Tel: 01495 355539 | Web: www.blaenau-gwent.gov.uk 11 1 INFANT SCHOOL AND 2 FORMER NANTYGLO OLD GRIFFIN YARD SCHOOL SITE

Description: Description: Prime location within Brynmawr town centre means the Located south west of Brynmawr the site is a mixed use site benefits from excellent access to local amenities and site that offers potential to create a semi-rural setting for the A465 trunk road. housing development. Excellent communications close to A465 trunk road and A467, a supermarket and lake. Type of Housing: Medium density Type of Housing: Low to Medium density. Indicative Capacity: 36 dwellings Indicative Capacity: 280 dwellings

Size of Site: 1.04 ha Size of Site: 14ha

Delivery Considerations: Delivery Considerations: Single ownership cleared site ready for development. The former school and leisure centre have been The site is made up of two platforms and requires access demolished. A site development brief is to be prepared improvements. by the Council to guide the development of the site.

Planning Status: Planning Status: The site is identified in the Blaenau Gwent Local No current planning status though the site is within the Development Plan. settlement boundary identified in the Blaenau Gwent Local Development Plan. Anticipated Timescales for delivery: Anticipated Timescales for delivery: The site is cleared and available for development. The site is cleared and ready for development. Landowner or Agent Contacts: The site is to be brought to the market in 2-3 years. Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council Landowner or Agent Contacts: Regeneration Team Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council Tel No: (01495) 355539 Regeneration Team Tel No: (01495) 355539

12 Discover Housing Opportunities in Blaenau Gwent | Housing Prospectus 2018 3 GARNFACH SCHOOL SITE, NANTYGLO

Description: Located in a pleasant residential area of Nantyglo this site offers a great opportunity for a small to medium builder. The site is in close proximity to local amenities and the A467 road and local bus services.

Type of Housing: Medium to low density

Indicative Capacity: 28 dwellings

Size of Site: 0.81ha

Delivery Considerations: The site is cleared and ready for development.

Planning Status: The site is identified in the Blaenau Gwent Local Development Plan.

Anticipated Timescales for delivery: The site is to be brought to the market in 2019.

Landowner or Agent Contacts: Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council Regeneration Team Tel No: (01495)355539

Tel: 01495 355539 | Web: www.blaenau-gwent.gov.uk 13 LOWER EBBW FACH VALLEY

Located at the southern end of the County Borough’s Eastern Valley it comprises the settlements of Abertillery, Cwmtillery, , Six Bells, Brynithel and Swfrydd.

The main town centre is Abertillery with over 100 The main development opportunities are: retail units, a leisure centre and the Metropole - a community arts, culture and business centre. The 1 Hillcrest View, Cwmtillery town is also home to a thriving blues festival. 2 Roseheyworth School, Abertillery 3 Cwm Farm Road, Abertillery The hillsides are dramatic and magnificent views 4 Former Six Bells Colliery Site surround you. The Ebbw Fach Trail offers a fantastic 5 Warm Turn, Six Bells opportunity to explore what the valley has to offer. 6 Penrhiw Estate, Brynithel One of the 14 environmental sites on the trail is 7 Former Mount Pleasant Court, Brynithel ‘Guardian’ an amazing 20 metre sculpture that towers over the site of the former colliery where 45 men lost their life in a mining disaster in 1960.

1

2 Cwmtillery 3

ABERTILLERY 4 TOWN CENTRE 5

Six Bells

Brynithel 6 7

KEY Lower Ebbw Fach Valley Settlement Area Housing Site A Roads Rail Link Swfrydd Proposed Rail Link

14 Discover Housing Opportunities in Blaenau Gwent | Housing Prospectus 2018 1 HILLCREST VIEW, 2 ROSEHEYWORTH CWMTILLERY COMPREHENSIVE

Description: Description: Located on the edge of the village of Cwmtillery this Located north east of Abertillery this site provides the site provides the opportunity to develop in a semi-rural opportunity to live close to all that Abertillery has to offer. location surrounded by stunning mountain scenery. The site has a woodland setting with stunning views across the valley. Type of Housing: Medium to low density Type of Housing: Medium density Indicative Capacity: 22 dwellings Indicative Capacity: 32 dwellings Size of Site: 0.83ha Size of Site: 0.95ha Delivery Considerations: Access and highway improvements are required. Delivery Considerations: Access, trees and biodiversity are important Planning Status: considerations in the delivery of this site. The site is identified in the Blaenau Gwent Local Development Plan. Planning Status: Outline planning permission is in place for residential Anticipated Timescales for delivery: development. The site is cleared and available for development. Anticipated Timescales for delivery: Landowner or Agent Contacts: The former school has been demolished. Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council Regeneration Team Landowner or Agent Contacts: Tel No: (01495)355539 Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council Regeneration Team Tel No: (01495) 355539

Tel: 01495 355539 | Web: www.blaenau-gwent.gov.uk 15 3 CWM FARM ROAD, 4 FORMER SIX BELLS ABERTILLERY COLLIERY SITE

Description: Description: Located south east of Cwmtillery this site provides the Located on the southern edge of the village of Six Bells opportunity to live on the edge of a unique ‘valley village’ surrounded by stunning mountainous scenery and and adjacent to extensive woodland. adjacent to the Guardian memorial, this site provides the opportunity to develop a high quality attractive Type of Housing: Medium to low density development. Part of a larger mixed use site delivering a new school and playing fields. Indicative Capacity: 20 dwellings Type of Housing: Low density Size of Site: 0.68ha Indicative Capacity: 40 dwellings Delivery Considerations: There are biodiversity mitigation works to be agreed and Size of Site: 1.47ha further ground investigations required. Delivery Considerations: Planning Status: Access and highway improvements are required. Outline planning permission is in place for residential development. Planning Status: The site is identified in the Blaenau Gwent Local Anticipated Timescales for delivery: Development Plan. The site is cleared and available for development. Anticipated Timescales for delivery: Landowner or Agent Contacts: The site is cleared and available for development. ETM Ltd (Details available on request) Landowner or Agent Contacts: Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council Regeneration Team Tel No: (01495) 355539

16 Discover Housing Opportunities in Blaenau Gwent | Housing Prospectus 2018 5 WARM TURN, 6 PENRHIW ESTATE, SIX BELLS BRYNITHEL

Description: Description: Located on the southern edge of the village of Six Bells Located on the edge of the village of Brynithel this site surrounded by stunning mountainous scenery this provides the opportunity to develop in a semi-rural site provides the opportunity to develop a high quality location. The site is in close proximity to the Llanhileth rail attractive development. This site is adjacent to the Six station, the A467 and is served by a regular bus service. Bells former Colliery Site. The site is adjacent to the main A467 road and is served by a regular bus service. The Type of Housing: Medium to low density Llanhilth Rail station is less than 2 miles south of the site. Indicative Capacity: 23 dwellings Type of Housing: Medium to low density Size of Site: 1.02ha Indicative Capacity: 15 dwellings Delivery Considerations: Size of Site: 0.93ha There are biodiversity mitigation works to be agreed and a comprehensive landscape scheme is required. Delivery Considerations: Access requirements mean that the site needs to be Planning Status: developed alongside the Six Bells Colliery site. Outline planning permission is in place for residential development. Planning Status: The site is identified in the Blaenau Gwent Local Anticipated Timescales for delivery: Development Plan. The site is cleared and available for development.

Anticipated Timescales for delivery: Landowner or Agent Contacts: The site is cleared and available for development. C2J Architects and Town Planners

Landowner or Agent Contacts: Pontypool Park Estate

Tel: 01495 355539 | Web: www.blaenau-gwent.gov.uk 17 7 FORMER MOUNT PLEASANT COURT, BRYNITHEL

Description: Located on the edge of Brynithel village this site offers the opportunity for semi-rural development. The site is close proximity to the Llanhileth rail station and the main A467 road between Brynmawr and Newport.

Type of Housing: Medium to low density

Indicative Capacity: 18 dwellings

Size of Site: 0.52ha

Delivery Considerations: A row of mature trees on the southern edge of the site need to be retained.

Planning Status: The site is identified in the Blaenau Gwent Local Development Plan.

Anticipated Timescales for delivery: The site is available for development.

Landowner or Agent Contacts: Tai Calon (Details available on request)

18 Discover Housing Opportunities in Blaenau Gwent | Housing Prospectus 2018 Tel: 01495 355539 | Web: www.blaenau-gwent.gov.uk 19 The Development Services Team welcomes the opportunity to provide you with pre- planning advice. Guidance on what we expect from you and what we can provide is contained To Abergavenny M50 and Midlands on the Blaenau Gwent website. To Blaenavon Brynmawr

To Merthyr Tydfil Ebbw Vale More detailed planning information on the and Swansea Tredegar housing sites can be found on the Blaenau Blaina Gwent website.

Abertillery www.blaenau-gwent.gov.uk Bristol 1:00 hr Cardiff 1:03 hrs Birmingham 1:54 hrs Heathrow 2:24 hrs

Cardiff 54 mins To Cardiff, London 3 hrs 22 mins Newport and M4 Newport 36 mins Cardiff 45 mins Bristol 57 mins

CONTACT US blaenaugwentcbc @BlaenauGwentCBC Regeneration Department BlaenauGwentCBC Municipal Offices Civic Centre, Ebbw Vale. NP23 6XB.

Tel: 01495 355539