Heads of the Valleys Regeneration Area Masterplan Draft February 2020 Index Section 1: Appendix 1: Introduction A Foundation for Success - Objectives Section 2: Appendix 2: The Study Area Well-being of Future Generations Section 3: The Context Appendix 3: Assessment of Site Specific Proposals Section 4: against well-being goals and the The Vision for the Heads of the CCBC Well-being objectives Valleys Regeneration Area Section 5: Appendix 4: The Development Strategy Sectoral Analysis Section 6: Appendix 5: The Masterplan Framework Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation (2019) Section 7: DRAFTDelivering and Implementing change 2 Section 1: Introduction This Masterplan sets out the future Wales Metro, which will make substantial to provide a comprehensive framework development and regeneration opportunities improvements to connectivity by public for the future of the Heads of the Valleys proposed for the Heads of the Valleys. It seeks transport across the region. This investment Regeneration Area. This Masterplan is flexible to facilitate significant change in order to will improve frequency of services to and has the ability to adapt to changing enhance the role of communities, enabling Rhymney Station from Cardiff, improving economic and market conditions and meet them to diversify, allowing industries to rise north–south connectivity and the Masterplan the requirements and aspirations of both the and demographics to alter for the better. sets out how this opportunity can be private and public sector over this period maximised. There is an exciting opportunity to facilitate through regular review. It is recognised that significant change through the Cardiff Capital The Valleys Taskforce also sets out an there are some projects that can be delivered Region City Deal (CCRCD), which will provide ambitious programme for change, identifying within the short to medium term. However, in resources to unlock significant economic actions and programmes designed to make order to deliver long term regeneration goals, growth in the region, delivering jobs and a positive change to the South Wales Valleys there is an aspiration to redevelop a number private sector investment. Whilst CCRCD through the ‘Our Valleys Our Future’ Delivery of key sites within the Masterplan area. seeks to revitalise Cardiff as its regional city Plan. Whilst the Delivery Plan sets out a The Masterplan has been prepared within it also seeks to promote growth in smaller number of actions, most pertinent to this the context of the adopted Caerphilly towns and industrial communities in order Masterplan is the focus on making more land County Borough Local Development Plan to rebalance social justice and prosperity. available in order to maximise economic (LDP), which sets out the Council’s land use This Masterplan seeks to provide a direction development opportunities, harnessing the objectives for the County Borough in the of travel to ensure a transition towards potential of the local foundational economy, period up to 2021, but it also sets out longer economic and social success.DRAFTtaking advantage of improved connectivity term goals to ensure that the momentum and the role of the Valleys Regional Park. The City Deal Investment Fund will also of change also extends well into the next facilitate the delivery of the South East The role of this Masterplan is therefore decade. Many of the projects identified in 3 the Masterplan are aligned to proposals The Heads of the Valleys Masterplan is the contained within the adopted LDP. The third area-specific strategy, in a series of five, adopted LDP plan period ends in 2021 and which will identify projects that will help the plan will need to be reviewed to provide address key issues and objectives set out the policy framework to control development within the wider Regeneration Strategy. It for the period beyond 2021. Furthermore, forms part of the implementation plan for ‘A relevant proposals may also be included Foundation for Success’ and the Economic within a Strategic Development Plan for Development Strategy ‘Delivering Prosperity’ the Cardiff Capital Region. The Masterplan which will be reviewed every 5 years. The will therefore need to be reviewed to take Masterplan identifies investment and into account the relevant policies and development opportunities within the Heads proposals contained within the different of the Valleys Area. tiers of development plans as they emerge. In order to capture regeneration opportunities The Masterplan has been prepared in the throughout the County Borough, two further context of the overarching regeneration Masterplans will be produced for Greater strategy for the County Borough, “A Blackwood and the Newbridge to Risca Foundation for Success” as well as the Corridor. economic development strategy “Delivering Prosperity.“A Foundation for Success” sets out four key themes that need to be addressed: l Supporting Business DRAFTl Connecting People and Places l Supporting People; and l Supporting Quality of Life. 4 Section 2: The Study Area The Heads of the Valleys Regeneration Area for the England and Wales average. Relevant exist. To the west is Merthyr, a sub-regional is located in the northern part of Caerphilly data is presented as an appendix to this centre, major retail destination and service County Borough, and comprises the document. centre and home to Welsh Government Principal Town of Bargoed, the Local Centre offices and major tourism attractions such The Heads of the Valleys Regeneration Area of Rhymney, and the Upper Rhymney and as Bike Park Wales. Immediately to the east lies on the A465 at its northernmost point. Sirhowy Valleys. It incorporates the wards of is Blaenau Gwent, home to the Ebbw Vale This is a key transport artery for the South Twyn Carno, Moriah, Pontlottyn, Darren Valley, Enterprise Zone (EZ) which is utilising publicly Wales economy, connecting the M4 at Neath New Tredegar, Aberbargoed, Bargoed, Gilfach available finance to develop its automotive to Abergavenny and Hereford, and providing and Argoed. sector through the Tech Valleys initiative. links between West Wales and the Midlands. This area suffers from significant challenges, It is the only strategic east-west link that Whilst the study area of the Masterplan as underlined by the Welsh Index of Multiple connects the Valleys communities providing only relates to that part of the Heads of the Deprivation (WIMD) 2019 Of the 20 lower access to employment, retail, leisure and other Valleys within Caerphilly County Borough’s super output areas (LSOAs) that constitute facilities. Significant levels of public funding administrative boundary, it has regard has been already been spent on improving the the nine wards, six of them are within the 10% to the wider A465 corridor and identifies A465 and further investment is being provided most deprived in Wales in overall terms, with development and investment opportunities to complete the dualling of the route. a further five in the 10 - 20% most deprived that will strengthen the Borough’s position category. In addition, all nine wards are above This Masterplan seeks to put into context within this context. average in terms of economic inactivity and the role that the Heads of the Valleys unemployment, and the proportionDRAFT of lower- Regeneration Area plays within the wider skilled, lower-paying jobs is higher in the A465 corridor and looks to complement, Heads of the Valleys Regeneration Area than exploit and strengthen the opportunities that 5 Section 3: The Context In providing the context to the Masterplan l A number of Welsh medium schools are diversify the housing stock in this area, e.g. it is important to understand the strengths, located in the area, helping to promote the former Bedwellty School Site; weaknesses, opportunities and threats that and grow the Welsh language; l Significant investment has been targeted currently exist within the Heads of the Valleys. l The Integrated Health and Social Care at the council house stock throughout the Strengths Resource Centre for the north is located area, improving the condition and quality of the stock and its energy efficiency; l Excellent connectivity by road via the in Rhymney together with Hafod Deg A465 Heads of the Valleys Road to the Resource Centre, both of which provide l The Cadw-designated Historic Landscape West Midlands, West Wales and Ireland; vital cross cutting services to residents in of Gelligaer and Merthyr Common is the area; l Located within a dramatic natural and located within the area, providing a semi natural environment; l The existence of key community hubs significant cultural and historical resource e.g. local libraries, community centres, GP for the County Borough; l Improved public transport infrastructure in surgeries; recent years including the provision of the l A number of heritage sites are based in the new park & ride facilities and a new bus/ l The area contains two country parks area e.g. Butetown and the Elliott Colliery rail interchange at Bargoed, Rhymney park within its boundary: Parc Coetir Bargod Winding House; and ride and frequency enhancements; and Parc Cwm Darran; with Parc Bryn Bach l The Greater Bargoed Regeneration straddling the boundary with Blaenau l Significant life-science companies are Scheme has improved the southern end of Gwent, providing excellent recreation, located in the HOVRA including Richards Bargoed town centre; leisure and lifelong learning opportunities; and Appleby, Williams Medical and l A positive attitude towards community Convatec;