Proposals to extend the Porthcawl Conservation Area

Porthcawl residents are invited to a public exhibition to find out more about proposals to further protect the town’s heritage and character by extending the Porthcawl Conservation Area. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Originally designated in 1973, the Porthcawl Conservation Area covers a section of the town that contains buildings which are considered to have a special architectural or historic interest. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Having such a status means that developments in the area are subject to tighter design controls and planning guidance. For example, consent is needed before any buildings in the area are demolished, while permission also needs to be gained before works are carried out on any trees. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Bridgend County Borough Council has launched a public consultation on plans to extend the Porthcawl Conservation Area to also include John Street, Hillsborough Place and Esplanade Avenue / Picton Avenue. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

An exhibition is being held in the foyer at the Grand Pavilion from Monday 15 February until Friday 26 February. Council officers will be present each week day morning from 9am to 1pm to explain the proposals, and will also be there for a full day until 8:30pm on Tuesday 16 February. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Councillor Charles Smith, the council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Development said: “Fifteen areas of Bridgend County Borough, including twelve rural ones, currently have conservation area status. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“This means that the local buildings have a character worth conserving and protecting for future generations, whether historical or new. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“The council has a statutory duty to review its conservation areas from time to time, and an appraisal of the Porthcawl Conservation Area has recommended that it should be extended. We’re keen to hear the views of local residents, businesses and visitors on this.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Anyone who is unable to call in to the Grand Pavilion to have their say can also express their views by emailing conservation&design@bridgend.gov.uk or by writing to Conservation and Design, Civic Offices, Angel Street, Bridgend CF31 4WB before Friday 11 March. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​