Construction Work On Port Talbot’s Aberafan House Commences

Hacer Developments are now on site at Aberafan House as work on the redevelopment in Port Talbot commences. Neath-based Apollo Scaffolding has been contracted to erect the scaffolding which started to go up earlier this week, adorned with black and red scaffolding netting as tribute to local rugby club, Aberavon RFC. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Once the scaffolding is in place, work will start on the outside improvements from the top down, starting with the installation of the roof façade and new windows. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Hacer Developments workers are inside the building as they begin internal demolition works to remove old furnishings and fittings in preparation for the 41 new apartments which will transform the currently disused building in the town centre. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

There will be around 40 people working on the site at any one time as the team aims to complete the works by early 2018. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The £4.7m redevelopment scheme designed by Powell Dobson Architects in consultation with the Design Commission for Wales is being delivered by Hacer Developments and Pobl Group as part of the Welsh Government funded Vibrant and Viable Places programme. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The scheme will help to meet a shortage of housing in the community and enhance the vibrancy of Port Talbot by bringing additional footfall and introducing more residential dwellings into the town centre. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The development will also see the improvement of the immediate surroundings, including improved lighting, cycle racks for residents, benches and street furniture along the riverside walk to create a safer and more welcoming space for both residents and the public. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children, Carl Sargeant said: ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“It is great news that work is getting underway on the Aberafan House redevelopment. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

It is an excellent example of how the Vibrant and Viable Places Programme is breathing new life into our town centres and delivering big improvements for residents and visitors alike while also boosting the local community.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Council Leader, Ali Thomas OBE said: ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“Just like many Port Talbot residents, I look forward to seeing the transformation of one of the town’s most prominent buildings unfold over the next few months. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“I am pleased that this project will be using local companies and local workers from Neath Port Talbot and surrounding areas. The finished result will enhance the aesthetics of the area and enhance the vibrancy of the town centre”. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Kevin Doherty, Project Manager for Hacer Developments said: ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“Hacer Developments are really pleased to be on site to start this hugely exciting project in the heart of Port Talbot. The positive impact for the town will be hugely significant”. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Elfed Roberts, Head of Projects at Pobl Group said: ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“Pobl is pleased to be involved in this exciting project. It will make a huge difference to the local area by improving its visual appearance whilst providing much-needed, high quality homes.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​