Planning Permission For Redevelopment Of Aberafan House Approved

Neath Port Talbot Council has approved plans submitted by Swansea-based company, Hacer Developments, to redevelop Aberafan House into 41 new apartments. The distinctive building is prominently positioned in the town centre, adjoining the popular Aberafan Shopping Centre and highly visible when driving into the town from the M4. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The £4.7m redevelopment scheme designed by Powell Dobson Architects in consultation with the Design Commission for Wales will begin later this year, undertaken by Hacer Developments in partnership with Pobl Group (formerly Gwalia). ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The investment 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. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The redevelopment of Aberafan House is the latest of a number of projects within Port Talbot to benefit from the Welsh Government’s Vibrant and Viable Places programme. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

It is one of 12 projects in Neath Port Talbot’s Regeneration programme which will see over £35m invested in and around the town centre to provide new homes, improve existing homes, provide new and attractive space for businesses and create new transport and communication links. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Leader of Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council, Councillor Ali Thomas OBE said: “I am delighted to hear that the redevelopment of Aberafan House has been approved. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“I am confident that this news will be greatly received by residents and visitors of Port Talbot who will welcome the aesthetic improvement the work will bring to the area, which will improve the perception of the town and make it a place where people want to live, work and socialise.
“The project will also bring much needed housing to the town centre that will contribute to the vibrancy and viability of the town.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Silvia Ramon-Blasco, at Hacer Developments, said: “We are planning to commence work on this exciting and transformative project early in the New Year.
“A new facade will energise and transform the building, also adding to the appearance and vibrancy of the town centre.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Elfed Roberts, Head of Projects at Pobl Group said: “We at Pobl Group are delighted to hear that the plans to redevelop Aberafan House have been approved. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

We look forward to working with Neath Port Talbot Council and Hacer Developments on this landmark regeneration project in the town centre that will greatly enhance the appearance of this building and provide much needed housing for the community.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​