An important part of our Transforming RCT investment is achieved through the Council’s Regeneration team. Development and delivery of major projects not only brings new facilities and amenities to communities – but it also attracts visitors, provides a boost to local traders and retail areas, and encourages private sector investment locally.
'Riverside plaza' in Pontypridd - opened in summer 2026
The former Pontypridd M&S site development has transformed the large derelict buildings into a ‘riverside plaza’ public space with areas of greenery, that has opened the townscape towards the river for the first time in more than 100 years. The site, which will also be utilised for town centre events, opened to the public in late June 2026. Shortly afterwards, two food/drink kiosks were delivered for installation and fit-out. The Council is working to progress the marketing process for prospective tenants to operate from these kiosks.
The scheme benefitted from significant funding from Welsh Government’s Transforming Towns Programme (£3.68 million) and UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund (£1.95 million).
Ongoing projects
The Rock Grounds site in Aberdare will be redeveloped to establish a quality ‘aparthotel’, restaurant, bar and spa for the prominent town centre location. The facilities complementing the ‘aparthotel’ will be available for community use – while the wider development will preserve the historic Rock Grounds building and its features, maintain an appropriate level of public car parking to serve the town centre, and retain the Keir Hardie bust.
Final Frontier Space Holdings is appointed to design, develop and construct the project, and a consultation was held in summer 2025 for the public to have their say on initial designs. Current phases of the project are funded via the UK Government Shared Prosperity Fund.
Full planning consent was granted for the development during November 2025.
Proposals for a mixed-use project are being progressed for a future development across the Police Station and Berw Road Car Park sites in Pontypridd. Options currently being explored include a modern replacement car park, enhanced public realm, junction improvements at Bridge Street/Berw Road with active‑travel connections, and opportunities for residential, commercial, and cultural development. Demolition of the site could take place later in 2026.
This project is part-funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Welsh Government’s Transforming Towns programme. The Council will keep residents fully up-to-date as progress continues towards the demolition phase, and the development of future proposals.
Pride in Place funding across two programmes.
The Council has secured significant funding from two UK Government programmes, which will deliver Regeneration project across local communities.
The Pride in Place Impact Fund secured by the Council is being spend on Town Centre projects, as agreed by Cabinet in December 2025. The total funding from the Impact Fund is £1.5 million, with projects able to be brought forward up until March 2027.
The Pride in Place Programme is a longer-term funding avenue, and the allocation to Rhondda Cynon Taf will focus on regeneration projects across neighbourhoods in the Rhondda Fach. This is a £20 million fund over 10 years, with community-led decision-making on how the funding is allocated to local projects. Key decisions will be made by a Neighbourhood Board with support from the Council in agreeing and implementingH a Regeneration Plan.
Completed Projects in recent years
These follow a number of Regeneration developments successfully completed in recent years – including new office accommodation, gym, and library at Llys Cadwyn and accompanying park footbridge, the restoration of Y Muni, delivery of the YMa hub, the opening of the Porth Transport Hub, and the new quality public realm space and bus stops at the former Pontypridd bingo hall site.
Other examples of local projects include continuing investment at Ynysangharad War Memorial Park using Heritage Lottery Funding, the creation of extra parking at Hannah Street, Porth on a derelict town centre site, and the construction of 20 new modern business units at Robertstown in the Cynon Valley.
Town Centre Strategies
The Council has previously developed Town Centre Strategies for Mountain Ash, Porth, Pontypridd, Aberdare and most-recently Tonypandy. They brought forward clear, ambitious and agreed-upon visions for each town, which have now been adopted and are acting as a blueprint for future investment.
Helping businesses access funding
Another key role of the Regeneration team is to help businesses apply for and access key funding for local projects. Two recent examples were the successful private developments of the Pencelli Hotel in Treorchy and the former Aberdare Rates Building – both of which brought unused buildings back into use, with officers assisting the respective owners to access external funding. Read more: