Residents will be able to have their say on the Council’s draft Tonypandy Town Centre Strategy from August 11. Working with the new BID, the strategy will become a blueprint for future investment in the town centre, set a clear and ambitious vision for the retail area, and put forward a series of exciting local projects.
Having considered the draft strategy at their recent meeting on July 7, Cabinet Members agreed to the Council holding the final stage of formal consultation with the public. Details about the strategy’s core ambitions, along with a series of future potential projects, are included at the bottom of this news item.
Welsh Government funding has been secured to develop the strategy via the Transforming Towns Placemaking grant, and the Council has appointed consultants The Urbanists to advise and support the strategy’s development.
The Council has now announced that the next step to formally consult residents will take place between Monday, August 11, to Friday, October 3.
From August 11, a dedicated online consultation page will be published on the RCT Let’s Talk engagement website. Here, residents will be able to view the strategy, access all consultation documents, and complete an online survey.
The consultation team – made up of council officers and representatives from The Urbanists – will be present at the weekly Friday market in Tonypandy on two occasions during the consultation. Residents are encouraged to attend and have their say on:
- Friday, August 15 – 9am to 2pm.
- Friday, September 5 – 9am to 2pm.
The public can also visit an exhibition stand at Tonypandy Library for the duration of the consultation. There, visitors will be able to view the strategy and complete a paper version of the survey, which can be handed in to staff.
Paper copies of the survey can also be posted to us free of charge at the following address – Freepost RUGK-EZZL-ELBH, Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council, Fourth Floor Office, 2 Llys Cadwyn, Pontypridd, CF37 4TH.
The consultation will also be promoted locally via posters and flyers in the community, along with the Council’s website and social media channels.
All feedback received over the eight-week period will be collated by officers, and included in a future report to Cabinet – to inform Members’ final decision on whether the Council adopts the Tonypandy Town Centre Strategy.
Councillor Mark Norris, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Development and Prosperity, said: “The Council has now confirmed that the formal public consultation into the draft Tonypandy Town Centre Strategy will take place from Monday, August 11, lasting around eight weeks. It follows Cabinet Members’ support for the draft Strategy in July, and presents the community with an important opportunity to find out more and have their say.
“Investing in our town centres is a key pledge within the Council’s Corporate Plan, and we have already produced similar strategies for improvement and investment for Mountain Ash, Porth, Pontypridd and Aberdare. By formalising a strategy for Tonypandy, it will enable everyone in the community to come together – to identify the town’s strengths, weaknesses, challenges and opportunities, and agree upon shared goals and objectives for the future.
“Recently, the proposed Tonypandy Business Improvement District was approved via a ballot, which will see local businesses and organisations working together and leading on improving services for the town. This is another thing to be positive about – in addition to new recent uses for the former Barclays, post office, and HSBC Bank buildings, being utilised for Anabelle’s hair and beauty salon, RHA/Beacon Cymru, and modern apartments, respectively.
“We’ve also seen the multi-million pound Big Shed project at the former Co-op site nearing completion, which offers a mixed retail and residential development – along with the proposed redevelopment of the Mitchell Court site by Trivallis on Tonypandy Square. The town will also benefit from more frequent rail services under the South Wales Metro, that will greatly improve access for Rhondda Cynon Taf residents and visitors.
“I’d urge all interested residents to take part in the consultation from August 11, to help inform the final Strategy. You can take part via an online webpage and survey, via post, or through in-person opportunities at Tonypandy Market and Tonypandy Library. This conforms to the Council’s new Involvement Strategy that was agreed earlier this year, which is committed to increasing the number of ways that people can take part in our consultation exercises.”
The Council undertook initial engagement to develop the strategy between December 2024 and February 2025, through workshops with local groups and public engagement online. The draft strategy identifies five core ambitions for the town centre, which include:
- That Tonypandy is Welcoming, with easily-accessible town centre connections, vibrant routes, and the promotion of sustainable travel. Wayfinding signs and colourful artwork will play key roles within this.
- That the high street provides a mix of homes, leisure and work. The Living on the High Street ambition includes homes nestled among the shops – providing a lively place to live, easily accessible amenities, along with local opportunities to socialise into the evening.
- That Tonypandy not only builds upon the area’s significant heritage, but uses it as a stepping stone to innovation. Making History in this way will provide opportunities to celebrate the past and promote the future.
- Having Places to Celebrate within the heart of the town to provide opportunities for people to get together and celebrate events, life, and arts and culture. This will also encourage visitors to the town centre.
- Focusing on Nurturing Business, working with the new BID to ensure the community thrives. A supportive environment will encourage local entrepreneurs and fill the area with traders that include small start-ups and independent stores.
The draft strategy consists of a series of potential projects that aim to attract investment and deliver positive and meaningful change in Tonypandy Town Centre. These focus on Pandy Square, Dunraven Street and Lower Dunraven Street. Proposed projects for each of these areas would include:
- Non-spatial projects such as developing a marketing strategy, along with a list of key events and providing business support.
- Public realm enhancements that include the development of green space at Gelli Road and upgrades to the Memorial Gardens.
- Enhanced way-finding and signage throughout the town centre.
- Property enhancements of derelict or underused high street properties.
- Improved active travel facilities to encourage cycling and walking locally, for example the provision of secure cycle storage.
- Enhancements to gateways into the town centre, including improving the appearance of the bus and train stations as key areas.
Posted on 06/08/2025