Six regeneration projects in Wales are to collectively receive almost £2 million to help address local problems tying in with the national regeneration agenda, such as issues with housing supply and lack of community facilities.
The Welsh Government writes:
Communities and Tackling Poverty Minister, Lesley Griffiths, has yesterday announced £1,997,000 for six regeneration projects across Wales. The Vibrant and Viable places funding will be used to help to create jobs, tackle poverty, increase housing supply and improve community facilities.
The £2 million will be shared between Newport, Neath Port Talbot, Blaenau Gwent, Rhondda Cynon Taff, Vale of Glamorgan and Wrexham councils to fund key regeneration projects. These include:
- £485,000 to bring empty properties back into use on Commercial Street in Newport, which is currently falling into disrepair
- £500,000 to help purchase a piece of land in the heart of Pontypridd Town Centre to be developed into shops and new homes
- £168,000 to create free WIFI hotspots and install 24 CCTV cameras in key areas across Wrexham town centre
- £500,000 towards the major redevelopment of Burrows Yard, a 4 acre piece of land just outside Port Talbot town centre
- £200,000 for Blaenau Gwent Council to establish a recyclable loan scheme to encourage owners to improve empty and substandard properties in Tredegar. The council will also receive £50,000 to extend a fuel poverty project which will install new boilers and improve the fuel efficiency of properties in Tredegar
- £94,000 towards the major regeneration project underway in Barry.
Lesley Griffiths said: ‘This substantial additional funding is further evidence of how the Welsh Government is committed to regenerating Welsh towns and cities and providing opportunities for the people of Wales. These projects will make a real difference to their communities. Many of the projects focus on the regeneration of town centres, which is about a lot more than filling empty shops. It is about creating diverse and vibrant town centres which are an attractive place to live, creating jobs and helping to build a strong local economy.’
