What did Rhondda Cynon Taf Council achieve up to now
RHONDDA CYNON TAF LOCAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN UP TO 2021
The key issues outlined in the LDP for Rhondda Cynon Taf are efficient use of land, soil and minerals, the protection of geological sites, the reduction of energy consumption, managing the effects of climate change, focusing development away from flooding, the waste hierarchy, renewable energy, the re-use of land and buildings, and residential and commercial development.
There will be mixed use developments at Maerdy Colliery, Fernhill Colliery, Phurnacite Plant, Robertstown, Hirwaun, Cwm Colliery and coking works, Mwyndy and OOC site at Llanilid. The LDP aims to make provision for 5,000-5,450 new dwellings and 63ha of employment land.
Retail development will also be of high priority. Residential and commercial development will take place in Aberdare, Tonypandy, Mountain Ash, Porth, Ferndale, Treorchy, Hirwaun, Pontypridd, Llantrisant/Talbot Green, Tonyfrefail and Llanharan. Gypsy and traveller sites may also be permitted on previously developed land where their presence will not adversely affect groundwater.
The LDP outlines plans for improvements to highway corridors including works at Gelli/Treorchy Road relief road, the A4119 relief road and the A4059 extension. Major road schemes in the area will include Mountain Ash Southern Cross Valley Link, Upper Rhondda Face relief road and Mountain Ash Northern Cross Valley Link. The former freight lines between Aberdare and Hirwaun and between Pontyclun and Beddau will be safeguarded for rail network improvement. Station improvements are also planned for the Former Railway Site, Hirwaun; the Former Freight Head, Hirwaun; Cowbridge Road; Cardiff Road; Llantrisant Road and Parish Road. Areas of major land reclamation have been identified at Aberaman Colliery, Tylorstown and Llanwonno, Lewis Merthyr, Gelli, Craig-y-Dyffryn Tip, Cefnpennar, Maerdy, Coed Ely, Albion Lower Tips, Hetty, Cefn-yr-Hendy and the Former Cwm Colliery and coking works.
Development will be endorsed where the design is of a high standard, it supports the local context, it makes efficient use of the land, there is good connectivity, it protects and enhances biodiversity and landscapes, it promotes good water management using SuDS and porous paving and there is no harm to SSSIs, Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation or RIGS. There will be no approval where plans pose a risk of air pollution, light pollution, landfill gas generation, water pollution, noise pollution, contamination, land instability or flooding and the issue can be suitably overcome.
No development will be permitted in Flood Zone C unless it is considered necessary to the regeneration of a principle town or key settlement, or where the development involves the use of a large brownfield site, unless the consequences of building within the flood-prone area are found to be acceptable.
Flooding is also to be considered when selecting suitable sites for the provision of hydroelectric power. Development related to both renewable and non-renewable energy will be permitted where it is proven that there will be no unacceptable effects resulting from their construction. Coal bed methane has been identified within Rhondda Cynon Taf and will be explored and judged on the individual merit of the resource. It will, therefore, not be necessary to safeguard these areas.
Safeguarding will, however, take place at sand and gravel resources in Llanilid, Brynsadler, the area south of Tylegarw, Ceulan, Pant Marsh, Llantrisant and Pontyclun Gold Course, Rhiwsaeson Road and Hoel y Creigiau. A search for further sand a gravel reserves is currently underway.
Coal IR/15/003; Final 0.1 Last modified: 2016/08/15 15:49 77 will be safeguarded according to those areas identified on BGS maps of primary and secondary coal resources. When planning in known mineral areas, consideration is to be made to the potential instability issues resulting from mineral extraction.
In addition to the major development planned to take place, it is important to safeguard green wedges and conservation areas. Special Landscape Areas have been identified at Mynydd y Cymmer, Mynydd Troed y Rhiw Slopes, Llwyncelyn Slopes, Cwm Clydach, Cynon Valley Northern Slopes, Cwm Orci, Rhondda Fawr Northern Cwm and Slopes, Hirwaun Common at Cwm Dare and Cwmaman, the Brecon Beacons Edge at Llwydcoed, Llamharry Surrounds, Talygarn Surrounds, Ely Valley, Coed-y-Hendy and Mywyndy, Llantrisant Surrounds, Mynydd y
Glyn and Nant Muchudd Basin, Mynydd Hugh and Llantrisant Forest, Efail Isaf at Garth and Nantgarw Western Slope, Craig yr Allt, Taff Vale Eastern Slopes and Trefforest Western Slopes.
