What is the future for Pontypridd precinct site?
Rhondda Cynon Taff Council are currently asking for people's views on what they would like to see on the sight of the former precinct in Pontypridd town centre.
In a short survey people are asked to tick three out of twelve possible options for the site – with an option to add their own ideas. The survey ends on 31s January and can be accessed here.
Welsh Liberal Democrat Councillor Mike Powell, who represents the Trallwn ward in Pontypridd says the site is desperately in need of regeneration.
"At the moment the former precinct site is nothing but an eyesore and being located in such a prominent spot it gives the whole town a downtrodden look.
"There have been far too many false starts for that site over the years, too many plans submitted that have come to nothing. When it was demolished people had high hopes that there would be real movement at last but since then it has been left abandoned.
"The Council now own the site and have put aside £1.5 million to spend on it, but that will do very little. They need now to either attract private investors or to come up with a scheme that will have long term benefits or financial returns and invest themselves.
"Personally, as I have said previously, I think the site would make an ideal headquarters for the Council. Placing the Council offices in Pontypridd would bring in money to the area as there would be workers spending their money in the town. It would enable other offices scattered around RCT to be closed and so in the long term save money.
"It would also make democracy far more accessible for many people. The current location in Clydach Vale is very difficult to get to by public transport and the nearest bus stop is some way from the offices. Even for people who live in the area it is difficult to get to unless they have a car and even then the Council in their wisdom have double yellow lines all around the offices so people can't park there when it is busy.
"Of course this should have been considered a long time ago. With Local Government reorganisation on the cards and the Minister pushing for a merger of RCT with Merthyr and Bridgend it may be too late. On the flip side of course, if that reorganisation does go ahead then they will need a new location.
"If RCT does not have a suitable base to offer then it could well be that we will find ourselves with the Council HQ in Bridgend or Merthyr."
