New lease of life for prominent Rhondda Cynon Taf buildings

THREE prominent buildings in Rhondda Cynon Taf are to be redeveloped and brought back into use in their respective communities, providing unique opportunities for local businesses.

All three projects are possible due to substantial investment from the Welsh Government and their Transforming Towns and Valleys Taskforce initiatives, working in partnership with Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and its developers.

The funding provides support for developing and improving underused or derelict properties and bringing them back into use for a range of purposes, including co-working.

They are all being given a new lease of life for the benefit of their local communities.

Councillor Andrew Morgan, Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council, said:

“Despite the challenges and pressures of the global pandemic, which we are all still tackling, it is good news to see the redevelopment of these three prominent buildings within our County Borough as the Council continues its ambitious programme of investment.

“All three redevelopment projects will provide office space for prospective local businesses and also existing local businesses, with funding provided by Welsh Government’s Valleys Taskforce and the Council.

“The global pandemic has seen a marked shift in working patterns, with many working from home and many others working as close to home as possible. The redevelopment of the three premises, in central locations, will offer businesses the opportunity to adapt to these new ways of working.”

Mountain Ash Town Hall, a Grade II Listed Building, is ideally situated just off the A5059. Built in 1904 at a cost of £5,000, the building initially served as the offices of Mountain Ash Urban District Council and has always remained the property of the respective local authority.

Listed with Cadw due to its architecture and design, the building is set to be redeveloped via a long-term lease into a vibrant co-working hub, which will provide flexible workspace for new start-ups and businesses.

This has been made possible due to £250,000 funding from the Valleys Taskforce and a further £100,000m from the Council’s own Major Project Investment Fund.

Funding has also been secured for the Council to go ahead with the Courthouse Redevelopment Project at the former Llwynypia Magistrates Court, transforming the premises into a multi-purpose structure, ideally placed as a business incubation and co-working space.

Structural modifications such as the removal of internal walls and the insertion of extra windows into exterior walls will create a lighter, spacious and more creative and free-flowing environment where professionals and small business owners can work and establish excellent business relationships.

The Courthouse Redevelopment project plans, made possible with £250,000 funding from the Valleys Taskforce and a further £50,000 from the Council’s own Major Project Investment Fund, also include the opening of a café and fully-equipped gymnasium for users of the building.

Working with the Council, RHA is also developing a pilot co-working space ‘Desg,’ at its offices in the heart of Tonypandy following £49,400 funding from the Valleys Taskforce.

The co-working space is set to be located on the ground floor, with RHA staff occupying the upper floors. The co-working development will include 12 high-quality desk spaces, super-fast broadband, private meeting rooms, kitchen facilities, disabled access and reception service.