WORK is about to begin on transforming the Council’s Neighbourhood Learning Centre at Gurnos into an innovative training and accommodation centre for the county borough’s young residents.

The provisional start date for the redevelopment work is February 7, with a planned completion followed by a launch of the new facilities at the end of August 2022.

The building, which has been used as an educational base to help unemployed young people and adults get jobs in a range of vocations for the past 25 years, will continue to offer training alongside five self-contained apartments in one of the three blocks.

The aim is to help address a shortage of good quality affordable homes in Wales, while also supporting our young people who require accommodation to live independently while looking to participate in training opportunities to lead to employment.

The Council has been awarded £1,126,174 capital funding for the project from the Cwm Taf Morgannwg Integrated Care Fund Discretionary Capital Programme, which has identified work with young people and looked after children as a key priority. There will also be £221,000 match funding from the Local Authority.

“The Neighbourhood Learning Centre is starting to look its age and this will be an innovative and attractive makeover,” said Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Housing and Public Protection Cllr Geraint Thomas.

“The three blocks and commercial unit will be transformed into modern, suitable and safe accommodation, helping meet a desperate demand for housing.  The tenants will also have access to onsite training that could lead to higher education by attending their local college, and future employment.”