Residents are invited to attend a community event in Mountain Ash to find out more about a proposed new development which supports residential dementia care and extra care accommodation, planned for the former Pavilion site at Darran Road.
The proposed scheme would be jointly delivered with Linc Cymru (Linc), as part of the £60m care accommodation modernisation agreed in February 2023, which is on top of the £50m extra care investment agreed in 2017 to increase the number of extra care beds in Rhondda Cynon Taf to 300.
To date, 100 extra care beds have since been created across new schemes in Aberaman (Maesyffynon) and Graig (Cwrt yr Orsaf), plus a new 60 bed extra care scheme in Porth is under construction and new care accommodation for people with a learning disability in Gelli received planning approval in April.
Linc has commissioned Planning Aid Wales to consult with residents over the Mountain Ash proposal, which would revitalise the former Pavilion site near Gwernifor Park. This is an opportunity for residents to find out more and have their say on what is planned, and to help inform the scheme going forward.
The community is welcome to attend one of two meeting events at the Mountain Ash Town Hall (at Ffrwd Crescent) on Thursday, June 15. The first meeting will run from 2.30pm-4.30pm, followed by the second at 6.30pm-8.30pm. No prior booking is required to attend at either timeslot.
Members of the public who are unable to attend either meeting can find out more by emailing [email protected] or by calling 02921 660904.
The proposed development would provide 15 high-quality residential dementia care beds, and 25 extra care apartments with additional accessible later living housing – responding to the demographic needs of the area.
The scheme would be on the site of the former Grand Pavilion, which dated back to 1919 – and the design stages of the development will consider this significant history for the proposed scheme.
Councillor Gareth Caple, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care, said: “I urge local residents in Mountain Ash and nearby communities to visit one of the public events on June 15, to find out more about proposals for the development – which would provide additional extra care and residential dementia care accommodation, as well as accessible later living housing for the over 50s. This proposed flagship scheme, with combined care accommodation, would build upon the existing state-of-the-art extra care developments in Talbot Green, Aberaman and Graig – which are already established as popular, modern hubs at the heart of their communities.
“The £50m care extra investment plan is being delivered alongside Linc, to provide a total of 300 extra care apartments across Rhondda Cynon Taf – with 140 beds available across the three schemes completed so far.
“In February this year, Cabinet Members agreed further proposals for a £60m capital investment to further improve the local provision. Building upon the previously agreed extra care proposals, this modernisation programme will retain five Council care homes and provide major funding for four state-of-the-art new care accommodation in Treorchy, Ferndale, Mountain Ash and Church Village.
“The exciting new development in Mountain Ash is the next to be progressed – further demonstrating our commitment to modernise residential care for older people, to adapt to an ageing population and to respond to the changing expectations of the sector.
“The scheme in Mountain Ash has been earmarked for the former Grand Pavilion site, and the new development is being designed with the significance of this site and its important history in mind. The events at Mountain Ash Town Hall on June 15 will bring residents up to speed with the latest progress to date, while allowing them to find out more and have their say on the scheme.”
Natalie Hawkins, Linc Cymru’s Social Value Manager, said: “This event is a chance for residents to come along and hear about our proposals for the site and ask any questions. Planning Aid Wales is making it as easy as possible for residents to attend with a couple of sessions taking place.
“Just pop in and you will find one of the team ready to talk you through what is proposed and listen to your views. But if anyone can’t make either event, it’s important they know they can still get involved and find out more by emailing [email protected] or calling 02921 660904.
“Alongside any of our developments, we work with our contractors to bring extra benefits to the local community. We call this social value and it starts by listening to residents, groups and organisations about what extra improvements or support an area needs. So if you have some ideas please come along and tell us.”
