Neath Port Talbot Council is asking for people to have their say on its Draft Heritage strategy that aims to raise awareness about the area’s exceptional heritage, including its economic, well-being and environment importance.
‘Restore, Regenerate, Repurpose’, the title of the draft strategy, sets out how it will ensure the conservation, protection and sustainability of Neath Port Talbot’s heritage assets from 2023 to 2038.
The five main themes outlined in the action plan include:
• Understanding heritage and its significance.
• Conserving & investing in heritage for future generations.
• Capitalising & building on heritage.
• Positive management of heritage.
• Celebrating & promoting heritage.
The National Lottery Heritage Fund funded the development of the draft strategy which communities, stakeholders, and partner organisations can now comment on. The Fund also recently announced that Neath Port Talbot is one of nine areas selected to benefit from a share of £200m to help transform the area’s heritage through a new Heritage Places initiative.
Cllr Cen Phillips, Neath Port Talbot Council’s Cabinet Member for Nature, Tourism and Wellbeing said: “The clear message from our residents is that a greater priority should be given to our heritage and culture.
“The draft strategy recognises how our heritage assets play an important part in increasing the appeal of the county borough as a place to live, work, visit and invest in. Working creatively with key stakeholders, it sets out how we can manage and protect our historic environment.
“The draft strategy, coupled with the National Lottery Heritage Fund’s announcement, has the potential to transform the heritage of the county borough.”
To find out more about the strategy and to have your say, visit: www.npt.gov.uk/consultations. Alternatively, you can write to Draft Heritage Strategy, Regeneration Team, Neath Port Talbot Council, The Quays, Neath, SA11 2GG. Hard copies of the strategy are available at – Neath Civic Centre, Port Talbot Civic Centre as well as council and community libraries.
The consultation closes on Sunday 5th November 2023.
