Neath Port Talbot Council has submitted a planning application for its scheme backed by UK Government funding to update Port Talbot’s town centre Civic Square and the adjacent Princess Royal Theatre.
If the application is approved, work could start on the project in February 2025 with completion anticipated by early 2026.
The scheme could transform the Civic Square into a multi-purpose community space with features such as new seating and significantly improved green spaces with extensive tree and shrub planting and the installation of rain gardens.
The proposed Civic Centre public realm works would be carried out in seven phases, ensuring continuous access to the Civic Centre and surrounding buildings.
The project is designed to make the square more vibrant and attractive and more functional as a safe community space.
Work will include replacing existing surfaces with new, more modern, durable and attractive materials.
Electrical power supply units would be installed in the repaved area to accommodate events such as markets and special community events that would otherwise rely on generators.
This ease of access to a power supply would result in events such as Christmas parades, seasonal markets and temporary ice rinks using the easily accessible space.
The ‘greening’ of the Civic Square as part of the proposed project would involve a 70% increase in trees.
The proposed work on the Princess Royal Theatre would focus on improving customer experience by creating a stronger identity, improving facilities such as cafes while increasing accessibility and diversifying and expanding its commercial offer to appeal to a wider audience.
It is hoped a combination of remodelling, refurbishment and extension will enable these aspirations with outcomes including a large amount of cultural space being improved with new cultural spaces created.
The proposed Civic Square and Princess Royal Theatre refurbishment schemes received funding in 2023 of £15m from the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund.
Some of the £15m is also earmarked for a scheme to create new green infrastructure and play and family areas alongside the River Afan a short distance from the Civic Square and Princess Royal Theatre.
