Cardiff Capital Region (CCR), along with Caerphilly County Borough Council and Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council, have announced two new economic regeneration projects.
These will help continue the transformation of former industrial sites into new hubs for jobs, business and tourism, ensuring immediate economic benefits are derived from the dualling of the A465.
The announcement follows the recent approval of £15m of additional funding to the £50m already allocated to the Northern Valleys Initiative (NVI). This now takes total funding to £65m, as CCR and its 10 partner local authorities work together to build on their collaborative approach to tackling the economic and societal challenges of the region.
The two new projects reflect the ambition to create a connected and coherent region in which cities, rural and valleys towns and communities all play an equally important part. The opportunity to better link places through modern infrastructure, innovation and skills also reflects a long-standing commitment to share growth across all parts of the region.
In Caerphilly, just over £3m will be invested into developing new industrial units at Plateau 2 at Oakdale Business Park, a former colliery site that has remained vacant for decades. The site is provided by Welsh Government, with CCR providing £1.4m and Caerphilly County Borough Council £1.6m for the project.
The investment will enable essential infrastructure works, unlocking 140,000 sq ft of essential employment space and supporting business growth in the area. It is hoped that the development will ultimately create over 300 new jobs and up to £35m of additional private sector money.
In Aberdare, just under £9m of investment will help transform the historic Rock Grounds, once home to a 19th century brewery, into a new visitor destination. The money includes £4.7m from Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council, £898,000 from CCR and additional private sector funding. The project will include accommodation, leisure and public realm improvements to support the regeneration of the town centre.
Together, these projects build on wider investment across the Northern Valleys from transport improvements through Metro Plus and new homes unlocked via the Housing Viability Gap Fund, to strategic regeneration schemes and business growth initiatives.
Alongside investments in Zip World and companies such as Pulse Plastics and Transcend, this underlines the significant opportunity created by the nearly £2 billion A465 upgrade, improving connectivity and helping to drive growth.
The NVI has already supported projects such as industrial units currently being developed at Goat Mill Road in Merthyr, and support for domestic steel production in Torfaen, creating new business and supply chain opportunities in the Northern Valleys.
This coordinated approach is also aligned with emerging opportunities, including major events that are set to come through the Northern Valleys, like the Grand Depart for the Tour de France in 2027, further demonstrating CCR’s commitment to delivering long-term, joined-up regeneration across transport, housing and economic development.
CCR, one of the UK’s leading city regions, brings together ten local authorities across South East Wales, working in partnership with the Welsh and UK Governments.
Cllr Mary Ann Brocklesby, Chair of CCR stated: “CCR is seizing the considerable opportunity that exists in the Northern Valleys to maximise and amplify the significant investment made in the dualling of the A465.
“Drawing on our three statutory duties to deliver economic wellbeing, integrated transport and spatial integrity, we are moving at pace to bring public and private investment into the area, diversifying the local economy and helping create well paid jobs.”
Kellie Beirne, CCR’s Chief Executive said: “We are seeing real opportunities for reindustrialisation of the valleys with some areas fast becoming hubs for advanced manufacturing in areas like defence, energy and engineering.
“As a regional development entity, which is growing in scale and impact, CCR has the powers, partnerships and strong civic leadership shown by our local authorities to get things done at pace. We are proud to support the recent report of Industrial Communities Alliance on the steps that need to boost business sites. We call on investment and regeneration partners to support our Fund by aligning investments and assets and creating leverage and co-ordination opportunities.”
Cllr Jamie Pritchard, Leader of Caerphilly County Borough Council said, “We very much welcome this significant funding announcement, which has only come through sustained efforts from both Caerphilly County Borough Council and Cardiff Capital Region. This will help attract further investment and employment opportunities on Oakdale Business Park. As Leader, I am committed to delivering investment across the Northern Valleys and whole of the county borough. We now look forward to work progressing over the coming weeks and months.”
County Borough Councillor Ann Crimmings, Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council said:
“Securing funding from CCR is an important milestone and means the developer is one step closer to revitalising the Rock Grounds site in Aberdare. The Council has proactively been working with the developer to secure the project’s funding package.
“The new hotel will deliver a modern facility that is intended to attract new visitors to Aberdare and the wider Cynon Valley area – with popular tourist attractions like Zip World Tower, Aberdare Park, Penderyn Distillery and Dare Valley Country Park right on our doorstep, naming just a few. Complementary facilities like the planned new restaurant, bar and spa will be available to the community, increasing the footfall in the town centre. Meanwhile, an appropriate level of public parking at the site, serving the town centre, will be maintained.
“This key regeneration project shows the Aberdare Town Centre Strategy in action, along with the wider RCT Tourism Strategy. Both documents outline opportunities around using existing buildings for high-quality accommodation, retail and restaurants. Derelict sites like the Boot Hotel, Old Town Hall, Black Lion, and most-recently the former Rates Building, have all been brought back into use in recent years – preventing them from falling into further disrepair, while improving the street scene and bringing new amenities for local people.”
