#neathporttalbotcouncil — Public Fediverse posts

PORT TALBOT: Steel plan sparks cautious hope — but big questions remain for Welsh jobs

At the heart of the strategy is a push to rebuild domestic steelmaking, including new tariffs on imports, a target for half of UK steel demand to be met at home, and billions in funding to support the industry’s transition.

For communities built around steel, the announcement lands at a critical moment.

In Port Talbot, the shift away from traditional blast furnaces is already under way, while in Llanelli, the Trostre works continues to play a key role in Welsh production. Together, they form part of an industry now facing one of the biggest changes in its history.

Local Labour MP Dame Nia Griffith has backed the plan, arguing it signals a more serious commitment to the sector after years of uncertainty.

Dame Nia Griffith, MP for Llanelli, said:
“The steel industry is a vital core element of our economy here in Wales, generating growth and providing thousands of jobs, including hundreds in my own constituency.

“This is a clear, well thought-out, long-term strategy for our steel industry that will help deliver the high-quality steel our country needs for our key infrastructure, our national security and for the wider economy.”

Her support reflects the Government’s central message — that the strategy will not only protect jobs, but put the industry on a more stable footing for the future.

But that optimism is far from universal.

Opposition figures say the plan raises as many questions as it answers, particularly around how much of the promised investment will reach Wales and what role UK steel will play in major future projects.

David Chadwick MP, Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Wales, said:
“It is welcome that the Government has finally acted, but this looks like a panicked move after months of delay.

“Since the blast furnaces were switched off, Welsh steel has been left on life support.”

There are also concerns about the UK’s trading position, with warnings that being outside key European arrangements could leave exporters at a disadvantage in one of their biggest markets.

Industry voices have struck a similarly measured tone — welcoming steps to tackle cheap imports while warning that deeper issues remain unresolved.

Unite, which represents many steelworkers across Wales, says the new tariff regime is a positive step, but argues the industry needs a clearer long-term direction.

Sharon Graham, General Secretary of Unite, said:
“Unite welcomes the strengthening of the UK’s tariff regime to prevent the dumping of cheap foreign steel onto the domestic market.

“But this last minute situation is just another reminder that the reactive approach to UK steel that sees it lurch from crisis to crisis needs to be overhauled.”

One of the biggest sticking points is the industry’s shift towards electric arc furnaces — a cleaner form of steelmaking that relies heavily on recycled materials.

While central to the Government’s net zero ambitions, unions have warned that relying too heavily on this approach could limit the UK’s ability to produce certain types of steel.

Peter Hughes, Unite regional secretary, said:
“The government must also back the production of virgin green steel as we can’t simply rely on electric arc furnaces to produce all the steel we need.”

Alongside the strategy, ministers have also unveiled a new funding stream aimed at helping areas like Port Talbot adapt to the changes.

The Economic Growth & Investment Fund will offer grants of up to £1.5 million to businesses across Neath Port Talbot, Swansea and Bridgend, targeting sectors such as advanced manufacturing, green energy and digital industries.

Local leaders say it could help soften the economic impact of the transition — if it delivers.

Cllr Steve Hunt, Leader of Neath Port Talbot Council, said:
“This fund provides an important opportunity to support businesses that are ready to invest, grow and create new jobs across the region.”

For now, the strategy marks a significant moment for Welsh steel — but not a settled one.

With major changes already under way and more still to come, the focus is quickly shifting from what has been promised to what will actually be delivered.

And for communities across South West Wales, that will ultimately be the measure that matters most.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

One year on: resilience after blast furnace closure
Council leaders reflect on a turbulent year for the steel town.

Work begins on Port Talbot electric arc furnace
A major step in the steelworks’ transition to new technology.

Farage promises “reindustrialisation of Wales”
A headline‑grabbing pledge to revive coal and steel sparks debate.

Government criticised over treatment of steelworkers
Unions and politicians condemn support offered during the transition.

Dramatic video shows final push at Morfa coke plant
Striking footage captures the last days before shutdown.

PORT TALBOT: Drug-driver jailed after killing much-loved ex-council leader

Zack Mason, an unaccompanied learner driver, was over the legal cannabis limit when he struck 85-year-old Thomas Noel Crowley in Port Talbot.

The tragic incident happened on Water Street in Sandfields at around 5.45pm on Saturday, December 7, 2024.

Mr Crowley, a former leader of Neath Port Talbot Council, was crossing the road when he was hit by Mason’s blue Skoda Fabia.

He was rushed to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff with severe head injuries, a fractured rib, and a fractured pelvis.

Sadly, Mr Crowley, described as a “much loved and much respected” man, died three days later on December 10.

Swansea Crown Court heard that Mason, then aged 20, had pulled out of the Blanco’s hotel car park where he worked and driven just 25 metres before the collision.

Prosecutor Hannah George stated that Mr Crowley was “established on the road crossing” and “there to be seen by vehicles using the road.”

Mason, now 22, was arrested at the scene. A blood test later revealed he had 2.3mg of cannabis in 100ml of blood, exceeding the legal limit of two.

In his police interview, Mason claimed a motorist had “flashed” him out of the car park, distracting him as he thanked them.

He admitted consuming cannabis two days prior and acknowledged it was a “stupid” mistake to drive unaccompanied on a provisional licence.

Mr Crowley’s family described him in a moving statement as a man of “fairness and compassion” and a “champion of social equality.”

Known as Noel, he was a well-known community stalwart and a devout Catholic who lived his entire life in Port Talbot.

He had been with his wife Anne for 70 years, and the court heard she now sleeps each night with the hat he was wearing when he was knocked down.

A bricklayer by trade, he rose to become deputy manager for American contracting company Hecketts at the local steelworks.

He was awarded a CBE by Queen Elizabeth II for his community service and was also a Deputy Lieutenant and Freeman of the Borough.

His family said he “greeted everyone with a smile, had a wonderful ability to make you laugh and was a great storyteller.”

He was also a key carer for his grandson Sam, who has autism, and was “missed in every tiny detail of the day.”

Mason, of Lorraine Close, Sandfields, Port Talbot, pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving while over the drug limit and driving without a licence.

The court heard his provisional licence had been revoked the previous year after he was caught driving without insurance.

David Singh, defending, said Mason took full responsibility and had stopped using cannabis since the incident.

He argued it was not a case of speeding or mobile phone use, but Mason had “clearly not been concentrating” with “devastating consequences.”

Judge Huw Rees said no sentence could mark the value of a life lost, describing Mr Crowley as “held in high esteem by all.”

PC Luis Tobenas from South Wales Police said: “Zack Mason took the decision to drive uninsured, without a licence and when he had recently consumed cannabis to a level exceeding the legal limit for driving. As a result, he cost Noel Crowley his life, and left his family and the wider community completely devastated.

“Mason will now have to live with what he has done for the rest of his life.

“Our thoughts remain with Mr. Crowley’s family, and we hope that this verdict gives them some comfort.”

Mason received a one-third discount for his guilty pleas and was sentenced to four years in prison.

He will serve half of the sentence in custody before being released on licence.

Mason has also been banned from driving for seven years and must pass an extended test to regain his licence.

NEATH LEGEND: Hollywood’s first Welsh Oscar winner honoured with blue plaque at childhood home

The tribute was unveiled at the house on Dalton Road where the legendary actor lived from the age of four.

Milland, who was born Alfred Reginald Jones in 1907, remains a titan of the silver screen and was once Paramount’s highest-paid star.

The installation follows a special exhibition at Melincryddan Community Hall on Friday, March 6, which brought together relatives, fans, and local dignitaries.

Organised by the Neath Antiquarian Society, the event marked the 80th anniversary of Milland’s historic Academy Award win for his role in The Lost Weekend.

He was the first Welsh actor to ever scoop an Oscar, a feat that cemented his place in cinematic history alongside greats like Grace Kelly and John Wayne.

The plaque was successfully nominated by the Neath Antiquarian Society through Neath Port Talbot Council’s Blue Plaque Scheme.

It serves as a permanent reminder of a man who told the world he was from Neath, even at the height of his global fame.

Jonathan Davies, Chair of the Neath Antiquarian Society, hailed Milland’s “varied and lasting” career which spanned more than 55 years.

“From romantic leads to comedy, horror, Broadway Theatre and his own TV shows, I don’t think there are many other careers in Hollywood that have been as varied or lasted as long,” he said.

“Over the course of 55 years, he won everything; Oscar, Grammy, Cannes Film Festival, the lot.”

The actor’s incredible journey saw him serve in the Royal Horse Guards before a chance meeting with an American actress convinced him to try his hand at acting.

His 1929 debut in The Flying Scotsman led to a contract with MGM and a move to Hollywood that would change his life forever.

Milland went on to star in classics such as Alfred Hitchcock’s Dial M for Murder and the terrifying spy thriller Ministry of Fear.

Despite his stardom, he never forgot his roots, famously being “lionised” in Cardiff in 1946 and touring Neath by car during a visit in 1947.

Councillor Cen Phillips, Cabinet Member for Nature, Tourism and Wellbeing for Neath Port Talbot Council, said the plaque celebrates a key part of the area’s “incredible cultural legacy.”

The ceremony was attended by Milland’s relatives and local residents, including the current tenant of the house on Dalton Road.

Funding for the 2026 Commemorative Blue Plaque window will open from April 1 to September 30 for new nominations.

The scheme is part of the council’s wider Heritage Strategy, supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund to restore and celebrate local history.

“Don’t waste our future”: Pupils and celebrity artist hit back at fly-tippers with bold mural in Neath Port Talbot

The striking new mural, splashed across a corrugated wall near Ysgol Melin, features piercing green eyes and a bilingual warning: “No fly tipping — don’t waste our future.” It’s bold, it’s angry, and it’s built from the ideas of Year 5 pupils who’ve had enough of rubbish dumped in their streets.

Nathan Wyburn, known for creating portraits out of Marmite, glitter and even burnt toast — and for appearing on Britain’s Got Talent — led the project after a hands-on workshop with the children and Neath Port Talbot Council. The kids didn’t just paint — they helped design the whole thing, from the message to the mood.

Discarded furniture and waste were piled in front of the mural during the unveiling, hammering home the point: this is what fly-tipping looks like, and this is what it does to communities.

Cllr Scott Jones, Cabinet Member for Streetscene, said:

“We’re incredibly proud of the progress we’ve made in Neath Port Talbot. This year alone we achieved a 26% reduction in fly-tipping incidents – one of the largest decreases across all Welsh local authorities.”

Benjamin Meredith-Davies from Fly-tipping Action Wales added:

“This mural is more than artwork — it’s a call to action. These kids care deeply about their community, and they’ve used art to spark real conversations about waste and respect.”

The mural is part of a wider push to clean up Wales and crack down on illegal dumping. But it’s also a reminder that the next generation isn’t waiting quietly — they’re picking up paint rollers and making noise.

More arts and community stories

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Local children envision Port Talbot’s future in vivid new murals
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Green light for £30m rebuild of Llangatwg Community School as council approves major new campus

The project will see the existing school replaced with a modern, purpose‑built English‑medium campus designed for up to 850 pupils, including specialist provision for learners with additional needs.

The new building will be constructed on the current site, but the council says the difference in quality will be “transformational”, with a focus on flexible teaching spaces, sustainability and facilities that can be used by the wider community.

The plans include state‑of‑the‑art classrooms, science labs, IT suites, a learning resource centre and roof‑terrace teaching areas. A new sports hall, performance hall, vocational workshops and conference rooms form part of the design, alongside extensive outdoor facilities including two sports pitches, three multi‑use games areas and a forest school.

The campus will also feature a greenhouse, an outdoor amphitheatre and dedicated food‑growing areas, with the council emphasising the school’s role as a community hub. New bus, car and taxi drop‑off zones, EV charging points and accessible parking are also included.

Council officers say the design has been shaped around sustainability and energy efficiency, with ecology, landscaping and drainage specialists involved from the outset. The project complies with the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Communities for Learning standards, which require modern, low‑carbon, future‑proofed school buildings.

Cllr Nia Jenkins, Cabinet Member for Education & Early Years, said planning approval marked a major milestone.

“Securing planning approval means we can now move forward with delivering a state‑of‑the‑art learning environment for pupils at the school,” she said. “This investment will provide modern, inclusive and sustainable facilities that not only support excellent teaching and learning but also benefit the wider community.”

The council says the rebuild forms part of a wider multi‑million‑pound programme to upgrade schools across Neath Port Talbot, delivered jointly with the Welsh Government.

Construction timelines and phasing details are expected to be confirmed later this year.

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https://www.europesays.com/uk/695667/ ‘Port Talbot’s Pompeii’: Astonishing Roman villa discovered in Wales #Britain #GeophysicalSurveys #GreatBritain #NeathPortTalbotCouncil #Pompeii #PortTalbot #RomanVilla #UK #UnitedKingdom #Wales

‘Missing piece of the puzzle’: Roman villa uncovered in Margam in one of Wales’ most significant archaeological finds

The find, revealed through high‑resolution geophysical surveys, is being hailed as one of the most important archaeological breakthroughs in South Wales for decades. Researchers say the scale and preservation of the villa complex is unmatched anywhere else in the region.

The discovery was made by ArchaeoMargam, a major heritage project led by Swansea University’s Centre for Heritage Research and Training (CHART), working with Neath Port Talbot Council and Margam Abbey Church.

‘We never dreamed it would be this clear’

Project lead Dr Alex Langlands said the team expected to find traces of Roman‑era activity — but nothing on this scale.

Dr Langlands said:

“This is an amazing discovery. We always thought we’d find something from the Romano‑British period, but we never dreamed it would be so clearly articulated. This is the missing piece of the puzzle.”

Margam is already known for its Bronze Age, Iron Age and medieval heritage, but almost nothing was known about the Roman period in the area. The villa now fills a major gap in the historical record.

A vast defended site hidden beneath Margam

Surveys carried out by Llandough‑based specialists Terradat revealed a large villa set within a defended enclosure measuring roughly 43m by 55m. The enclosure may date back to the Iron Age or reflect instability in the late Roman world.

To the south‑east, researchers also identified a substantial aisled building — possibly a large agricultural store or even a meeting hall for post‑Roman leaders.

Christian Bird, Technical Director at Terradat, said:

“The magnetometry and GPR data are remarkably clear. We’ve been able to map the villa, surrounding ditches and wider layout in 3D.”

A discovery with national significance

Neath Port Talbot Council says the find underlines the importance of investing in local heritage.

Cllr Cen Phillips, Cabinet Member for Nature, Tourism and Wellbeing, said:

“This spectacular find shows exactly why we created our Heritage, Culture, Tourism and Events Fund. Heritage connects our communities and inspires future generations. I’m extremely excited to learn more about this untold chapter in Margam Park’s long story.”

Swansea University says the project is already delivering cultural and educational benefits across the region, with more than 900 people — including school pupils, volunteers and students — taking part in excavations and workshops.

Professor Helen Griffiths, Pro‑Vice‑Chancellor for Research and Innovation, said:

“ArchaeoMargam strengthens skills, social cohesion and community involvement. We’re delighted to work with partners to bring groundbreaking research to the public.”

‘A real‑life adventure’ for young archaeologists

Local pupils and young volunteers have also been hands‑on with the dig.

Harriet Eaton, NPT Council Education Officer and Young Archaeologist Club leader, said:

“This opportunity turned history into a real‑life adventure. It made archaeology tangible and fun.”

Margam Abbey Church — the only surviving nave of a Cistercian Abbey still in use today — has been central to the project.

Church warden Beverley Gulley said:

“This is a deeply spiritual landscape. We’re keen to learn more about it in partnership with people across the region.”

Public invited to learn more

The ArchaeoMargam team will share new findings — including updates on the Roman villa — at a free open day at Margam Abbey Church later this month.

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Upper Afan Valley lined up for £20m boost as council backs decade-long regeneration bid

Neath Port Talbot Council’s Cabinet has backed the Upper Afan Valley as the single community to put forward for the UK Government’s Pride in Place Programme — a decade‑long investment scheme targeting the UK’s most disadvantaged neighbourhoods.

The decision follows months of analysis comparing deprivation, crime, health, education and access to services across the county. Officers say the Upper Afan Valley stood out as the area facing the deepest and most persistent deprivation, with one local zone ranked among the 15 most deprived in Wales.

A valley hit by long-term decline

The Upper Afan Valley area put forward by the council covers Cymer, Croeserw and Gwynfi, along with the smaller communities that make up the wider valley. Together they form a single, connected neighbourhood identified as having the highest concentration of deprivation anywhere in Neath Port Talbot.

The council report paints a bleak picture. Parts of the valley have been classed as suffering “deep‑rooted deprivation” for almost two decades, appearing in the 50 most deprived communities in Wales in every official index since 2005. Jobs are scarce, health outcomes are poor and access to services is limited. Officers say the area has also missed out on other major regeneration schemes, leaving it with fewer chances to attract investment than other parts of the county.

Although the population falls slightly below the UK Government’s preferred size for the programme, the council argues the level of need is so severe that the Upper Afan Valley remains the strongest and most justified choice.

Three contenders — but only one could win

Under the rules, Neath Port Talbot can nominate only one neighbourhood for the £20 million fund. Officers examined the Upper Afan Valley alongside Sandfields and Aberavon, and Briton Ferry West and Neath East. Both of the urban areas have larger populations and stronger links to Welsh Government’s Transforming Towns programme, giving them more immediate opportunities to draw in other funding.

But the council’s independent review found that the Upper Afan Valley’s deprivation was more severe, more entrenched and more concentrated than anywhere else in the county. It also noted that, because the valley’s population is smaller, the investment per head would be far higher — giving residents a better chance of seeing visible, long‑lasting change.

“An optimistic sign of investment”

Cllr Jeremy Hurley, Cabinet Member for Economic Growth, said:

“If approved by UK Government, this money for the Upper Afan Valley is an optimistic sign of investment in what is – on average – the most deprived area in Neath Port Talbot.

“I hope the UK Government approves our recommendation so that the community can benefit.”

What the £20 million could deliver

If the bid is approved, the Upper Afan Valley would receive one of the largest single‑neighbourhood regeneration packages ever directed at a community in Neath Port Talbot. The funding would be spread over ten years and could support improvements to public spaces, upgrades to community facilities, investment in local assets and projects tackling health, employment and education inequalities.

A new Neighbourhood Board, led by an independent chair, would be created to oversee the plan and ensure residents shape the priorities.

A tight deadline — and a big decision ahead

The council must now secure letters of endorsement from local MPs and MSs before submitting its formal proposal to UK Government ministers. The deadline is 9 January 2026, with decisions expected later in the year.

If approved, the Upper Afan Valley would become the focus of a decade‑long regeneration effort aimed at reversing decades of decline and giving one of Wales’s most disadvantaged communities a long‑awaited boost.

More Pride in Place news

‘Transformational for our communities’: MPs react to £214m funding
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South West Wales to share in £214m Pride in Place investment
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Clash over £20m Carmarthenshire Pride in Place funding
Political tensions rise as Carmarthenshire’s preferred neighbourhood sparks debate.

‘Constitutional outrage’: Senedd Labour revolt over funding bypass
Senior MSs criticise the UK Government’s approach to distributing regeneration money.

Neath Port Talbot Council leader says First Cymru bus strike postponed

The planned continuous strike by First Cymru bus drivers, due to begin on Thursday 20 November, has been postponed until 7 December, according to a late-night Facebook post by Neath Port Talbot Council leader Cllr Steve Hunt.

Cllr Hunt published the update at 10.31pm on Tuesday, writing:

“The First Cymru bus drivers strike has been postponed and will not go ahead from this Thursday 20th November. After talks today between First Cymru and Unite the Union, the planned strike action that was to continue from this Thursday 20th November has been postponed until 7th December.”

At the time of writing, no official confirmation has been issued by either First Cymru or Unite, leaving passengers awaiting clarity on whether services will run as normal later this week.

Pay dispute that sparked the strike

The strike action was announced earlier this month after negotiations over pay broke down. Unite members at depots across Swansea, Port Talbot, Bridgend, Carmarthen, Ammanford and Haverfordwest had voted to escalate to a continuous strike running until 21 January.

Drivers have argued that their current pay rate of £13.40 per hour lags behind competitors such as Stagecoach, which pays £14.44 per hour. Unite has demanded a minimum of £14.30 per hour plus back pay, accusing First Cymru of withholding agreed payments and attempting to undermine union solidarity by offering £50 incentives to cross picket lines.

Union anger and company warnings

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham previously described the company’s approach as “union-busting” and said drivers were “furious” at being left behind in the industry.

First Cymru, meanwhile, has insisted it has made an above-inflation pay offer alongside investment in staff facilities and benefits, and warned that prolonged strikes would cause “hugely disruptive” impacts for passengers.

What happens next

If the postponement is confirmed, bus services across South and West Wales may continue as normal until 7 December, when Unite has indicated action could resume if no agreement is reached.

For now, passengers are advised to check for updates directly from First Cymru and Unite the Union, as neither has yet issued a formal statement on the postponement.

#bus #busStrike #busTravel #cllrSteveHunt #firstCymru #industrialAction #neathPortTalbotCouncil #unite #uniteTheUnion

Neath Port Talbot rules out more 20mph zones reverting to 30mph after review

Neath Port Talbot Council has confirmed it will not be reinstating 30mph limits on any more of its roads, after a review by officers found no changes were justified under current guidance.

The decision was reported at a recent cabinet meeting, where members were told that routes put forward for consideration had been assessed individually. Officers concluded that, based on Welsh Government guidance, no further alterations should be made.

A policy that continues to divide opinion

Councils across Wales have been reviewing speed limits since the Welsh Government introduced the national default 20mph limit on restricted roads in 2023. The policy replaced the previous 30mph limit in the majority of built‑up areas, sparking widespread public opposition and a petition signed by hundreds of thousands of people. In Neath Port Talbot, 92% of roads were reduced to 20mph, with 36 exceptions remaining at 30mph.

Officers stand by the current guidance

A report presented to cabinet members explained that officers had carried out risk assessments on the routes highlighted by councillors and residents. The findings suggested that, under the current Welsh Government guidance, no further changes should be made. The report added that reviews would continue once new national guidance on setting local speed limits is published in the new year.

Different approaches across South Wales

While Neath Port Talbot has opted to hold firm, neighbouring Bridgend Council has announced plans to revert three more roads back to 30mph. Other councils have taken similar steps, with Swansea agreeing to raise limits on 17 roads and Carmarthenshire on 11. Welsh ministers have also allowed temporary increases to 30mph for cycle races, showing how the policy is being adapted in specific circumstances.

The wider debate over 20mph

The controversy around the 20mph default limit shows no sign of fading. New figures reveal that more than eight in ten drivers break the limit, while crash statistics suggest collisions have risen slightly but remain below pre‑20mph levels. Ministers insist that the majority of people support the rules, arguing that the record‑breaking petition against the policy is not representative of wider opinion.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

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#20mph #30mph #motoring #NeathPortTalbot #NeathPortTalbotCouncil #speedLimit

‘Margam Bark Play Park’ launched as ultimate dog day out

Set against the stunning backdrop of Margam’s historic landscape, this new facility is designed for dogs of all shapes, sizes and abilities.

Featuring a variety of agility obstacles including tunnels, jumps and weave poles, the enclosed agility area offers the perfect place for exercise and training in a fun and stimulating environment.

Owners can relax in the sheltered seating area, while a rinse station ensures that muddy paws can be washed off after an action-packed session.

Councillor Cen Phillips, Neath Port Talbot Council’s Cabinet Member for Nature, Tourism and Wellbeing said: “We’re delighted to introduce this fantastic new facility at Margam Country Park.

“Margam Bark Play Park is a brilliant addition that enhances the park’s reputation as one of South Wales’ top-tier, dog-friendly destinations.

“It offers a safe engaging space where dogs can exercise and socialise, making Margam an even better day out for visitors with four legged companions.”

Access to Margam Bark Play Park is available for a fee of £13.42 per hour, for up to three dogs. Each additional dog is charged at £2, with a maximum of six dogs allowed per session. Bookings should be made in advance via the webpage. Car parking charges apply and are paid at the entrance cabin on arrival.

A Dog-friendly Destination

Margam Country Park has long been a favourite destination for visitors exploring South Wales with their four-legged companions. With over 1,000 acres to explore and a range of woodlands, lakes, tranquil paths and challenging trails, it offers endless opportunities for scenic walks and outdoor adventures. From gentle nature trails to open green spaces, perfect for a game of fetch.

After a long walk, dogs can refuel with a pupaccino at the on-site café Charlotte’s Pantry, while owners relax in the Castle Visitor Courtyard. A convenient dog wash station near the car park ensures that muddy paws won’t be a problem for the journey home. Now, with the addition of Margam Bark Play Park, the park is cementing its reputation as one of Wales’ most dog-friendly attractions.

(Lead image: Neath Port Talbot Council)

#dogPark #Dogs #MargamBark #MargamCountryPark #NeathPortTalbotCouncil

Plans revealed for Port Talbot eco-school

Planning consultants Asbri Planning have released the details as part of a pre-planning consultation with the local community, ahead of the council submitting a formal planning application.

The proposals call for the demolition of the existing primary school and Tir Morfa Centre, and construction of a new school incorporating community facilities, a sports pitch and play areas, as well as highway and access improvements to the site.

The school will be packed with energy efficient technology including a ground source heat pump system and photovoltaic panels.

Plans say the use of carbon intensive materials will be discouraged where practicable in favour of natural and renewable materials and the use of recycled materials, where appropriate, will be encouraged.

It’s proposed that the new school will include a Welsh Language Immersion Unit and Community Hub delivering a range of educational and community services provided by Neath Port Talbot Council, partner organisations and voluntary groups.

The school design is part of the Welsh Government’s ‘Sustainable Schools Challenge’ and have been designed with help from school pupils.

Neath Port Talbot Council declined to comment on the proposal until a decision on planning approval has been made.

The consultation on the plans for new school is open on Asbri Planning’s website until 16 April 2025.

(Lead image: Asbri Planning)

#construction #education #NeathPortTalbotCouncil #newSchool #PortTalbot #Sandfields #YsgolGynraddGymraegRhosafan