BRIDGEND County Borough Council’s ambitious regeneration plans for Porthcawl have reached another significant milestone with news that statutory objections to the compulsory purchase process have been withdrawn, and that the council has acquired the freehold interest on the former Monster Park site.
With Welsh Government already holding the leasehold interest for the Coney Beach amusement park, this has effectively unlocked remaining parcels of land required for the regeneration area, and means that the next phase has moved another step closer.
The withdrawal of the statutory objections also means that while Planning and Environment Decisions Wales must still deliver a decision on any non-statutory objections it has received, it is no longer necessary to hold a public inquiry into the compulsory purchase orders on land required for the regeneration.
The council is now preparing to reveal concept designs for how public open space could look throughout the new coastal park planned at Salt Lake, the extension of Griffin Park, the seafront area at Sandy Bay, the lower part of Hillsboro Place car park and more.
Councillor Rhys Goode, Cabinet Member for Housing, Planning and Regeneration, said: “This is excellent news as the acquisition of the Monster Park freehold will effectively enable us to push ahead with plans for doubling the size of Griffin Park and providing open space alongside all-new community facilities.
“A great deal of public consultation has taken place over how people want the open space to be used, and we have tried to incorporate as many suggestions as possible from residents and local school children into the concept designs.
“This means that when the designs are revealed, you can expect to see proposed new community facilities that will range from splash pools and climbing walls to pump tracks and adventure playgrounds.
“In line with the feedback that we have already received, the designs will also incorporate plenty of green open space that can be enjoyed by residents and visitors alike.
“The concept designs in their final stages and we are actively making preparations to reveal them, so please look out for more details very soon.”
