APPROVAL for a number of light commercial retail units has been granted for land in Pontardawe by Neath Port Talbot Council this week, in an area that had previously been set aside for housing.
The land to the north of Old Foundry Road, Pontardawe, was originally ear-marked for the development of housing under the council’s Local Development Plan, however it has now been amended following a meeting of local councillors on August 22.
It came after a previous application to develop the area for residential purposes was withdrawn, and an industrial development was considered more acceptable by officers, following issues with noise and air quality at the site.
It means developers Bluefield Land Ltd, will now develop 15 light industrial commercial business units on the brownfield site in Pontardawe, that is currently described as being overgrown.
The report read: “Full planning permission is sought to provide a series of light industrial/commercial units with associated vehicle access doors and external parking to meet a growing demand for start-up businesses.
“The proposed development is for 15, single storey units each with a gross internal floor area of 129m2 including office and welfare facilities, and set out in three separate blocks, which equates to an overall site density of approximately 20 units per hectare.”
Speaking at the planning meeting held by Neath Port Talbot Council, Councillor Heath Davies of Pontardawe said he was happy for the project to go ahead because of the employment opportunities it would offer the people of the town in the future.
While some questions were raised over the potential of flooding at the site due to its proximity to a local canal, officers assured members that there were conditions in place such as the retaining of an embankment and appropriate drainage to prevent such issues. The proposal was later approved unanimously by all members in attendance.
