A FORMER button factory in the Rhondda could be turned into social housing under plans that have just been submitted.
An application recently submitted to Rhondda Cynon Taf Council would see the former Porth Button Factory on Catherine Terrace turned into 10 affordable flats and houses.
The proposed development site at DKS Trimmings Ltd would be made up of four two-person one-bedroom flats and six four-person two-bedroom houses, together with engineering, drainage, and other associated works.
The planning statement submitted on behalf of the applicant Bluefield Land Ltd said the site contains a dilapidated manufacturing facility and is at the southern end of the site.
It said the premises have housed a number of businesses over time but has more recently been under used with a number of the buildings becoming dilapidated as result.
The planning statement said the site was previously used for manufacturing and therefore represents former employment land.
It said the existing commercial premises on the site of low quality. The premises are dated, have been extended in an ad-hoc manner using a range of materials, are currently in a poor state of repair, and provide limited opportunity for parking/turning.
The statement said it is thought the nature of the premises, including their size, design, layout, state of dilapidation and lack of parking, mean they would not lend themselves to alternative commercial uses and there is unlikely to be any demand for their occupation for an employment use.
It added that “the combination of pre-existing residential dwellings, and more recent residential development in the immediate locality of the site, mean that the site now has an intimate relationship with residential uses which would likely represent a significant constraint to any meaningful commercial operation” and there are “numerous other potential sites/premises in the wider locality of similar size and quality that would be more appropriate should an operator need”.
It went on to say: “As evidenced above, the proposed redevelopment of the site is more compatible with the contemporary needs of the local community.
“Local residents will benefit from a better form of development that is more appropriate for the local area, in addition to providing more affordable housing which will aid in bridging the gap between the lack of affordable housing in the region.”
It added: “It will not only improve the visual aspect of the local area but will also positively impact the region by implementing high-quality, affordable housing.”
In terms of parking, the planning statement said there are a total of 17 parking spaces on site and each of the six social houses have two parking spaces and the four flats have one space each with one space on site that will be provided for electric vehicle charging.
The statement said there would be an improvement in terms highway safety and capacity, as it would provide an appropriate level of parking in comparison with the existing shortfall and would also significantly reduce the likelihood of larger vehicles accessing the site.
It also mentioned a handful of mitigation methods to ensure biodiversity remains unaffected.
