City Deal funding could open up site for redevelopment

A derelict site in Maesteg could soon undergo major remediation works if a £3.5m Cardiff Capital Region (CCR) City Deal grant is secured.

The former Budelpack COSi and Cooper Standard site on Ewenny Road Industrial Estate has been vacant for more than a decade despite ongoing efforts at regeneration over the years, including site clearance, exploratory work and planning approval for one particular scheme.

The 20-acre site is unviable due to the considerable costs required to make the site ready for development. Major infrastructure works are necessary, for example, to divert an historic mining drain and backfill several mineshafts.

However, the site could soon be unlocked for redevelopment if the local authority is successful in its bid for a CCR City Deal grant which could fund the remediation works.

The site is one of nine projects shortlisted for funding as part of a £30 million CCR City Deal Viability Gap Fund, with a decision due on March 15. If approved, council officers will work alongside the City Deal team over the coming months to ensure key criteria is met to secure the full grant.

Any proceeds from the sale of the land which is part-owned by Bridgend County Borough Council will be reinvested back into the Llynfi Valley with future plans involving a park and ride facility and an enterprise hub.