Well, it’s taken a couple of years and opinion is still pretty much divided (50:50) on the finished development but I have to admit, whilst I started out quite sceptical I’m now thinking what the heck, it’s actually quite nice. True, it doesn’t fit in with the old Victorian heritage of old Ponty, there are no shops, pubs or restaurants but it’s good having the library in the centre of town and there’s a plush new gym upstairs. Nice seating areas overlooking the river, which is something we’ve been campaigning for, for over 25 years, so on the whole great. Let’s hope the council and the people appreciate it and treat the new area with respect.
This is what they promised (above), and below is what we used to have…
The images below (click for a larger version) will show what we actually get. Oh yeh, and remember to count those trees when they’ve finished.
26 June 2020
Offices which hopefully will bring new spenders into town and fill the Wonky bar on a Friday afternoon.
Dome thing with library and gym.
Development almost finished.
09 June 2020
The £2 million footbridge is in and looks high enough to not be washed away from future floods which is good.
17 Sept 2019
Graphic with lots of greenery and trees to make up for those chopped down.
Footings for third bridge across Taff into Park.
06 Sept 2019
Starting to take shape now.
12 April 2019
Starting to dwarf the buildings around it.
Huge structure as seen from Gas Lane car park.
29 March 2019
Starting to take shape.
31 October 2018
Council approve footbridge – click here.
12 December 2018
Steel fabrication.
Ugly concrete.
29 October 2018
Big ugly metal framework for large dome shaped structure.
Is it just me or is this so-called ‘development’ too big and not in keeping with the Victorian heritage of the town. Of course the original precinct had the Everest Tandoori, Rainbow Records, Champs pub and much more… Unfortunately this time there will be no shops, pub or restaurant.
Let’s hope the councillors see sense and reject the footbridge over the Taff as well when they come to vote on it. Have people lost the use of their legs? We already have two bridges across the river at either end of the town. A council report also admits that “tree loss will be necessary”, so yet another reason to turn down planning permission.
Local residents are also asking the question: “How can a short footbridge cost £2 million!”
The council report also says: “… and the further planned redevelopment of the park…” – does this mean a car park in the Park?
14th September 2018
Starting to look really big and ugly now.
Exactly like the old underground car park? Joyriders will be hoping it’s left open, like last time, so they can enjoy midnight racing around the bollards just like they used to do.
10th-20th July 2018
Pillars of car park.
13th June 2018
First crane.
14th April 2018
Cranes and diggers.
13th March 2018
Lining down.
12th March 2018
The ‘proposed’ footbridge into the Park, which hopefully the councillors will reject when it comes up for planning permission.
8th March 2018
Spreading the muck about a bit.
18th Jan 2018
Clearing the old site.
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