18/2/2006

A major consultation has begun to look into the future of Aberystwyth and the vision needed to ensure the town's infrastructure and development needs are met .

The Aberystwyth Masterplan, commissioned by the Welsh Development Agency/Welsh Assembly Government and Ceredigion County Council will look critically at all aspects of land use, future growth, highways and the overall infrastructure of the town to ensure it has the capability to act as a regional centre for Mid Wales.

The study follows a number of new developments planned or already underway in the town which will place pressures on the town' s infrastructure and communications.

"This is all about ensuring we have a clear and sustainable vision of what is needed to provide the people and businesses of Aberystwyth with the necessary services and physical infrastructure for the future. It's about considering all the current and future developments and work that's going on in and around the town and bringing them together to see what impact they could or will have and how we need to overcome them, " said Dr Geraint Davies of the WDA.

The local County Council members and Town and Community Councillors from Aberystwyth and Llanbadarn have already been briefed on the Study and there will be further consultations and workshops with key stakeholders and local organisations over the next few months.

A consultant team has been appointed through open tender to undertake the Masterplan. They are LDA Design, supported by traffic and transport specialists Peter Brett Associates and property consultants Cooke & Arkwright, along with regeneration and economic planners PACEC.

The local community will be engaged and consulted in the development of the Masterplan. Anybody wishing to bring forward suggestions or issues to be considered should firstly write to Steffan Roberts, Welsh Development Agency, Y Lanfa, Trefechan, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion SY23 1AS.

Cllr Ray Quant, in welcoming the Masterplan stated: ⣣I am delighted that Aberystwyth has been given this opportunity for a prestigious team of planning professionals to take a comprehensive overview of the current and future needs and the potential for Aberystwyth to grow over the next decade or so.

⣣The team will be consulting widely with all local stakeholder and interest groups in the area and I look forward to some robust debates and conclusion on how the two will develop over the next generation.⣣

The consultation process has already begun with a briefing to local County and Community Councillors. The briefing included information on draft plans for the potential development of the Mill Street car park to include two decks of additional car parking over part of the site. This would provide the potential to increase the capacity from approximately 260 to 450 spaces. This proposal also included development of a prime retail unit fronting onto Park Avenue and the proposed new combined Magistrate, County and Crown courts to be situated in Aberystwyth. All these developments would enhance and support the role of Aberystwyth as a regional centre in Mid Wales.
Members were also shown the potential for the strategic site off Park Avenue, which includes and encompasses the area around Aberystwyth Town Football Club. The development of this area would obviously require key relocations and is therefore an opportunity also to consider a joint recreation stadium to include football ground facilities and an athletics running track on part of Blaendolau playing fields. This site however requires consultants to consider flood risk and any alleviation measures to overcome the risk element.

The master plan consultants will be asked to look at the potential for these two projects and many other sites and proposals in and around the Aberystwyth area.