Sketch of Southern Gateway proposals.
Pontypridd Placemaking Plan
A clear strategy to improve flood resilience, key spatial areas, address traffic dominance, and position Pontypridd as a thriving, future-ready regional destination.
Project information
Client
Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council
Partners
Mott MacDonald, Alder King.
Location
Pontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taf
The Challenge
Pontypridd, a key hub strategically positioned in Cardiff Capital City Region. The town faces significant socio-economic challenges common to UK high streets, alongside unprecedented recent pressures. Severe flooding events with Storm Dennis in 2020 damaged town infrastructure, while the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted traditional retail activity.
Despite these setbacks, the town centre benefits from strong local resilience, a unique landscape setting along the rivers Taff and Rhondda, and major transport transformations, such as the South Wales Metro. Building on recent successes like the landmark Llys Cadwyn development, Pontypridd needed a clear strategy to improve flood resilience, reconnect key spatial areas, address traffic dominance, and position itself as a thriving, future-ready regional destination.
Photograph of Pontypridd
Our Role
The Urbanists led the development of the Pontypridd Town Centre Placemaking Plan in collaboration with Mott MacDonald and Alder King. Aligned with the national 'Town Centres First' principle and the Placemaking Wales Charter, our multidisciplinary approach integrated masterplanning, urban design, transport appraisals, and socio-economic visioning.
Working alongside key stakeholders and local authorities, we structured the plan around seven core ambitions and established targeted interventions across five key action areas:
Southern Gateway: Redeveloping key urban blocks (including the former Bingo Hall and M&S/Burtons sites) to create commercial, workspace, and hotel spaces, while establishing a direct pedestrian link across the A4058 to the railway station.
Town Centre Core: Reanimating upper floors for residential and workspace use, integrating active waterfront paths behind Taff Street, and delivering sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) to enhance climate resilience.
Market Quarter: Restoring and revitalising the Grade II listed Pontypridd Indoor Market and surrounding heritage streets into a vibrant retail, leisure, and culinary hub.
Northern Gateway: Creating an integrated transport interchange combining an enhanced bus station, potential new Metro rail halt, and flexible workspace adjacent to an outdoor cultural and art park overlooking the historic William Edwards Bridge.
Ynysangharad War Memorial Park: Enhancing connections between the historic park and the high street, expanding river leisure opportunities, and establishing a regional cycle hub serving the Taff Trail and Valleys Regional Park.
Photograph of Pontypridd Riverside Plaza
The Outcome
The Pontypridd Placemaking Plan delivers a comprehensive, phased roadmap that equips public and private sector partners to unlock major investment and secure long-term prosperity.
Key strategic outcomes delivered by the plan include:
Business Destination: Creating an attractive pipeline of high-quality Grade A workspaces and flexible hubs anchored around transport gateways.
Living on the High Street: Diversifying land uses through upper-floor housing conversions and new residential units overlooking the river and park.
Enhanced Connectivity: Integrating rail, bus, active travel, and cycle networks supported by the South Wales Metro upgrades.
Waterside & Flood Resilience: Unlocking underused riverfront spaces and embedding green infrastructure/SuDS to protect against future flood risks.
Cultural & Social Magnet: Celebrating historic assets, such as the Muni Arts Centre, YMCA, and Indoor Market, to establish a vibrant day-and-night economy.
