On Wednesday 17th June, the British Council for Shopping Centres (BCSC) National Town Centre Environment Awards took place in London. The awards confirmed the quality and standard of the investment that gone into our Town, with the Merthyr Tydfil regeneration programme being recognised with a gold standard award. However, there was more to come. At the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Planning Convention that same evening, Merthyr Tydfil Town Centre was award the Regeneration Networks Award 2009.
What a result for Merthyr Tydfil!
Each Town or City competing for the RTPI Award was assessed on its success in delivering significant improvements to the environment and public realm, whilst boosting retail investment through well-designed urban spaces. Entries came from throughout the UK, including submissions from Swansea City centre, and the new Cabot Circus development in Bristol.
In addition to beating off strong competition against this criteria, Merthyr Council was also judged to have performed well in improving links to local amenities while ensuring that heritage links to the surrounding area were maintained.
The Merthyr entry, based on the regeneration package funded by the Welsh Assembly Government Heads of the Valleys Programme, the European Structural Funds and Merthyr Council, commenced in 2005. The key project elements of the Town Centre scheme the the judges assessed were: the improvements to the High Street, the enhancements at the Café Quarter , building enhancement programme, the extensive works along the river corridor (including Dixon Street Park) and the upgrading and improvement of the town centre gateways and approaches.
The BCSC is the voice of the retail property industry, promoting retail-led regeneration and growth through research and guidance top-end industry awards, educational opportunities, public sector dialogue and an extensive range of events and networking opportunities throughout the year.
The RTPI Networks bring together planners and other experts to investigate new approaches to spatial planning. The awards, entitled Excellence in Delivery – recognising good practice, provide recognition to the planners who have been particularly innovative in coming up with planning solutions.
Chair of the BCSC judging panel Andrew Dickens said “The scheme shows high quality design standards which has been well executed. The results have changed the image of the town clearly improving visitor perception and encouraging retail trade from within the town and the wider region. "
Gavin Lewis, Physical Regeneration Manager, Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council, said: "Winning the award will highlight the recent regeneration activity in the area and demonstrate that a lot has been achieved by working with key regeneration stakeholders to reinforce Merthyr Tydfil town centre as the commercial and retail epicenter of the Heads of the Valleys region”.