Authority:

Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council (NPTCBC)

Address:

Former Duffryn Lower School, Talcennau Road, Port Talbot

Proposed Development:

Development for 43no. new affordable dwellings and associated works, including an internal road, landscaping, sustainable drainage system, cycle and car parking.

Planning Issues:

The school had been closed for over 2 years, with the education services re-provided elsewhere in the ward.  There were numerous concerns from local residents that the provision of 18no. one-bedroom apartments would directly lead to anti-social behaviour.  The mix of units was informed directly by the housing waiting list, provided by NPT Housing.  The site layout responded to the constraints of the site, fronting the new dwellings onto the existing roads, replicating the terraced streetscape.  Internally, there are dwellings that front the entrance of the new internal road, providing a focal point. Only one new vehicular access will be created, from York Place, allowing the building along the south-eastern boundary to be retained.  New pedestrian accesses from all boundaries are proposed, ensuring sustainable connectivity to allow the local community to access the open space and play area.

KEW worked with NPT officers closely, to agree the amount of public open space, which is considerable, and provide a dedicated play area with equipment, to serve the local community.  There are very limited play areas available within the ward and the scheme delivers this on site; a huge community benefit.

Result:

Planning permission was approved in April 2023, after members voted in favour of the Officer’s recommendation at Planning Committee. Kathryn led the project team (Roberts Limbrick; Apex Transport Planning Ltd; Austin-Smith: Lord; Service Design Solution; Jubb; Pure Ecology Limited; Blake Morgan LLP) in delivery the planning process.