Deposit Draft Local Development Plan - Rhondda Cynon Taf

Chapter SixStrategy Area Policies6.1. This chapter sets out the policies specific to the two Strategy Areas.The policies should be read in conjunction with the Core and AreaWide policies of the Plan. Collectively these policies will form thebasis for the determination of planning applications relating to thedevelopment and use of land and buildings. These policies are anessential element of the Council’s land use strategy and are intendedto ensure that development accords with the spatial objectives ofthe Plan.Northern Strategy Area:Building Sustainable Communities6.2. The Northern Strategy Area comprises the upland and valley areas ofRhondda Cynon Taf. The area covers the Rhondda Fawr and Fachand the Cynon Valley and includes the Principal Towns of Aberdare,the Key Settlements of Tonypandy, Porth, Treorchy, Treherbert,Ferndale, Mountain Ash and Hirwaun and the Small Settlements ofRhigos, Penywaun, Cwmbach, Aberaman, Penrhwceiber, Abercynon,Ynysybwl, Treherbert, Pentre, Maerdy, Ystrad, Tylorstown, Ynyshirand Cymmer.6.3. The main strategic road links within theStrategy Area are provided by the A4119,A470, A4058, A4233, A4059 and A465. A well-established network ofbus and rail routes provides public transport provision. Bus provisionis provided by a network, which serves the Key Settlements ofHirwaun, Mountain Ash, Treorchy, Tonypandy, Ferndale, Porth andthe Principal Town of Aberdare. Main bus stations are located atTonypandy and Aberdare. The passenger rail service connects theRhondda Fawr and the Cynon Valley with Pontypridd and Cardiff.Stations are located at Trehafod, Porth, Dinas Rhondda, Tonypandy,Llwynypia, Ystrad, Ton Pentre, Treorchy, Ynyswen, Treherbert,Abercynon, Penrhiwceiber, Mountain Ash, Fernhill, Cwmbach andAberdare.6.4. The problems of deprivation, unemployment, dereliction anddepopulation in the Northern Strategy Area, identified in the LDPPreferred Strategy, have been further examined in the Core StrategyChapter of the Plan.Preserving Our Heritage, Building Our Future63