Deposit Draft Local Development Plan - Rhondda Cynon Taf

Northern Strategy Area Policies6.5. The Northern Strategy Area Policies are as follows:Policy NSA 1 -Development in the Principal Town of AberdareProposals for residential and commercial development within thedefined town centre of Aberdare will be permitted where thedevelopment:1. Reinforces the role of Aberdare as a Principal Town;2. Respects the culture and heritage of Aberdare;3. Is of a high standard of design and makes a positivecontribution to the townscape in the defined town centre;4. Integrates positively with existing development;5. Promotes opportunities for new retail, tourism and leisuredevelopment; and6. Promotes accessibility to services by a range of sustainablemodes of transport.6.6. Aberdare is the only principal town identified within the Northern StrategyArea. Nicknamed the ‘Queen of the Valleys’, Aberdare is located on thecusp of the Brecon Beacons National Park. Aberdare is steeped in historywith many historic building and architecture. The town provides manyimportant services including commercial, leisure and cultural facilities.Opportunities exist for the enhancement of the services already providedin Aberdare, through improvements to the range and quality of retail, cafés/ restaurants and accommodation facilities.6.7. Through the Heritage Lottery Fund and European Funding, the Councilwill seek to deliver a programme of improvements in Aberdare aimed atregeneration of the settlement. These improvements will include:• A Townscape Heritage Initiative to improve and manage the historicenvironment,• Public realm improvements including the creation of new publicspaces, and• Enhancement of the transport infrastructure.6.8. The vision for Aberdare will be realised when the performance of the towncentre is above the UK average with low vacancy rates and increasedbusiness turnover. To achieve this the town will need a diverse retail offer,including high street retailers, niche and local stores.6.9. Residential and employment developmentwithin the defined town centre will bepermitted where the role of the towncentre is supported. Proposals whichwould result in the loss of key servicesand facilities, retail and commercialunits or other uses important tothe role of these town centres,will not be supported by thispolicy.64Preserving Our Heritage, Building Our Future