Deposit Draft Local Development Plan - Rhondda Cynon Taf

Policy NSA 5 -Former Fernhill Colliery Site, BlaenrhonddaIn accordance with Policy CS 3 land is allocated at the Former FernhillColliery Site, Blaenrhondda for the construction of 400 dwellings, alocal retail centre and informal recreation contained in a countrysidesetting. Development on the Strategic Site will be subject to a largescalereclamation scheme.6.23. The Strategic Site lies at the head of the Rhondda Fawr in the NorthernStrategy Area. The land is comprised of un-restored spoil tips, which havebeen partially re-worked, and former housing land that was cleared severaldecades ago when the colliery closed.6.24. The Council’s vision for the Strategic Site is one of a high quality residentialdevelopment on a restored valley floor set in a dramatic landscape.6.25. The site is subject to a number of constraints most notably:• Access;• Sites of importance for nature conservation;• Need for land reclamation; and• Low land values.6.26. The Council has assessed the development potential of the Former FernhillColliery site in detail and would wish to see proposals for developmentthat addresses the following elementsa) Residential development of 400 units – 3 plateau: 2 for mediumdensity development (35 dwellings / hectare) and 1 for lower density(30 dwellings / hectare);b) Local centre – site for local facilities including shops, positioned atthe end of Brook Street;c) Education – extension of Penpych Primary School is required;d) Access – primary access road from A4061 Rhigos Road across easternvalley slope into centre of site; secondary access for pedestrians andpublic transport from Brook Street; spine paths and cycle wayslinking the plateau with the village;e) Environment – restoration of channels and green corridors for theRhondda Fawr and its tributaries; retention and management ofSINC and mitigation of impact of primary access road; restoration ofthe land north of the site for amenity open space.6.27. The phasing of the development will be dependent on the landreclamation scheme. The environmental and access works must be carriedout first; no more than 2 of the 3 residential plateaus shall be developedbefore the local centre and school extension is implemented.Preserving Our Heritage, Building Our Future69