Deposit Draft Local Development Plan - Rhondda Cynon Taf

Policy NSA 7 -Land at Robertstown / Abernant, AberdareIn accordance with Policy CS 3 land is allocated at Robertstown /Abernant, Aberdare for the construction of 600 dwellings, 3.7 hectaresof employment / leisure, a new primary school, medical centre andassociated informal amenity space in a parkland setting.6.33. The site includes land proposed for mixed uses at Robertstown and theAberdare General Hospital Site. The hospital will be replaced by a newfacility at Mountain Ash. Regarded as a whole, the site affordsopportunities for regeneration as it is close to Aberdare Town Centre, theLeisure Centre and Railway Station. Potential exists for the site to offersignificant mixed-use development comprising residential, employmentand commercial uses.6.34. The Council’s vision for the Strategic Site is the enhancement of Aberdarethrough commercial, residential and community development in a centrallocation, with new links and retention of trees and open spaces.6.35. The site is subject to a number of constraints most notably:• Access;• Flood risk;• Trees and open spaces;• Ecology;• Availability of Aberdare Hospital land.6.36. The Council has assessed the development potential of the Robertstown /Abernant site in detail and would wish to see a proposal that addressesthe following elements:Robertstown:a) Access – will be provided by improvements to the A4059 and theexisting highway network at Robertsown;b) Commercial – B1 light industrial and office development on vacantland flanking Wellington Street;c) Commercial – hotel, cinema or similar commercial leisure use on thevacant land opposite the park and ride station;d) Community – medical centre adjoining the park and ride car park.Aberdare Hospital:e) Access – will be provided by improvements to the A4059 and theexisting highway network at Abernant;f) Residential Development of 600 units – on the vacated hospitalbuildings at higher density, on the field rear of Abernant Road andbordering the retained parkland at medium density; and on the fieldsouth of Moss Row at lower density;g) Community – a new community primary school off Abernant Road;h) Trees and open space – the parkland northwest of the hospitalbuildings is largely designated a site of importance for natureconservation, along with the wooded slope down to the River Cynonand Cynon Valley Trail. The mature trees in this area and throughoutthe rest of the site are protected. The parkland is to be retained forthe enjoyment of residents.6.37. Phasing – in the Robertstown area, no more than 75% of commercialdevelopment measured by gross floorspace shall be completed before thehighway improvements are open to traffic. On the hospital land, no morethan 25% of the residential development shall be completed before thehighway improvements are open.Preserving Our Heritage, Building Our Future73