SD35 - Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council

The result of this assessment process has been the determinationof priority projects, reserve projects and projects requiring furtherdevelopment. Details of all the projects are set out below for yourinformation together with the score. The maximum that a projectcould score is 20 points. The priority projects are shown on Plan 1.Priority ProjectsAn attractive and well used natural, historic and builtenvironmentEbbw Vale Town Centre Regeneration.a. Northern Gateway Public Realm Enhancements – Market Street,James StreetThis project has been developed with the support of the formerWDA and urban design consultants. Significant streetscape worksare required to enhance the environmental quality of the publicrealm of this key gateway. Detailed designs have been prepared.b. Physical Regeneration GrantsThere is a need to assist existing and new businesses, renovateand modernise town centre properties, thereby creating andsafeguarding jobs and contributing to the enhancement of thephysical environment.c. Cross Valley Community Links – Former Steelworks/TownCentre/Church StreetThis scheme will create 4 pedestrian links to and from thesteelworks redevelopment providing access to the new facilities onthe former steelworks site but as important giving resident andvisitor access to the town centre.d. Church Street RegenerationThis area has been the subject of a Masterplan which recommendsgrants for existing and new business, environmental improvements,realignment of the road junction at Church Street/Eureka Place,provision of car parking for residents and users of the EVI (EbbwVale Institute) and improvement of the pedestrian link to the towncentre.e. Public Realm Enhancements Rear of Bethcar Street & ImprovedBus Terminal and Taxi RankThis area suffers from unauthorised parking and traffic using thearea for turning causing conflicts with pedestrians. Proposalsinclude improved public realm, new carriageway, pedestrianwalkways, new street furniture and a new bus terminal and taxirank.A vibrant economic landscape offering new opportunitiesEbbw Vale Institute Development:The Institute is a Grade II listed building located in Church Street,Ebbw Vale. Initial refurbishment projects have focussed on bringingthe building back into a useable state. This phase is to fully restorethis historic building to its former glories, redeveloping it as a vibrantcultural and business development space.A well educated, skilled and healthier populationPeople & Wildlife:This project aims to empower communities and increase theircapacity for environmental action by involving them in conservationactivity. Central to this is the construction of an EnvironmentalResource Centre in the former steelworks site. The building is due26