Lottery windfall to revamp Aberdare

Nov 1 2007 by Linda Elias, Cynon Valley Leader

ABERDARE is to get a £1m makeover, thanks to Lottery cash.

The town will receive a Hertiage Lottery Fund Townscape Heritage Initiative grant of £950,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund to regenerate its historic buildings and preserve the threatened character of the area.

The money will help re-create an attractive and vibrant town by repairing the wealth of Victorian and Georgian commercial and residential buildings, which are currently in a poor state, and convert vacant buildings into usable spaces.

It will fund a programme to involve the community in the project, helping them learn about the heritage which the buildings represent as well as passing on conservation-based skills to preserve them.

Aberdare is seen as a key example of a town that is in desperate need of regeneration, with productivity and income falling further behind the national average for Wales.

The Aberdare area contains 33 listed buildings and is considered by Cadw to be of national importance due to its historical links with the Industrial Revolution.

The Black Lion Hotel on Victoria Square is a prime example of one of Aberdare’s finest buildings, which has lost its grandeur over the years.

Under the new scheme the dilapidated Georgian building could be repaired to its original splendour by reinstating the original canopy and frontage, not seen on the building since 1872.

Rhondda Cynon Taf Council will now be developing the THI proposal with the support of a £25,000 HLF development grant to ensure the full amount is rolled out.

Council leader Russell Roberts said: “Aberdare is an important town centre for us and we are keen to restore, preserve and celebrate its rich cultural history while also driving forward its place in the future, as a vibrant, popular town centre.”

Christine Chapman AM said: “This is great news for the people of Aberdare and the surrounding area who will be able to witness the rejuvenation of their town.”