Better Porthcawl: Minutes from meeting with Jacob Lawrence
Date/Time: Wednesday 16th of July, 4.30pm
Attendees:
Elen Jones (Better Porthcawl/Jenipher’s Coffi)
Ella Williamson (Better Porthcawl/Sustainable Wales)
Gemma Lewis (Better Porthcawl/A Voice For the Future of Porthcawl/The Pantri Box)
Jacob Lawrence (BCBC) Porthcawl Regeneration Programme Manager
Jamie Strong (Better Porthcawl/A Voice For the Future of Porthcawl)
Margaret Minhinnick (Better Porthcawl/Sustainable Wales)
Notes:
1. Aldi opening without the pedestrian links into the town centre:
• Aldi is currently at breach of its planning permission for not having the pedestrian town centre links finished before opening. Whilst in breach temporarily; it would not currently be expedient to take enforcement action given they have committed to delivering the links as soon as practicable following the busy summer period.
• Some of the delays are a result of negotiations/design amendments to ensure the most effective/appropriate crossing and access routes - liaising with planning department to ensure accessibility and correct traffic codes etc.
• It is has been deemed not expedient to do it now because it will require road closures during “busy season” in Porthcawl.
• It will be completed later when traffic is quieter in Porthcawl.
2. Welsh Government Involvement in Porthcawl Waterfront Regeneration:
• Welsh Government have bought out the Evans Family, and now own the land on Coney Beach. Evans Family have another three years of trading.
• There will be a new owners agreement to ensure the development looks at the land parcels in one rather than separate entities.
• Both parties (BCBC/Welsh Gov) being involved will mean they can both hold each other accountable.
• Welsh Gov have “unlocked” this development and means the regeneration will happen and the process can begin, it has been 20 years in the making and Welsh Gov involvement removes hurdles and blockades.
• Welsh Gov involvement means there is more funding for the project and opportunities to seek more if required - ensuring the project is done for the community and not for the returns.
3. Type of Development:
• Welsh Gov involvement means there is more flexibility to what can be delivered in Porthcawl, as well as more money. The regeneration will still need to accord with planning policy requirements and the principles set out within the placemaking strategy (which reflect the planning policy requirements).
• The plans can be more for the community as there is less need for a monetary return on investment, as would be required by a private business and more can be reinvested in the area for public benefit.
• 50% of housing to be available for low incomes; there is a vast spectrum to what this type of housing is considered and who for. Not all going to be social housing but can be flats for first time buyers or shared ownership models.
• Net Zero Housing: more scope to ensure housing is carbon neutral, both parties held accountable by one another. There will be specific design codes enforced.
• Possibly looking at the tendering of the Waterfront Regeneration as a whole rather than pockets of land to ensure consistency. Will also ensure the whole project is completed in succession rather than parts being “left behind”.
• There could be an opportunity to slightly reduce housing on Sandy Bay, and possibility of incorporating other development eg an area of camper van space.
4. Open Space Design/Consultation:
• Expecting architectural plans/results on Open Space Design imminently (council set deadline for design 15th of July) and will be made public in due course along with officers report.
5. Better Porthcawl Partnership:
• Funnel for information to community is possible - council are open to this model.
• There will have to be parameters and people will have to be reasonable with their expectations.
• Suggested writing an explanation of what ‘Better Porthcawl’ could be.
• Getting the Porthcawl Town Council to support the initiative to give the network more gravitas.
6. Traffic Survey and Parking:
• A company has been tendered to begin the parking survey over the summer holidays, looking at Porthcawl’s car parks (including the new Aldi).
• They will compare the data and also seek to do the same survey the following year - recognise the importance of annual comparisons.
• Building a Porthcawl for the future.
• Hypothetically if the results show a need for 2000+ car parking spaces for peak summer day, BCBC will not be building a multi-storey to match, but will look at seasonal, flexible alternatives to ensure parking. An overflow car park in a field was suggested - this will mean there won't need to be a constant concrete infrastructure built but a flexible green space that can have multiple uses.