Understanding Treherbert, Cwmafan and Treharris: The past, present and the future

Economy
ReportsResourcesJanuary 27th, 2021

How understanding the development of places to the present can inform their future

Places across the south Wales valleys have experienced a lot of change over the last 100 years or so. The change has had a profound effect on shaping how these places developed to the present day on employment, shops, services and infrastructure. These all affect what types of places they are for people to live. But can the developments shed light on how places will develop in the future?

This paper looks at the development of Treherbert, Cwmafan and Treharris to the present day to better understand their economic and social development to inform how they may develop in the future. It looks at what existing assets there are or what needs to develop to grasp their potential as places to live for the next 100 years.

It argues that there are a number of similarities between the places based on their shared industrial history. However each has unique characteristics that could hint at their future development that could bring economic self-sufficiency, shared prosperity and community cohesion.

  • Treherbert has something of a ‘do it yourself’ mentality born of relative geographic isolation. A vision to become Wales’ first ‘Forest Town’, the recently re-formed chamber of trade, and nearby developments including Zip World and the Rhondda Tunnel offer exciting opportunities
  • Cwmafan can act as a gateway to the upper Afan valley, linking to other assets in the region such as the Afan Forest Park. There is a collaborative relationship between business, residents and stakeholders that serves the community well and will be fundamental in continuing to meet the aspirations for further development of a central “hub” in Cwmafan.
  • Treharris’ location on the Taf Trail is a key asset. Cycle ways and green spaces like Parc Taf Bargoed are important in the area’s development. It is also at a crossroads between Caerphilly and Rhondda Cynon Taf and county boroughs with connections to a variety of places in all directions. Nascent green energy projects, co-working hubs and meanwhile initiatives on Fox Street will help Treharris’s role as a hub in the south of the Merthyr Tydfil Borough.

We have released three seperate versions of this report for each community featuring exclusive images from local residents. For Treherbert click here, for Cwmafan click here and for Treharris here

Pages: 27

Format: PDF

Language: English

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Tagged with: South Wales Valleys

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