This year will see another wave of building and development projects going from vision to reality – either being completed, started or getting under way in Neath Port Talbot.

And two new schools will be added to the £123m already invested in the Council’s Strategic School Improvement Programme.

Among the projects completed or being completed this year are the award winning Ty’r Orsaf apartments and commercial units opposite Port Talbot  Parkway Station, Oriel, the Aberafan House apartments complex, the former Glanafan School development which includes new homes and commercial units, and Harbour Court the redevelopment of Port Talbot’s historic former Magistrates’ Court  into contemporary office accommodation.

Also being completed this year will be the pathfinder ‘Homes as Power Stations’ Swansea Bay City Deal project – 16 houses and flats on a town centre site in Neath which will generate, store and release energy – and therefore don’t need boilers.

Projects getting under way this year will include the development of new homes in Neath Town Centre, the creation of offices and commercial units to create jobs at the former Crown/Metal Box factory just outside Neath, more office development at Wind Street, Neath, a new community hub, gym and other facilities at the iconic former Plaza Cinema in Port Talbot plus new valleys tourism signage in Pontardawe and Glynneath.

In planning stages and getting under way next year will be the development of a new swimming pool, leisure facilities and retail units in the centre of Neath, infrastructure works for a strategic employment site at Port Talbot’s Harbourside and the development of the Swansea Bay Technology Centre at Baglan Energy Park which will offer office and laboratory space for research, development and innovation companies.

There are also plans to develop the Cefn Coed Colliery site as a ‘Valleys Regional Park Discovery Gateway’ and a centre for activity tourism.

Councillor Anthony Taylor, Deputy Leader of Neath Port Talbot Council said:

“We are working hard with our regeneration and economic development partners to create an attractive, connected environment where people want to work, invest and do business.

We have a had a busy number of years building new schools, homes and spaces for offices and commercial development and 2019 is proving to be just as packed with exciting new projects.”