Striking New Town Centre Apartment and Commercial Block Wins Award -

B - Original Content Neath Port Talbot South West Wales

Rachel Jones , 24th April 2019

A new Port Talbot town centre development on the site of a former police station has been recognised at the prestigious Local Authority Building Control (LABC) Regional Building Excellence Awards 2019.

The South Wales regional event was held at the Vale Resort, Hensol, on Friday 12th April, and was hosted by Welsh opera singer (of Go Compare fame) Wynne Evans.

The awards celebrate excellent buildings, individuals, outstanding companies and partnerships going that extra mile in the construction business.

The Ty’r Orsaf (Station House) project by Morganstone Ltd in Port Talbot’s town centre was judged the best social or affordable new housing development in this year’s awards.

It involved the complete demolition and breathtaking rejuvenation of the former Port Talbot Police Station, which was occupying a key site that needed to be redeveloped as a critical part of Neath Port Talbot Council’s regeneration agenda.

The building now comprises a striking three storey collection of 30 affordable apartments and three ground floor commercial units.

Paul Davis, Building Control manager at Neath Port Talbot Council said:

“We have worked closely with Morganstone on this, and many other developments they have delivered in Neath Port Talbot, and it is particularly pleasing to see them gaining recognition for their efforts.”

Morganstone Managing Director Ian Morgan added:

“We are proud to have had two developments nominated for the Regional LABC Awards, and delighted that our Ty’r Orsaf development has won the Best Social or Affordable Housing Award.

“It was made very clear that these awards were based on quality of build as opposed to aesthetics and this recognition highlights the importance Morganstone places on our developments being built to the highest of standards.”

The former police station holds fond memories for the Leader of Neath Port Talbot Council, Cllr Rob Jones, as it was where he began a long police service career in 1976 but he is glad the new building now forms part of a new look Port Talbot.

Cllr Jones said:

“The building has now made way for a new development which will serve the needs of the town as it moves forward. It is also a stunning example of the Welsh Government’s Vibrant and Viable Places (VVP) fund being used to modernise town centres.

“This project is a vital part of our wider regeneration plans that will give the town centre a huge boost. Ty’r Orsaf is in the heart of Port Talbot’s town centre and is close to the Port Talbot Integrated Transport Hub and Harbourside which will play a big part in Port Talbot’s future.”

Enwyd datblygiad newydd yng nghanol tref Port Talbot ar safle'r hen orsaf heddlu yng Ngwobrau Rhagoriaeth Adeiladu Rhanbarthol Rheoli Adeiladu Awdurdodau Lleol 2019.

Cynhaliwyd digwyddiad rhanbarthol de Cymru yng Ngwesty'r Vale, Hensol, nos Wener 12 Ebrill, gan y canwr opera o Gymru, Wynne Evans (a ddaeth yn enwog oherwydd Go Compare).

Mae'r gwobrau'n dathlu adeiladau arbennig, unigolion a chwmnïau a phartneriaethau ardderchog sy'n mynd gam ymhellach yn y busnes adeiladu.

Dyfarnwyd mai prosiect Tŷ'r Orsaf gan Morganstone Ltd yng nghanol tref Port Talbot oedd y datblygiad tai cymdeithasol neu fforddiadwy newydd gorau yn y gwobrau eleni.

Roedd yn cynnwys dymchwel ac adnewyddu hen Orsaf Heddlu Port Talbot, a oedd ar safle allweddol yr oedd angen ei ailddatblygu fel rhan hanfodol o agenda adfywio Cyngor Castell-nedd Port Talbot.

Mae'r adeilad bellach yn cynnwys casgliad deniadol o 30 o fflatiau fforddiadwy ar dri llawr a thair uned fasnachol ar y llawr gwaelod.

Meddai Paul Davis, Rheolwr Rheoli Adeiladu yng Nghyngor Castell-nedd Port Talbot,

"Rydym wedi cydweithio'n agos â Morganstone ar y datblygiad hwn, yn ogystal â nifer o ddatblygiadau eraill mae'r cwmni wedi eu cyflwyno yng Nghastell-nedd Port Talbot, ac mae'n braf bod ei ymdrechion yn cael eu cydnabod."

Ychwanegodd Ian Morgan, Rheolwr-gyfarwyddwr Morganstone,

"Rydym yn falch ein bod wedi chwarae rhan allweddol, nid yn unig yn natblygiad Tŷ'r Orsaf, ond mewn gwaith adnewyddu ehangach ar draws Port Talbot hefyd.

"Mae'r adeilad hefyd yn enghraifft ardderchog o ddefnyddio cronfa Lleoedd Llewyrchus Llawn Addewid Llywodraeth Cymru i foderneiddio canol trefi."

Roedd gan Arweinydd Cyngor Castell-nedd Port Talbot, Rob Jones, atgofion melys o'r hen orsaf heddlu, sef lleoliad Tŷ'r Orsaf, lle dechreuodd ei yrfa hir gyda gwasanaeth yr heddlu ym 1976, ond roedd yn falch o weld ei bod yn rhan o dref Port Talbot ar ei newydd wedd.

Meddai,

"Mae datblygiad newydd, a fydd yn diwallu anghenion y dref yn y dyfodol, wedi cymryd lle'r adeilad.

"Mae'r prosiect hwn yn rhan bwysig o'n cynlluniau adfywio ehangach a fydd yn rhoi hwb mawr i ganol y dref. Mae Tŷ'r Orsaf yng nghanol tref Port Talbot ac mae'n agos at Hwb Trafnidiaeth Integredig Port Talbot a Glannau'r Harbwr, a fydd yn chwarae rôl bwysig yn nyfodol Port Talbot."