Proposals to transform the old Co-op site in Tonypandy have been given the go-ahead by the Welsh Government.

RHA Housing aims to revitalise the site through a £13 million mixed-use development, supported by the Council.

The Big Shed scheme will bring the site at Dunraven Street back into use, after it has remained empty for around a decade since the closure of the Co-op store in 2012. RHA Wales acquired the derelict property in 2019 and has since been putting plans in place for its regeneration – to improve the area and provide the community with a vibrant town centre location that they can be proud of.

RHA Wales received full planning permission for the development in February 2022 from the Planning and Development Committee. The permission covers two main elements of the project – the first is a partial demolition of the Co-op store to build three new retail units. These will accommodate a convenience store, a Bistro and office space, and will be accessed from Dunraven Street.

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The second is the construction of a five-storey block containing 51 apartments of which eight are dedicated for adults with learning disabilities, along with staff accommodation. The residential areas will be accessed via Bridge Street. All homes will achieve EPC A and will comply with all Welsh Government funding requirements.

The planning permission also covers associated works including drainage and landscaping improvements, while the development will include 52 off-street parking spaces for the use of residents living within the new housing block.

RHA Wales has appointed Bridgend-based contractor Jehu Group to complete the construction, with work set to start on site this summer. With the total scheme costs being circa £13m, it has benefitted from £5.3m funding via Welsh Government’s Social Housing Grant for the residential areas and £550,000 from Integrated Care Funding. The remaining costs will be paid by RHA Wales Group Ltd.