£1.36 million building restoration project for Maesteg town centre
The second phase of a successful Maesteg town centre building restoration project has been approved by Bridgend County Borough Council.
The Maesteg Townscape Heritage Initiative Phase Two plans are set to target properties in Commercial Street and Talbot Street after the Heritage Lottery Fund confirmed that a council application for £680,000 funding has been successful.
Together with funding already obtained from Cadw, the Welsh Assembly Government and the council’s own strategic regeneration fund, this takes the total grant budget for the scheme up to £1.36 million.
Applicants will be able to apply for grant funding to restore the town centre’s historic buildings and carry out repairs, enhancement works and the reinstatement of original architectural features and details. Primarily targeting commercial properties, the initiative will be based within the Maesteg Conservation Area and will complement other ongoing regeneration schemes.
Says Councillor Matthew Voisey, Cabinet Member for Environmental: “This is excellent news for Maesteg town centre. The plans for Phase Two will build on the success of Phase One to deliver a sustainable future for the historic core of the town. They will preserve and enhance Maesteg town centre’s distinctive architectural character and heritage.”
Administered by Bridgend County Borough Council, the scheme will operate for five years from June 2007 to June 2012. Applications for all grants must be made between June 2007 and June 2010.
The earlier £1.2 million Phase One scheme benefited properties such as the Town Council Offices, Tabor Chapel, the Prince of Wales Inn and Colonel North Memorial Hall.
Says Dan Clayton Jones, Chair of the Heritage Lottery Fund Committee for Wales: “Historic buildings tell the story of a town, they make it individual and unique, and the best way to save and maintain these heritage gems is to get them back into use.
“The Townscape Heritage Initiative scheme is a great way of using heritage as a springboard for regeneration and investment. We want to maximise the recognition and use of Maesteg’s heritage to help attract people and businesses into the town.”
To find out more about the Maesteg THI scheme, contact Project Officer Lowri Thomas on (01656) 643175 or email talktous@bridgend.gov.uk