Community Regeneration: Brewer’s Site in Caerau
Redeveloping the Brewer’s Site in Caerau is the highest priority of the Caerau Regeneration Project which is a Communities First initiative that helps local people realise physical and environmental schemes important to them.
A new kickabout facility
The main element of the project is to build a fenced multi use games area on a 20m x 30m tarmac base. The play facility was designed after a competition with local children and should allow children and young people to play football, netball, cricket, tennis and more. The provision of floodlighting will allow the area to be used in evenings and in the winter months. The project proposals also include landscaping work to make the 0.25 hectare site safer.
The design is show below. Floodlighting pylons would be located at each end.
Something the community want
The site is called Brewer’s after the former Brewer’s bus company who housed and maintained a fleet of buses until the early nineties. When the bus company left there was no obvious re-use for the site and it has lain empty for 15 years. People in this area of Caerau have been anxious for a solution to be found as it has become a site for fly tipping and dumping of stolen cars. The Communities First team have worked with the local Police and Bridgend County Borough Council to look at the options.
Communities First have taken great care to involve local people in the design of the proposed facility and the surrounding area. The community’s views have been taken on board on community safety issues such as lighting, the provision of seating areas and the proximity of CCTV cameras. The project also fits into the Council’s Housing Renewal programme for Caerau.
Further benefits of this project
The Noddfa Chapel is one of the few community facilities in Blaencaerau. Though various children’s and youth projects run from Noddfa there is no outdoor space and nowhere for detached youth workers to meet young people. Redevelopment of the Brewer’s site is the key to opening up outdoor activities in the local area and maximising Home Office projects such as Positive Futures.
A planning application is being prepared and funding is being sought for the project. Local young people are also actively involved in fundraising and are organising local events. When implemented the kickabout facility will give a focus to the local community and prove that improvements important to local people can be delivered.
For more information contact Aled Singleton on singla@bridgend.gov.uk 01656 735212
The Caerau Regeneration Project is funded by European Objective 1, Communities First, Welsh Assembly Department for Innovation, Enterprise and Networks and BCBC
