Have your say on Neath Port Talbot’s future

Following approval by a full meeting of Neath Port Talbot Council on November 27th, 2024, residents can give their views on the Replacement Local Development Plan (RLDP) Preferred Strategy (2023-2038) from midday, December 12th, 2024, to midday, February 6th, 2025.

The Preferred Strategy (the first formal public consultation stage of the RLDP) is entitled Aiding economic recovery and valuing our unique opportunities in Neath Port Talbot.

It presents a preferred level of growth which takes in the impacts of the economic transition underway in Neath Port Talbot following the changes at Tata Steel in Port Talbot and the general move towards decarbonisation and new, green jobs.

The strategy plans for an optimistic level of new investment, recognising the potential of the Celtic Freeport designation and Neath Port Talbot’s position within the National Growth Area defined in the Future Wales: The National Plan 2040.

This overarching Preferred Strategy will be supplemented by two strategy areas: the Valleys Opportunity Area encompassing the Afan Valley, Neath Valley, Dulais Valley, Swansea Valley, Amman Valley and Pontardawe; and the Coastal Corridor and National Growth Area comprising of Neath and Port Talbot.

Over the plan period, the strategy is to make provision for 4,176 new homes (278 per year) supporting the delivery of 3,555 jobs (237 a year) and making provision for 57 hectares of employment land.

Evidence collected from numerous background documents and studies has informed the content of the Preferred Strategy – three of which are being consulted on alongside the Preferred Strategy document. These are:

The Candidate Sites Register/Assessment – a database of land proposed for future development or protection put forward by landowners or developers for consideration in the RLDP. The assessments show how decisions were made on choosing the most suitable key sites to deliver the RLDP strategy. A total of 470 sites have been submitted.

Interim Integrated Sustainability Appraisal – which ensures considerations are integrated into the plan-making process guiding adjustments to enhance the environmental, social, economic and cultural benefits of the final plan.

Habitats Regulations Assessment Screening Report – ensuring that environmental protections are integrated into plan-making decisions, safeguarding biodiversity while still allowing for necessary development.

Neath Port Talbot Council’s Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, Transport and Connectivity, Cllr Wyndham Griffiths, said: “I hope as many residents as possible will have their say on this vital strategy.

“Planning and making provision for new homes in our county borough can help make Neath Port Talbot a more prosperous place as workers who get jobs here can live locally and spend money locally.

“The RLDP Preferred Strategy will help us decide what developments will and will not be permitted at different locations and highlight areas we need to protect, so please give us your views.”

To comment, go to our RLDP webpages – www.npt.gov.uk/rldp .Visit our LDP Consultation webpage for an online version of the Preferred Strategy consultation document, as well as the ability to submit comments online (https://neath-porttalbot-consult.objective.co.uk/kse/) .

Send comment forms to us via email / post by midday on 6th February 2025.

Consultation documents will also be available to view in person at the following locations: Neath Civic Centre, Port Talbot Civic Centre and The Quays, Briton Ferry.

We’re holding the following engagement / drop-in sessions:
•    Virtual / online engagement – Tuesday 21st January 2025 – presentation from 10am to 12pm (midday);
•    Pontardawe Library – Wednesday 22nd January 2025 between 10am – 1pm.
•    Neath Civic Centre – Wednesday 22nd January 2025 between 3pm and 6pm.
•    Port Talbot Library – Thursday 23rd January 2025 between 9.30am to 12.30pm; and
•    Glynneath Library – Thursday 23rd January 2025 between 2.30pm to 5.30pm.