Construction phase of Pontypridd Extra Care facility now underway

Representatives from the Council and its scheme partners – including Linc Cymru, Jehu Project Services and Welsh Government – attended the event on Monday, June 24, at the former Pontypridd Magistrates’ Court site. The event began with a welcome from Linc’s CEO Scott Sanders, before the ground was broken to officially start the project’s construction phase.

Those attending Monday’s event also took the opportunity to view the plans for the project, which were granted planning permission during February 2019. The scheme will provide a total of 60 Extra Care apartments (57 one-bed and three two-bed) in a brand new five-floor building.

The wider development includes a 31-space car park, communal landscaped gardens, dining areas, communal kitchen, lounge areas and a hair salon. The existing site access from Union Street will be widened as part of the scheme.

Extra care delivers modern accommodation to meet the needs and changing expectations of the growing older population, allowing residents to live as independently as possible in their own homes. They are built-for-purpose and cater for a range of assessed needs – as residents receive targeted, 24/7 on-site support. A number of community provisions are also available on site.

The Pontypridd scheme is part of a proposed £50m extra care investment across Rhondda Cynon Taf – and is one of five brand new facilities which will be built across the County Borough. Construction of the first facility at Club Street in Aberaman continues to progress well following the delivery of 94 pre-constructed modules to site, and is expected to be completed later in 2019.

Pontypridd extra care is the second of the five schemes to reach its construction phase, while facilities are also earmarked for Porth, Mountain Ash and Treorchy. There is currently one existing Extra Care facility in Rhondda Cynon Taf – Ty Heulog in Talbot Green – which opened in 2016.

Councillor Geraint Hopkins, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member with responsibility for Adult Community Services, said:

“I’m delighted that the second of our five new Extra Care facilities is now being built, marked by a special ceremony in Graig on Monday. The project will provide 60 new Extra Care apartments in Pontypridd, bringing the former Pontypridd Magistrates’ Court site back into use.

“The five developments will bring the total number of Extra Care spaces to 300 across the County Borough, reflecting our commitment to modernise care facilities for older people in Rhondda Cynon Taf. The Council recently concluded an extensive public consultation on modernisation proposals, and the feedback will be reported to Cabinet for consideration this summer.

“Extra Care is at the heart of our proposals for the future – providing a ‘home for life’ for many people, and a real alternative to residential care, nursing care and sheltered housing. It allows residents to have their own self-contained home within their own front door, along with access to 24-hour care, support to maintain independence and access to additional facilities on site.

“Following in the footsteps of the Maesyffynnon Extra Care scheme in Aberaman, I’m looking forward to the site in Pontypridd begin to transform over the coming months. The Council will work closely with its partners to deliver this important scheme for the town and the wider Taff Ely area.”