£2.6m EU investment to bring jobs and businesses to the Rhondda Valleys

Welsh Government News
Thursday 10 October

£2.6m EU investment to bring jobs and businesses to the Rhondda Valleys

Counsel General and Brexit Minister Jeremy Miles, who is responsible for EU funding in Wales, has today announced £2.58m EU funding to develop new business premises near Llantrisant in Rhondda Cynon Taf.

Mr Miles said: “The Coed Ely business development will sit at the gateway to the Rhondda Valleys, serving the regional economy by providing modern industrial units for new and existing businesses, while stimulating growth in the priority Rhondda Cynon Taf area.

“This new project will help to address the impact of losing a large employment site in the area. It will attract new light industrial businesses to the Rhondda Valleys, and provide much needed, well-appointed facilities which will encourage local SMEs to expand and improve productivity. It will also create new long term secure jobs, ultimately giving local residents options, and the opportunity to move off benefits and into the labour market.

“The Welsh Government is committed to making Wales a more prosperous and secure place to live and work. EU funds are supporting the people of Wales at ground level, and this project will create local opportunities which can make a real difference to the lives of people living in Rhondda Cynon Taf, and help to future-proof the regional economy in very real terms.”

Rhondda Cynon Taf, who will lead the development, and Welsh Government are working together to part fund this project, with each partner investing £675,000 in addition to the EU funding. The new industrial park will be built on 15 hectares of Welsh Government-owned brown field land at the former Coed Ely colliery and coking site.

Lying to the North East of the A4119 Royal Mint roundabout, the development will provide 2,787m (30,000 sq ft) of modern industrial business floor space. It will be demand-focused, aiming to encourage diversification and competitiveness, and targeting SME’s or larger companies who can create quality permanent job opportunities.
The development site lies approximately 4.5 miles north of the M4, with direct access from Junction 34 of the M4 and close to the A4119.

Ken Skates, Minister for Economy and Transport, said: “Improving employment prospects closer to where people live in the Valleys is a critical part of the work of the Valleys Taskforce. This project, located within the Task Force area, will create opportunities and secure lasting economic change for communities in a region with rich potential.”

Councillor Robert Bevan, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Enterprise, Development and Housing, added: “I’m delighted by this announcement by Welsh Government today, as the Council welcomes this substantial £2.58m funding to revitalise a large element of the former Coed Ely colliery site. The land is an example of a strategic location in need of development, and it is critical the Council delivers economic growth by unlocking such sites.

“The modern business unit has the potential to create quality and permanent job opportunities – and the project is therefore an example of this Council delivering on its ambitions for the County Borough, by encouraging business and economic development in areas of strategic importance. Work is anticipated to start on site in the coming weeks, and the project scheduled for completion in autumn 2020.”

Ends