Appendix 9
 
PROPOSED AFTERUSES FOR THE RECLAMATION SITES
   
INTRODUCTION
In the main, the following information represents the preferred afteruses formulated at the outset of the proposed schemes, identified in Policy D1 of the Land Reclamation and Contaminated Land Chapter. As a reclamation scheme progresses to the survey and design stages, additional physical, environmental and economic constraints are often discovered which have an impact on the possible afteruses in an iterative fashion. Therefore, because many of these schemes are yet to be designed in detail, it is possible that changes may become necessary in the final land use choices.
 
D1.1 Cwmcarno / Blaencarno
These two related areas require environmental improvement. In the main, they will be returned to natural moorland, although there may also be limited potential for tree planting. The ridgeway walk crosses the area.
 
D1.2 Rhaslas Pond, Fochriw
After treatment, the pockets of despoiled land within this moorland area north of Fochriw will be returned to their former land-use. The site lies adjacent to Tair Carreg Moorland and much of it is identified as a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC). Therefore any reclamation should be sensitive to the fragile ecology and historic importance of this area. Potential exists for a cycle route to cross this area.
 
D1.3 Tynewydd, Pontlottyn
When reclaimed, this land will be returned to agriculture or used for recreational purposes.
 
D1.4 Elliot Colliery, New Tredegar
After the closure of the colliery this area became a factory site, but it is now derelict once again. The site was identified as potentially suitable a mixed use development including housing infill and community use, but it will be largely developed for community uses. Development of this site is constrained by the capacity of the Rhymney Valley Trunk Sewer and cannot take place until such time as improvement works are completed. This is currently estimated to be 2004 though parts of the system will be improved at an earlier date which could allow development sooner.
 
D1.5 George Tip, New Tredegar
This area includes a site for industrial incubator units at its northern end. New Tredegar has insufficient open space, and therefore, the remainder of the former George Tip has been designated for informal recreational facilities. In addition, it is proposed to extend White Rose Way southwards to form a relief road along the eastern edge of the site to ease congestion in Elliotstown. Therefore, the land reclamation design should include provision of a landform suitable to accommodate this highway development.
 
D1.6 Cefn Brithdir Tips
The northern and southern tips are highly visible with poor supporting vegetation. Their replanting as a part of the 'Rhymney Forest Project' would provide maximum impact without competing with other land-uses, and introduce substantial areas of native woodland into the Upper Rhymney Valley.
 
D1.7 Coed-y-Moeth Tip, Markham
The treatment of this Tip and its proposed after-use should be associated with the future potential of the railway line between Markham and Hollybush. The route of the railway line could provide an opportunity to develop community routes, linking Oakdale and Markham, for recreational pursuits such as walking, cycling and horse-riding.
 
D1.8 Concrete Yard, Deri
The former concrete works is one of the few relatively flat areas within Deri. The site lies within the Settlement Boundary of Deri and therefore a range of different urban land-uses could be appropriate in principle. Development of this site is constrained by the capacity of the Rhymney Valley Trunk Sewer and cannot take place until such time as improvement works are completed. This is currently estimated to be 2004 though parts of the system will be improved at an earlier date which could allow development sooner.
 
D1.9 Penallta Tip
A community park has been created on the Penallta Tip which will include the route of a national cycleway. Part of the park scheme has been funded by the Borough Council and the remainder financed by the Millenium Fund.
 
D1.10 Tredomen Tip
This area of land could be enhanced to provide informal open space, an access to the community park on the Penallta Tip, and possibly car parking and a visitor centre in association with the community park.
 
D1.11 Berthgron Quarry, Nelson
This derelict quarry lies adjacent to the proposed industrial site at Ty Du. Treatment of the quarry area would enhance the overall environment and thus make the area more attractive to potential investors.
 
D1.12 Oakdale Colliery
This scheme is all but complete, providing an area of approximately 161 ha, of which 67.6 ha is allocated for B1, B2 and B8 employment uses. A committed housing site straddles the reclamation boundary in the south where it meets the settlement of Oakdale. The industrial plateaux will be landscaped and a large buffer zone will separate the proposed housing site and the rest of Oakdale from these proposed industrial areas. Details are contained in the "Oakdale Strategic Development Site Design Brief", prepared by the Borough Council in March 1999.
 
D1.13 Bargoed Colliery
The major engineering works for this scheme have now been completed, and the majority of the site is allocated for open space and parkland, including a riverside walk, a cycleway and an adventure play area to serve the whole of Bargoed. The proposed by-pass alignment also passes through the site, and the main plateau west of Commercial Street in Aberbargoed is allocated for residential use, formal recreational use and informal open space. Development of this site is constrained by the capacity of the Rhymney Valley Trunk Sewer and cannot take place until such time as improvement works are completed. This is currently estimated to be 2004 though parts of the system will be improved at an earlier date which could allow development sooner.
 
D1.14 Aberbargoed Tip
The reclamation of this Tip offers an opportunity to significantly improve the environment. Scheme design is still the subject of a study which will address a range of reclamation options from nominal regrading to removal of a significant proportion of the Tip. The latter could create the potential eventually to release land for housing, recreation, woodland planting and restoration to agriculture or open moorland. Development of this site is constrained by the capacity of the Rhymney Valley Trunk Sewer and cannot take place until such time as improvement works are completed. This is currently estimated to be 2004 though parts of the system will be improved at an earlier date which could allow development sooner.
 
D1.15 Navigation Colliery, Crumlin
Reclamation is required to the land within the area of the former colliery surface buildings, including works to a river culvert, and to land in the area north of those buildings. Given the heritage value of this site, no new buildings will be permitted unless they are sensitively designed and necessary to ensure the economically beneficial future of the listed buildings. Change of use of the existing buildings will be acceptable provided that alterations do not detract from the heritage character. Such conversions would include small-scale business use in classes B1 or B8, or facilities such as a Public House, a Restaurant, or Community Use. Depending on future land use, it may be necessary to investigate the scope for access improvements. The water supply system in the area of this reclamation proposal for Navigation Colliery at Crumlin has insufficient capacity. It will be necessary for the developer to requisition an off-site mains extension / improvement, to a point of adequate supply.
 
D1.16 Railway Land, Blackwood
The reclamation of the former railway land formed an integral part of the overall regeneration for Blackwood Town Centre. After-uses, determined by the "Blackwood Town Centre Action Plan", include retail development and improvements to rear servicing of High Street premises and to off-street car parking. These are now largely completed.
 
D1.17 South Celynen Colliery
This site is strategically located in the Ebbw Valley. The site is allocated partly for residential development; formal recreation areas having already been established. Access improvements may be necessary as part of further development.
 
D1.18 Penallta Colliery
It is proposed that the existing colliery surface buildings, which are listed, should be refurbished for residential use. A comprehensive redevelopment of the remainder of the area is proposed to include housing areas, a new primary school site, and playing fields. There will be a requirement to provide a suitable education site and open space areas within the housing allocations. The importance of the SINC designation must be recognised in any development proposals relating to the housing allocation.
 
D1.19 Victoria Road, Maesycwmmer
When reclaimed, this site will be released for infill residential development and permit appropriate road improvements at the junction of Victoria Road. Development of this site is constrained by the capacity of the Rhymney Valley Trunk Sewer and cannot take place until such time as improvement works are completed. This is currently estimated to be 2004 though parts of the system will be improved at an earlier date which could allow development sooner.
 
D1.20 Tredomen Offices
The Tredomen Industrial Estate accommodates a range of firms of various sizes. Part of the site required reclamation in order to retain the attractiveness to industrial investors, and the major engineering works for this scheme have now been completed.
 
D1.21 Ty Llwyd, Ynysddu
This is a continuing scheme to treat a contaminated waste tipping site at a former quarry which has been capped and grassed over. Farmland, which is at risk from leachate, has been acquired and a phased program of converting this surrounding land to woodland is underway.
 
D1.22 Llanbradach Ropeway Tip
This tip complex is in a prominent position, visible from as far away as Ystrad Mynach. However, there may be a case for retaining the tips because of their industrial heritage value. If a reclamation scheme were to proceed, care would need to be taken during treatment to minimise impact on the adjacent Mynydd Eglwsilan Common. In these circumstances the area would be returned to agriculture / moor-land.
 
D1.23 Bedwas Colliery And Tips
Part of the site is included within the settlement boundary because it represents a logical brownfield development opportunity and has been considered for mixed development use in the past. Therefore, a range of urban uses will be acceptable in principle subject to the satisfactory treatment of the contamination that is present on the site. Landscaping in this southern part of the site will be complemented by a woodland planting proposal further up the hillside. There are no formal development proposals for the extensive northernmost part of the site. The scheme boundary in this area is understood to enclose the maximum area required for treatment of the prominent tip.
 
D1.24 Craig-Yr-Hufen, Senghenydd
The Craig-yr-Hufen tip dominates the northern end of the Aber Valley and the mountain road from Senghenydd to Nelson. Available records indicate that the tip may contain deposits of contaminated waste and care will be needed during reclamation to minimise any damage to the local environment and the nearby Site of Importance for Nature Conservation. It is anticipated that once reclaimed, the landscape can be planted with native woodland in order to return the environment to its former natural state.
 
D1.25 Risca Tip
This is a prominent tip in the landscape, visible from both the Ebbw and Rhymney Valleys. Provided that a satisfactory treatment scheme can be achieved, the land would be returned to agriculture / moorland.
 
D1.26 Mill Road, Caerphilly
The responsibility for reclamation of this site will rest with the private sector. Reclamation will release approximately 2 ha. for residential development. It should be noted that, by reason of its previous use, this site may well be contaminated. Therefore, appropriate site investigations will be necessary to establish the extent, if any, of the problem and the best means of dealing with whatever is found. If residential development were proposed on the former allotments site alone, it would be within the consultation distance for the Notifiable Installation of British Gas, Transco and the presence of the installation should be taken into account.
 
D1.27 BR Sidings & All Metals, Caerphilly
It is proposed that this site should be developed for B1, B2 and B8 employment uses. A small portion of the site may be required along its westernmost margin for the construction of a new access road, under Policy T7(2), for the park and ride facility. Development of this site is constrained by the capacity of the Rhymney Valley Trunk Sewer and cannot take place until such time as improvement works are completed. This is currently estimated to be 2004 though parts of the system will be improved at an earlier date which could allow development sooner.
 
D1.28 Former Tar Plant, Caerphilly
The site has been considered for mixed uses in the past, and it continues to lie within the defined settlement boundary. Therefore, a range of urban uses might be acceptable in principle. However, the matters of access and extent of contamination treatment are yet to be resolved. The decisions taken will have a bearing on the type of development which would be acceptable, and afteruses cannot be specified until these matters are resolved. Development of this site is constrained by the capacity of the Rhymney Valley Trunk Sewer and cannot take place until such time as improvement works are completed. This is currently estimated to be 2004 though parts of the system will be improved at an earlier date which could allow development sooner.
 
 
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