Vale of Neath Strategic Framework: Vale of Neath Heritage Corridor
Client: Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council
Planning Solutions Consulting Limited (PSC) was appointed by Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council to develop a Heritage Destination Development Framework and Action Plan for the Vale of Neath. The area has a number of exceptional of heritage assets (under different ownership), a wealth of natural assets and a distinctive environment (from Neath Castle through to the Neath and Tennant Canals – please map below).
This combination results in a high potential for tourism development, which is largely untapped, except for Waterfall Country to the south westerly edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park. Recent completion of the A465 Heads of the Valleys Road a £2bn, 20-year project that links Swansea and the Midlands will generate jobs, prosperity, opportunities and better connections in areas like the Vale of Neath.
The focus of our work was to set out a development framework to re-ignite the Vale of Neath as a sustainable visitor destination through developing at range of visitor products and experiences at key heritage and cultural hubs. The aim is to increase the value of tourism through developing new experiences to encourage visitors to stay longer and spend more money whilst at the same time dispersing pressures on the existing infrastructure at hotspot sites. Our work included: A review of the background context in respect of the volume and value of tourism in the Vale of Neath and a granular assessment of the heritage assets; an analysis of the marketplace in terms of the profile of residents living within the 0 to 30, 31 to 60 and 61 to 120-minute drivetime profiles of a central point within the Vale of Neath; a detailed programme of consultation to identify themes and opportunities; the preparation of a vision and Development Framework for the Vale of Neath Heritage Corridor, and a detailed strategic and site-by-site action plan.
The work provided the strategic input to support a successful £17.7m bid to the Levelling Up Round 2 for the parliamentary constituency of Neath, with a focus on using cultural investment to support the visitor economy and address the socio-economic problems facing the locality. This investment is being used to refresh the offer at Gnoll Estate Country Park and separately to create a gateway visitor and community hub in the north of the county borough.
How can we help?
If have any questions about preparing a strategic destination development plan please don’t hesitate to call Richard Linington on 07866 742628 or email richard@pslplan.co.uk