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 heritage assets (under different ownership), a wealth of natural assets and a distinctive environment (from Neath Castle through to the Neath and Tennant Canals).

This combination creates strong potential for tourism development, which remains largely untapped, except for Waterfall Country on the south-westerly edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park. The recent completion of the A465 Heads of the Valleys Road, a £2bn, 20-year project linking Swansea and the Midlands, will generate jobs, prosperity, opportunities, and better connections in areas like the Vale of Neath.

Our work focused on developing a framework to re-ignite the Vale of Neath as a sustainable visitor destination by creating a range of visitor products and experiences at key heritage and cultural hubs. The aim is to increase tourism value by developing new experiences that encourage visitors to stay longer and spend more, while dispersing pressure on 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 drive-time profiles of a central point within the Vale of Neath.
• A detailed programme of consultation to identify themes and opportunities.
• Preparation of a vision and Development Framework for the Vale of Neath Heritage Corridor.
• Developing a strategic and site-by-site action plan.

The work provided strategic input to support a successful £17.7m bid to the Levelling Up Round 2 for the parliamentary constituency of Neath, focusing on using cultural investment to support the visitor economy and address the socio-economic problems facing the locality. This investment will refresh the offer at Gnoll Estate Country Park and, separately, 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