Consultation on 7 Bays Project -
Porthcawl Waterfront
Planning Guidance & Strategic Environmental Assessment

Introduction

This consultation is about the Planning Guidance produced for the 7 Bays - Porthcawl Waterfront project and its associated Strategic Environmental Assessment. The documents have been prepared to give potential developers of the site further detailed guidance on land use issues within the Waterfront Regeneration Area (Policy REG 3(2) contained within the Council's Unitary Development Plan (UDP). We would welcome your views on the consultation.

Summary of the Proposal

The full consultation document, the draft Planning Guidance is available to read here.

The Strategic Environmental Assessment Report is available to read here. Appendices documents available to read here.

In summary:

ν The draft Planning Guidance outlines proposals that will result in the comprehensive regeneration of Porthcawl`s Waterfront, stretching from Cosy Corner and the harbour in the south, to Trecco Bay in the east. Land in between includes Salt Lake Car Park, Hillsboro Place, the fair and the former Sandy Bay Caravan Park

ν The Regeneration of the waterfront will create a vibrant new area and ensure Porthcawl`s status as a premier seaside resort. The scheme will result in new waterfront housing, community facilities, a new retail store, extensive public open space, parking and leisure facilities, including new promenades at Sandy Bay and Eastern Promenade, improved facilities for the beach at Sand Bay and a comprehensive regeneration of the harbour area.

ν A key part of the plan is the construction of new sea defences, which will not only enable regeneration of the area to take place but also protect more than 440 existing properties from flood risk.

The proposals have been the subject of an independent environmental and sustainability assessment, and the Strategic Environmental Assessment report is also available for viewing here, from the start of the statutory consultation period (20 August 2007).

Consultation Methods

We want to ensure that we get your views on each of the documents before they are finalised and published.

You can read and comment on each of the Guidance documents online or you can access copies of the documents in the Planning Department, Civic Offices, Angel Street, Bridgend; at every library in the County Borough (including Porthcawl); and at Porthcawl Tourist Information Centre.

We are also holding a series of public exhibitions and public meetings which you are invited to attend, as follows:

You can also access information shown at the exhibitions here

How do you make your views known?

First, read the draft Planning Guidance and the Strategic Environmental Assessment and then complete the online consultation questionnaire

Alternatively, you can:

ν Print off, complete and post back a paper copy of the consultation questionnaire

ν Email your comments directly to planning@bridgend.gov.uk

ν Write directly to Mr Martin Hooker, Assistant Director - Planning Services, Civic Offices, Angel Street, Bridgend, CF31 4WB; or

ν Fax your comments to Mr Martin Hooker, on 01656 643190

ν You are welcome to respond in any way you wish, but if possible we would appreciate it if you were to complete the online form

Consultation Period

The wider consultation period is from Monday 13 August to Monday 1 October 2007. The statutory period in which comments may be made is from Monday 20 August until Monday 1 October 2007.

All views must be received by 4.30pm on Monday 1 October 2007. Unfortunately, any comments received after this deadline will not be accepted.

What are the Next Steps?

Once the consultation period has ended, each response / comment will be presented back to the Planning and Development Committee with a response from the Council and any proposed changes deemed appropriate in light of the comments.

The Planning Guidance will then be adopted by the Council and will become a material consideration in the determination of relevant planning applications. After adoption the guidance will be used to market the site to developers and submissions invited. These will be assessed on the basis of quality in the first instance. On the basis that the site will be marketed in phases it is anticipated that the first developer will be secured by April 2008.

Contact Details

For further information or if you have any queries, please contact

Nick Lloyd or Stuart Ingram
Planning Services
Civic Offices
Angel Street
Bridgend
CF31 4WB

Tel: (01656) 643162

email:planning@bridgend.gov.uk

13 August 2007