Latest News:
To apply for a Townscape Heritage Iniative Grant for Pontmorlais
Heritage Quarter, please download and complete the
Expression of Interest Form.
There are more documents to assist you with the
application in Resources page. For more information on the
THI please contact Russell Shurmer on (01685) 724914 or Russell.Shurmer@merthyr.gov.uk
The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has given the final go-ahead for
£1.58m towards the buildings in the Pontmorlais quarter of the
town.
The HLF said the money would help "revitalise this once thriving
town".
The Merthyr project involves 15 buildings, including the Morlais
Castle Inn, as part of the local council's townscape heritage
initiative.Jennifer Stewart, head of HLF in Wales, said: "The money
will help fund essential improvements and repairs to encourage
local businesses and visitors back into the area."
Marlies Pires, owner of the Imperial Hotel and the Morlais
Castle Inn - one of the buildings hoping to benefit from funding -
said: "Pontmorlais is in a desperate need of regeneration so we are
over the moon with the news that this scheme is set to go
ahead.
"In the current economic climate it would be impossible for us
and other small businesses to carry out the work needed.
Other News
An Article 4 from MTCBC Planning Department is currently under
consultation. This will enable the Council to have a greater
control on alterations to buildings within the THI area. For more
information on this please contact the Conservation, Heritage and
Design Officer on (01685) 726268.
Background
Pontmorlais, lying within Merthyr Tydfil's town centre has a
rich built heritage which bears testimony to the town's past
industrial wealth. However several of the buildings
in Pontmorlais High Street has suffered from neglect and
unsympathetic alterations.
The High Street area created between 1770 and 1820 has many
grand historical buildings which reflect the town's past prosperity
such as the old Town Hall and the now disused YMCA building. This
investment from HLF will go towards reversing the decline of these
buildings and finding new uses for them which will benefit local
people, with the aim of attracting new investors and visitors.
One of the buildings within the conservation area is Soar Chapel
which was awarded a grant of £527,000 in 2009 to adapt the Grade II
listed building into a venue for performing arts and community
activities. Lis McLean, Canolfan a Menter Gymraeg Merthyr Tudful
said: "This is great news for Merthyr Tudful! One of
our hopes during the development of the Soar Project was that it
would kick start the regeneration of the Pontmorlais area.
This is an area that is in dire need of investment. The
THI will enable other organisations, businesses and residents to
improve their buildings in a cohesive and sympathetic way.
The initiative will enhance the Soar Project and could potentially
result in its future expansion."
Merthyr Tydfil Council's proposed links with Merthyr Tydfil
College will also provide conservation skills training to students,
local businesses and residents to improve the local base of skills
in the area and ensure long term upkeep of the built heritage.
For more information on the Heritage Lottery Fund's Townscape
Heritage Initiative please visit their website