Residents of Porthcawl were able to share their thoughts about how the town’s open spaces should be used. A discussion was held today on the 15th of March with another planned for the 23rd of March. The aim is to showcase potential options and designs for how the space could be developed. It’s expected to take at least three years for construction to get started.

Businesses and residents are being encouraged to visit the Pavillion to view exhibition boards, speak to regeneration staff and give their thoughts on the proposals. So far, there’s a clear focus on green spaces, with potential ideas ranging from quiet spaces, community gardens, green walking routes and outdoor gyms. One plan is to remove the current fair Coney Beach, and replace it with a travelling fair in the summer and Winter Wonderland during colder months.

The top 5 recurring ideas and priorities included sustainable development, a pump park/all-wheel activity park, recreation, leisure and sports uses, design for young people and the future and a safe and fun environment.

Danielle, a resident from Porthcawl said: “It’s a big improvement to what we’ve got at the moment, because at the moment it’s been left behind compared to Port Talbot, Swansea. I think it’s looking nice, Get rid of the fair now and then we’ll be laughing won’t we?”

Porthcawl’s Grand Pavilion is also getting a refurbishment due to an £18m funding boost, due to a successful bid submitted by Bridgend County Borough Council in partnership with Awen Cultural Trust to the UK Government’s Levelling Up programme.

Neil Chapman, a landscape architect working on the project said:  “With any major change and this is major change, there’s always a bit of sort of, what’s going on, how does it affect me, is it good for the town but I think the reaction has been generally very positive, very positive indeed, so that’s very encouraging.”

Speaking about the response to the scheme so far, children from local schools were involved from a very early stage, and one suggestion was for a Go Ape Adventure in the Monster Park, as well as a Pump Track. Councillor Neelo Farr, Cabinet Member for Regeneration said: “It’s important that we also had children involved with us, because they’re our future and it’s what matters to them first.”

The next session will take place at the Grand Pavilion between 9am to 5pm on Thursday 23 March. Comments can also be submitted over the course of the next 3 weeks via: https://beinvolvedbridgend.uk.engagementhq.com/porthcawl-free-space-ideas

The exhibition boards are available to view here: https://www.bridgend.gov.uk/media/ipqm1fk4/waterfront-public-consultation-boards-march-2023-english-low-res.pdf