Hammerson's plans to extend Cyfarthfa Retail Park approved (UK)


Hammerson’s planning application to extend Cyfarthfa Retail Park and bring Marks & Spencer to Merthyr Tydfil has been approved by Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council.


Councilors voted unanimously to support the extension which represents an investment of up to £30 million (approx. €35 million) in Merthyr Tydfil.


The approved proposals include a 4,645 m² (50,000 ft²) full-line Marks & Spencer store offering clothing, homeware and food on the main park, along with five further stores for new retailers. The existing B&Q store will be relocated to the former Thorn Electrical site on the other side of the Swansea Road, along with two additional new retail stores.


Russell Beresford, Development Manager at Hammerson, commented: “This is great news for the retail park and for Merthyr Tydfil as a whole. The £30 million investment provides a real boost to the town’s offer, and much needed employment opportunities with hundreds of new jobs. We share the Council’s ambition to make Merthyr Tydfil the premier shopping destination in the Heads of the Valleys; bringing in Marks & Spencer and extending the retail park will add to the overall draw of the town and act as a catalyst for further investment.


“We have been extremely pleased throughout the project with how much support we have received and look forward to contributing further to Merthyr Tydfil’s growing role as a premier retail destination.”


As part of the overall investment, the scheme will also deliver up to 230 full-time equivalent jobs in the park as well as approximately 200 jobs during the construction phase. Improvements will be made to the car parks and access roads as well as to both the A470 junction and the Swansea Road roundabout. In addition, a heritage trail will be provided, linking to the Taff Trail, which will improve the setting and appreciation of the Cyfarthfa Iron Works.


Following approval, work is due to start on the 14,500 m² extension later this year with the aim for the new stores on the Thorn site, including the new B&Q, trading early in 2014. The new stores on the main park will be ready by Christmas 2014.


Source: Hammerson

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