EARLY stage proposals for one of Neath Port Talbot’s most popular tourist destinations have continued this month with a period of “pre-application consultation” now taking place.
The proposals which could see a multi-million pound investment for new facilities and infrastructure at Waterfall Country near Pontneddfechan are being looked at in order to “ease visitor pressures in the area”.
They could eventually see a number of new developments based in the village with a scheme supported by a successful funding application to the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund.
If approved by Neath Port Talbot Council’s planning department they would include a new retail shop with welfare facilities and tourist accommodation, along with associated infrastructure works.
They would also include a permanent parking solution for the area, which has been known to have issues with traffic in the past, with lines of cars often seen dominating the local roads during the busy summer months.
The Waterfall Country in Neath Port Talbot is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the borough, known for its stunning waterfalls, scenery and countryside, which draw in about 160,000 visitors each year for walking, hiking, climbing and canoeing.
The latest stages of the plans will now come as Asbri Planning Ltd have begun a pre-application consultation, required before a full planning application can be submitted. It follows a seperate consultation carried out by the local authority which ended in 2023.
A report read: “Asbri Planning Ltd has been commissioned by the head of property and regeneration for Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council to undertake pre-application consultation in respect of the full planning application for proposed development of Waterfall Country Pontneddfechan Visitor Infrastructure Scheme to include retail shop, welfare facilities, tourist accommodation, ancillary plant room, car parking facilities with associated infrastructure works.”
It added that anyone who would like to make representations regarding the proposed development must do so by August 8, 2024 via the Asbri Planning Ltd website.
