To:  Cllr. Joanne Gauden Executive Member Regeneration Cllr David Daniels Executive Member Adult Services and Housing, Cwmbran Futures Board:

We, the undersigned, call upon Torfaen County Borough Council, Bron Afon Community Housing, Cwmbran Futures Board, and Stakeholders to support the redevelopment of Fairwater Square into a safe, accessible, and vibrant community hub. This much-needed transformation will improve the area for residents, businesses, and visitors alike while addressing key community concerns.

Purpose of the Petition 

Fairwater Square has the potential to be a thriving centre for the local community, but currently, it faces issues such as antisocial behaviour, limited accessibility, and outdated infrastructure. We urge the local authority and partners to invest in the redevelopment of the site to create a space that meets modern housing, commercial, and community needs while fostering a sense of safety and inclusion.

Key Objectives of the Redevelopment:

1. Enhancing Safety and Aesthetics:

• Reduce antisocial behaviour by improving lighting, security, and overall environmental design.
• Upgrade public spaces with well-maintained landscaping, seating areas, and improved walkways. 

2. Improving Accessibility for All: 

• Ensure easy access for elderly and disabled residents by implementing smooth pathways, ramps, and safe crossings.
• Enhance public transport links and pedestrian-friendly routes

3. Developing Modern Housing While Retaining Essential Amenities:

• Introduce high-quality, affordable housing that caters to local demand.
• Preserve and upgrade essential amenities such as shops, pharmacies, and local services. 

4. Establishing a Community Hub:

• Create a multi-purpose community hub that can host local events, workshops, and support services.
• Provide spaces for youth activities, social gatherings, and cultural initiatives. 

5. Connecting Key Local Services: 

• Integrate the existing Health Centre, Veterinary Clinic, and Dentist into the redevelopment plan to ensure easy access for all residents.
• Facilitate improved coordination between local services to enhance community well-being. 

Local Councillors, residents and businesses believe that a well-planned redevelopment of Fairwater Square will create a welcoming and functional space that serves the needs of the entire South West Cwmbran Community. 
 
We urge Cwmbran Futures Board, Torfaen County Borough Council and Partners to take action now and prioritise the transformation of Fairwater Square for a safer, more accessible, and thriving future for the wellbeing of our Communities. 

This campaign has the full support of the following Councillors:

TORFAEN COUNTY BOROUGH COUNCIL
Cllr Rose Seabourne, Fairwater Ward
Cllr Jayne Watkins, Fairwater Ward
Cllr Mandy Owen, Greenmeadow Ward
Cllr Collette Thomas, Two Locks Ward

CWMBRAN COMMUNITY COUNCIL
Cllr Julian Davenne, Fairwater & Oaksford Ward
Cllr Phil Seabourne, Ty Canol Ward
Cllr Lyndon Chaney, Greenmeadow Ward
Cllr Rhiannon Bennett, Coed Eva Ward
Cllr Fey Jones, St Dials Ward
Cllr Kebba Manneh, St Dials Ward

HENLLYS COMMUNITY COUNCIL
Cllr Collette Thomas 
Cllr Brendan Roberts

For Context:

The 2016 Feasibility Study

In 2016, Torfaen Council and Bron Afon Commissioned a "Feasibility Appraisal" to assess the regeneration options for the Fairwater Square Shopping Precinct in Cwmbran.

The report concluded that the area had "outdated and decaying estate infrastructure" which "contributes to the impression of a neighbourhood that has entered a downward spiral of neglect and decline". The report considered a number of options for the area and proposed that the existing shopping centre should be demolished and replaced with alternative shops on Fairwater Way and Fairhill, with the existing shops then being replaced by badly needed housing. Due to budget constraints, this was never pursued.

Click here to download a redacted copy of the report, obtained from Torfaen Council by a Freedom of Information (FOI) Request.

Their preferred option for the site was as below:

Cwmbran Futures £20M Town Investment
Cwmbran Futures is a new regeneration plan to identify how the UK Government’s £20m Long-Term Plan for Towns grant for Cwmbran should be spent.

The funding will be released in stages over 10 years, starting in 2026, and will focus on:

• Regeneration, high streets and heritage
• Tackling anti-social behaviour, improving safety and security
• Improving connectivity - walking/cycling/transport

Click here for more information about Cwmbran Futures.

Our Ultimate Objective

We are campaigning for the Cwmbran Futures Board, Torfaen Council, Bron Afon and other partners to invest in the Fairwater Square site, to provide a badly needed new shopping centre, housing and community facilities.

Our campaign does not endorse the 2016 report as the only suggestion, as it would now need to be updated to meet modern needs and budgets, but it does give an indication of what has been proposed in the past and what could be achieved with the correct funding in place.

For further information, visit our Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/FairwaterSquare