The Project

We provided support plans for Wales’ first ever Wellness Village. This is a development consisting of 59 affordable homes and a medical centre; including six supported homes for people with physical and learning disabilities, and ten flats to help those leaving care or supported accommodation. On land previously occupied by council offices and a magistrates court, the build was a partnership between Linc Cymru Housing Association, the Cwm Taf Morgannwg Health Board and Bridgend Council.

The Problem

Our transport and highways expertise fed into the master planning process, reconciling the sometimes conflicting requirements of the various stakeholders. We were also called on to prepare a comprehensive Transport Assessment and Travel Plan, to support a detailed planning application that could be approved swiftly and meet with pressing national funding deadlines.

The development had to accommodate a resident community with special needs and a medical centre to allow for the merger of four local GP surgeries. Traffic calculations had to include not only parking, refuse collections and deliveries for both, but also ambulance access.

It was clear that transport planning for vulnerable or visually impaired residents called for an innovative approach. However, a level-surface design without kerbs – shared by pedestrians and cars – raised safety concerns about demarcation. The streetscape needed to be:

• Adapted to a Wellness Village and the vulnerable people living there.
• Compliant with Local Highway Authority specifications.
• Acceptable for adoption by the council, limiting the client’s liability for ongoing maintenance.

In addition, nearby residents were concerned about extra traffic around the medical centre. The council deemed the proposed parking insufficient and there were concerns about unauthorised use of the car park by town centre shoppers.

Conclusion

These non-standard solutions and materials required extensive negotiation between all parties. And while some talks were protracted, our evidence-led modelling and collaborative approach helped unite all parties, and deliver a successful, sustainable and cost-effective outcome. Planning was approved and funding secured on time, with building beginning in October 2020.