Masterplan moves from paper to projects
Plans to remake Bridgend town centre are stepping up, with councillors told a string of schemes are either complete, close to finishing or well into development. An update to the Communities, Environment and Housing Committee set out how the Bridgend Town Centre Masterplan, finalised in 2021 as a 10‑year programme, is now delivering bricks-and-mortar change across the heart of the town.
“The committee heard how the Bridgend Town Centre Masterplan was finalised in 2021 as a 10 year strategy for developing a more vibrant, attractive and sustainable town centre.”
The masterplan aims to bring more people to live in the centre, improve the look and feel of public spaces, back local businesses, and strengthen walking, cycling and public transport links, all while celebrating the town’s identity and heritage. That broad brief has begun to translate into projects locals can see on the ground.
Flagship builds nearing the finish line
A centrepiece of the programme is the all‑new £60m Bridgend College campus at Cheapside, which is expected to open early next year. Nearby, Wyndham House is being overhauled in a £1.7m redevelopment by Valleys To Coast, including new ground‑floor space geared to additional shops and kiosks that could bolster daytime trade.
Health and wellbeing provision is also in focus. The £20m Sunnyside Wellness Village is nearing completion, adding a fresh anchor for local services and footfall at the southern edge of the centre. And following the council’s purchase of the 2.27‑acre Rhiw Shopping Centre site, officials say they are taking a fresh look at how that pivotal plot fits into the wider regeneration picture.
| Project | Location | Status/Detail | Value/Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgend College campus | Cheapside | Expected to open early next year | £60m |
| Wyndham House redevelopment | Town centre | Ground floor shops and kiosks | £1.7m |
| Sunnyside Wellness Village | Sunnyside | Nearing completion | £20m |
| Rhiw Shopping Centre site | Town centre | Acquired by council for revised plans | 2.27 acres |
Streets, station and the evening economy
Beyond bricks and budgets, the update touched on how people move through the centre and what draws them in. An 18‑month experimental traffic regulation order has been in place since April and will continue while town centre traffic surveys are carried out. In parallel, more work is under way on options to redevelop Bridgend Railway Station, including creating a new entrance and better links into the heart of town.
Cultural and leisure hooks are being used to keep people lingering into the evening. A new town heritage trail, developed with Bridgend Library and Bridgend Town Council, signposts stories and landmarks, while the council says it is working to support the evening economy and build on Bridgend’s growing reputation for high‑quality restaurants.
Public realm and greener streets
On day‑to‑day details that shape the experience of the centre, the council reports improved green infrastructure with new and upgraded planters, shrubs and trees introduced at a number of locations. These changes, while modest in cost compared with the major builds, are designed to lift the look of streets, encourage more walking and make outdoor areas more welcoming throughout the year.
- Masterplan goals include more town‑centre homes, improved public spaces and stronger active travel links.
- Key schemes: new college campus, wellness village, Wyndham House retail space, and the Rhiw site rethink.
- Transport: 18‑month experimental traffic order in force; station access improvements being explored.
What it means for residents and traders
For residents, the combined effect of new education, health and retail spaces alongside greener streets points to a centre that is easier to use and more pleasant to spend time in. For traders, footfall from a large college population and an expanded evening offer could prove significant, particularly as ground‑floor space like that at Wyndham House comes online. The pending decisions around the Rhiw site and the station entrance will be watched closely, given their potential to reshape key gateways into town.
All of this sits within the 10‑year masterplan agreed in 2021. As each element moves forward, the test will be whether the changes make the centre feel more joined‑up — linking learning, health, shopping and leisure — and whether the altered traffic patterns and future rail access make it simpler to get in and out without a car. With several big builds approaching their milestones, the coming year will show how these pieces fit together for Bridgend.
