St Modwen Signs Coed Darcy Contract

St Modwen Developments Ltd, the UK’s leading regeneration company, has formally signed contracts to transform the former oil refinery at Llandarcy in South Wales into the Coed Darcy Urban Village, the first of its kind in Wales.

St Modwen was named last May by the Partners responsible for the Coed Darcy redevelopment as the preferred bidder for the whole 1062 acre (430 hectare) site adjacent to Junction 43 of the M4 near Neath. This clears the way for the Partners (BP, the Welsh Assembly Government; Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council and the Prince’s Foundation for the Built Environment), to hand over the task of delivering the Coed Darcy vision to St Modwen.

An estimated 4000 homes are planned for the whole site over the anticipated 20 year development period. Over half of those homes are expected to be built during the next ten years, meeting the needs of the Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council Unitary Development Plan and fulfilling the urban village design vision of The Prince’s Foundation. Remediation work on Area One has progressed alongside the contract negotiations with St Modwen and the first of 195 housing units, will commence later this year.

A spokesperson for BP said the signing of the contract was a very significant milestone. “St Modwen is a company with vast expertise in transforming brownfield land. Its skill and clear and total commitment to this exciting project gives the partners confidence that the vision outlined in the Masterplan of a true urban village community, will be realised.”

Rupert Joseland, St Modwen’s South West and Wales Regional Director said Coed Darcy was one of the most extensive and significant remediation projects in Europe: “ St Modwen is committed to ensuring this development becomes a blueprint for best practice and a case study of excellence. “

“The signing of this agreement is excellent news for Coed Darcy and Neath Port Talbot,” said Leader of Neath Port Talbot Council, Derek Vaughan.

“This is a landmark project that will become a beacon of 21st century sustainable living. It will bring huge benefit for residents and businesses in Neath Port Talbot. New high quality housing, jobs, schools and community facilities will transform a former brown field site into a vibrant urban village.”

Hank Dittmar, Chief Executive of The Prince’s Foundation comments: “Coed Darcy is a vitally important design exemplar for sustainable building in Wales, in the face of increasing environmental concerns. The Prince’s Foundation has sought a design that provides conditions for lasting economic, social and environmental well-being. For example we wanted to help people use their cars less, and did this by providing a vibrant mix of amenities within a short walk and ensuring that surrounding communities can be reached easily by public transport. We’ve also emphasised beautiful, high quality building which draws upon local materials and craftsmanship. Not only will this provide employment throughout the project build, but it will result in a distinctive, characterful place that people will want to care for, live and work in long into the future.”

Leighton Andrews, Welsh Assembly Government Deputy Minister for Regeneration, described it as a huge step forward in securing delivery of the exemplar Coed Darcy urban village.

“We have worked for a number of years with our partners to facilitate this important and prestigious mixed use development. Coed Darcy will offer a sustainable environment where communities and businesses will be able to flourish.”

The key emphasis of the development will be on producing both a sustainable development and a sustainable community. The Masterplan commissioned by the Partners has been the base line for the contract with St Modwen and sets out a well crafted network of inter-connected streets based on the Prince’s Foundation approach to traditional urbanism. The plan lays down a radical approach to the entire development with quality of design, materials and building techniques being given top priority. The Masterplan is supported with a design code which will be a key tool in delivering the design detail and ensuring the character and sense of place, so central to the vision, is achieved.

The development will offer a range of residential dwellings and some units are planned to incorporate space and facilities for workshops or small businesses. Community shopping, healthcare and schools will be catered for and the aim will be to create a true mixed use community where the focus is on people rather than cars whilst at the same time incorporating the practical needs of transport. There will be facilities there for residents to live, play, work and go to school in a community which echoes the human contact found in traditional communities.

One of the key benefits for the local community of the agreement with St Modwen will be the commitment by the company to contribute some £100 million pounds as part of the planning section 106 agreement towards a range of community developments. They will include three primary and one secondary school, affordable housing, playing fields, community facilities and a doctors’ surgery.

For further media information, please contact:
Paul Shackson / Elfyn Thomas
Good Relations
T 029 20344888

Rupert Joseland
St. Modwen Developments Ltd
T 0117 3167780

Gareth David
College Hill
T 020 7457 2020