Council backs plan for £150m rail centre of excellence in Dulais Valley walesonline.co.uk - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from walesonline.co.uk Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
In total it is estimated that the project would cost £150 million. At a meeting of the Independent/Conservative cabinet on Tuesday, May 25, an item on Treasury Management for the last financial quarter of 2020/21 revealed that £33 million had been handed over to PCC from the Welsh Government in March. A further £10 million will be received in this financial year and £7 million next year. If the project does not go ahead, the money would be paid back to the Welsh Government. Finance portfolio holder Cllr Aled Davies said: “A special bank account had to be set up to deal with that. “In time an investment company will be formed, and the money loaned to it.
Powys county councillor for Cwm Tawe Uchaf, Cllr David Thomas (Labour), said: “I’d firstly like to say that I welcome the proposed investment in this project and the future ‘re-energising’ of the local economy that it offers. “However, I am aware of concerns held by the residents impacted by these proposals which I would request the planning committee examine further to satisfy themselves that any adverse impact on these communities can be mitigated.” Cllr Thomas also wants to see a liaison body be created in the future. This would allow representatives from GCRE and “nominated local representatives” to discuss and share information on the project with each other.
By Elgan Hearn, Local Democracy Reporter
A site masterplan shows how the GCRE will take shape. PROPOSALS for a £150 million rail testing centre near Ystradgynlais have been called in to be decided by Powys County Council’s (PCC) planning committee. An outline planning application by the Welsh Government to build a Global Centre of Rail Excellence (GCRE) at the Nant Helen opencast coal mine, was lodged with both Powys and Neath Port Talbot Borough Council at the end of March. If successful the project is expected to be fully operational by 2025, bringing a possible 300 jobs to the area. But concerns about the proposal have been aired in the area.
Nant Helen drift coal mine near Ystradgynlais. PROPOSALS for a £150 million rail testing centre near Ystradgynlais have been called in to be decided by Powys County Council’s (PCC) planning committee. An outline planning application by the Welsh Government to build a Global Centre of Rail Excellence (GCRE) at the Nant Helen opencast coal mine, was lodged with both Powys and Neath Port Talbot Borough Council at the end of March. If successful the project is expected to be fully operational by 2025, bringing a possible 300 jobs to the area. But concerns about the proposal have been aired in the area.