Historic Ty Mawr restored into new homes for Pontardawe

Dating back to the 1800s, Ty Mawr is identified by Neath Port Talbot Council as a Building of Local Importance. It once formed part of the sprawling tinplate works owned by W. Gilbertson and Company, which at its peak provided employment for much of Pontardawe’s population and sustained families for generations.

Today, the rest of the site is occupied by Cwmtawe Comprehensive School, retail units and housing — leaving Ty Mawr as the sole surviving structure of the town’s industrial past.

Vacant since the late 2000s, and formerly used as an “Extra Care” facility, the building had fallen into disrepair. Now, thanks to housing association Pobl, working with T.A.D Builders Ltd. and supported by Welsh Government’s Social Housing Grant, the landmark has been carefully restored and extended.

New homes and sustainability

The project has created 12 modern, energy‑efficient apartments for social rent — six one‑bedroom and six two‑bedroom units. A new build element complements the refurbished two‑storey detached structure, with improved access from the highway and enhanced parking arrangements. Solar panels have been installed on the roof to boost sustainability.

Jo Brown, Project Manager for Pobl Group, said at the outset:

“This scheme is an excellent example of Pobl’s commitment to build general needs homes and bring existing buildings back into fruition. We look forward to working with T.A.D Builders Ltd, and all being well, working toward a completion date in Summer 2025.”

That completion has now been achieved, with residents beginning to move in.

Blending old and new

A spokesperson for Pobl said:

“Restoring such an old structure came with challenges — from insulating thick walls to retaining its unique character — but the result is a striking mix of old and new.

“We’re so pleased to welcome new residents to Ty Mawr and see this much‑loved building once again playing an important role in the heart of the community.”

Local heritage preserved

By regenerating Ty Mawr, Pobl say they have helped preserve the character of Pontardawe’s industrial past while addressing contemporary housing needs. The building’s legacy as part of the tinplate works endures — but now with a new role, providing homes and stability for today’s community.

#BuildingOfLocalImportance #construction #CwmtaweCommunitySchool #Pobl #Pontardawe #renovation #socialHousing #TADBuilders #tinplate #TyMawr #WGilbertsonAndCompany

“Shameful” answer from First Minister on replacement for demolished Swansea Valley school

School closed over landslide risk

Godre’r Graig Primary was shut in July 2019 after a geotechnical report identified a medium risk of landslide from a quarry spoil tip above the playground. Pupils were moved into portable classrooms near Cwmtawe Community School in Pontardawe, more than three miles away. The original building has since been demolished.

Neath Port Talbot Council has submitted an application to Welsh Government for funding to build a replacement school. But uncertainty over the bid, and how it is being assessed, has raised concerns among staff and parents about the school’s long‑term future.

Clash in the Senedd

Raising the issue in the Senedd on Tuesday (30 September), South Wales West MS Sioned Williams said correspondence seen by the school suggested the application was being treated as if it were for a brand‑new school, rather than a replacement forced by “the scars of our industrial legacy.”

In response, the First Minister said:

“Well, my understanding is that the Plaid council blocked the new school proposal, and that is something that you may want to reflect on.”

The remark referred to the previous Labour administration’s controversial “super school” plan, which would have merged Godre’r Graig with Alltwen and Llangiwg primaries on a new site at Parc Ynysderw, Pontardawe. That proposal was overturned by the council’s new rainbow coalition in 2022 following strong community opposition.

“Children deserved a better response”

Speaking afterwards, Ms Williams said:

“The children, staff and community of Godre’rgraig deserved a better response to their situation than that given by the First Minister today.

This building was closed through no fault of the school, its staff or its pupils but rather the scars of our industrial legacy – that are continuing to impact our children to this day.

It was shameful to see the First Minister play politics with the future of Godre’r Graig Primary School without even trying to answer my question about the need to recognise the exceptional circumstances that led to the school requiring a new building.”

She confirmed she will be writing to the First Minister to demand a “substantive response more befitting of her office.”

Related articles

• Swansea Valley super school plan rejected

  Neath Port Talbot Council scraps controversial proposal to merge three primaries into one new ‘super school’ at Pontardawe.

• Council to discuss multimillion-pound school building plans

  Cabinet members consider major investment in new and replacement schools across the borough.

• Decision day set for controversial Swansea Valley super school plans

  Key vote scheduled on whether to proceed with merging Alltwen, Godre’r Graig and Llangiwg primaries.

• Senedd Member calls for Pontardawe super school plan to be rejected

  Sioned Williams MS warns the proposals would damage community life and Welsh language provision.

• Council to review Swansea Valley super school decision made by previous administration

  New coalition leadership re-examines the controversial education project after local backlash.

• Plan for new super primary school in Swansea Valley recommended for council’s cabinet approval

  Officers recommend approval for a £22m single-site school at Parc Ynysderw, Pontardawe.

• Three Swansea Valley schools could be replaced with one new one under latest council plans

  Proposals outlined to merge Godre’r Graig, Alltwen and Llangiwg primaries into a single new build.

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Bus fares to four Swansea and Neath Port Talbot schools to increase after Easter

The bus company says the increases are necessary to maintain services, following “the UK Government decision to increase the National Living Wage above the rate of inflation and the increase in employer’s National Insurance contribution”.

From 28 April, after the Easter holidays, fares to Cefn Saeson school in Neath will be £2,20 for a single, £3.30 for a return and £14 for a weekly ticket.

Single fares to Bishopston Comprehensive school will also be raised to £2.20.

Children travelling to Cefn Hengoed will have to pay £1.70 for a single fare from 28 April.

Fares to Cwmtawe school will increase to £2.80 for a single journey, £3.80 for a return and £17.50 for a weekly ticket.

The increase comes just three weeks since both South Wales Transport and First Cymru announced fare increases for service buses across the region that took effect at the end of March.

(Lead image: South Wales Transport)

#BishopstonComprehensive #Bus #CefnHengoedComprehensive #CefnSaesonComprehensiveSchool #CwmtaweCommunitySchool #schoolBus #SouthWalesTransport