EditorPORT TALBOT: Residents demand urgent upgrade to Coed Hirwaun’s only play park as petition tops 210 signatures
Residents in Coed Hirwaun are calling for urgent improvements to the area’s only children’s play park, saying the ageing facility is no longer safe or fit for purpose.
Coed Hirwaun — the modern estate near Margam Park sometimes called Margam Village — has around 500 homes and has grown steadily since Persimmon Homes first developed it following a planning permission granted in 1996. The area has its own primary school, a convenience store and playing fields.
But residents say the community’s one play area has not kept pace with the growth of the estate — and children are now using equipment that parents describe as both unsafe and too small for the number of children using it.
The frustration runs deeper than just a tired swing set. When the estate was originally granted planning permission, it was envisaged that a wider range of facilities would follow — including shops, a doctor’s surgery, offices and a community hall. Most of those facilities were never built. A community hall was set aside in a later planning permission granted in 2008, but was never developed either.
Now Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council is planning to add up to 900 more homes to the Coed Hirwaun site as part of its new development plan, earmarking it as a strategic site linked to the Celtic Freeport and the transition of the Tata steelworks. Residents say that makes the current state of the play park even harder to accept.
An online petition has gathered more than 210 signatures, and community posts on Facebook have attracted over 130 likes and more than 100 comments.
One resident said: “The park is the only one we have, but it’s just not big enough or safe enough for the number of children using it. It feels like our community has been overlooked.”
Another added: “We’re not asking for anything excessive — just something safe and suitable for the children who live here.”
The complaint draws on previous statements from Cllr Simon Knoyle — the independent councillor for Glynneath Central and East who serves as the council’s Cabinet Member for Finance, Performance and Social Justice — who has said that “playgrounds are essential community resources” and that improvements would “make sure families have safe, modern places for children to play.” Residents want to know why that commitment has not been applied to Coed Hirwaun, which falls in the Margam and Tai-bach ward.
The community says it is willing to work constructively with the council to find a solution and explore funding opportunities, but feels the matter needs urgent attention.
A Neath Port Talbot Council spokesperson said: “We can confirm Coed Hirwaun Park remains safe for public use. We recognise that Coed Hirwaun Park is an ageing play space and may not offer the same level of play value as newly refurbished sites, but it is important to reassure residents that there are no current safety concerns. An annual inspection was carried out in February by an independent external contractor, which the playground passed. In addition, the Council undertakes weekly inspections carried out by a trained and qualified member of staff.
“Any minor defects or issues identified through inspections are addressed promptly as part of our ongoing maintenance programme. Recent works have included the replacement of litter bins and general maintenance such as swing chain repairs, ensuring the site continues to be safe and usable for the community. No major safety concerns have been raised during recent external or internal inspections.
“Neath Port Talbot Council has allocated funding for playground improvements on a safety‑led, risk‑based approach, focusing on sites identified as being at end of life or presenting higher safety risks. While Coed Hirwaun is not currently included in the funded refurbishment programme, the Council is actively exploring potential funding opportunities to support improvements across all council‑owned play facilities.
“Should additional funding be secured for further sites, including Coed Hirwaun, this will be clearly communicated to local residents.”
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Ducky Fella