Local development plans: Merthyr Tydfil

The overall plan

• The plan aims for the county's population to grow to about 64,000 by 2031, an increase of about 8%. Page 19
• The plan's overall vision is to strengthen Merthyr Tydfil's position as the regional centre for the Heads of the Valleys and to encourage sustainable population growth. Page 16
• Most new homes and other development, 70%, are planned for the Primary Growth Area, with the rest going to the Other Growth Area. Page 21
• The plan directs development mainly to Merthyr Tydfil itself, with a particular focus on the Hoover Strategic Regeneration Area at Abercanaid and Pentrebach. Page 19

Homes

• The plan says most new homes will be built in the main settlement of Merthyr Tydfil. Policy SW3, page 35
• The plan names the Glynmill site as the preferred location for new Gypsy, Traveller and Showpeople accommodation. Policy SW8, page 46

Jobs and the economy

• The plan allocates 30.65 hectares of land for employment, meaning land set aside for businesses to build offices, factories and warehouses, at four locations. Policy EcW1, page 78
• The plan says there is a shortage of industrial and warehouse units of all sizes, and local micro firms need units up to 250 square metres, while larger units of up to 5,000 square metres are needed for bigger company growth. Page 77
• The plan protects existing business and industrial parks, such as Goatmill Road and Cyfarthfa Industrial Estate, so that their land is kept for employment uses. Other uses are only allowed if the existing use is inappropriate or the land is surplus to the employment market. Policy EcW2, page 80
• The plan supports tourism, leisure and recreation development within settlement boundaries, particularly where it helps regenerate the town and local centres. Low-impact development outside boundaries is favoured only if a countryside location is fully justified. Policy EcW7, page 90

Town centres and shops

• The plan says Merthyr Tydfil town centre is the favoured location for new retail, leisure and other complementary development, ahead of the local centres. Policy EcW3, page 83
• The plan says that out-of-town retail proposals will only be allowed if there is a need that cannot be met in an existing town or local centre, and they would not harm the trade and vitality of those centres. Policy EcW6, page 88

Countryside, nature and heritage

• The plan says development that would harm designated historic assets will only be allowed if it can be shown to preserve or enhance their architectural quality, character and historic or cultural importance. Policy CW1, page 58
• The plan says proposals that would harm or lose open space, such as parks and play areas, will not be permitted unless specific conditions are met. Policy SW10, page 50
• The plan says developers must show what steps they have taken to avoid harming biodiversity, meaning the variety of wildlife and natural habitats, and what they will do to reduce any impact. Page 67

Climate, energy and flooding

• The plan identifies three Local Search Areas for large-scale solar energy, at Ffos-y-fran, north-east of Trelewis and south-west of Merthyr Vale, where proposals for solar energy will be permitted subject to the policy criteria. Policy EcW8, page 93
• The plan says that the redevelopment sites west of the River Taff are not identified for housing because hydraulic modelling has indicated that physical flood mitigation measures are likely to be required before acceptable proposals for residential development can come forward. Page 44

Transport

• The plan sets out a list of transport schemes, including new walking and cycling routes, a new central bus station, South Wales Metro improvements and a park and ride at Pentrebach station. Policy SW12, page 54
• The plan safeguards land for a new metro station at the northern end of the former Hoover factory site, and says the station is a potential future scheme. Policy SW12.4, page 180

The Welsh language

• The plan's objectives include protecting and enhancing the Welsh language and culture in the county. Policy LDP Objective 2, page 17
• The plan says it cannot directly decide how many of the new people moving in will speak Welsh. Page 21
• The plan does not mark out special areas for the Welsh language, because Welsh speakers are spread fairly evenly across the county. Page 21
• The plan aims to keep the number of Welsh speakers in the county at its current level, through a Welsh Language Promotional Strategy. Page 32

Where it stands

Sites put forward Reached in September 2026.

The authority has asked landowners and developers to put forward sites they want considered for building. These are called candidate sites. Being put forward doesn't mean a site will be included.

What happens next

Consulting on a preferred strategy, expected 2027

The stages of a new plan

1. 1. Reviewing the current plan
2. 2. Setting a timetable
3. 3. Sites put forward
4. 4. Preferred strategy
5. 5. Draft plan published
6. 6. Sent for examination
7. 7. Being examined
8. 8. Adopted