Celebrated with a small socially-distanced handover event on Monday 19 October, Willmott Dixon’s team in Wales have completed the £38m Llys Cadwyn in the centre of Pontypridd for Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council.

Forming a key pillar of Pontypridd’s regeneration, the development features two new office blocks - with one already designated for Transport for Wales, a striking gateway building incorporating a 21st century library, a new leisure and fitness centre, a council customer contact point as well as a café.

Supporting the local economy has been at the heart of the development and the site team have embraced Government covid-19 safe working guidance to continue delivering this vital project. During the build, over 240 local people have been supported through employment and training opportunities and over 40% of the project’s spend happened within 20 miles of the site.

Councillor Robert Bevan, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Enterprise, Development and Housing, said:

“I’m delighted Llys Cadwyn has officially been delivered, with all construction works now complete and the third and final building handed over to the Council by contractor Willmott Dixon. The keys to 3 Llys Cadwyn have now been given to Transport for Wales, with the South Wales Metro operator establishing its new home in Pontypridd Town Centre from next month.

“Llys Cadwyn is at the heart of Pontypridd’s regeneration – bringing hundreds of jobs to the town, increasing footfall for existing businesses and breathing new life into a large strategic site that lay derelict for so long. It will be followed by the ongoing multi-million pound projects to revitalise the Pontypridd YMCA, the Muni Arts Centre and the former Bingo Hall, while nearby Ynysangharad War Memorial Park is already home to the National Lido of Wales, Lido Ponty.

“It has been an incredibly-difficult year for Pontypridd, with the terrible flooding from Storm Dennis followed by the Coronavirus emergency. But the delivery of Llys Cadwyn represents the start of a bright future for the town, bringing increased footfall and a boost to existing businesses and our Shop Local philosophy – particularly when the circumstances relating to COVID-19 allow.

“I would like to thank the Willmott Dixon for its partnership in delivering Llys Cadwyn for Pontypridd. Its contribution to the town goes far further than just the three buildings – including invaluable work with local groups and schools, and the numerous job and training opportunities it has offered the community. The company is also donating staff time and resources to renovate the bowls pavilion at Ynysangharad Park, which was damaged by flooding in February.”

Richard Jones, Willmott Dixon Director, said:

“We are very pleased to hand over the final building at Llys Cadwyn. It has been a pleasure working with Rhondda Cynon Taf Council to deliver the three landmark buildings in the centre of Pontypridd; it is clear that Llys Cadwyn will play an important role in Pontypridd’s future prosperity. Throughout the project, we made sure that our activity had the greatest impact on the local economy. As a direct result of the project, over 240 local people have been supported through employment and training opportunities and we ensured that our procurement targeted local small and medium enterprises.

“I would like to thank everyone involved in the project, for their hard work and commitment, in particular our committed and dedicated supply chain partners. It has been a partnership with the Council and people of Pontypridd to deliver Llys Cadwyn and we hope that the local community and Transport for Wales enjoy their new facilities.”

The delivery of Llys Cadwyn is the latest in a host of projects that Willmott Dixon are delivering to transform town centres and kickstart local economies through regeneration. In Bristol Willmott Dixon are breathing new life into the Bristol’s iconic Bristol Beacon music centre, whereas in Stockton-on-Tees, Willmott Dixon are transforming the iconic art deco Globe Theatre, which once complete is anticipated to bring over £18m into the local economy each year.