An ageing factory in Cwmbran, transformed into a worldwide centre of excellence for vehicle breaking systems, has won the 2015 RTPI Cymru Wales Planning Award.

Council planners working closely with the local workforce used the planning system to trigger regeneration of the factory site which has safeguarded 1,170 jobs, cleaned up contaminated land and improved the pedestrian links to the town centre and train station.

As a result of the planners’ intervention the factory owners, Meritor, decided to re-invest in manufacturing on the site as their principal research and development centre.

The company, recognised by the Welsh Government as an important anchor company, has since had strong orders for its products manufactured at the site.

Roisin Willmott, director of RTPI Cymru, said: "The regeneration of the Meritor factory site is an exceptional example of the positive impact planning can have on a community.

"Planners agreed an innovative and ground breaking Section 106 agreement with £7.5m bond to ensure the site was decontaminated but allowed the bond to be returned if the funding was used to re-invest in new automated production and R&D facilities. This agreement could be a model for other similar sites.”

Judges’ commented: “This project is an excellent example of proactive problem solving work by planners to tackle a difficult and challenging situation by engaging with site management and applicants to achieve a workable solution.”

RTPI Cymru represents the RTPI in Wales, with 1,100 members and works to deliver services relevant to the Welsh planning system and to work with Government and stakeholders to ensure a positive planning approach in Wales. The RTPI Cymru Wales Planning Awards are awarded every year to recognise planning excellence. The other finalists recognised were:

Highly commended in the awards were: Holyhead Townscape Transformation submitted by the Isle of Anglesey County Council, and The Pump House, Barry submitted by White Young Green (Cardiff office), The Vale of Glamorgan Council and DS properties. Commended were • Coppet Hall development, Pembrokeshire submitted by Acanthus Holden, and Plas Penddeuglawdd, Rhyl submitted by Denbighshire County Council. And an award for Excellence in Planning related survey and analysis went to Tree Cover in Wales’ Towns and Cities submitted by Natural Resources Wales.