Neath Working Men’s Club

Apex Transport Planning provided transport planning and highways advice to support a full planning application for the redevelopment of the former Neath Working Men’s Club, located within Neath town centre.

The proposals comprised the demolition of the existing social club and its redevelopment to deliver 37 affordable apartments, with no on-site car parking provision, supported by a retained and reconfigured servicing and delivery area and high-quality cycle parking. The scheme forms part of the wider regeneration of Neath town centre, re using brownfield land to deliver new homes in a highly sustainable location.

The site is tightly constrained by its town centre setting, bounded by Wind Street and High Street, both of which experience high pedestrian activity and are subject to parking restrictions.

The key transport challenges were:

• Demonstrating that the site could operate successfully as a car free development, in accordance with national and local planning policy
• Accommodating an on-site servicing and delivery area within a restricted footprint, without compromising pedestrian safety or the operation of the surrounding highway network
• Using swept path analysis to inform and justify the design of the servicing bay and confirm that it could safely accommodate delivery and service vehicles
• Demonstrating that walking and cycling access to and from the site was safe, convenient and attractive, supporting sustainable travel choices for future residents

We prepared a comprehensive Transport Statement to support the planning application, addressing access, servicing, parking strategy and sustainable connectivity.

A detailed assessment of the site’s location and context demonstrated that it benefits from excellent accessibility by walking, cycling and public transport, with Neath bus and rail stations located within a short walk and a wide range of facilities and services accessible on foot. This formed a key part of the justification for a car free residential scheme, consistent with Planning Policy Wales and Future Wales objectives to reduce reliance on the private car and support low car development in sustainable locations. The assessment demonstrated that the proposals would not lead to illegal or inconsiderate parking arising from overspill demand.

Secure and covered cycle parking was proposed at a level well in excess of local standards, further reinforcing the car free approach.

In relation to servicing arrangements, we advised on the retention and modification of the existing delivery and servicing bay accessed from High Street, ensuring that it could continue to operate safely and efficiently. Swept path analysis was undertaken for a range of service vehicles, including rigid box vans and large panel vans, to demonstrate that vehicles could enter, manoeuvre within and exit the site safely in forward gear. This analysis directly informed the layout and dimensions of the servicing bay and provided assurance to the highway authority that servicing could be accommodated safely.

Refuse collection arrangements were also carefully considered, demonstrating that on street collection from High Street would remain appropriate and compliant with Building Regulations, with acceptable collection distances from the vehicle to the storage area.

We responded to concerns raised at pre-application stage by the highway authority, particularly in relation to servicing, parking strategy and active travel provision, refining the proposals and supporting evidence as required.

The transport evidence assisted the site to successfully receive planning permission in 2023.

The approved scheme delivers new affordable homes in the heart of Neath town centre, supported by a robust and carefully designed servicing arrangement, safe and attractive walking and cycling access, and a transport strategy fully aligned with national transport policy.