New images have been released which show how the former Pontypridd Magistrates' Court building is being transformed into a new care facility.
Rhondda Cynon Taf (RCT) County Borough Council has recently provided an update as to how work is progressing at the new state of the art Cwrt yr Orsaf Extra Care development.
It's been confirmed the building’s roof and façade has been completed, and the development is on track to be complete later this year.
Cwrt yr Orsaf is being built on the former court site on Union Street in Graig via a joint scheme between the council and Linc Cymru (Linc).
The development will incorporate the following:
- 60 new apartments (56 one-bed and 4 two-beds)
- Dining and lounge areas
- Communal kitchen
- Hair salon
- A 31-space car park
- Communal landscaped gardens
- A day care unit
Extra Care helps older people live as active and independent lives as possible, with 24/7 on-site support available for residents’ assessed needs.
A £50m investment is being made to deliver 300 Extra Care beds in Rhondda Cynon Taf, which will include the current development of five brand new schemes.
Cwrt yr Orsaf will be the third Extra Care facility in Rhondda Cynon Taf after Ty Heulog in Talbot Green, and the brand new Maesyffynnon development in Aberaman, which opened last year.
In December 2020, Cabinet Members agreed to progress plans for a fourth development at the Dan-y-Mynydd Residential Care Home site in Porth, while future schemes are also planned for Treorchy and Mountain Ash.
Councillor Geraint Hopkins, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council Cabinet Member, said: “This update shows how progress continues to be made at Cwrt yr Orsaf, which will become Rhondda Cynon Taf’s third Extra Care facility later this year.
“We’ve seen at existing facilities in Talbot Green and Aberaman how Extra Care provides targeted, around-the-clock support for its residents in first class surroundings. Residents form communities in each building, while the setup and support offered also encourages integration within the local community."
“In December, following extensive consultation with members of the public, Cabinet agreed an amended option for the future of residential care services for older people in the county borough – which will see nine council-run care homes retained and further plans to comprehensively modernise each one.
“At the heart of the future provision is the development of five brand new Extra Care facilities, through an ongoing investment of £50m. This comprises of the Maesyffynnon and Cwrt yr Orsaf schemes, along with future plans in Porth, Mountain Ash and Treorchy. As part of Cabinet’s recent decision, it is now agreed that Porth’s facility will be at the Dan-y-Mynydd Care Home site, with detailed plans for this future development to be brought forward shortly.
“I’m looking forward to seeing further progress made at Cwrt yr Orsaf over the coming weeks and months, as the council and Linc work closely towards its delivery this year – and I also look forward to attending the development in the future, once the Covid-19 restrictions allow visits to safely take place.”
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It's hoped the Cwrt yr Orsaf development will be completed by summer 2021, even though there are challenges being faced by Linc’s contractor Jehu Project Services Ltd due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Bosses say work to the roof, brickwork and cladding has been going well. They are also optimistic about plastering work as well tiling in bathrooms and kitchens as well as installation of electrics and windows.
The next works on site expected to go ahead include installing lifts, finishing off the cladding and dismantling of a tower crane on site.
Linc Cymru CEO, Scott Sanders, added: “The partnership between Linc and RCT council is a fantastic example of how homes for older people can be created across many different communities. Cwrt yr Orsaf will revitalise the former Pontypridd Magistrates’ Court site, extending the availability of tailored accommodation-based care provision.
"We are proud that in a time that has proven difficult for all industries, alongside our building contractor Jehu, we are still on track for completion this year."
