A PORTHCAWL action group have said they want to see a more “leisure-led” development taken forward as part of major plans to regenerate the seafront area of the town in the coming years.
Earlier this month, residents held a peaceful protest outside the Bridgend County Borough Council (BCBC) offices over the plans they fear could risk “fundamentally changing the character, identity, and future” of the town.
It came after proposals were submitted by the council for large-scale works to the area that could see the creation of up to 980 new homes on Porthcawl’s waterfront, along with the development of a new spine road, green spaces and a Lido swimming pool.
Porthcawl SOS action group
Following the protest, a statement from local group Porthcawl SOS said: “For nearly 20 years, residents have anticipated a leisure-led regeneration of the waterfront – one that enhances tourism, supports local businesses, and celebrates Porthcawl’s unique coastal heritage.
“Instead, the proposed scheme threatens to overwhelm the waterfront with large-scale residential development more suited to urban expansion than seaside renewal.
“Despite ongoing public concern, both the BCBC and Porthcawl Town Council have failed to adequately address the key issues consistently raised by residents.
“Although minor adjustments have been made, these changes do not alter the fundamental nature of the project, which remains predominantly housing-focused.”
They added: “Porthcawl SOS supports thoughtful and balanced regeneration. However, any development must respect the views of residents and preserve the spirit, heritage, and environmental beauty of the town.
“Porthcawl sits within one of the most beautiful stretches of the South Wales Heritage Coast. We ask a simple question: why risk overwhelming this treasured waterfront with excessive urban development rather than creating a vibrant, leisure-focused destination worthy of its setting?”
A spokesperson for BCBC responded by saying they had carried out a number of consultation events over the proposals in recent years, noting that changes had been made to reflect local feedback.
They said: “We want Porthcawl to evolve, not stagnate and stand still. The regeneration masterplan demonstrates our hopes, aspirations and ambitions for the town, and has been carefully designed to strike a balance between providing new leisure facilities, green open spaces and urgent housing and community needs.
“Bridgend county borough is not immune to the UK housing crisis. By 2033, our local population is expected to increase by 13,700 people, so unless we provide more housing, not everyone is going to have a home, especially in Porthcawl where many people are already finding themselves priced out of buying property in the town they grew up in.
“Throughout all of this, public engagement has remained a cornerstone of the regeneration process. We have fully listened to the views and concerns of local residents and have incorporated as many ideas and suggestions as possible.
“In the last five years alone, we have held no fewer than 10 substantial consultation events on each phase of the regeneration proposals, with the most recent full-day engagement event drawing attendance and interest from almost a thousand residents and local businesses.
“As a direct result of resident feedback, we have reduced the amount of housing, increased the amount of day-to-day parking to 750 spaces, increased the variety of leisure facilities, lowered the vast majority of building heights down to 3-4 storeys, increased green open space by 45 per cent, and have introduced more than 1,800 metres of new paths and routes throughout the landscaped development area which will be suitable for pedestrians and cyclists.
“On this basis, we have ensured that the regeneration masterplan reflects the views and needs of residents while also remaining realistic, achievable, and capable of delivering a long-term sustainable future for Porthcawl.”
The group’s next peaceful protest over the Porthcawl regeneration plan is now set to be held at Trinity Church on Friday, 22nd May.
It comes after the closure of the town’s iconic Coney Beach Pleasure Park in 2025, and the more recent announcement that the Coney beach donkey rides have been banned.
By Lewis Smith, Local Democracy Reporter
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