£40m town centre revamp planned

The former civic centre is set to be demolished by the end of the year

A £40m retail and leisure development is being planned for Neath that will see the old civic centre demolished.

Developers are being invited to submit proposals for shops, restaurants, bars and a new library and heritage centre.

The council said some of the UK's major retailers want to move to the town but it lacks suitable accommodation.

It said the revamp would attract a new generation of shoppers and protect the town centre from a growing threat from out-of-town retail parks.

The council has drawn up a development brief and aims to have three schemes shortlisted by the summer.

Council leader Derek Vaughan said there would then be widespread consultation among existing businesses, visitors and residents before a final bid is approved.

The development may also see the existing multi-storey car park and other buildings raised to make way for new units.

"The overall aim is to enhance Neath as a shopping destination," he said.

By the autumn we hope to have detailed proposals from the chosen developer Derek Vaughan, council leader

"The council is inviting developers to develop a retail-led site which we hope would include good quality town centre shops, restaurants, cafe bars, new car parking and a new library and museum."

He said the site would include the old civic centre, which should be demolished by the end of this year.

But he added: "We are keeping the boundaries as flexible as possible not to curtail the developers' proposals."

Gareth Nutt, the authority's head of property, said most the land was in council ownership and it was estimated the cost of the project would be in the region of £35m to £40m.

"There are competing pressures from out-of-town developments," he added.

"One of the biggest problems is that the shopping units (in the town centre) do not meet the requirements of modern traders.

"We know that there are retailers who would like to be in Neath but are not here."

He said the development could create up to 150,000 square foot of new shopping space.

"It will be an absolute requirement that it enhances and supports the existing network.

"It goes without saying we will be looking very closely at the design and quality of materials used," added Mr Nutt.