£1.4m spent on ‘occasions space’ that may’t host massive occasions

Bemused locals questioned why the positioning was not used for the latest Chilli & Chocolate Pageant

A brand new “occasions space” that price £1.4million has a weight restriction that makes it unsuitable for giant occasions.

The Glebeland web site, which was once dwelling to Merthyr Tydfil bus station, was not too long ago redeveloped into open house for neighborhood occasions. However locals have been left perplexed final month when the city’s Chilli & Chocolate Pageant was held on a smaller house, the close by Penderyn Sq., the place some felt “cramped”. WalesOnline can now reveal that Glebeland can not host such occasions due to the surfacing used.

WalesOnline understands cell caterers like these on the pageant wouldn’t be capable of entry Glebeland due to the floor’s weight restriction. The location — redeveloped by Merthyr Tydfil council with funding from the Welsh Authorities — was designed for “the brief to medium time period” as a result of its use “could change as a consequence of additional growth inside the city centre”, in line with the council.

The council insists the land — which incorporates paving and inexperienced house — will nonetheless be capable of host the smaller occasions it was developed for, however didn’t reply after we requested whether or not the load restriction was at all times a part of the plan.

Social media customers praised the Chilli & Chocolate Pageant’s organisers for placing collectively a “beautiful” day however some questioned the situation. One wrote: “I assumed these type of occasions would happen the place the outdated bus station was… It’s a a lot nicer space and likewise nearer to the primary city to attract individuals in. The one-way highway wouldn’t have to be closed so no site visitors restrictions by means of city as much as the highest.”

One other added: “We mentioned the identical. May have some stalls and so forth. there and a hyperlink between there and Penderyn Sq. making all of it cohesive. Would really feel much less cramped too.”

The council mentioned Glebeland was by no means meant for “large-scale occasions” and that Penderyn Sq. stays the city’s “fundamental occasion house”.

Its spokesman added: “An occasions plan is at the moment being created for the Glebeland web site which can host smaller-scale occasions resembling markets, neighborhood occasions and promotional actions, which can carry footfall into the buying centre and surrounding companies and complement larger-scale occasions being held on Penderyn Sq., which can guarantee the entire city centre advantages from occasions.”

The opening of the land to the general public was initially scheduled for spring 2024 earlier than being pushed again to final December as a consequence of “points with unknown utilities, floor contamination and surfacing found throughout the building part”.

The council spokesman advised us this “resulted in an extended building interval however has had no damaging impression on the completed web site”.

Glebeland is already a “well-used open house” for recreation and well being functions, they identified, with landscaping and road furnishings which “restricts alternatives for larger-scale occasions”.

The council mentioned 84% of residents and 83% of companies surveyed welcomed the introduction of open public house at Glebeland, including: “Session discussions on occasions have been all based mostly on smaller-scale occasions resembling Xmas markets.”

Elizabeth Bedford, who manages Merthyr Enterprise Enchancment District, which organised the Chilli and Chocolate Pageant, mentioned: “Penderyn Sq. continues to function a worthwhile and well-situated venue for our occasions, and we’re lucky to have entry to it throughout this era of transition. We’re in common communication with the native authority and totally knowledgeable of the progress relating to the Glebeland web site. As soon as that web site is totally ready and applicable to be used, we are going to give it full consideration for future occasions.

“The stunning climate introduced big numbers to the latest Chilli & Chocolate Pageant and issues relating to overcrowding on Penderyn Sq. are being actively addressed.

“Within the meantime, the occasion footprint is being prolonged by opening up extra of the accessible house and making higher use of the encircling roads which are already closed to site visitors. These changes will assist to ease strain on the primary sq. whereas making certain occasions stay secure and accessible for all.”

The Welsh Authorities has been approached for remark.