Fit for the 21st Century

Huw Lewis, the Minister for Housing Regeneration and Heritage, has visited Hanbury Chapel  - the most recent addition to the Bargoed regeneration project - to witness the results of a successful collaboration which not only saved an iconic town landmark built in 1906 but which has also delivered a new community facility.

The Minister for Housing Regeneration and Heritage toured the building with representatives from United Welsh and Caerphilly County Borough Council and were shown a 21^st Century library in action.

The newly opened Chapel building comprises of a library, family history resource centre, teenage area, café and place of worship.  This new facility has become a ‘learning hub’ for the whole community to utilise throughout the week.

Hanbury Chapel is a completely unique project regenerating the look and feel of a town centre, regenerating facilities and bringing together old and new to inspire a community.  Whilst at the library the Minister invited applications for the new round of CyMAL funding 2012-13; a stream of funding that was utilised to deliver the services within Hanbury Chapel.

The Minsiter said; “The Hanbury Road project is an excellent example of the Welsh Government divisions working in partnership with local government services and a Housing Association to secure the future of one of our historic buildings. It has transformed the interior of the building into a dynamic and modern community facility which is at the heart of the regeneration of Bargoed”

Ian Gilbert Chair of United Welsh added: “This building is the result of an extremely successful collaboration between many partners.  It’s safe to say that converting a chapel built in 1906 into a modern community facility whilst still maintaining the history and character of the building was a challenge. We have received a great deal of support throughout the life-time of the project from both the Welsh Government and Caerphilly County Borough Council. Hanbury Chapel is further evidence of real partnership working delivering tangible outcomes for the benefit of our communities.”

United Welsh has already delivered 28 new affordable sustainable homes at Upper Wood Street and redeveloped and utterly transformed Oldway House, the former Job Centre into a new health centre as part of their ongoing investment in the former mining town. 

November 2011