**Date Set for Major Regeneration Along Porthcawl Seafront**
The landscape of Porthcawl’s beloved seafront is on the cusp of a dramatic transformation, after Bridgend County Borough Council revealed anticipated timelines for the commencement of their ambitious regeneration scheme. According to a recent report discussed at a council scrutiny session, work on the first phase could begin as early as March 2027, signalling significant change for this popular seaside town.
The announcement follows swiftly on the heels of news of Coney Beach funfair’s closure, set for October 2025. This marks the end of an era for the much-loved site and intensifies the sense of transition for Porthcawl residents and visitors alike. The masterplan for the area covers crucial zones including Salt Lake, Coney Beach, and Sandy Bay, aiming to revitalise the waterfront with housing, retail, and leisure.
Council documents indicate that the regeneration vision encompasses the construction of up to 1,100 new homes, complemented by new shops, restaurants, cafés, and a range of leisure amenities. If realised in full, the scheme promises to breathe new life into the seafront while simultaneously addressing the demands posed by a growing population and evolving tourism market.
Detailed public consultation on the waterfront masterplan concluded in February 2025, generating a lively mixture of enthusiasm and apprehension. Many participants praised the proposal’s emphasis on green spaces and the provision of state-of-the-art play facilities, both seen as key to maintaining the town’s family-friendly character. Another highly commended feature was the idea for a continuous promenade, which supporters say would enhance walkability, create smoother access to the beach, and modernise flood defences—a major issue for coastal communities.
However, the scale of the transformation has raised genuine concerns among locals and stakeholders. Principal among these are worries about the density of housing planned and the possibility that redevelopment might lead to the loss of prized public parking facilities. Questions also remain about the potential disruption to Porthcawl’s thriving tourism economy during the potentially lengthy construction process. Residents have voiced their hopes that, as regeneration proceeds, measures will be put in place to support local businesses and ensure visitors keep coming.
A key feature of the council’s report was a provisional timeline, providing a clearer sense of when residents might expect to see changes. The final planning application is scheduled for submission in January 2026, with a verdict expected by the following June. Should approval be granted, demolition of the funfair site is due to begin as early as November 2026, running through to March 2027. Construction of the seafront’s first new developments would commence immediately afterwards.
The regeneration initiative is building on recent successes in Porthcawl including the completion of the Porthcawl Metro link, enhancements at Cosy Corner, and substantial upgrades along the Eastern Promenade. All of these projects have contributed to modernising the town’s infrastructure and boosting its reputation as a year-round destination.
During the meeting, local members expressed their anticipation for what could become one of Wales’s most significant coastal regeneration efforts. Councillor Richard Collins, representing Maesteg West, described feeling ‘excited by the potential’ of the scheme, which he suggested could become a benchmark for similar projects across the country.
Many in the community, while nostalgic for the imminent loss of the iconic funfair, are now looking to the future with cautious optimism. There is hope that thoughtful planning and ongoing dialogue will ensure the changes benefit both residents and the broader Porthcawl economy.
As further details emerge and the planning process unfolds, the whole of Bridgend and the surrounding region will be watching closely to see how these regeneration efforts reshape one of Wales’s most treasured stretches of coast.