**Port Talbot Set for Major Development as Aldi and Starbucks Plans Win Council Approval**
A notable step forward was made for Port Talbot’s regeneration this week, as councillors approved plans for a new Aldi supermarket and a Starbucks coffee shop on the long-vacant Burrows Yard site in Aberavon. After several years of anticipation, the proposals were unanimously supported at a recent planning committee meeting, signalling a new chapter for the underused brownfield land near the town centre.
Burrows Yard, occupying a substantial 12,135 square metre area flanked by Afan Way, Water Street and Isaac’s Place, has been an eyesore for local residents for years. Once a hub of industrial activity—including a 19th-century tinplate works—the plot was more recently home to a council yard and a petrol station. In recent times, however, it has languished, becoming a focus for regeneration efforts within the Neath Port Talbot area.
The approved development will see the construction of a single-storey Aldi supermarket paired with a Starbucks café, complete with a drive-through feature and dedicated customer parking. Among the more modern amenities promised in the plans are a total of 141 parking spaces, with eight designated for disabled users and nine for parents with young children. Cyclists will not be left out, thanks to seven new hoops providing secure storage for up to 11 bicycles.
Significant consideration has also been given to sustainability, with the addition of 18 electric vehicle charging points. Moreover, a new pedestrian access point from Afan Way and a cycle route are set to improve connectivity, encouraging greener forms of travel to and from the new facilities.
During the public consultation period, the plans received considerable support from the community. Out of 320 submissions, an overwhelming majority—317—offered backing for the redevelopment, with only three objections logged. The feedback highlights the community’s eagerness to see fresh investment and modern amenities emerge after a prolonged period of dereliction at the site.
In terms of economic impact, representatives connected with the development underline its potential to provide over 40 new jobs locally, spanning both full-time and part-time opportunities. The inflow of employment is expected not only once the stores open, but also during the construction phase as contractors and tradespeople are brought on board.
One local councillor attending the planning committee remarked on the ‘transformative potential’ of the project, pointing to the scheme as evidence of the council’s commitment to improving distressed parts of Aberavon and Port Talbot more broadly. Officers presenting to the committee had themselves recommended the plans for approval, highlighting alignment with broader regeneration priorities and public benefit.
Despite the largely positive reception, councillors ensured that approval was granted subject to conditions, reflecting the necessary diligence in large-scale urban development. Attention will likely focus in the months ahead on the finer points of construction logistics and maintaining minimal disruption to nearby residents during the build.
As timelines for construction are finalised, locals are hopeful that the development can act as a catalyst for further investment and vibrancy in Port Talbot’s urban landscape. The successful approval of this scheme may mark just the first in a series of upgrades for the wider community, illustrating the value of collaborative planning and resident involvement in shaping the future of Welsh towns.
With work expected to begin in the near future, all eyes will be on Burrows Yard as it transitions from dereliction to a dynamic retail destination, providing both everyday convenience and fresh employment opportunities to the people of Port Talbot.