**Crickhowell Town Centre Revamp Paused Amid Funding Uncertainty**
Plans to breathe new life into Crickhowell’s town centre have hit an unexpected pause after it was confirmed no specific funding had been secured from the Welsh Government’s £4 million Transforming Towns initiative. The investment scheme, touted earlier this year, was intended to help rejuvenate urban centres across Ceredigion and Powys over the next three years, aiming for more resilient and bustling communities.
Crickhowell, a picturesque market town in Powys, has been at the heart of local ambitions for regeneration. Community consultations had led to comprehensive placemaking blueprints, fully supported by both the town council and Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority. Local leaders, alongside resident groups, hoped a proportion of the government’s new fund would spark the implementation of these eagerly awaited plans.
Councillor Claire Hall, representing Crickhowell with Cwmdu and Tretower, pressed Powys County Council earlier this month for clarity on when the promised funding might materialise. Cllr Hall highlighted the “Transforming Towns” programme’s recent extension and questioned when designated funds would filter down to begin work on Crickhowell’s high street and public realm.
She emphasised that the plans for the town centre had emerged from robust community discussions and were essentially “shovel-ready”, simply awaiting financial backing to move from paper to reality. These proposals reflect a shared vision to foster a more vibrant, safer, and accessible main street, building on Crickhowell’s unique character while responding to local need.
Responding to Cllr Hall, Cllr David Selby, who has recently stepped down from his cabinet position, clarified the status of the project. He noted that while Powys Council’s highways department had conducted some early consultation with residents, there had been clear local opposition to aspects of the initial proposals. Consequently, this resistance led to the plans being shelved for the time being—alongside a halt in the allocation of funds specifically for Crickhowell.
Crucially, Cllr Selby pointed out that although there currently is no ring-fenced funding for Crickhowell, possibilities for future bids could arise if local sentiment shifts. The council’s position remains open to revisiting the scheme should there be greater community consensus or alternative proposals with wider support.
The Welsh Government’s broader £4 million funding pot was announced with the intention of “reimagining and recreating buildings and open spaces to create resilient and thriving town centres.” Crickhowell’s long-term placemaking plan, which outlines ambitions through to 2039, draws on this vision. It sets out a strategic direction for the town, identifying projects and improvements rooted in local priorities and evidence.
Key proposals from the Crickhowell plan focus on themes such as reducing flood risk, expanding access to green spaces, addressing the local housing shortage, and launching renewable energy schemes. Central to the town centre vision is the aspiration to create a more pedestrian-friendly environment, enhancing road safety and improving options for people on foot.
Parking has also been identified as a persistent challenge for both visitors and residents. Among the proposals under consideration is an initiative to make use of Crickhowell High School’s parking facilities at weekends, thereby easing pressure on town centre spaces.
While the current setback will come as a disappointment to many within the Crickhowell community, council representatives maintain that their commitment to improving the town centre has not wavered. The revival of plans may well depend on both a renewed consensus among locals and the availability of further grants or alternative funding streams in the future.
The Transforming Towns initiative, meanwhile, continues to offer hope for urban centres across Wales. However, the experience in Crickhowell underscores the challenges involved in balancing ambitious visions with public opinion and the realities of competitive funding environments. As the conversation moves forward, the importance of community collaboration and transparent decision-making in regeneration projects remains clear.