Powell Dobson Urbanists were appointed by Bridgend County Borough Council as lead consultants in the preparation of an Environmental Improvement Strategy for the Caerau Ward of Bridgend.

Caerau is statistically the most deprived ward in Bridgend and suffering from acute, but not unique, issues following post-industrial decline. Improving the environment, appearance and impression of the ward is considered to be a major driver for the regeneration of Caerau and is intended to compliment the other social, physical and economic initiatives already underway.

Powell Dobson have undertaken a baseline audit of the ward to identify overarching issues as well as specific problem areas. This will feed into a framework plan which will establish a strategic direction for the whole of the ward and provide broader setting for proposed projects. This will be followed by the identification of key projects and an action plan to guide their implementation.

Establishing the foundations of a sustainable neighbourhood is vital to the future of Caerau, therefore a sustainability tool has been devised that clearly indicates the current situation and identifies areas of particular need.