Powell Dobson Urbanists was appointed on behalf of Torfaen County Borough Council to prepare a masterplan, and secure outline planning permission, for the redevelopment of the former Blaenavon Leisure Centre as the new Blaenavon Community Campus.

The 2.2 hectare site was proposed to include: Health uses - the Blaenavon Primary Care Resource Centre comprising Doctors’ and Dentists’ Surgeries, Pharmacy, training rooms, community facilities, physiotherapy, paediatrics, and other therapeutic services; Education uses – A new Primary School (450 pupils), Nursery (120 pupils), and a mixed use games area; Leisure uses – Badminton Courts, Fitness Suite, Dance Studio and changing facilities; and, Community uses – Reception area, meeting rooms and council service desk.

The design process involved detailed assessments of transportation, ecological, landscape, visual impacts including an assessment of the impact of development on the historic landscape (ASIDOHL) required due to its UNESCO World Heritage designation. PDU co-ordinated the sub-consultants to prepare the technical documents which were necessary to support the planning application.

PDU also presented the proposal to the Design Commission for Wales as part of the pre-application consultation. The masterplan took into account the important constraints and opportunities which were highlighted by these studies and then formed the illustrative site layout for the planning application. PDU prepared the Planning, Design and Access Statement and co-ordinated the planning submission. Outline planning permission was granted in July 2009.

PDU also provided planning consultancy services to Powell Dobson Architects in seeking full planning permission for the education and leisure elements of the masterplan It is expected the full permission will be granted in Spring 2010 allowing construction work to commence.