Penarth: Making the Plan

📅 Date: 10 July 2024

📍 Location of Engagement: St Luke’s Avenue, Penarth

🗣️ Who we spoke to: Around 10 individuals using the food pod

Facilitators: Vale of Glamorgan Council Placemaking Officers supported by Housing Services & Food Share volunteer

🙋 Type of engagement:
Informal one-to-one conversations using questionnaires to gather views on what people value about Penarth, what could be improved, and future priorities.

🚀 Emerging Themes

• Community Spaces: Strong desire for a community café, “chatty café” sessions, and communal garden to foster social connections.
• Mental Health Support: Requests for a mental health hub or outreach services, possibly hosted at the food pod.
• Youth Activities: Need for youth clubs, after-school activities, and spaces for children to play football.
• Outdoor Facilities: Suggestions for an outdoor gym and more activities for residents.
• Transport & Accessibility: Reliable bus services needed; some residents rely solely on buses or walking.
• Town Centre Issues: Calls for fewer charity shops, more independent shops, and a banking hub.

💬 Comments

“Community café or place to sit with other residents – feel like a community.”

“Coffee morning here or somewhere undercover and warm.”

“We need the extra help with food – it’s so expensive and can’t afford to eat and buy supplies.”

“Mental health hub – there’s a lot here that need a place to go.”

“Outdoor gym for residents to use – can’t afford a gym.”

“i like going to the Pier in the summer, Alexandra Park and Belle Vue Park are lovely.”

“Penarth has lost its personality – High Street has lost independent shops.”

📢 Summary
Residents using the food pod value Penarth’s community spirit, parks, and walkability but face challenges such as isolation, financial hardship, and limited access to services. There is a strong call for social spaces like community cafés and gardens, mental health support, and youth activities. Transport reliability and town centre vibrancy were also highlighted, with suggestions for fewer charity shops and more independent businesses. The engagement revealed the importance of inclusive spaces and services to support vulnerable residents and strengthen community connections.

📅 Date: 3 June 2024

📍 Location of Engagement: Online (Microsoft Teams)

🗣️ Who we spoke to: Members of Friends of the Kymin

Facilitators: Vale of Glamorgan Council Placemaking Officer

🙋 Type of engagement:
Short discussion session focused on Placemaking in Penarth and the role of the Kymin within future plans.

🚀 Emerging Themes

• Placemaking Awareness: Need for a strong collective response to the Placemaking survey to ensure validity of the plan.
• Funding Opportunities: Importance of having a Placemaking Plan to unlock Welsh Government funding through the Transforming Towns Scheme.
• Community Input: Friends of the Kymin asked to share their aims and wishes for the Kymin and Penarth as a whole.

💬 Comments

“We need as many people as possible to respond to the Placemaking survey to give the plan validity.”

“The Kymin should be part of the wider vision for Penarth – what do we want it to be?”

“Having a Placemaking Plan is key to unlocking funding opportunities for improvements.”

📢 Summary
This engagement focused on raising awareness of Placemaking and its importance for Penarth’s future development. The discussion highlighted the need for community input and collective responses to shape the vision for the Kymin and the town. A key message was that a robust Placemaking Plan is essential to access funding streams and deliver improvements.

📅 Date: 8 May 2024

📍 Location: Businesses located away from the main Windsor Road retail Area Penarth

🗣️ Who we spoke to: Local Businesses

Facilitators: Vale of Glamorgan Council Placemaking Officers

🙋 Type of engagement: Informal one-to-one conversations and questionnaires during business visits

This engagement aimed to understand the challenges and opportunities for businesses located off Penarth High Street. Officers visited shops and services along Cornerswell Road and Station Approach, spoke to owners and staff, and collected feedback on what works well and what needs improvement. Concept designs and placemaking information were shared to explain the wider vision for the area.

🚀 Emerging Themes

• What businesses value:

  • Clean, tidy environment and well-maintained streets.
  • Strong community spirit and loyal, regular customers.
  • Proximity to schools, train station, and car park brings steady trade.
  • Mix of ages and visitors from Cardiff adds diversity.
  • Many businesses are well-established (10+ years) and feel part of a close-knit community.

• Challenges and barriers:

  • Parking restrictions: 1-hour limit seen as too short by most businesses; calls for 2-hour parking and clearer signage.
  • Visibility and footfall: Cornerswell Road feels overlooked compared to Windsor Road; businesses want better signage and advertising from the Town Council.
  • Costs and overheads: Rising energy and food costs, recycling charges (£200 for bags), and high rents.
  • Space limitations: Lack of storage and showroom space for some businesses.
  • Security concerns: Reports of break-ins; need for improved measures.
  • Other issues: Card-only payments challenging for older customers; staffing difficulties; cemetery capacity concerns for funeral-related businesses.

• Ideas for improvement:

  • Increase parking time to 2 hours and improve signage.
  • Consider speed bumps (sleeping policemen) near Victoria School for safety.
  • More advertising and recognition for Cornerswell Road as part of the town centre.
  • Support for shopfront improvements and security upgrades.
  • Explore free or pay-and-display parking options.

• Future aspirations (next 5–10 years):

  • More footfall and inclusion in town-wide advertising.
  • Expansion into wellbeing services, catering, and diversified offerings.
  • Maintain strong community feel while adapting to changing customer needs.
  • Some businesses aim to sustain current operations, others want to grow external partnerships (e.g., supplying to hotels/restaurants).

💬 Comments

“Parking is the biggest barrier – one hour isn’t enough for customers.”

“Cornerswell Road needs better visibility and signage to attract footfall.”

“We love the community feel, but costs and lack of space make it hard to grow.”

“Security is a concern – several shops have been broken into.”

📢 Summary
Businesses appreciate the friendly community, clean environment, and steady trade from schools and commuters, but face challenges with parking limits, visibility, and rising costs. There is strong support for better signage, extended parking, and Town Council-led promotion to boost footfall. Safety improvements and infrastructure upgrades are also priorities.

📅 Date: 20 May 2024

📍 Location of Engagement: Penarth (Civic Society meeting)

🗣️ Who we spoke to: Members of Penarth Civic Society

Facilitators: Civic Society representatives and Vale of Glamorgan Council Placemaking Officers

🙋 Type of engagement:
Discussion-based session focused on identifying short, medium, and long-term priorities for Penarth, including heritage, accessibility, transport, and community spaces.

🚀 Emerging Themes

• Town Centre Improvements: Tidying up, adding trees and seating, creating safe areas with traffic changes.
• Accessibility: Parking for disabled users, audit for disabled access, restrictions on dropped kerbs.
• Parking & Transport: Increased parking capacity, park-and-ride, better bus services, sustainable transport links.
• Community Spaces & Events: Youth hub, Kymin restoration, community-managed spaces, summer festivals.
• Heritage & Culture: Heritage projects, promotion of town history, tourist information centre.
• Active Travel & Connectivity: Better links between lower Penarth, town centre, and seafront.

💬 Comments

“Closure of lower end of Glebe Street for town market/events.”

“Audit for disabled access throughout Penarth with Disability Wales / Living Streets.”

“Kymin restoration – house needs repair and improvement for hire space.”

“Pedestrianisation and safe scheme for town centre.”

“Better intra-town sustainable transport and active travel options – e.g., bus park & ride.”

📢 Summary
The Civic Society highlighted a strong focus on improving Penarth’s town centre, accessibility, and transport infrastructure. Short-term priorities include tidying up the town, adding greenery, and improving disabled access. Medium-term goals involve restoring the Kymin and creating community spaces for events, while long-term ambitions include pedestrianisation, sustainable transport, and better connectivity. There is also an emphasis on heritage projects and promoting Penarth as a destination through education and tourism initiatives.

📅Date: 8 May 2024

📍 Location of Engagement: Belle Vue Park, Penarth

🗣️ Who we spoke to: Parents and carers using the park

Facilitators: Vale of Glamorgan Council Placemaking Officers

🙋 Type of engagement:
Informal one-to-one conversations using questionnaires to gather views on what people like about Penarth, what could be improved, and future priorities.

🚀 Emerging Themes

• Parks & Green Spaces: Belle Vue Park praised for cleanliness, safety, and facilities (toilets, coffee shop, community hub). Desire for more parks, splash parks, and indoor play areas.
• Accessibility & Infrastructure: Uneven pavements, tree root issues, lack of toilets in all parks, limited parking near schools.
• Town Centre & Shops: Concerns about empty shops, too many coffee and charity shops, and gaps appearing on the High Street.
• Youth Provision: Lack of activities for older children and teenagers; requests for skate parks, MUGAs, and youth clubs.
• Community Facilities: Maintain existing hubs, add more integrated spaces for families and events.
• Transport & Parking: Limited parking and fines; suggestions for pedestrianising the High Street.

💬 Comments

“Belle Vue Park is clean and safe with good flooring – brilliant park.”

“Not all parks have public toilets – this needs to change.”

“Too many coffee shops and charity shops – and shops closing down.”

“Uneven pavements – not practical with a pram.”

“What is there for children after the parks? No youth activities or indoor facilities.”

“Splash park and soft play indoors would be great.”

“Pedestrianise the High Street.”

📢 Summary
Parents and carers value Belle Vue Park for its safety, cleanliness, and community facilities. They appreciate Penarth’s green spaces and walkability but raised concerns about uneven pavements, lack of toilets in all parks, and limited parking. There is a strong call for more youth facilities, indoor play areas, and better maintenance of existing spaces. Town centre issues include some empty shops and too many coffee/charity shops. Suggestions for the future include better pavements for prams, Sensory play equipment, skate parks, and improved community hubs.

📍 Location of Engagement: Bar 44, Penarth

🗣️ Who we spoke to: 12 local business owners and representatives from Penarth Business Forum

Facilitators: Vale of Glamorgan Council Placemaking Officers & Senior Regeneration Officer

🙋 Type of engagement:
Invited focus group with an introductory session on placemaking, a workshop using “Gaps and Assets” grids, open discussion, and written submissions on priority issues for Penarth.

🚀 Emerging Themes

• Parking & Loading Bays: Lack of spaces for shoppers and traders; issues with camera car fines; calls for park-and-ride and better management.
• Town Attractiveness & Visitor Appeal: Improve gateways, signposting, planting, and make Penarth a destination town.
• Loss of Services: Closure of banks and health facilities; need for community banking and health hubs.
• Promotion & Marketing: Better advertising and PR to restore Penarth’s USP and attract visitors.
• Connectivity & Infrastructure: Improve transport links, signage between trading areas, and safe pedestrian access.
• Rates & Affordability: High property rents and rates impacting small businesses.
• Culture & Community: Importance of cultural venues and events for vibrancy and footfall.

💬 Comments

“Parking is essential to ensuring businesses survive. No spaces, no visitors, no footfall.”

"Don't agree with pedestrianisation of the town centre"

“Make Penarth more attractive – gateways are drab and dull. Signposting and flowers are lacking.”

“Please remember successful communities are not just about revenue. Culture is critical.”

“Park and Ride would be a good compromise – could use Cosmeston to coincide with new development.”

“Proper designated parking for traders/employees – they take up spaces for 8 hours.”

📢 Summary
Business owners value Penarth’s economic resilience, independent shops, and community spirit but raised significant concerns about parking, loading bays, and loss of essential services. There is a strong call for improving town attractiveness, marketing, and connectivity, alongside cultural investment and fairer rates. Suggestions included park-and-ride schemes, better signage, planting, and creating spaces for markets and events to boost footfall and support local businesses.

📅 Date: 19 November 2023
📍 Location of Engagement: Penarth Town Centre

🗣️ Who we spoke to: Around 100 people – mainly Penarth residents in family groups, plus some from nearby communities (Dinas Powys, Llandough)
Facilitators: Vale of Glamorgan Council Placemaking Officers and Senior Development Officer

🙋 Type of engagement:
Originally planned as a voting activity using Perspex boxes for six placemaking themes, but due to severe weather (high winds and rain), the activity was adapted. We collected comments by walking around the event and asking attendees what they value about Penarth and what improvements they would like.

🚀 Emerging Themes

• Community Spirit & Amenities: Strong appreciation for community feel, events, and local facilities.
• Green Spaces & Seafront: Love for parks, promenade, Cosmeston, and coastline.
• Independent Shops & Character: Valued by many, but concerns about too many charity shops and closed businesses.
• Transport & Connectivity: Good links overall, but issues with bus service removal and traffic congestion.
• Parking: Significant concern in town centre.
• Youth Provision: Requests for improved play parks, skate parks, and more activities for teenagers.
• Maintenance & Infrastructure: Pavement quality, potholes, and pedestrian crossings need attention.
• Environmental Issues: More bins needed, better recycling at events, and dog waste management.

💬 Comments

“Love the beach, Cosmeston, and the outdoor seating on the Esplanade.”

“Too many charity shops – would prefer more variety like Home Bargains.”

“Would like improved play parks – more equipment for older children and teenagers.”

“Skate Park could be better – would love one at Old Pens.”

“Big problem with too few GP surgeries and high house prices.”

📢 Summary
Despite challenging weather, the engagement gathered valuable insights. Residents praised Penarth’s community spirit, green spaces, and amenities but raised concerns about parking, infrastructure, and affordability. There is a clear desire for better youth facilities, improved maintenance, and more diverse shops. Environmental improvements and support for local businesses were also highlighted.

📅 Date: 16 September 2023

📍 Location of Engagement: The Esplanade, Penarth

🗣️ Who we spoke to: Around 70 members of the public, mostly local residents and some visitors

Facilitators: Vale of Glamorgan Council Placemaking Officers

🙋 Type of engagement:
Introduced passers-by to the concept of Placemaking. Residents placed stickers on a map to show valued places and provided written feedback on positives and issues. Visitors marked places they visited and shared impressions.

🚀 Emerging Themes

• Accessibility & Safety: Uneven pavements, potentially difficult for wheelchair users; need for better crossings and dropped kerb enforcement.
• Transport & Connectivity: Desire for pedestrianisation (Windsor Road, Esplanade), one-way street trials, improved bus services, and extended Railway Path to Sully.
• Public Realm & Infrastructure: More benches, improved pavements, litter management, and tree maintenance.
• Health & Services: Concern about capacity of schools and GP surgeries; calls for more GP provision.
• Recreation & Amenities: More play provision, outdoor gym, water refill stations, and creative ideas like a cliff railway or floating boardwalk.
• Town Centre Vibrancy: Suggestions for new shops (Primark, Starbucks) and traffic-free High Street days.

💬 Comments

“Pedestrianise Windsor Road by the shops.”

“Penarth is lovely but we are at capacity – schools and Doctors Surgeries are full.”

“Free open outdoor gym and water refills would be great.”

“Remove parking/cars off Esplanade.”

“Trial of one-way streets in town.”

“Floating boardwalk around the Headland – amazing idea!”

📢 Summary
Residents and visitors praised Penarth’s seafront and green spaces but raised concerns about accessibility, safety, and infrastructure. Key priorities include pedestrianisation, improved pavements, better crossings, and enhanced public transport. There is strong interest in more community amenities such as outdoor gyms, play areas, and water refill stations, alongside imaginative ideas for improving connectivity and leisure. Feedback also highlighted pressure on local services and a desire for a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly town centre.

📅 Date: 4 November 2023

📍 Location of Engagement: The Paget Rooms, Penarth

🗣️ Who we spoke to: Local residents and visitors

Facilitators: Vale or Glamorgan Council Placemaking Officers

🙋 Type of engagement: Informal conversations during Mayor’s Tabletop Sale – walking around the event and noting verbal feedback.

🚀 Emerging Themes

• Green spaces and nature are highly valued (beach, Cosmeston, parks).
• Maintenance issues: pavements, potholes, play areas need attention.
• Parking challenges in town centre; desire for pedestrianisation.
• Shops and affordability: too many charity shops, need affordable options.
• Litter and recycling: more bins needed, better event waste management.
• Youth provision: limited activities for teenagers, interest in safe spaces and events.
• Transport and connectivity: good overall, but paths need lighting and signage.

💬 Comments

“The pavements on Marine Parade are not great – is difficult for wheelchairs and pushchairs .”

“Parking in the town centre is a problem. We end up going to the Marina Tesco because you can park there.”

“Would like to see more litter bins around Penarth to help with litter problem.”

“There isn’t a great deal for teenagers to do so they just hang about in the streets.”

“The Ash Path needs lighting for winter and has a lot of litter along it.”

📢 Summary
Residents appreciate Penarth’s green spaces, walkability, and community feel. However, they raised concerns about infrastructure (pavements, potholes), parking, litter, and affordability of shops. There’s a strong desire for improved youth provision, better maintenance, and more inclusive community events.