A PLAN for development in one Welsh county is not delivering as expected, a report says.
The Merthyr Tydfil replacement local development plan (2016–2031) review report says as found that whilst many aspects of the plan are performing effectively, the plan’s strategy is not currently delivering as anticipated.
It says that both the level and spatial distribution of growth need to be reconsidered, to establish whether the current strategy is the most appropriate approach.
It adds that there has been a significant number of contextual changes introduced since 2020, which highlight that certain LDP policies and allocations need to be looked at again.
It says that the findings of the annual monitoring reports, a review of the evidence and the considerable contextual changes that have occurred since the LDPs adoption indicate that a “full revision procedure should be undertaken to support the production of the second replacement LDP.”
A full review of the adopted LDP started in January 2024 and found that whilst 71% of indicators within the latest annual monitoring report are being met, an increasing number of indicators are falling short of their targets.
The main areas of concern include housing delivery, employment provision, heat generating renewable energy provision and priority open space improvements.
The report says that the inability to provide housing and employment as anticipated is affecting the plan’s ability to deliver the strategy.
The LDP strategy aims to help growth to combat the predicted levels of population decline, the report says.
But the 2021 Census data and revised Welsh Government housing and population projections show that the population has remained stable and is expected to grow by 1% to 2042 so the data that the LDP strategy was based on is outdated meaning that the level of growth should be looked at again, the report says.
In terms of housing, the rate of delivery is “not at a level sufficient to meet the LDP strategy.”
The latest annual monitoring report shows that a total of 827 homes have been delivered as of April 2025 which is significantly below the target of 1,263 by April 2025.
The report says a review of LDP housing allocations is needed, alongside consideration of the 2018-based housing and population projections to 2042 which were released in November 2025.
Wider economic factors also need to be looked at to decided whether the overall LDP strategy remains appropriate, it adds.
On employment, only 0.6 hectares of employment land has been developed of the 30.65 hectares allocated, although the report acknowledges that employment developments do not tend to occur incrementally but instead is prone to sudden surges.
The report says a revision is required to ensure that local provision remains appropriate, the employment offer is not out-of-step with the market, and that the safeguarding of certain employment uses is not frustrating the development of other land uses.
It also says that the significant number of contextual changes to national, regional and local policy needs to be acknowledged, as part of the review.
“There are several policies and proposals within the existing LDP that will need to be updated to ensure that they are in conformity with the contextual changes outlined in the review report.
“Furthermore, the plan’s vision, aims and objectives will also need to be reconsidered in view of these contextual changes and an updated evidence base.”
The review report concludes that the strategy is not currently being delivered and therefore the level and spatial distribution of growth particularly in relation to housing and employment, needs to be reassessed.
The analysis will look at whether the current strategy is the most appropriate approach for delivering growth up to 2041, whether it needs to be amended or if a wholly new approach is required.
“Overall, the conclusion of the review report is that the findings of five AMRs, together with the review of the evidence base and contextual changes, indicate that a full revision procedure should be followed in preparing the second replacement LDP.”
