:
Wales: Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council has approved plans for the conversation of former office buildings at Rock Grounds in Aberdare into an aparthotel and spa complex.
The main aparthotel will feature eight rooms across the ground floor and a further 11 on the first floor, ranging from studios to two-bedroom apartments.
Facilities on the ground floor will include a gym, an office room, and a back-of-house area.
The building will be extended to accommodate the rooms and amenities.
A second building on site is set to be converted into a restaurant, along with outdoor seating area.
A new three-storey spa building is proposed to the southwest of the planned restaurant. Facilities include changing rooms, an indoor pool area with an open ceiling extending up to the third floor, a hot tub, vitality pool, and both a sauna and steam room.
The first floor is set to feature a dining area for the spa along with an outdoor terrace. This level will also offer four treatment rooms, changing facilities, and a dedicated recovery room with an outdoor terrace.
The third floor of the spa will house additional accommodation, consisting of five hotel bedrooms, each with an en-suite bathroom and a private terrace.
To the north of the spa will be a farm shop and cafe.
Asbri Planning, on behalf of Final Frontier Space Holdings Ltd, said: “The proposed development at Rock Grounds represents a well-considered and sustainable opportunity to enhance Aberdare’s tourism and hospitality offering while respecting the site’s historical and environmental context. The development will repurpose and extend existing structures, ensuring a seamless integration with the character of the surrounding area. Thoughtful design choices, including the use of high-quality materials and sensitive landscaping, will preserve and enhance the visual setting.
“With minimal impact on local highways, biodiversity enhancements through tree planting and green infrastructure, and appropriate separation distances to safeguard residential amenity, the development aligns with sustainable planning principles. Additionally, the proposal makes use of an underutilised brownfield site, bringing economic and social benefits to the community. Overall, the scheme delivers a high-quality, well-connected, and environmentally conscious development that will positively contribute to the wider area.”
Highlights:
- Rhondda Cynon Taf Council has approved plans to convert former Rock Grounds offices in Aberdare into an aparthotel, restaurant, and spa.
- A new three-storey spa building will include an indoor pool, vitality pool, sauna, steam room, treatment rooms, recovery room and spa dining.
- The scheme also adds a restaurant, outdoor seating, five additional hotel rooms, plus a farm shop and café.
- The project repurposes an underused brownfield site with extensions, landscaping and biodiversity enhancements.
