There’s exciting news coming out of Merthyr for the New Year. BikePark Wales’ next stage of developments has received planning permission.
Work has already started on the green flow trail, new visitor welcome centre, bike wash, patio extension and landscaping works and these are due for completion at the end of April. Now the go ahead has been given for additional car parking, glamping accommodation, a shower and toilet block, an adventure play area and wider site landscaping improvements.
Is it a trail, car park or glamping pod?
BikePark Wales co-founder Martin Astley commented:
“I went along to observe the planning committee meeting and I was pretty nervous! It was amazing though, several of the councilors spoke out in support of the development and shared stories of the positive impact that BikePark Wales and our visiting riders are having on the local area. I have to admit it was quite an emotional moment for me, I’m so proud of our whole team at BPW and the riders that visit too. Mountain bikers are on the whole a pretty amazing bunch, those that visit from out of town have integrated so well in the area and are viewed really positively by the local community, that’s in no small part due to the way people behave and respect one another and the environment. The local community too have been so supportive since we opened in 2013, they’ve welcomed us completely and this next step for the park wouldn’t be possible without the support of both the community and our loyal riders. Planning permission for this next step for BPW was passed unanimously by the committee and I’m now excited to get cracking and keep the evolution of the park going!”
We need more car parking, the shower and toilet block has been on the hit list for a long time and we’ve always planned to have glamping on site so it’s great to have permission in place and a plan to see this become reality. The addition of the green trail this coming Spring is going to be incredible, the trail is looking awesome, a real mountain bike trail, a singletrack but one designed so that novice riders can enjoy the trail, the exhilaration of mountain biking. It will allow riders who would love to try uplift accessed riding but don’t feel ready for our blue trails to come and give it a go as well as opening the park up to younger riders, I have a three year old son and I can’t wait to ride with him at BPW!!”
trails, trails and more trails
Do I see dust?
The whole plan will take several years to develop but it is anticipated that the first phase of the car park extension together with the shower and toilet block will be completed by the end of 2020.
The development is possible thanks to the support of private investors who have been tirelessly supportive through the lengthy design and planning process and is part funded by the European Union and Welsh Government agricultural fund for rural development.
