Island Farm, Merthyr Mawr, Bridgend

The Island Farm site comprises approximately 41.8 hectares (103.3 acres) excluding the tennis centre and site for the replacement Heronsbridge School.

The site consists of tree and scrub land to the north, arable farmland to the south and east and grazing land to the northeast.

The northern woodland section forms part of the Island Farm POW Camp Site of Interest for Nature Conservation (SINC).The SINC includes the land immediately to the south of the A48 which formed part of the former second World War prisoner of war camp.

A single storey building (HUT 9) is Grade II listed and remains as the only surviving building from the camp.

Island Farm is designated for a comprehensive residential development driven by green infrastructure principles.

The development will feature a new primary school and an associated nursery, the relocation of Heronsbridge Special School, a tennis centre as well as leisure and recreational facilities. Additionally, the allocation will provide public open space, suitable community amenities, and ancillary commercial uses.

The masterplan framework identifies the primary access to be created off the A48 through the existing SINC which is to be retained for nature conservation and wildlife purposes.

Island Farm is sustainably located on the southern fringe of Bridgend, and close to its boundary with the Vale of Glamorgan. The A48 directly abuts the northern boundary of the site where the primary access to the residential development will be created.

Junction 34 of the M4 motorway is approximately 3.6 miles north of the property which provides access to Cardiff (35 miles) and Swansea (20 miles). Island Farm is approximately 1.2 miles south of Bridgend town centre and Bridgend Railway Station, which offers regular direct services to Cardiff Central, Swansea, and further onwards to London Paddington in approximately 2hr 15min.

Bridgend Retail Park, approximately 0.8 miles east, provides a range of amenities including Tesco Extra, Lidl, Homebase, Halfords and Currys. Further amenities are available in the town centre, including both national and local operators.