Ambitious and detailed plans to transform Brecon town centre have been published today.

The plans focus on improving pedestrian experience, better connections, biodiversity, and creating safe, accessible public spaces that highlight the town's unique qualities.

The proposals outline changes earmarked for the Bulwark, High Street, High Street Inferior, the Struet and Castle Street.

Plans will be displayed at y Gaer in Brecon until March 16, 2025.

To view to plans and diagrams in full, visit: www.haveyoursaypowys.wales/brecon-town-centre and click ‘detailed proposals’.

Some of the proposed changes in areas across the town centre include:

Part of the proposed plans include reducing the width of the road on the Struet, therefore increasing the width of the footway to prioritise pedestrian movement and allow for “urban greening”.

Planting of trees has been proposed on the pedestrian area outside the Cotswold Outdoor store, along with raised planters with integrated seating and the opportunity for a wall mural to cover Gable End.

Designs along the Struet also include more greenery, including the idea of mobile planters being put in place for where underground utilities prevent permanent green infrastructure.

The drawn up plans suggest pedestrianising Castle Street, with restricted vehicle access only. The plans say this will encourage businesses to utilise the space and create a “vibrant streetscape”.

A level crossing would alo be created on Castle Street to connect footways and prioritise pedestrian movement in the area. This will provide a clear pedestrian route to the castle.

Lion Street is planned to become a pedestrian priority street with restricted vehicle access only. This brings the opportunity to resurface the former carriageway material to a more pedestrian-friendly specification.

Upstaged kerbs can be replaced with flush kerbs, and yellow lines and speed bumps could also be removed.

The area outside Nicholls, where High Street and Lion Street meet, would remain flexible to allow for pop-up kiosks or market stalls and allow local businesses to spill out and offer al fresco dining experiences.

There is also the opportunity for ground level planting to increase biodiversity.

The opportunity for a specimen tree to enhance key vista has been displayed, subject to underground utilities, on High Street opposite Santander.

The pedestrianised area outside Lloyds Bank would remain flexible and provide a key location for events. There is the opportunity for mobile planters in this space that can easily be moved when required.

Using vehicle tracking, the design looks to reduce the width of the carriageway along High Street, meaning an increased width to the footway. The plans also include raising the carriageway surfacing to footway level to maximise and prioritise a pedestrian friendly area.

Proposed ground level planting has been suggested along High Street heading to the Bulwark, as well as rain garden planters to slow down, filter and store surface water run off from the adjacent carriageways and footways. There is potential to capture the surface water run off of adjacent roofs via the existing downpipes, channels and rills.

Locations outside cafes such as Coffee #1 would be left open, where possible, to allow for businesses to spill out and use as an outdoor seating opportunity.

A proposed taxi rank and loading bay location to help service the community and local businesses will be on High Street opposite St Mary’s Church.

The plans look to significantly alter the road layout with the proposal looking to reduce parking spaces and traffic travelling from High Street onto St Mary’s Street. The change in layout will reduce road width, increasing the footway widths to prioritise pedestrian movement.

The new layout would see the road go behind the Duke of Wellington Monument, which will be retained. Vehicles would still be able to travel in an easterly direction down towards the Bulwark.

The existing road would become part of the pedestrianised area, a large area of the public realm which will be a pedestrian-only environment to encourage local engagement and events.

Outside one events, the space would be used to provide a pleasant outdoor space, providing an economic boost to those adjacent to the space. Specimen trees and planters will frame this pedestrian space and provide shade, greenery and to deny vehicles access into the pedestrian only area.

Benches and cycle racks are also part of the space’s design, providing functionality to locals and visitors.

The drawn up plans for the Bulwark also show an opportunity to rearrange the road layout of the right hand corner for drivers from the Bulwark onto Glamorgan Street, without impacting bus services. The change would allow for significant green infrastructure intervention and provide seasonal interest, soften the urban realm and create a “gateway feature”.

Another suggestion is to consider reducing the width of the road where Lion Street meets the Bulwark to provide a safer crossing for pedestrians as they will have less distance to travel across.

The width of the Bulwark can also be reduced allowing for a bus stop and wider footways.

The installation of rain gardens on the Bulwark can help slow and filter water flowing down the hill.

On Ship Street the plans show an opportunity to widen the footway and reduce crossing width, improving pedestrian safety.

The plans look to upgrade the surface material on the footways of Ship Street to improve street scene.

They have also spotted an opportunity to reduce junction radii, by installing in-ground planting that provides seasonal interest and helps soften the urban environment.

In-person: View plans and complete the consultation survey at y Gaer, Brecon, from February 24 to March 16, 2025.

Drop-in session: Officers will be available to discuss the plans today on March 12 (9:30am–6:30pm).

Online consultation: Complete the survey online at https://www.haveyoursaypowys.wales/brecon-town-centre from February 24 to March 23, 2025.

Once feedback is received, the designs will be progressed in more detail in preparation for construction. It’s likely that the scheme will be delivered in a number of phases and, subject to funding, the council anticipates the first phase could begin in autumn 2025.

Cllr Jackie Charlton, Cabinet Member for a Greener Powys said: “We aim to engage with as many people and groups as possible, ensuring we balance the views of all town centre users, including residents, local businesses and specific user groups. As well as being able to view the plans and complete the consultation survey in person at y Gaer, we will also have an online option available.”

“We aim to gather the views of a broad range of individuals and stakeholders to finalise plans for this ambitious project, which seeks to revitalise Brecon town centre, making it a more accessible and attractive space, thereby benefiting the local economy,”