Welcome to the third newsletter for the Local Regeneration Fund projects in Rhyl, Prestatyn and Denbigh. This newsletter provides an update on the progress on the projects that are funded through the UK Government’s Local Regeneration Fund. The funds secured have been awarded for these 7 successful projects only and are non-transferrable to alternative projects or services. Further information on all of the projects can be found on our website.
Follow Denbighshire County Council on social media to stay up to date with all seven projects.
Rhyl Town Centre Public Realm and Central Promenade
The Public Engagement event on 9 December 2025 went well, and the engagement material was left in Rhyl Library and was available online until 5 January 2026. A summary engagement report has been produced and can be viewed online here.
Initial designs have been developed and are currently being refined to incorporate feedback and ideas gathered from the public engagement event. As Cabinet have agreed for the project to progress to the pre-construction there will be further engagement activities taking place with town centre businesses and residents as the designs are progressed. Following the Easter period, we will begin engaging with local businesses to discuss the scheme. These conversations will explore how deliveries, waste management, and other operations are handled, with the aim of minimising disruption and reducing impacts during the construction phase.
Rhyl Gateway Pocket Park
The project team are expecting a decision on the planning application and Sustainable Drainage application very soon. We will be advertising the demolition contract and inviting contractors to submit their bids once all the required approvals are in place.
To keep disruption to a minimum, the demolition work is being planned for outside the busy summer period. Once a contractor is appointed and the timetable is confirmed, we will share the full details, including when the work will start and how it will be carried out.
In the meantime, a specialist company is being appointed to deal with the pest issues inside the building. Recent inspections showed the problem is more extensive than expected, with a significant amount of mess that needs to be cleaned and treated safely. Once the plan and timetable for this work are agreed, we’ll update nearby residents and businesses before anything starts.
Former North Wales Hospital
Enabling Works commenced on site in November and are now complete. This phase involved removing and relocating piles of rubble on site to facilitate access for the next stage of works. Vegetation around the site has also been cleared to allow for easier surveying.
Work on the Ecological Mitigation measures is progressing well, with two bat barns currently under construction. These are scheduled for completion by the end of March.
Prestatyn High Street
Following a range of consultation activities that took place in the Autumn 2025, traffic issues around traffic movement and congestion were highlighted as a concern alongside feedback on improvements to the general appearance of the High Street. You can view the concept design and consultation feedback on our website.
Taking on board this feedback, the Council is exploring the introduction of a two way system on Bridge Road. The intention is to improve traffic flow for vehicles travelling over the bridge towards the town centre and at the bottom of the High Street, reduce congestion on key connecting roads, and enhance access for residents, shoppers, and visitors. A trial will take place to assess whether making Bridge Road two way can ease traffic movement and lessen congestion on surrounding streets. No permanent decisions will be reached until the results of the trial are known.
Work has continued the overall design improvements to the High Street taking on board views shared during the consultation. A further public consultation will also take place to gather views on the updated detailed design later in the process.
More detailed information is set out below.
Traffic 2-way trial
The trial will begin on Monday 13 April and will run for a minimum of three months under a Temporary Traffic Regulation Order. During this period, vehicles will be able to travel both up and down Bridge Road, and traffic will be permitted to turn left from Ffordd Pendyffryn into Bridge Road.
The current restriction on turning right from Ffordd Pendyffryn will remain in place, so vehicles will continue to turn right at Ffordd Penisardre as usual. Existing one way road markings and restrictions will be covered, and any traffic signals not required during the trial will be bagged.
Frequently asked questions about the trial are available at Prestatyn Library, through Prestatyn Town Council and can be accessed on our website.
The trial will be assessed to determine whether it has been successful. Key questions include:
- Has traffic along the High Street and approaching the Bridge Road mini roundabout been reduced?
- Has pedestrian safety improved in the area?
Public consultation
The detailed design stage is planned for June 2026. During the consultation period, the designs will be available to view at Prestatyn Library and on our website, and an online questionnaire will be provided to gather feedback.
A drop in session will also be arranged for early June 2026 (date and venue to be confirmed). This event will give people an opportunity to view the detailed design in person and ask any questions.
Feedback gathered during the consultation will help shape the final design, which the team aims to complete by the end of Summer 2026.
Milestones
| Date | Event / Milestone |
|---|
| Monday, 13 April 2026 |
Start of the Bridge Road traffic trial, running for a minimum of 3 months under a Temporary Traffic Regulation Order. |
| June 2026 |
Start of consultation on the detailed design with designs available online and at Prestatyn Library. |
| End of Summer 2026 |
Target completion date for the final design and informed by consultation feedback. |
Please note dates are subject to change, depending on the team's progress during the detailed design stage of the project. Any changes will be notified as soon as possible.
Prestatyn Morfa Nature Park
The essential land acquisition has now been completed, bringing the entire 30 acre wetland site under the ownership and management of Denbighshire County Council. We continue to work closely with Network Rail to coordinate their access improvements with the Nature Trail. Although their works will not align with the project’s delivery date, Network Rail has confirmed they will provide any necessary temporary access improvements on DCC land at no cost to the scheme.
Regular meetings are also taking place with Natural Resources Wales to ensure our proposals maintain their required access for essential vegetation clearance along the Prestatyn Gutter, with three potential options currently being assessed. In addition, a decision has been made not to include a visitor car parking near Gas Works Lane due to the narrow access and the increased use of the route by walkers and cyclists.
The next phase of work involves completing the Landscape and Engineering Designs and preparing the Planning Documents. We will also apply for a Flood Risk Permit from NRW, continue the ecological appraisal, and begin developing the mitigation report. Engagement with Network Rail and other stakeholders will remain ongoing, and we will take part in the upcoming Prestatyn High Street consultation event as part of our continuing community engagement.
Thank you for your continued interest in the Local Regeneration Fund: Rhyl, Prestatyn and Denbigh. We look forward to sharing further updates as these projects progress. If you have any questions or would like to get in touch, please contact us at corporateprogrammeoffice@denbighshire.gov.uk.