Demolition works at the Queen’s Buildings in Rhyl are now complete and Denbighshire County Council’s Cabinet will meet to discuss the next stages of the project on February 15.
The Queen’s Buildings project plays a key part in the Council’s wider programme to regenerate the town, which includes reconnecting the waterfront and promenade to the town centre.
Additional funding is required to deliver phase one of the project due to factors including a 25 percent rise in the cost of construction due to the availability of labour and materials globally.
To ensure we are complying with recent advice from Natural Resources Wales, we will need to raise the ground floor level by 740mm so that the buildings are protected from increased flood risk arising from the higher sea levels, expected to occur because of climate change.
The Council will be applying for additional funding through its capital plan to enable the first phase and associated benefits to be delivered whilst external funding is available to help meet the cost of the scheme, and to prepare the site to enable future phases of the development to take place.
Welsh Government’s Transforming Towns programme has part funded the project to transform the site into a vibrant mix of retail, food and beverage, contemporary market, office and residential space, which will be carried out alongside delivery partners over different phases.
Cllr Hugh Evans OBE, Leader of Denbighshire County Council and Lead Member for the Economy, said:
“The Council have been working closely with Welsh Government to develop the Queen’s Buildings project into an asset for Denbighshire which people want to visit, where businesses will want to invest, as well as contributing towards the regeneration of Rhyl town centre.
“The regeneration of Rhyl is a long-term project which will help benefit the economy throughout Denbighshire and the Queen’s Buildings form a vital part of that plan.
“The development of the Queen’s Buildings and the work already completed on the waterfront will be enhanced by our funding bid to the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund programme which will include improvements to the public realm and further regeneration in the town centre and high street.”
“We are committed to delivering this asset for Denbighshire, it’s economic benefits remain a very important part in the regeneration programme.”
The Council appointed Wynne Construction Ltd to take the project from Planning approval through detailed design to construction.
For the most up to date information about projects involved in the Rhyl regeneration programme, please visit www.denbighshire.gov.uk/rhyl-regeneration