people and places in the Rhondda
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Recording our Past
Heritage should not be considered a barrier to development. Every generation has a right to add their signature to the rich backdrop against which they live their lives. After the industrial decline, our landscapes have begun changing again and development and regeneration is needed to shape the future. The challenge is to identify an appropriate balance between development and preservation to ensure that communities have their views and values acknowledged. Our Valleys Heritage would like to work with people to help them broaden their knowledge of the Rhondda townscapes in a way that can be used to influence future planning and urban design decisions.
Our Valleys Heritage aims to enable people to express their own opinion about what is important to them. By developing a list of buildings and places, the scheme will work with communities to channel their views and values. The list will be an important tool for Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council in the planning process. An online version of the list will provide an opportunity to discuss and develop information about places and buildings in the future.
As part of the process, we are inviting people living in the area to record and describe buildings, places and spaces that are of particular importance to them. As well as architectural and historical information, we would like to know why these places are important to you. Everyone, regardless of background, age or local knowledge, can participate in the recording process and we hope to have a wide variety of building types represented on the list, reflecting the rich and diverse heritage of the Rhondda.
If you would like to help us, we have developed a form that you can use to record your favourite place, or you can answer our questionnaire.