Posted on: Wednesday 5 October 2022
Councillors have approved a £1.77m plan to overhaul Greenmeadow Community Farm in Cwmbran.
The project, which includes plans for outdoor adventure activities, soft play area and licensed bar, aims to transform the 120-acre site into one of the most popular visitor destinations in the region.
On Tuesday, members of Torfaen Council were asked to consider three options - do nothing, provide limited capital investment to create a soft play area and increase food and drink options, or invest £1.77m to create a new central indoor complex and maximise potential future income.
Councillors voted in favour of the third option, while recognising it will mean the farm will be closed for a number of months.
Speaking in the chamber, Councillor Fiona Cross, Executive Member for Children, Families and Communities, said: "The proposals are bold and exciting. It gives us a real opportunity to allow the farm to stand on its own two feet but not just that, to actually start to invest in itself and potentially other services."
It's expected the farm will close after half-term until Spring 2023.
Greenmeadow Farm was turned into a visitor attraction in the 1980s after having been a working farm for more than 250 years.
It's home to a working commercial farm, hosts activities and community events and is an educational resource for local schools.