Posted on: Thursday 12 March 2026
An ambitious plan for long-term sustainable economic growth and regeneration has been set out by Torfaen and Blaenau Gwent Councils.
The new "blueprint for growth" was scrutinised by the Economy and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee today, who welcomed the vision and the plans to involve real people in the transformation of their communities.
Thriving Together – Tech Valleys Growth Corridor is a joint vision to create a more prosperous region for residents, communities and businesses by 2035, focusing on three key themes:
- Infrastructure and Investment
- Business and Employment Growth
- People and Skills
The 10-year blueprint sets out 14 joint work streams covering transport connectivity, strategic sites, business support, inward investment, skills, employability, placemaking, town centres and housing.
It includes a place-making framework to determine development and regeneration priorities for individual towns and settlements, and attract investment.
The plan will be supported by a joint Local Development Plan following a decision by both councils to withdraw their individual replacement plans, pending approval from the Welsh Government.
Local people will be fully involved in the plans, in line with the council’s new way of working with communities through the Torfaen Deal. Such as the Cwmbran Futures approach to identifying how the UK Government's £20m Plan for Neighbourhoods grant for Cwmbran should be spent.
The blueprint fully supports the council’s priorities as a Marmot Council and its mission to "drive sustainable economic growth and create vibrant, well-connected communities where people and businesses can thrive".
Cllr Joanne Gauden, Executive Member for Economy, Skills and Regeneration, said: “This is a visionary approach that will bring businesses, communities, employers and investors together to secure long term sustainable economic growth.
"Extending it across Torfaen and Blaenau Gwent increases our ability to attract new industries, bring in investment, and up-skill our workforces."
Consultation and engagement on the blueprint will take place over the coming months, and an annual delivery plan will be developed.
See the Blueprint here: chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://moderngov.torfaen.gov.uk/documents/g7369/Public%20reports%20pack%2012th-Mar-2026%2010.00%20Economy%20Environment%20Overview%20Scrutiny%20Committee.pdf?T=10