Construction of the Department for Work and Pensions’ new Welsh office has commenced, the project's backers have announced.
The regional headquarters will house more than 1,700 public sector workers at the Treforest industrial estate, located between Cardiff and Pontypridd, and is due to be completed in the final quarter of 2020.
DWP director of planning Martin Brown said the five floor, 14,844sq m building would be a “very significant development” for the department as it continued to modernise and transform its services.
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“The new site will create a more efficient and flexible working environment, from which we will deliver a wide range of vital services to people in Wales and beyond,” he said.
“The development will house around 1,700 staff, bringing together talented employees under one roof, where the scale of operations is such that staff have the opportunity to develop and progress both within DWP and within the wider civil service in South Wales.”
The scheme is being funded by Legal & General and delivered by local property development company Rightacres, in partnership with Cardiff City Council.
Tom Roberts, head of strategic investment and regeneration at Legal & General Investment Management Real Assets, said the development would make a meaningful impact on the area’s regeneration and help to create social and economic growth.
“We are committed to improving our built environment, investing in projects across the UK to bring about developments that are fit for purpose and create better places to live and work,” he said.
The site of the hub used to be occupied by a supermarket and a car showroom. Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council approved the plans for the centre in August last year.