RESIDENTS in the Amman and Swansea Valleys are being urged to have their say on how the council is to ensure the conservation and protection of the county’s heritage assets.

Neath Port Talbot Council has drafted a heritage strategy for the period between 2023 and 2038 called Restore, Regenerate, Repurpose.

It highlights what the council plans to do to ensure the conservation, protection and sustainability of the county’s heritage assets and to raise awareness of the exceptional heritage of the region, including the economic, well-being and environmental importance.

There are five main themes outlined in the plan, including understanding heritage and its significance; conserving and investing in heritage for future generations; capitalising and building on heritage; positive management of heritage and celebrating and promoting heritage.

Cllr Cen Phillips, the council’s cabinet member for nature, tourism and wellbeing, said: “The clear message from our residents is that a greater priority should be given to our heritage and culture.

“The draft strategy recognises how our heritage assets play an important part in increasing the appeal of the county borough as a place to live, work, visit and invest in. Working creatively with key stakeholders, it sets out how we can manage and protect our historic environment.

“The draft strategy, coupled with the National Lottery Heritage Fund’s announcement, has the potential to transform the heritage of the county borough.”

The National Lottery Heritage Fund funded the development of the draft strategy and recently announced that Neath Port Talbot is one of nine areas in the UK to benefit from a share of £200million to help transform the area’s heritage through a new Heritage Places initiative.

Residents and businesses across the Neath Port Talbot area can now comment on the draft strategy by visiting www.npt.gov.uk/consultations where you can also view the full strategy. Alternatively, those wishing to take part can do so by writing to Draft Heritage Strategy, Regeneration Team, Neath Port Talbot Council, The Quays, Neath, SA11 2GG.

Hard copies of the strategy are available at Neath and Port Talbot civic centres as well as council and community libraries.

The consultation will close on Sunday, November 5.