In a countryside location close to the Welsh town of Bridgend on the Vale of Glamorgan boundaries, a network of empty roads and footpaths currently exists that terminate abruptly.
Situated between the M4 and A48, Brocastle Business Park was constructed to provide an economic stimulus to the region, with the £10m development financed by the Welsh Government and designed to generate thousands of employment opportunities.
Yet, whilst multiple development plots remain prepared and available for commercial occupation, there is presently no sound of industrial activity or workforce conversation, but rather an unsettling quiet as none of the land has been utilised.
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Brocastle Business Park reached completion in November 2021 on terrain adjacent to the A48, approximately five miles from junction 35 of the M4.
The development received Welsh Government backing to deliver a "substantial stimulus to employment opportunities" with outline planning permission for up to 770,000sq feet of floor space, reports .
Construction was undertaken by a regional civil engineering firm and financed with over £10 million from the Welsh Government, incorporating approximately £6.2 million allocated via the European Regional Development Fund.
A further £2 million was also provided to the scheme to connect the new commercial site to Waterton through an Active Travel Route.
During the launch, the then Minister for Economy Vaughan Gething described the "significant investment" as supporting proposals he anticipated would result in numerous new employment opportunities. Nevertheless, despite the completion of essential infrastructure and preparation of nine plots at the location, as of August 2025, none appear to have been utilised with estate agents continuing to advertise their availability.
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Local Community Councillor Keith Hughes stated that he, like many others, believed the area remained in need of additional employment opportunities, expressing hope that the site's investment would ultimately prove worthwhile.
A Welsh Government spokesperson indicated they remained optimistic this would materialise, with discussions regarding two plots currently underway and others being "actively marketed".
They said: "Since substantial completion of the development plots, Brocastle has received a number of serious enquiries from interested parties.
"We are currently negotiating offers on two of the nine plots, one to a developer and one to an owner occupier.
"The remaining plots continue to be actively marketed by commercial property agents and have been attracting steady interest.
"We remain confident that the site will attract further investment to Bridgend and be home to many new jobs in the coming years."
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