North Anglesey Economic Regeneration Plan DRAFT NOT FOR PUBLICATION February 2019 North Anglesey Economic Regeneration Plan - Consultation Draft Page 2 Contents 1. A challenging time for North Anglesey 3 2. The aim of the Regeneration Plan 4 3. Consultation: What you told us 5 4. What is North Anglesey like now? 6 5. Links to other plans and policies 8 6. Strengths, challenges and opportunities 9 7. Regeneration Plan - Priority Themes 11 8. Delivering the Regeneration Plan 17 DRAFTDRAFT Prepared by Wood on behalf of Isle of Anglesey County Council February 2019 Harbour at Amlwch Port North Anglesey Economic Regeneration Plan - Consultation Draft Page 3 1. A challenging time for North Anglesey A critical time for North January 2019 also saw an announcement that Rehau factory, Amlwch - subject to potential closure Anglesey? North Anglesey’s second largest employer, Rehau, was consulting on a proposal to close its The existing Wylfa Power Station has been the manufacturing factory at Amlwch, with the loss of main employer in North Anglesey for several over 100 jobs. decades, employing hundreds of people directly and indirectly. The station is now entering the The County Council and other local stakeholders decommissioning phase, and it is expected that are now seriously concerned about the economic the numbers employed will reduce significantly prospects for North Anglesey, and there are calls over time. to take action to address what is clearly a critical situation. Much work has taken place to plan a new replacement power station, Wylfa Newydd, which will provide much-needed long-term A plan of action employment for the area to replace those lost at for North Anglesey The aim of the Regeneration Plan is to provide a the existing power station. Unfortunately, there clear strategy that – following implementation and There is clearly a need to address the economic was an announcement by Hitachi in January 2019 further progression over the coming years – will challenges facing the area,and ensure the long- that work on progressing this project has been deliver significant improvements to the wellbeing term prosperity and well-being of the North suspended, of the area and deliver lasting benefits. Anglesey area. The County Council recognises that a coherent strategy is required to help create The former Magnox power station and the site for Wylfa Newydd opportunities for sustainable jobs and investment Consultation on this plan and has therefore prepared this draft North This draft Regeneration Plan will be subject to Anglesey Economic Regeneration Plan. stakeholder and public consultation for at least The Regeneration Plan identifies a number of six weeks. A report on the consultation process proposals forDRAFT action and investment in North will be prepared, and a finalised version of the Anglesey to help the area respond to the Regeneration Plan will then be prepared for DRAFT adoption. recent announcements, and to drive economic revitalisation across the area up to 2026. This coincides with the life-time of the Anglesey and Gwynedd Joint Local Development Plan (JLDP), to which this plan is aligned. North Anglesey Economic Regeneration Plan - Consultation Draft Page 4 2. The aim of the Regeneration Plan The Regeneration Plan identifies: The Regeneration Plan provides a framework The vision for North Anglesey to help guide investment decisions and direct zzThe key issues affecting North Anglesey as partners to the priorities for the area up to By 2026: identified by the community; 2026. The Regeneration Plan is supported by an North Anglesey will have developed improved zzA Vision for North Anglesey; Implementation Plan (separate Appendix) which employment opportunities and supporting zzFive Priority Themes for regeneration; and sets out the specific projects to be delivered infrastructure that make the most of its natural, and will be regularly updated to ensure that historic and built environment, complements zzA range of identified regeneration projects. the progress of projects, and any new projects the area’s character and promotes wellbeing, The Regeneration Plan sets out a Vision for the that deliver against the Priority Themes, can be community cohesion and quality of life. The area North Anglesey area and identifies five Priority reported. will be an attractive place to live, work and Themes for investment by the County Council and The North Anglesey area contains the Talybolion visit. its partners. The Regeneration Plan will inform and Twrcelyn wards, and the community of Moelfre Amlwch partnership working in the area by focusing on As the main urban area, will have the primary location tangible projects that could bring economic improved its role as commerce and employment opportunities benefits to North Anglesey; to help meet the in North Anglesey. Investment in the town challenges posed by decommissioning of Wylfa A, centre the potential closure of Rehau, and capitalise on will have led to an improved offer and the construction of Wylfa Newydd. environment. Its role as an employment centre and visitor destination will have been enhanced. DRAFTDRAFT North Anglesey Economic Regeneration Plan - Consultation Draft Page 5 3. Consultation: What you told us “Amlwch could do with a “Strong community spirit” “Develop tourist areas to draw general spruce up” more people into the area” “The area needs high quality jobs to encourage talent to “Beautiful area, good sense of remain / move to area” “Unique industrial heritage” community. Friendly people” The Regeneration Plan has been informed by consultation with the community and key stakeholders. Initial consultation was undertaken during June and July 2018 alongside the County Council’s ‘Place shaping’ exercise for the Twrcelyn Ward. The consultation and the responses received are reported in the Amlwch and North Anglesey Regeneration Plan – Consultation Survey Results Report. Among the findings: Many respondents The coastal Developing Poor road Amlwch town The responses felt that the strong area, beaches tourism attractions infrastructure and centre, the former suggested sense of community and the coastal and visitor transport links, Octel site, the that boosting was a key strength path are strong accommodation, unattractive areas former Shell site tourism and retail of North Anglesey. environmental the retail offer and lack of suitable at Rhosgoch, and opportunities, and recreational and reinstating employment units Amlwch industrial increasing features of the Amlwch rail line were recognised estate provide employment North Anglesey were recognised as hindering opportunities opportunities, area. as opportunities investment whilst for economic supporting new and to help the area many thought investment within existing businesses, thrive. Schemes that that the County the Amlwch area. and redeveloping could benefit from Council and Welsh Amlwch town investmentDRAFT included Government could centre were top Parys Mountain and do more to support priorities for the AmlwchDRAFT Port. the area. area. Following consultation, five Priority Themes for investment in the North Anglesey area have been developed and a number of projects have been identified for inclusion in this Regeneration Plan. North Anglesey Economic Regeneration Plan - Consultation Draft Page 6 4. What is North Anglesey like now? Population Employment zzThe total resident population zz71% of population of North Anglesey is 13,474* economically active AONB (75% for Anglesey as a whole)* zzAmlwch is the largest settlement in the area with zz66% of population in a population of 3,789* employment (69% for Natural and Built Anglesey as whole)* zzCemaes is second largest, Environment with 1,357* zz4% of population zzDue to the fine coastal unemployed** zzThere are a number of landscape, almost other villages, hamlets and zzMedian household incomes the entire coastline is individual isolated properties. across North Anglesey are designated as an Area of comparable with Anglesey as Outstanding Natural Beauty zzThe population is relatively 60% a whole at around £25,000. (AONB). aged. The 45 to 74-year age Average household incomes zz range which makes up 43.4% There are four conservation fluctuate with those in Amlwch of the population, higher areas: Amlwch (Central), The Welsh Language Port significantly lower at a little than both the Anglesey and Amlwch Port, Cemaes, and over £20,000 per annum and Welsh averages. zz60% of people can speak Llanfechell with the highest in Mechell. Welsh (57% for Anglesey as a zzThere are several sites Relatively aged whole)* zzDecommissioning of main designated for nature employer at Wylfa power zz69% of people have one or conservation including: station and current Wylfa more skill in Welsh (70% for zzCemlyn Bay Special Area zzBackground information Newydd development Anglesey as a whole)* of Conservation (SAC) about the area is included in suspended by Hitatchi zz DRAFT the Wylfa Newydd SPG Topic The western and central areas zzAnglesey Terns Special zzPotential closure of major Paper for North Anglesey have a higherDRAFT percentage Protection Areas (SPA) employer Rehau, Amlwch of Welsh speakers when zz19 Sites of Special Scientific compared with the eastern Interest (SSSIs) * Census 2011 wards. <£25k pa ** Nomis 2017-2018 data for incomes Anglesey as a whole North Anglesey Economic Regeneration Plan - Consultation Draft Page 7 Tourism Ports and quays including Cemaes, Industrial heritage Point Lynas Lighthouse – a landmark Amlwch Port, and Moelfre attractions coastal feature North Anglesey