2542:17

RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT OF 8 DWELLINGS AT YSGOL LLANFACHRAETH, LLANFACHRAETH, YNYS MÔN

WELSH LANGUAGE ASSESSMENT

Ionawr | January 2020

Prepared by: Russell-Hughes Cyf. 56 Bridge Street Ynys Môn LL77 7HH

2542:17

RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT OF 8 DWELLINGS AT YSGOL LLANFACHRAETH, LLANFACHRAETH, YNYS MÔN

WELSH LANGUAGE ASSESSMENT

INDEX Page

1. Introduction 1

2. Welsh Language Assessment 1

3. Conclusion 1 2542:17

RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT OF 8 DWELLINGS AT YSGOL LLANFACHRAETH, LLANFACHRAETH, YNYS MÔN

WELSH LANGUAGE ASSESSMENT

1. INTRODUCTION

This report intends to consider how the Welsh language has been considered as part of this proposed development.

The proposal involves the erection of 8 residential dwellings (4 No. semi-detached 2 bedroom houses, 2 No. 2 bedroom terraced bungalows and 2 No. 1 bedroom terraced bungalows) together with the formation of a new estate road to serve the development. The applicant is the Housing Services Department of Ynys Môn County Council with the finished development site to be retained as housing stock for the applicant. All of the dwellings have been designed to meet the Welsh Assembly Government Design Quality Requirements Design Standards 2005.

2. WELSH LANGUAGE ASSESSMENT

Llanfaethlu is identified in the and JLDP as a Local Village within the Ward, it is also known historically to have a strong Welsh identity with the Llanfaethlu Ward having 67.0% of the population being Welsh speakers aged 3+ (2011 Census Figures).

The applicant has identified the local need for housing in Llanfachraeth for a variety of people and families within the , this has been reflected in the diverse housing mix included as part of the proposed scheme plans. The new dwellings will enable a broad spectrum of Welsh speaking people and families to remain in the village and not seek residence elsewhere by providing new accommodation for young families wishing to remain in the village, dwellings for elderly residents wishing to downsize and also bungalows for people with disabilities or restricted movements.

As part of the development there needs to be a minimum of 20% affordable housing provision included, this means that two of the dwellings on the site will be affordable homes. This gives further opportunity for young families to purchase homes within their own community and to strengthen the core nucleus of Welsh speakers of the village for the next generation.

The schools nearest to the development site are the new Ysgol Rhyd y in Llanfaethlu Primary School and Ysgol Uwchradd Comprehensive School. Ysgol Rhyd y Llan is credited as having Welsh as the main medium of the school’s life and work (Estyn Inspection Report 2019) and Ysgol Uwchradd Bobedern is a naturally bilingual school (Estyn Inspection Report 2014). This ensures that the families residing in the new dwellings created by the development will have an excellent opportunity for their children to attend Welsh speaking schools.

The applicant has indicated that the preference would be for the proposed development to have a Welsh name reflecting the existing use of the site to maintain its local identity. A name such as ‘Stad Hen Ysgol’ would present a positive connection with the existing use of the site.

3. CONCLUSION

Although a Welsh Language Impact Statement is not required for this application it is none the less vitally important that the Welsh Language is considered as part of any proposed new housing development. This report has adequately identified the reasons why the development should not have a detrimental effect on the local Welsh community, in fact the development could be deemed to have a positive effect given the reasons stated in the report.

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