Tywyn / Machynlleth Area Regeneration Plan 2007-2013 (Part of the Gwynedd Regeneration Framework) www.gwynedd.gov.uk Document Content This Area Regeneration Scheme contains the following sections: Introduction What is an Area Regeneration Plan? Tywyn/Machynlleth Area Regeneration Plan Section 1 - Area Profile Introduction Geographical Boundaries Population Mobility and Migrating Environmental Features and Designations Deprivation Economy of the Area Economic Activity Housing Health Voluntary Activity Section 2 - Analysis of Local Circumstances Introduction CGBC Analysis Section 3 - Aspirations of the Area Tywyn/Machynlleth Area Regeneration Vision Main Aspirations and Community Impressions Main Aspirations and Impressions of Voluntary Organisations and Businesses Main Aspirations and Impressions of Services Section 4 - Thematic and Spatial Priorities Introduction Tywyn/Machynlleth Thematic Priorities Tywyn/Machynlleth Spatial Priorities Summary Section 5 - Action Areas Introduction Table of Action Areas Section 6 - Implementing the Regeneration Scheme Introduction Approving the Regeneration Plan Regeneration Plan Lead Bodies Regeneration Plan Partners Reviewing the Regeneration Plan 1 Introduction What is an Area Regeneration Scheme? The Gwynedd Regeneration Strategy sets the context and a clear direction for all the county’s regeneration activities and its patchwork of unique communities from 2007-2013. The Area Regeneration Schemes are working documents which implement the Regeneration Strategy. The areas are based on the definition of boundaries in the Unitary Development Plan, based on dependency catchment areas. Gwynedd Regeneration Strategy 2007-2013 Porth - Caernar - Dolgellau / Tywyn / Ll yˆn Area Bala Area Ffestiniog Bangor madog fon Area Barmouth Machynl - Regenera - Regenera - Area Re - Area Re - Area Re - Regenera - Area Re - leth Area tion tion generation generation generation tion generation Regenera - Scheme Scheme Scheme Scheme Scheme Scheme Scheme tion Tywyn / Machynlleth Area Regeneration Plan This Area Plan was drafted by consulting with stakeholders in the area, including local residents, agencies that work in the area and organisations that serve the area. The Area Plan has taken other strategies into consideration which influence and contribute towards the regeneration field, including local strategies in the Tywyn / Machynlleth area. Stakeholders were consulted via participatory methods such as ‘drop in’ meetings, focus groups, questionnaires and other techniques. Through these consultations a comprehensive picture was drawn up of the nature and substance of the challenge facing the area’s communities together with drafting measures to respond to them. We wish to thank the stakeholders who took part in the consultation process. This Regeneration Plan identifies the main measures and projects for the regeneration field in the Tywyn / Machynlleth area for 2007-2013. The purpose of these projects is to give direction to the efforts and activities of regeneration of all the Plan partners, be they voluntary agencies, public institutions, private business and/or community groups. The regeneration projects for the area are intentionally extensive in order to ensure that there is flexibility within the Regeneration Plan to respond to, and take advantage of any challenge that arises during the period in question. 2 SECTION 1 Area Profile Introduction The area of Tywyn / Machynlleth is in the south of Gwynedd. It is an area renowned for its coast, beaches, mountains, wonderful views, tourism and history. Geographical Boundaries The Tywyn / Machynlleth Area Regeneration Plan focuses on the area which surrounds the western boundary of the Llangelynnin ward, Tywyn and Aberdyfi, to the farthest ends of Corris and Pennal wards in the east; to the northern boundaries of Llangelynnin, Llanegryn, Llanfihangel y Pennant and Corris and the southern boundaries of Aberdyfi, Pennal and Corris. Therefore, the area comprises 8 wards and a catchment area of 8 community and town councils. The boundaries of this Regeneration Plan correspond to the boundaries of the Unitary Development Plan. Population According to the 2001 Census, the Tywyn / Machynlleth area had a population of 8,627 with the highest percentage of the population (54.22%) in the 20-64 age group, and the minority of the population (4.43%) in the 15-19 age group. 25.75% of the population is 65 years and over. The population of the Tywyn / Machynlleth area represents approximately 7% of the population of the whole County. In 2001, 48.5% of the population were men and 51.5% women which corresponds to the county pattern. 3 According to the Census 48% of the population of Tywyn / Machynlleth had been born in Wales, however, characteristically over 48% of the population speaks Welsh, compared with the national average of 20.4%. Mobility and Migration Tywyn is the main town and the area’s centre where many of the main stream services are based. Within the area, it is the wards of Tywyn and Llangelynnin that are most populated with Corris / Mawddwy, Bryncrug / Llanfihangel and Aberdyfi least populated. Car ownership figures in the 2001 Census indicate that mobility within and outside the area is dependent on private cars. 56.8% of working people travel to work by car which is a little lower than the Gwynedd average. The Census also notes that only 19% of Tywyn / Machynlleth households do not own a car which is lower than the Gwynedd average (24%) and the Wales average (26%). People move within, into and out of the area for various reasons, such as retirement, work, family links etc. This movement has an impact on the structure of the local population. In 2001, 3.1% of the population moved from the area within the boundaries of Tywyn / Machynlleth. This percentage was a good deal lower than the county average of 7.3%. However, looking at the migration pattern into and out of the area, it is evident that the Tywyn / Machynlleth area sees a more frequent population turnover than the county and national average. In the same year, 7.8% of the population had moved into Tywyn / Machynlleth and 5.9% had moved out of Tywyn / Machynlleth which is a turnover that is obviously higher than the Gwynedd average (4% and 3.5% accordingly) and Wales (3.5% and 3% accordingly). Characteristics and Environmental Designations The area has an unique and special landscape and this is reflected in the number of conservation and environmental designations in parts of the area. There is a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) designation on afon Dyfi, parts of Abergynolwyn and Talyllyn, Minffordd and Mynydd Pennant and Cardigan Bay in its entirety is designated as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and as a Heritage Coast. There are several Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in Tywyn / Machynlleth including parts of Llwyngwril, Llangelynnin, Rhoslefain, Tonfannau and Aberdyfi on Cardigan Bay, afon Dyfi, aber Dysynni, afon Dysynni near Castell y Bere, Mynydd Pennant, parts of Aberllefenni and Cadair Idris including Graig Goch, Talyllyn and Minffordd; and the Cadair Idris area is also designated as a National Nature Reserve (NNR), together with afon Dyfi and the Llangelynin area. The areas of afon Dyfi and Llangelynin are also designated as RAMSAR sites. The rivers of Dyfi and Dysynni near Castell y Bere are areas of special conservation. Tywyn beach has a blue flag award under the Keep Wales Tidy programme. The vast majority of the Tywyn / Machynlleth area is within the boundaries of the Snowdonia National Park, with Tywyn lying outside the boundary. The ‘Future of 4 Eryri’ strategy sets a direction for the National Park developments over the next fifteen years; their strategic priorities for the coastline include protecting the coast from over-development, improving access and creating green wedges between dwellings to prevent them from joining (e.g. along the Ardudwy coast). Their strategic priorities for inland areas include encouraging innovation in agriculture, working to improve bio-diversity and planting woodland. The Dyfi Biosphere www.biosfferdyfi.org.uk includes parts of the Tywyn / Machynlleth area; Aberdyfi is a core area of the biosphere and Pennal and Corris is part of the bridging area. The Dyfi Biosphere is the first UNESCO biosphere in Wales and it works to interweave conservation and sustainable development. Deprivation In the Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation 2005, Tywyn 1 ward is identified as the ward in the Tywyn / Machynlleth area which appears highest in the index due to its deprivation. Tywyn 1 has been identified as the 8th most deprived ward in Gwynedd. Tywyn 2 ward is most noticeable under the Income Zone of the Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation, as it appears in the worst/highest 25%. The count of Income Based Jobseeker's Allowance claimants notes that 1.6% of the working age population of Tywyn / Machynlleth were receiving this allowance in December 2005, which is lower than the average for Gwynedd, which is 2.4%. Within Tywyn / Machynlleth the highest percentage of claimants was in Tywyn ward (2.4%), with the lowest percentage of claimants found in Bryncrug/Llanfihangel ward (0.5%) and Llangelynnin ward (1.3%). Of the 1.6% of Jobseeker’s Allowance Claimants in Tywyn / Machynlleth, over half belonged to the 25-49 age group, and the vast majority of all claimants had been out of work for less than six months. The pattern in Tywyn/Machynlleth follows the county and national trends. According to the Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation 2005, Llangelynnin/Corris/Mawddwy