Porthmadog 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? Porthmadog 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 SWOT Analysis Section 3 – Aspirations of the Area Regeneration Vision for the Porthmadog Area Main Aspirations and Impressions of the Community Main Aspirations and Impressions of Voluntary Organisations and Businesses Main Aspirations and Impressions of the Services Section 4 – Thematic and Spatial Priorities Introduction Thematic Priorities for the Porthmadog Area Spatial Priorities for the Porthmadog Area 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 out the context and a clear direction for all of the county’s regeneration activities, with its unique patchwork of communities from 2007 – 2013. The Area Regeneration Schemes are operational documents that implement the Regeneration Strategy. The areas are based on the definitions of the Unitary Development Plan, which are based on dependence districts. 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 Porthmadog Area Regeneration Plan This Area Plan was formed 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 into account other strategies that influence and contribute towards the regeneration field, including local strategies for the Porthmadog area. Stakeholders were consulted through participatory methods such as ‘drop-in’ meetings, focus groups, questionnaires and other techniques. By means of these consultations, a comprehensive picture was compiled of the nature and scale of the challenge facing the area’s communities, along with drawing up measures to respond to them. We wish to thank the stakeholders who were part of the consultation process. This Regeneration Scheme identifies the main measures and projects for the regeneration field in the Porthmadog area for 2007 – 2013. These projects are intended to give a direction to all regeneration activities and efforts undertaken by all the partners of the scheme, namely voluntary agencies, public organisations, private businesses and/or community groups. The regeneration projects for the area are intentionally broad in order to ensure that there is flexibility within the Regeneration Plan to respond to, and take advantage of, any challenge faced during the period in question. 2 SECTION 1 Area Profile Introduction The area of Porthmadog lies in the centre of the county of Gwynedd. It is an area renowned for its coast, its beaches, its mountains, its glorious views, its tourism and its history. Geographical Boundaries The Porthmadog Area Regeneration Scheme focuses on the catchment area that includes the western boundary of the Llanystumdwy ward, including the furthest end of the wards of Beddgelert, Talsarnau and Llanfair to the east, and the northern boundary of Llanystumdwy and Beddgelert wards and the southern boundary of Llanfair. The area includes six wards, and the catchment areas of eight community and town councils. The boundaries of this Regeneration Area correspond to the boundaries found in the Unitary Development Plan. Population According to the 2001 Census, the Porthmadog area had a population of 12,456 with the largest percentage of the population, 55.14%, in the 20-64 age group, and the minority of the population, 5.53%, in the 15-19 age group. 21.61% of the population are 65 years old and over. The population of the Porthmadog area represents approximately 10% of the population of the whole county. In 2001, 48.23% of the population were men, and 51.77% were women,which reflects the pattern for the county. 3 According to the Census, 70% of the population of the Porthmadog area have been born in Wales, but more typically is that nearly 71% of the population speak Welsh, compared to the national average of 20.4%. Mobility and Migration Porthmadog is the area’s main town and centre, where a number of mainstream services are located. Within the area, Penrhyndeudraeth is the most populated area and Porthmadog – Tremadog and Dolbenmaen are the least populated. The car ownership figures of the 2001 Census show that movement within and outside the area is dependent on private cars. 59% of those who work travel to work by car, which is slightly lower than the average for Gwynedd. The Census also notes that 19% of Porthmadog households do not own a car, which is lower than the average for Gwynedd (24%) and the Welsh average (26%). People move within, and in and out of the area for numerous reasons, such as retirement, work, family connections and so on. This migration affects the structure of the local population. In 2001, 2.85% of the area’s population moved within the boundaries of the Porthmadog area. This percentage was considerably lower than the county average of 7.3%. However, from looking at the inward and outward migration patterns for the area, it is obvious that the Porthmadog area sees a more frequent population turnover than the county average and national average. In the same year, 7.5% of the population had migrated into the Porthmadog area, and 7.1% had migrated out of the Porthmadog area, which is an obvious higher turnover than the average for Gwynedd (4% and 3.5% respectively) and Wales (3.5% and 3% respectively). Environmental Features and Designations The area boasts a unique and special landscape, and this is reflected in the number of conservation and environmental designations given to parts of the area. Dolorgan Barn and Glyn Cywarch have been designated as Special Areas of Conservation (SAC); and the whole of Cardigan Bay is designated as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and as a Heritage Coast. There are several Sites of Special Scientific Areas (SSSIs) in the Porthmadog area, including Rhosgyll Fawr, Talhenbont, Glanllynnau and the shores from Penychain to Criccieth, Moel Hebog, the land and shores between Criccieth and Afon Glaslyn, Llanfrothen mines, Yr Arddu, Beddgelert forests and Aberglaslyn Pass, Maes Meillion and Gefail y Cwm; the areas of Morfa Harlech, Rhinog, Hafod Garregog, Tremadog woods, and Coed Camlyn are designated as National Nature Reserves (NNR). The areas of Rhinog, Coed Llechwedd, Coed Camlyn, Nantmor woods, Glaslyn, Tremadog woods, Cors Graianog, Cors Gyfelog and Cors y Wlad are designated as Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) and Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs). Most of the Porthmadog area is located within the boundaries of the Snowdonia National Park, with Porthmadog and Criccieth, Dolbenmaen, Llanystumdwy and 4 parts of Penrhyndeudraeth lying outside the boundary. The ‘Future of Snowdonia’ strategy sets out a direction for the National Park's developments over the next fifteen years; its strategic priorities for the coast include protecting the coast from overdevelopment, improving access to the coast and creating green wedges between settlements to prevent them from joining (e.g. along the Ardudwy coast). Their strategic priorities for inland areas include encouraging innovation within agriculture, working to improve biodiversity and planting coppices. Deprivation According to the Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation 2008, the ward of Dolbenmaen is the ward in the Porthmadog area which appears highest in the index due to ITS deprivation. Dolbenmaen has been designated as the 26th most deprived ward in Gwynedd. Dobenmaen ward is most noticeable under the Income Zone of the Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation, as it appears in the worst/highest 50%. The count of Income Based Jobseeker's Allowance claimants notes that 0.96% of the working age population of Porthmadog were receiving this allowance in December 2005, which is lower than the average for Gwynedd, which is 2.4%. Within Porthmadog, the highest percentage of claimants was in Porthmadog East ward (1.75%), with the lowest percentage of claimants found in Porthmadog West ward (0.5%) and Llanystumdwy ward (0.5%). Of the 0.96% of Jobseeker’s Allowance claimants in Porthmadog, over half belong to the 25-49 age group. The pattern in Porthmadog follows the county and national trends. According to the Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation 2008, Dolbenmaen, Llanystumdwy and Penrhyndeudraeth 1 are designated in the 25% worst/highest in the access to service zone in Gwynedd. This corresponds to the information of the Regional Transport Consortium for Mid-Wales (TraCC). The TraCC area has the poorest access to services in Wales with 30 of the 70 areas identified as the areas furthest from services in Wales being in the TraCC area. This information is true