County Borough Council Local Development Plan 2011 –2026

Welsh Language Topic Paper August 2013

www.npt.gov.uk/ldp Contents

1 Introduction 1 2013) 2 Background 3

3 Policy Context: National, Regional & Local 5 (August 3.1 National Policy Context 5 Paper

3.2 Regional Policy Context 8 opic T 3.3 Local Policy Context 9

4 Current Situation and Trends 15 Language

5 Summary of Consultation Responses 29 elsh W - 6 Issues to be Addressed 31 LDP 7 Objectives 33

8 Strategic Policy Development 35 Deposit 9 Detailed Policy Development 41

Appendices

A Appendix 1 1 A.1 Knowledge of Welsh 1 A.2 Education Figures 3 Contents Deposit LDP - W elsh Language T opic Paper (August 2013) 1 . Introduction

1 Introduction 2013) 1.0.1 This topic paper is one of a range of papers prepared to offer more detailed information and to provide an explanation of the approach taken in the Local Development (August Plan (LDP) in relation to different topics and issues affecting the County Borough. Paper 1.0.2 This paper specifically considers the Welsh Language. opic T 1.0.3 A previous version of this paper was published at the Pre-Deposit consultation stage in September 2011. The Pre-Deposit consultation was the first statutory stage of

the LDP and set out the Council's overall Preferred Strategy. Following the consultation, Language the comments received have been taken into account and the topic papers have been elsh amended accordingly. W -

1.0.4 The Deposit Plan consultation is the second statutory stage of the plan and LDP allows a further period of formal public consultation. Comments received at this stage will

be considered by an Independent Planning Inspector who will hold and Examination in Deposit Public into the Plan. If the Inspector considers the Plan to be 'sound' it will be recommended for adoption and once adopted it will supersede the current Unitary Development Plan (UDP) and be the primary document for use in the determination of planning applications.

1.0.5 This topic paper can be read in isolation or in conjunction with the other topic papers and background papers that have been prepared to give a full picture of Neath Port Talbot(1).

1

1 The information contained within this Topic Paper is correct as of the date sent to print. 1 . Introduction Deposit LDP - W elsh Language T opic Paper (August 2013)

2 2 . Background

2 Background 2013) 2.0.1 The Welsh language is part of the heritage of many of Neath Port Talbot's communities. The Plan aims to preserve and enhance the area's cultural heritage and (August identity including the Welsh Language in language sensitive areas. Paper 2.0.2 In line with the Spatial Plan there is an emphasis on the importance of a opic cohesive identity that sustains and celebrates what is distinctive about Wales. This includes T promoting the Welsh language to establish a sense of place and as a form of national identity. Language 2.0.3 For many areas throughout Wales the Welsh language is a living and intrinsic part elsh of life. The planning system can have a far reaching positive or negative effect W - on the social fabric of a community and therefore affect the future of the language. A new housing development for instance could affect the proportion of Welsh speakers in a LDP community. The approval of a new retail store or leisure facility could attract custom away from the traditional shops and community facilities where residents would meet and Deposit converse in Welsh. Such development therefore has the potential to affect the social balance within a community to the detriment of the Welsh language.

2.0.4 The local authority has a duty to ensure that the planning process takes into account the well being of the Welsh language when planning applications are determined.

3 2 . Background Deposit LDP - W elsh Language T opic Paper (August 2013)

4 3 . Policy Context: National, Regional & Local

3 Policy Context: National, Regional & Local 2013) 3.1 National Policy Context

Planning Policy Wales (PPW) Edition 5 (2012) (August

3.1.1 PPW sets out the land use planning policies of the Welsh Government and provides Paper opic guidance to local authorities when formulating planning policies. T

3.1.2 This document states that the future well being of the Welsh language will depend

on various factors including education, demographic change, community activities and a Language sound economic base. elsh W 3.1.3 The Welsh language should be taken into account when determining planning -

applications particularly in communities where the language is a living and intrinsic part LDP of community life. The social effect of a development is particularly stressed and local authorities will need to consider whether they have communities where the use of the Deposit Welsh language is a part of the social fabric. In areas where the Welsh language is an important part of the fabric of the community it should be taken into account when formulating land use policies. For example, this could include setting policies that ensure housing development is phased and broadly distributed. Policies relating to affordable housing could also be of benefit but policy should not introduce any element of discrimination on the basis of their linguistic ability.

Technical Advice Note 20: The Welsh Language (2000)

3.1.4 TAN 20 supplements the policies set out in PPW. It reiterates that the location of new housing can ultimately affect the character of an area including it's linguistic balance. It also stresses the importance of a strong economy and providing affordable housing in these communities which would encourage the younger residents to stay thus promoting the economy and safeguarding the language.

Technical Advice Note 20: The Welsh Language [Consultation Draft (2011)]

3.1.5 On 21st March 2011, the WG published an update to TAN 20 for consultation. Where the use of the Welsh language is a significant part of the social fabric of a community, the needs and interests of the Welsh language should be taken into account in the formulation of the strategy, policies and site allocations set out in the LDP.

3.1.6 It is suggested that Welsh Language Impact Assessment should be undertaken at the LDP preparation stage, while linguistic issues should be considered in relation to individual planning applications. The site assessment process should consider the implications of the identified sites on the Welsh language in areas where the language is 5 a significant part of the social fabric.

3.1.7 In the Pre-Deposit Plan, where the Welsh language is a significant part of the social fabric of the community this should inform the identification of strategy and policy options. In particular, Welsh language considerations may inform the overall level of growth or change proposed and the spatial distribution of new development and infrastructure. It 3 . Policy Context: National, Regional & Local

Deposit should be the aim of local planning authorities to provide for the broad distribution and phasing of housing development taking into account the ability of different areas and

LDP communities to accommodate that development without eroding the position of the Welsh language. - W elsh 3.1.8 Where the Welsh language is a significant part of the social fabric of the community,

Language the local planning authority should build on earlier LDP preparation and ensure the Plan strategy, policies and land allocations in the Deposit LDP pay full regard to the needs and interests of the Welsh language. The reasoned justification for all LDPs should include a T

opic statement of the regard had by the local planning authority to social, economic and environmental considerations, including the needs and interests of the Welsh language, Paper and how any policies relating to the Welsh language interact with other Plan policies.

(August 3.1.9 TAN 20 also provides guidance on the type of mitigation that should be considered to offset any potential adverse impacts that have been identified during the determination

2013) of planning application. These include:

Phasing the number of houses built;

Provision of affordable housing for local needs;

Local labour contracts and training initiatives;

Provision of bilingual signs within and outside the establishment;

Support the funding for language induction and staff language lessons;

Support and funding for cultural and language initiatives/protects to encourage the use of the language within communities;

Support for the provision of school places in Welsh medium schools;

Support funding for language and cultural awareness initiatives.

A Bilingual Future (2002)

3.1.10 In recent decades the number of Welsh language speakers has been in decline. The report identifies that one of the most serious threats to the language is the reduction in primary Welsh speaking communities.

Welsh Language Measure (2011) 6 3.1.11 This modernised the existing legal framework largely governed by the Welsh Language Act 1993 regarding the use of the Welsh language in the delivery of public services. The Measure confirmed the official status of the language in Wales and created a new legislative framework. It also confirms the introduction of a new Welsh Language Commissioner who will deliver the Welsh Government vision of a thriving and vibrant language. 3 . Policy Context: National, Regional & Local

A Living Language: A language for Living (Welsh Language Strategy 2012-17) 2013) 3.1.12 This document contains the Welsh Government's vision to ensure the Welsh language thrives within Wales and builds upon the framework outlined in the Welsh Language Measure (2011). To achieve this the aim of the strategy is to encourage: (August

More opportunities for people to use Welsh; Paper opic T An increase in people’s confidence and fluency in the language;

An increase in people’s awareness of the value of the Welsh language, both as part Language of our national heritage and as a useful skill in modern life; elsh W The strengthening of the position of the Welsh language in our communities; and - LDP Strong representation of the Welsh language throughout the digital media. Deposit 3.1.13 The document states that there are two core elements to achieving the vision. Firstly, via measures to enable and encourage children and other people to acquire the language and secondly via measures to enable and encourage people to use the language on a daily basis.

3.1.14 This echoes the Welsh Language Measure (2011) which imposes a duty on local authorities to promote the Welsh language more widely. It is a five-year strategy, from 1st April 2012 to 31st March 2017, and supersedes Iaith Pawb published in 2003.

Planning and the Welsh language – The Way Ahead (2005)

3.1.15 A national study was commissioned(2) in an attempt to produce a linguistic impact methodology which would enable local planning authorities to produce meaningful and practical policies to protect and promote the use of the Welsh language. Although the document was not adopted as part of national policy, it gives guidance on how to identify areas where the Welsh language is part of the social fabric. The report recommended a 30% threshold to identify such linguistically important areas. It was however decided that Language Sensitive Areas should be based on whether around 25% or more of residents are Welsh speaking based on the 2001 Census figures. A 25% threshold is advised based on the following:

The national average of Welsh speakers is 20.8% (2001). The threshold should closely reflect the national average to ensure the majority of communities with a slightly higher percentage to the average are included. 7

2 University College London (UCL). 3 . Policy Context: National, Regional & Local

Deposit Planning Policy Wales states that every local Authority should consider whether they have communities where the use of the language is part of the social fabric. It is

LDP considered reasonable to consider those communities which have a higher percentage of Welsh speakers than the national average. - W elsh The 25% and over threshold, as opposed to the 30% threshold recommended by

Language UCL, forms a contiguous area within Wales.

T 3.1.16 The guidance also states that culture and language are components of amenity opic and advertisements contribute in a visual way to the physical and social character of an Paper area. The LDP therefore should include specific policies encouraging the use of bilingual signs within areas where the language is a part of its linguistic and cultural character. (August 3.2 Regional Policy Context 2013) Western Valleys Strategy (2006)

3.2.1 The Valley Strategy states that following engagement with the public one of its objectives would be to ‘...reverse the decline of the Welsh language and also promote Welsh language initiatives through organisations such as Menter Iaith’. It identifies the Amman and as a whole including and its surrounding communities as having strong roots in the Welsh language and the decline of the language a concern and as such it would look to promote Welsh language initiatives within these areas.

Welsh Language Board (WLB) Language Development Area (2011)

3.2.2 In 2011 the WLB launched a programme of focusing additional resources on Language Development Areas (LDA). These areas contain communities with high levels of Welsh speakers (over 60%) but which face pressure on their linguistic balance and ability to sustain the language.

3.2.3 The first area is based upon the Amman and Tawe valleys and extends from Ammanford to . Within Neath Port Talbot, this includes an arc of communities: Gwaun Cae Gurwen, Tairgwaith, , , , Ystalyfera and Godre'r Graig. The area extends into Carmarthenshire, Powys and the Brecon Beacons National Park.

3.2.4 The Report states that it could be argued that the area stretching from Trebanos to Cwmllynfell and Rhos to Gwaun Cae Gurwen is the most important area in the County 8 Borough with regard to the Welsh language due to the high number of Welsh speakers. 3 . Policy Context: National, Regional & Local

3.3 Local Policy Context 2013) Neath Port Talbot Working in Partnership 2013 - 2023: Single Integrated Plan

3.3.1 The Single Integrated Plan (SIP) sets out the Council's vision for Neath Port Talbot (August and the steps the Council will take together with partners to protect and improve local services and support communities. The Council's vision is 'Creating a Neath Port Talbot Paper opic where everyone has an equal opportunity to be healthier, happier, safer and prosperous'. T

3.3.2 An outcome that the SIP aims to achieve is that 'People in Neath Port Talbot fulfil

their learning potential'. In doing so, the Council will seek to: Language

Improve education and ensure that schools are fit for purpose and are capable of elsh W delivering high quality educational experiences; - LDP Support children and young people to fulfil their potential; and

Improve learning outcomes for adults. Deposit

Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council Unitary Development Plan (2008)

3.3.3 Neath Port Talbot contains communities (mainly in the Swansea Valley) in which the language is a feature of community life. They make a significant contribution to the South Wales core of Welsh speaking communities, which extends across the Amman and Gwendraeth Valleys.

3.3.4 The main problems facing the communities (in common with other valley communities within the County Borough) are a gradual loss of population and difficulties in attracting new employment and sustaining community and other facilities.

3.3.5 The Plan therefore aims to support the communities through ensuring that there is sufficient land available to allow the creation of local employment and the development of housing to meet their needs.

3.3.6 The objective in respect of the Welsh Language is to:

Encourage development which would help sustain the use of the Welsh language and resist proposals which would be likely to harm the linguistic character of communities.

3.3.7 The Plan contains a specific policy in relation to the Welsh Language and requires the provision of Welsh Language Impact Assessment for proposals which might have a 9 significant impact on the language in a community (e.g. housing sites of 10 or more dwellings) within the Swansea Valley area. 3 . Policy Context: National, Regional & Local

Deposit 3.3.8 The inclusion of the Pontardawe / Rhos area within the area covered by the policy reflects the importance of Pontardawe in providing services and facilities for the catchment

LDP which mainly comprises communities where the language is an important feature of everyday life. - W elsh 3.3.9 The UDP focuses its policies on the Swansea Valley area (including Rhos, Gwaun

Language Cae Gurwen, ,Tairgwaith, Cwmllynfell and Rhiwfawr) due to the consistently high percentage of Welsh speakers in the communities (over 30% apart from Rhos 29.6%). It contains the 'Traditional Welsh' Primary schools which serve the local community where T

opic all the children receive their education through the medium of Welsh until 7 years of age.

Paper 3.3.10 Impacts on other community services and provision are considered, but the educational impact is the key measure. (August Menter Iaith Castell Nedd Port Talbot 2013) 3.3.11 The Menter Iaith is an organisation that supports and promotes the use of the Welsh language within Neath Port Talbot. It is one of a Wales wide network of such organisations and provides a range of activities for the community both within the Swansea and Amman Valleys and across Neath Port Talbot. The activities range from Welsh Language entertainment and sport / recreational opportunities to supporting the learning of the language.

Strategic Schools Improvement Program (SSIP)

3.3.12 This Program determines the way future education is provided within the County Borough both in terms of English and Welsh medium education.

3.3.13 Implementation of this program is likely to lead to substantial change involving opening new schools, closing existing schools, merging or amalgamating schools, federating schools and promoting new initiatives that support collaborative working between schools. This will mean re-assessing current provision in the light of future need and dealing with over capacity in the school building stock.

3.3.14 The intention of the program is to provide the following benefits:

Deliver 21st century schools;

Use resources efficiently and effectively;

Provide the right schools in the right places;

10 Reduce surplus capacity;

Promote Welsh medium education; and

Promote diversity and equality. 3 . Policy Context: National, Regional & Local

3.3.15 In June 2012, the projects identified as part of the program with regard to Welsh medium education are as follows: 2013)

Establish a new, 21st Century, 3-18, 'all through' Welsh Medium school in a new build / part reconstruction on an existing site in Ystalyfera in the north of the County Borough. (August This project provides for a new school to replace the secondary Welsh medium school, Paper Ysgol Gyfun Ystalyfera and the Welsh medium primary school Ysgol Gynradd Y opic Wern, both of which will consequently close. T

Establish a 11-16, Welsh medium secondary school in the location of the existing

Sandfields Comprehensive School. This is in response to an identified demand for Language such education within the Port Talbot area. elsh W -

Welsh Language Impact Assessment of Communities in the Swansea Valley (Menter LDP Iaith Castell Nedd Port Talbot) (November 2012)

3.3.16 Due to the lack of evidence on the impacts a large housing development can Deposit have on the language the Authority, with financial support from the Welsh Language Board (now part of Welsh Government), commissioned Menter Iaith Castell Nedd Port Talbot to undertake a Welsh Language Impact Assessment. The Assessment focused on two sites, one a long established area of housing in Ystalyfera and the other a new housing site in Godre'r Graig.

3.3.17 The purpose of the study was to investigate:

Whether there is a different percentage using the language compared with households in an area of long established housing;

Whether there are differences between the two areas in terms of their make up and behaviour of the households and their use of the language;

Through structured discussion with stakeholders serving the communities the role of the language, current practice and the prospects for the promotion of its use.

3.3.18 The findings were intended to identify whether new development is likely to create impacts on the language, and whether any impacts are likely to be beneficial or harmful, whether any harm may be mitigated or whether they could be of such a scale and impact that new development should be controlled through the LDP.

3.3.19 The study clearly identified that in the new housing development in Graig Newydd: 11 There is a significantly lower percentage of Welsh speakers;

English is likely to be the language of the homes in mixed language households; 3 . Policy Context: National, Regional & Local

Deposit Welsh speakers are less likely to use the Welsh language outside the home; and

LDP Lower percentages of children are likely to go to Welsh medium schools when compared with the area of existing housing. - W elsh

Language 3.3.20 The Assessment recommended the following:

When new development (whether housing, shopping, leisure or any other use that would be likely to impact on the language) is being considered, the scale, speed and T opic type of development is assessed in relation to the likely ability of the Welsh speaking

Paper community and its institutions to absorb it without causing unacceptable harm.

(August When new development is proposed that would affect Welsh speaking communities, a Welsh language service is provided throughout the period of opening hours. This

2013) does not mean that all staff need to be Welsh speaking, but that a 'face to face' service would be provided by Welsh speakers or learners who have attained a level sufficient to communicate with customers in Welsh.

Mitigation measures be provided to encourage Welsh speakers (adults and children) to use the language and encourage and enable learners to acquire the language and become part of the Welsh speaking community.

Monitoring is needed to ensure that commitments such as the Welsh Language Action Plan put in place in relation to the shopping developments in Pontardawe are actually implemented.

3.3.21 The Assessment also identified that further resources are needed to support Welsh speakers, learners, children learning Welsh (often in mixed or English language households) and the enterprises, organisations and bodies that provide their services and needs. Without the provision of mitigation, new housing, while helping revitalise the communities, is likely to damage the vitality of language in communities directly, indirectly and cumulatively. The Assessment advises on the following mitigation measures to offset any negative impacts on the language:

Welsh Language Schools: sufficient resources should be available to enable the schools to fulfil their role in producing fluent first language speakers. This should include the provision of support to cater for additional numbers of non-Welsh speakers and out of school activities. Transport should be provided as necessary to both types of activities.

12 English Language Schools: As above but with the aim of helping children gain access to the Welsh speaking community and its activities.

Adults: Sufficient resources are needed to reinvigorate the Welsh speaking communities and encourage the use of the language. Tuition should be provided for learners within easy access, both in distance and allowing working parents to attend. 3 . Policy Context: National, Regional & Local

Tuition should be part of an integrated programme with the aim of enabling learners

to become sufficiently fluent that they can become part of the Welsh speaking 2013) communities. (August A coordinated programme of support, should be provided for organisations and bodies

that provide activities, facilities, education etc for Welsh speakers and learners. The Paper Welsh Government's Special Language Area Programme and the Menter Iaith provide opic mechanisms to coordinate this provision. T

The performance and effectiveness of the measures should be carefully monitored

and assessed to ensure that they are relevant and provide effective use of the Language

resources. elsh W - When programmes have been put in place to provide mitigation for developments, the effectiveness of their implementation should be closely monitored and if necessary LDP enforced. Deposit

3.3.22 The Assessment suggests that further research should be undertaken to place the findings of the study in context and identify thresholds and measures that the local planning authorities can apply as a starting point for assessing likely impacts and appropriateness of mitigation measures. It also identifies the Amman Valley, Swansea Valley and Pontardawe as areas where the use of the language is a significant feature and the percentage of Welsh speakers is sufficient to sustain the use of the language. The language in these communities is vulnerable to development that could adversely affect the linguistic balance and discourage the acquisition and use of the language within the home, and the facilities, services and enterprises that serve the communities.

3.3.23 A similar study was prepared by Menter Iaith for Powys County Council comparing two housing sites in the nearby village of Ystradgynlais which borders Neath Port Talbot. This Assessment further reinforces the conclusion that a large scale housing development in the Swansea Valley contains a lower percentage of Welsh speakers and as such has had an impact on the social fabric of the community.

13 3 . Policy Context: National, Regional & Local Deposit LDP - W elsh Language T opic Paper (August 2013)

14 4 . Current Situation and Trends

4 Current Situation and Trends 2013) 4.0.1 According to the document entitled 'Planning and Welsh Language: The Way Ahead', ‘...the future well being of the language will depend on a variety of factors, such (August as education, its use in the business environment, demographic change and community (3) activities as well as a sound economic basis for each community . Whilst the planning Paper system does not have influence over many of these factors, the Plan will need to identify opic how the planning system can take into account the needs and interests of the language T and to what extent it can contribute to its well-being. It was identified during the LDP consultation process that the erosion of the Welsh Language is a concern in the areas of Pontardawe, Swansea Valley and Amman Valley. Language elsh W

Wales - The National Picture -

4.0.2 At the beginning of the 20th Century nearly half of the population in Wales spoke LDP Welsh. The percentage of Welsh speakers however, decreased throughout the 20th

Century (Figure 4.1) to as little as 18.7% in 1991. While it increased to 20.8% in 2001, Deposit principally owing to the growth in the teaching of Welsh as a second language in schools, recent 2011 Census figures suggest a decrease in the amount of Welsh speakers between 2001 and 2011. Figure 4.1 (4) illustrates the numbers able to speak Welsh and English in turquoise, numbers only able to speak Welsh in grey and the percentage speaking Welsh in black.

15

3 Paragraph 2.4 Planning and the Welsh Language: The Way Ahead (2005). 4 http://www.comisiynyddygymraeg.org/English/Assistance/Dataandstatisitcs/Pages/2011Censusresultsandchangessince2001.aspx 4 . Current Situation and Trends

Deposit Figure 4.1 2011 Census - Results & Changes Since 2001 LDP - W elsh Language T opic Paper (August 2013)

4.0.3 In December 2012, Welsh language 2011 Census figures were released at the national and local authority level. The national picture across Wales, taking into account most up to date figures, can be summarised as follows:

The proportion of people able to speak Welsh decreased from 20.8% in 2001 to 19% in 2011. This equates to a decline of 20,400 speakers from 582,400 to 562,000(5).

Differences between 2001 and 2011 figures varied by age group. The number and percentage of first-language speakers among young children (aged 3-4) increased from 18.8% to 23.3%, this can be attributed to the increase in Welsh medium education. There was also a slight increase in the number of adults aged 20-44 that were Welsh 16 speaking but a decrease in all other age groups. Figure 4.2 shows the amount of Welsh speakers by age group which was taken from WG's Welsh Language Statistic Bulleting (December 2012)(6).

5 http://wales.gov.uk/topics/statistics/headlines/population2012/121211/?lang=en 6 http://wales.gov.uk/docs/statistics/2012/121211sb1182012en.pdf 4 . Current Situation and Trends

Figure 4.2 Proportion of People Able To Speak Welsh by Age Group (1991-2011) 2013) (August Paper opic T Language elsh W - LDP Deposit

According to recent Census figures the population of Wales increased by 153,300 between 2001 and 2011. Migration accounted for over 90% of the population increases - this included migration from other parts of the UK and internationally. Inward migration has a significant impact on the proportion able to speak Welsh. The proportion of the population living in Wales but born outside Wales increased from 25% in 2001 to 27% in 2011. 2001 Census figures showed that 86% of the population born outside of Wales had no ability in Welsh - comparable data for 2011 has yet to be published but similar figures are expected (7).

There appears to be a net out-migration of fluent Welsh speakers from Wales. 2011 Census figures also show that there were 507,000 Welsh born people living in England. Broad estimates of the annual change in the number of fluent Welsh speakers were published as part of the Welsh Government's Welsh Language Strategy Evidence Review in March 2012(8). The paper suggests that there is likely to be an annual net loss of around 1,200-2,200 fluent Welsh speakers, and this is mostly due to out-migration.

The geographical distribution of Welsh speakers has changed meaning that the likelihood of one Welsh speaker meeting another at random has decreased. Such a change has implications for language use and for the formation of households where Welsh is used. 17

7 http://wales.gov.uk/docs/statistics/2012/121211sb1182012en.pdf 8 http://wales.gov.uk/docs/caecd/research/120301welshlanguageen.pdf 4 . Current Situation and Trends

Deposit 4.0.4 The recent 2011 Welsh language Census figures(9) released also included figures at a local authority level. All local authorities apart from Monmouthshire, Caerphilly and

LDP Cardiff saw a decrease in the proportion of people aged 3 and over able to speak Welsh. The largest percentage point decreases were in areas with higher proportions of Welsh - W speakers. Many of Wales's Welsh speaking strongholds such as Ceredigion and elsh Carmarthenshire experienced significant decreases. Neath Port Talbot experienced a Language 2.7% decline from 18% in 2001 to 15.3% in 2011 which equates to a 2,706 decrease in the Welsh speaking population. T opic Picture 4.1 Welsh Language Statistics by Local Authority (Census 2011) Paper (August 2013)

18

9 http://wales.gov.uk/docs/statistics/2012/121211sb1182012en.pdf 4 . Current Situation and Trends

Neath Port Talbot - The Local Picture 2013) 4.0.5 Recent Census figures have also been released for Welsh language skills (table 4.1) and as expected, skills in general have dropped both at a national level and within Neath Port Talbot. Figures for residents with no Welsh language skills have risen in Neath (August Port Talbot while figures for residents fluent in speech, reading and writing have dropped. Paper opic

Table 4.1 Welsh Language Skills in Neath Port Talbot (Census 2011) T

Residents 3 & No Skills in Can Can Speak Can Speak but Can Speak & Can Speak, Other Over Welsh Understand Welsh cannot Read or Read but Read & Write Combination of Spoken Welsh Write Welsh cannot Write Welsh Skills

Only Welsh Language

2001 2011 2001 2011 2001 2011 2001 2011 2001 2011 2001 2011 2001 2011 2001 2011 elsh W

Neath Port 130,305 135,278 71.18 75.2 6.52 6.4 18 15.3 3.26 2.7 1.69 1.6 12.83 10.8 4.51 3.3 - Talbot LDP Wales 2,805,701 2,955,841 71.57 73.3 4.93 5.3 20.8 19.0 2.83 2.7 1.37 1.5 16.32 14.6 2.98 2.5

4.0.6 While figures of Welsh speakers by age were not available for the 2011 Census, Deposit 2001 Census figures show a high amount of children and young adults who can speak the language within Neath Port Talbot due to the amount of Welsh medium education available (10).

Picture 4.2 Percentage Able To Understand / Speak / Read / Write Welsh by Age (2001)

19

10 http://www.comisiynyddygymraeg.org/English/Publications%20List/A%20statistical%20overview%20of%20the%20Welsh%20language.pdf 4 . Current Situation and Trends

Deposit 4.0.7 In January 2013 Welsh language figures were also released on a ward level. These figures show that there are some areas within Neath Port Talbot with very low

LDP numbers of Welsh speakers such as Port Talbot where the wards of , Sandfields and Taibach contain less than 10% Welsh speakers (Appendix 1). - W elsh 4.0.8 Whilst language figures in some areas are well below the Welsh average, there

Language are areas within the County Borough where the language is an integral part of the social fabric and which contain very high levels of Welsh speakers. More than half of the population of Cwmllynfell, Gwaun Cae Gurwen and Lower Brynamman can speak Welsh T

opic and are regarded as traditional Welsh speaking communities. It is evident that the Amman and Swansea Valley areas are the stronghold of the language in Neath Port Talbot with Paper the Pontardawe area and Dulais Valley also containing communities where more than the Welsh average of the residents speak the language. These Valley communities are where (August Welsh language skills are highest with a high percentage that can speak, read and write Welsh (Appendix 1) 2013) 4.0.9 Pontardawe has strong links to the Amman and Swansea Valley areas as it acts as a hub, providing facilities and services where the language is a prominent feature and can be used on a daily basis.

Table 4.2 Communities With High Percentage of Welsh Speakers in Neath Port Talbot (2011 Census)

Ward Number of Welsh Speakers 2011 % Welsh Speakers 2011

Amman Valley Spatial area

Gwaun Cae Gurwen 1576 55.8%

Lower Brynamman 776 60.8%

Dulais Valley Spatial area

Crynant 465 25.1%

Onllwyn 222 19.1%

Seven Sisters 469 22.9%

Pontardawe Spatial area

Alltwen 664 29.5%

Rhos 588 24.7%

Pontardawe 1624 31% 20 Trebanos 459 33.6% Swansea Valley Spatial area

Cwmllynfell 669 58.8%

Godre'r Graig 473 30.1%

Ystalyfera 1339 46% 4 . Current Situation and Trends

Ward Number of Welsh Speakers 2011 % Welsh Speakers 2011 2013) Neath Port Talbot 20,698 15.3%

Wales Average 562,000 19% (August

4.0.10 It should be noted that these traditional Welsh speaking communities have Paper

witnessed a marked reduction in the numbers of Welsh speakers in recent years. This opic T can be seen when comparing the data over the past two decades. Ystalyfera for instance has seen a 20.7% reduction in the proportion of Welsh speakers between 1991 and 2011. It is evident from table 4.3 below that those communities with the highest % of Welsh Language speakers have experienced a significant loss in recent years. elsh W

Table 4.3 Change in Welsh Language Statistics in Neath Port Talbot (1991-2001) - LDP Community % Welsh % Welsh % Change in % Welsh % Change in % Change in Speakers Speakers Proportion of Speakers Proportion Proportion of

(1991) (2001) Welsh (2011) of Welsh Welsh Deposit Speakers Speakers Speakers 1991-2001 2001 - 2011 1991 - 2011

Cwmllynfell 76.93% 68.23% -8.70% 58.8% 9.43% 18.13%

Lower 76.60% 68.12% -8.48% 60.8% 7.32% 15.8% Brynamman

Gwaun Cae 79.11% 67.91% -11.20% 55.8% 12.11% 23.31% Gurwen

Ystalyfera 66.67% 54.56% -12.11% 46% 8.56% 20.67%

Trebanos 47.21% 42.37% -4.84% 33.6% 8.77% 13.61%

Godre’r Graig 46.26% 41.46% -4.8% 30.1% 11.36% 16.16%

Pontardawe 42.17% 37.40% -4.77% 31% 6.4% 11.17%

Alltwen 40.08% 35.91% -4.17% 29.5% 6.41% 10.58%

Rhos 31.38% 28.61% -2.77% 24.7% 3.91% 6.68%

Crynant 32.8% 29.7% -3.1% 25.1% 4.6% 7.7%

Seven Sisters 26.5% 25.6% -0.9% 22.9% 2.7% 3.6%

Onllwyn 25.0% 21.1% -3.9% 19.1% 2% 5.9%

Neath Port 17.9% 18% 0.1% 15.3% 2.7% 2.6% Talbot 21 Wales 18.7% 20.8% -2.1% 19.0% 1.8% 0.3%

4.0.11 The 2011 Census figures confirm a further loss of Welsh speakers which is reinforced by the findings of the Welsh Language Impact Assessment undertaken on a new housing site in the Swansea Valley. The Assessment identified a decline in the language in the traditionally Welsh speaking community of Godre'r Graig. 4 . Current Situation and Trends

Deposit Migration

LDP 4.0.12 Planning Policy Wales states that the future well being of the language will depend on a variety of factors including demographic change. Guidance states that inward and -

W outward migration can have a negative impact on the Welsh language. In order to gain elsh an understanding of why the Welsh language has decreased over recent years it is

Language important to get an idea of the migration trends within Neath Port Talbot. Between 2001 and 2009 the overall population of the area increased by 3,045(11).

T 4.0.13 Analysis of population change by age groups shows that the population is ageing. opic The largest increase in population between 2001 and 2009 occurred in the 45-64 age Paper group. Over the same period the number of pensionable age residents (65+) grew by 1,012. The only other category showing growth over the period was 16-24 year olds (August (+1,886). The categories of 0-15 (-1,432) and 25-64 (-2,600) experienced reductions in numbers during the same period. 2013) 4.0.14 The Economic Assessment and Employment Land Provision Report(12) identifies that net internal migration has decreased in recent years within the County Borough, which is mainly due to the higher number of migrants leaving the County Borough than migrating in. If this is the case population figures by age would suggest that a significant amount of those migrating out are the young working age population with those migrating in nearing pensionable age. As has been identified in the % age graph for 2001 the Authority's highest Welsh language speakers by age group were children and young adults. This would therefore suggest that the Authority is losing much of it's young Welsh speaking adults who are being replaced by the older working age residents and pensioners.

Picture 4.3 Demographic Change in Neath Port Talbot (2001-2009)

22

4.0.15 The Welsh Government 2008 based population forecasts show the likely increase in population in Neath Port Talbot by 2026. Population projections provide estimates of the size of the future population built from assumptions of births, deaths and migration

11 Deposit - Population & Housing Topic Paper (August 2013). 12 Peter Brett Associates (2012). 4 . Current Situation and Trends

(internal and international). The projections show an increase of 9,943 in residents aged

65+, a decrease of -2,223 in the working age and a rise of 1,092 in children (0-15). The 2013) Economic Assessment and Employment Land Provision Report identifies that the population of Neath Port Talbot is ageing with the working age declining which could have an impact (August on economic growth. Paper 4.0.16 Future projections therefore suggest a continued loss of younger working age opic residents and a significant increase in those of a pensionable age. T

Picture 4.4 Neath Port Talbot Welsh Government 2008 Population Scenario Language elsh W - LDP Deposit

Welsh Language Education

4.0.17 On a national level the percentage of school age children able to speak Welsh is increasing which is largely down to the increase in Welsh medium education.

4.0.18 Welsh language education has a strong influence on the vibrancy of the language both through Welsh medium schools and via adult learning classes. Many of the County Borough’s schools offer Welsh medium education which are generally located within the traditionally Welsh speaking communities of the Amman and Swansea Valleys.

4.0.19 Outside the Swansea and Amman Valley areas, Welsh language schools tend to be area based bilingual schools, rather than local schools serving their local community. The table below outlines the amount of pupils attending each Welsh language school in Neath Port Talbot along with the number of unfilled places during the school year 2012/13.

Table 4.4 Welsh Medium Primary Schools in Neath Port Talbot (2012/13)

Ward School Number of Pupils No of Unfilled Places West YGG Tyle'r Ynn 186 50 23 Cwmllynfell YGGD Cwmllynfell 96 -4

Glynneath YGG Cwmnedd 183 2

GCG YGG Cwmgors 46 27

GCG YGG GCG 110 68 4 . Current Situation and Trends Deposit Ward School Number of Pupils No of Unfilled Places LDP Neath North YGG Castell Nedd 297 43 - W Pontardawe YGG Pontardawe 292 67 elsh

Language YGG Rhosafan 311 -4

Seven Sisters YGG Blaendulais 94 30

T Trebanos YGGD Trebannws 85 47 opic

Paper Ystalyfera YG Y Wern 130 132

Total: 1,830 458 (August

4.0.20 The only Welsh medium Comprehensive School within the County Borough is 2013) Ysgol Gyfun Ystalyfera located in the Upper Swansea Valley. Serving the whole of the County Borough, in 12/13 the school had 1,015 pupils with 270 unfilled places.

4.0.21 As mentioned in the previous chapter however, the Authority has published a Strategic Schools Improvement Programme, which identifies a number of priority areas for action.

4.0.22 Implementation of the programme will result and has resulted in the opening of new schools, closing existing schools, merging or amalgamating schools, federating schools and promoting new initiatives that support collaborative working between schools. This will mean re-assessing current provision in the light of future need and dealing with over capacity in the school building stock.

24 4 . Current Situation and Trends

Map 4.1 Welsh Language Schools in Neath Port Talbot 2013) (August Paper opic T Language elsh W - LDP Deposit

25

4.0.23 In December 2010, approval was given to the statutory publication of proposals to make provision for: 4 . Current Situation and Trends

Deposit Welsh Primary school pupils in the area served by YGGD Y Glyn to attend YGGD Gwaun Cae Gurwen and to subsequently close YGGD Y Glyn. LDP Welsh Primary school pupils in the area served by YGGD Rhiwfawr to attend YGGD -

W Cwmllynfell and subsequently close YGGD Rhiwfawr. elsh Language 4.0.24 The schools closed on 31st December 2011, following a decision by the Welsh Government. T opic 4.0.25 Welsh medium schools can accommodate a limited number of non Welsh speaking

Paper children but an influx of too many non Welsh speaking children can upset the linguistic balance and put pressure on staff resources. Discussions with local head teachers at an (August early stage in the planning process can assess the impact and how any issues can be resolved. This could include the provision of additional teaching resources to help non

2013) Welsh speaking children learn the language quickly which could avoid upsetting the linguistic balance in the school.

4.0.26 In the past a Language Immersion Unit located in Ysgol y Wern, Ystalyfera was set up to provide linguistic support for new students learning the language aged between 7-11. It provided education to fast track non Welsh speaking children to allow them to attend their local Welsh Language school. This Unit has recently closed however and the closest facility of its kind is based in Swansea.

4.0.27 The demand for English and Welsh medium education was calculated (Appendix 2). The areas of Pontardawe, Swansea Valley and Amman Valley experienced some of the highest demand for education through the medium of Welsh. This was also the case in Crynant and Seven Sisters within the Dulais Valley. It should be noted however that the Welsh Language Impact Assessment identified that children on the new Graig Newydd housing site in Godre'r Graig are less likely to attend a Welsh medium school compared to areas of existing housing. Whilst acknowledging that the report concentrates on one particular site, a decrease in the amount of children attending Welsh medium education in these traditional Welsh speaking areas would have a significantly negative impact on the linguistic balance in the area.

Table 4.5 Type of Education Demand in Neath Port Talbot (2010)

Ward No of % Demand for % Demand for Welsh Undecided Responses English Medium Medium Education Education

Gwaun Cae Gurwen 30 16.7% 73.3% 10%

26 Lower Brynamman 8 0% 100% 0%

Cwmllynfell 15 6.7% 93.3% 0%

Ystalyfera 30 23.3% 66.7% 10%

Godre'r Graig 27 33.3% 63.0% 3.7%

Pontardawe 39 30.8% 61.5% 7.7% 4 . Current Situation and Trends

Ward No of % Demand for % Demand for Welsh Undecided

Responses English Medium Medium Education 2013) Education

Trebanos 10 30% 70% 0% (August

Alltwen 22 31.8% 45.5% 22.7% Paper

Rhos 19 47.4% 47.4% 5.2% opic T

Crynant 13 30.8% 61.5% 7.7%

Seven Sisters 14 50% 42.9% 7.1% Language elsh

4.0.28 Another important means by which the Welsh Language is promoted is through W - the work of Menter Iaith Castell Nedd Port Talbot. This organisation is actively involved in promoting the use of the language throughout the County Borough through projects LDP such as youth clubs, concerts, literary, and social / community events. Deposit 4.0.29 The LDP identifies Pontardawe as a strategic growth point with a number of housing sites allocated in Rhos, Alltwen and Rhydyfro. A proportion of these houses will cater for the need in the Swansea and Amman Valley which will help keep Welsh speaking residents within the area but also attract residents from other parts of the County Borough and beyond.

4.0.30 The Welsh Language Impact Assessment (WLIA) has shown that large scale housing development has the potential to attract non Welsh speakers which can have a detrimental impact on the language. As has been identified there is a Welsh language Primary school located in Pontardawe and Trebanos and an influx of residents is likely to put strain on these schools to accommodate new pupils. The high number of Welsh speakers within the Pontardawe area as a whole and the fact that it is regarded as a strategic growth point justifies its inclusion as a Language Sensitive Area.

27 4 . Current Situation and Trends Deposit LDP - W elsh Language T opic Paper (August 2013)

28 5 . Summary of Consultation Responses

5 Summary of Consultation Responses 2013) 5.0.1 This section of the paper summarises the main issues and comments raised following: (August

The formal Pre-Deposit Consultation (September / October 2011); and Paper opic

The informal Emerging Deposit Plan Proposals Consultation (September / October T 2012). Language 5.0.2 The Pre-Deposit Consultation was the first of two formal consultations on the elsh

LDP and focused on the Authority's vision, strategic options, preferred strategy and key W policies. A previous version of this Topic Paper was published alongside the Pre-Deposit -

Plan. LDP

5.0.3 The Emerging Deposit Plan Proposals were discussed at a series of informal meetings with a variety of stakeholder organisations. These included representatives of Deposit the many interest and community groups in the County Borough. At the same time all of the information presented at the stakeholder meetings was made available on the Council's website and anyone or organisation that is interested in the future development of Neath Port Talbot was invited to comment.

5.0.4 The Deposit Plan Proposals Report (Sept’12) set out the emerging picture both in terms of the overall strategy for the LDP and the various topic based policies that will be included. The report was accompanied by the emerging Proposals Map which showed the geographical location of the emerging policies and proposals.

5.0.5 It should be emphasised however that this section does not present a comprehensive and exhaustive list of all comments received, moreover the following seeks only to summarise the main issues raised. Full details of comments received and the Council's responses to those comments are set out in the Initial Consultation Report(13).

Welsh Language

Pontardawe should be included in the Welsh Language Board's 'Area of Special Language Importance'.

Development proposals in Welsh speaking areas need to be supported by a 'Welsh Language Impact Assessment' and a 'Welsh Language Action Plan'.

The Deposit Plan needs to contain appropriate policy coverage which is based on adequate assessment and evidence. 29

13 LDP Initial Consultation Report (August 2013). 5 . Summary of Consultation Responses Deposit LDP - W elsh Language T opic Paper (August 2013)

30 6 . Issues to be Addressed

6 Issues to be Addressed 2013) 6.0.1 Having considered (1) the requirements of National policy and guidance, (2) the matters that have emerged from the evidence base, and (3) the responses received to (August the formal Pre-Deposit stage consultation (Sept'11), this section of the paper summarises

the issues and requirements that the LDP has to address. Paper opic Requirements Arising from National, Regional & Local Policies T

It is clear from National guidance that planning is expected to assist in maintaining

the well-being of the Welsh language. Language elsh

Where the use of the Welsh language is a significant part of the social fabric of a W community, the needs and interests of the Welsh language should be taken into -

account in the formulation of the strategy, policies and site allocations set out in the LDP LDP. Deposit Welsh language considerations may inform the overall level of growth or change proposed and the spatial distribution of new development and infrastructure. It should be the aim of local planning authorities to provide for the broad distribution and phasing of housing development taking into account the ability of different areas and communities to accommodate that development without eroding the position of the Welsh language.

Affordable housing policies may be able to play a limited role in sustaining the Welsh language by assisting local people to buy property within the area. Policies must not however discriminate on the grounds of linguistic ability.

Ensuring a sound economic base has also been highlighted in national guidance as important to the future well being of the Welsh language.

Where the Welsh language is a significant part of the social fabric of the community the local planning authority should build on earlier LDP preparation and ensure the Plan strategy, policies and land allocations pay full regard to the needs and interests of the Welsh language. The reasoned justification for all LDPs should include a statement of the regard had by the local planning authority to social, economic and environmental considerations, including the needs and interests of the Welsh language, and how any policies relating to the Welsh language interact with other Plan policies.

It is suggested that a Welsh Language Impact Assessment should be undertaken at the LDP preparation stage, while linguistic issues should be considered in relation to 31 individual applications.

The WLB designated Language Development Areas, some of which are identified in the Amman and Swansea Valley, contain significantly high levels of Welsh speakers. 6 . Issues to be Addressed

Deposit Issues Arising from the Evidence Base

LDP The number of Welsh language speakers within traditionally Welsh speaking communities is declining and has been identified as an issue within these communities. - W elsh Linguistic ability differs greatly between areas within the County Borough. Amman

Language Valley, Dulais Valley, Swansea Valley and the Pontardawe area all have communities where the percentage of Welsh speakers is higher than the Welsh average. The communities of Gwaun Cae Gurwen, Lower Brynamman and Cwmllynfell all have T

opic more than 55% of Welsh speakers.

Paper The population of Neath Port Talbot is ageing with the working age population falling and those at a pensionable age rising. (August Amman Valley, Dulais Valley, Swansea Valley and the Pontardawe area have been

2013) identified as having the highest demand for Welsh medium education.

The WLIA undertaken by Menter Iaith identified the potential negative effect a large new development can have on the amount of Welsh speakers within the community. This is further reinforced by a similar WLIA also undertaken by Menter Iaith in the neighbouring Authority of Powys which identified similar issues.

There is an identified need for further resources to support the language and the provision of mitigation in areas where it has been identified that proposed new development would have a negative effect on the language.

The same Assessment also identifies that in the past, mitigation or enhancement commitments that have been agreed at application stage have not been implemented. The Assessment suggests that closer monitoring of any agreements is needed to ensure that this does not occur in the future.

Key Issue

6.0.2 The Welsh language is a significant part of the social fabric of many valley communities within Neath Port Talbot. The language in these areas is under threat having experienced a decline in recent decades. Having taken into account all relevant policy, the evidence base and the issues identified during consultation, the following key issue has been identified in the Deposit Plan:

The erosion of the Welsh language is a concern in many of the Valley 32 communities. 7 . Objectives

7 Objectives 2013) 7.0.1 The objectives are at the centre of the LDP, they emerge from the vision and key issues and form the basis for future policy development. (August

7.0.2 The Pre-Deposit Plan identified a number of objectives, the following referred to Paper the Welsh language and will be carried forward and addressed in the Deposit Plan: opic T Preserve and enhance the area's cultural heritage and identity with a focus on the Welsh language in language sensitive areas. Language elsh W - LDP Deposit

33 7 . Objectives Deposit LDP - W elsh Language T opic Paper (August 2013)

34 8 . Strategic Policy Development

8 Strategic Policy Development 2013) 8.0.1 At the Pre-Deposit stage, the overall Preferred Strategy was underpinned by a number of topic based and area based strategies. (August

8.0.2 Having considered the consultation responses, issues and objectives outlined in Paper previous chapters, this section of the paper sets out how the strategy has evolved since opic the Pre-Deposit stage. Where appropriate, amendments and additions to the strategies T are highlighted and explained.

Pre-Deposit Strategy Language elsh

8.0.3 The Preferred Strategy included the following statement: W - LDP The Welsh language is an important element of day to day life in many of our Valley communities. The Language Development area (identified by the Welsh Language Deposit Board) covers the areas of Lower Brynamman, Gwaun Cae Gurwen, Cwmllynfell and Ystalyfera. Within this area the language is used as an integral part of daily life but it is under serious threat. In a number of further communities a high proportion of the population also speak Welsh. The Deposit Plan will also identify areas of linguistic Importance within which development proposals likely to have a significant impact on the linguistic character of the community will be expected to include appropriate measures to mitigate any adverse effects.

8.0.4 In addition, the Pre-Deposit Plan contained the following Area-Based Strategy:

The Valleys

The Welsh Language Board has identified and designated a 'Language Development Area' in Neath Port Talbot which contains the communities of Lower Brynamman, Gwaun Cae Gurwen and Cwmllynfell in which the percentage of Welsh speakers is particularly high. There are a number of further communities where a high proportion of the population speak Welsh. The Welsh Language will be protected in areas of linguistic importance and these areas will be identified in the Deposit Plan.

The implications of new residential and other development on the Welsh Language will need to be balanced against the need to rejuvenate the communities. 35 8.0.5 The Pre-Deposit Plan also contained the following Strategic Policy and supporting text (the numbering follows the numbering in the Pre-Deposit Plan): 8 . Strategic Policy Development Deposit Policy 32 - Welsh Language LDP The LDP will particularly seek to safeguard and promote the Welsh Language in -

W language sensitive areas. elsh Language 8.0.6 The Welsh Language Board has identified and designated a 'Language Development Area' in Neath Port Talbot which contains the communities of Lower T

opic Brynamman, Gwaun Cae Gurwen and Cwmllynfell. This area is of special linguistic significance as the main language of daily life is Welsh but where, as a result of Paper socio-economic factors, the language is under threat. In a number of other communities a high proportion of the population speak Welsh (over 30%) and within these centres, (August proposals will be assessed in relation to the impact on the language.

2013) 8.0.7 Within these areas development proposals, likely to have a significant impact on the linguistic character of the community, will be expected to include a Welsh Language Impact Assessment and produce a Welsh Language Action Plan to include measures to mitigate any adverse effects.

How The Strategy Has Evolved

8.0.8 One of the principal issues facing the LDP will be how the Plan can promote and support the language in the Welsh speaking communities (mainly in the Swansea and Amman Valleys).

8.0.9 Interventions by the LDP and planning system relate to the guiding and regulation of new development in a way that helps sustain the Welsh speaking communities. This is closely related to the ability of the communities to absorb non Welsh speakers, some of whom may become Welsh speakers (particularly children of primary school age).

8.0.10 While it may be necessary to resist proposals that would create unacceptable linguistic impacts, the focus is likely to be on how adverse effects can be mitigated.

8.0.11 Potential impacts on the Welsh language in areas of linguistic importance from development will be identified through a Welsh Language Impact Assessment.

8.0.12 The Authority commissioned 'Menter Iaith Castell Nedd Port Talbot' to undertake an assessment of the potential effect a large housing site has on the language within an area with a high amount of Welsh speakers. The study, despite relating only to one particular development reinforced the concern that an influx of a large amount of new housing can bring with it a high amount of non-Welsh speakers and thus have a detrimental 36 effect on the linguistic balance of an area. The assessment therefore identified the need to strike a balance between the need for new residential development that would help rejuvenate the Welsh speaking areas with the potential harm they could have on the language. This issue has been carried forward and will be addressed as part of the Deposit strategy and policies. 8 . Strategic Policy Development

8.0.13 Furthermore, there has also been a notable change since the Pre-Deposit stage.

The overall strategy for the Deposit Plan is now for a much higher level of growth and due 2013) to its status as a growth point in the Valleys, this has resulted in more land being allocated for housing in Pontardawe. A higher influx of residents to the area could therefore have a (August detrimental impact on the language in these communities and LDP policies will need to

protect the language in these areas. Paper opic Deposit Plan Strategy T

8.0.14 Due to the varying linguistic make up of Neath Port Talbot the Welsh language

policies would not be appropriate for all communities within the County Borough. In line Language with National guidance, it was deemed appropriate to only identify Language Sensitive elsh

Areas where the language is a significant part of the social fabric of the community. W -

8.0.15 There is a lack of guidance however on how to identify these Language Sensitive LDP Areas. The only guidance is contained within 'Planning and the Welsh Language: The

Way Ahead' which suggests that an indication of areas where the language is a significant Deposit part of the social fabric are those areas with 25% or more Welsh speakers. Taking account of this guidance, it was deemed appropriate to focus the Welsh language policy on the following communities:

Pontardawe;

Swansea Valley;

Amman Valley; and

The community of Crynant in the Dulais Valley.

8.0.16 These areas will be regarded as Language Sensitive Areas within the LDP and any Welsh language policy will apply. These areas contain communities where the language is spoken by 25% or more of the population and where the tradition and culture is strong. They play an important role in providing a reservoir of fluent Welsh speakers within the County Borough and indeed for Wales but in recent years the language has been under threat. In addition, a high proportion of the County Borough's Welsh medium schools are located within these communities with the demand for Welsh education high while the loss of Welsh speakers was identified as a concern during stakeholder engagement.

8.0.17 The Amman and Swansea Valley areas contain the highest proportion of Welsh speakers (40%+) and are included within Bwrdd yr Iaith's Special Language Areas. Pontardawe, while containing more than 25% Welsh speakers, also acts as the main service centre for these communities in terms of shopping, leisure, entertainment and 37 employment with a significant amount of these services provided through the medium of Welsh. The Welsh Language Impact Assessment identified that a high proportion of the services within Pontardawe have bilingual signage, advertisements and also employ bilingual employees. The organisations and enterprises questioned recognised the 8 . Strategic Policy Development

Deposit importance the language has in the community and used the language within the confines imposed by available finance, the pressures of running businesses and the language skills

LDP of their staff. -

W 8.0.18 The implications of new residential and other development on the Welsh language elsh will need to be balanced against the need to rejuvenate these communities. Language 8.0.19 Interventions by the LDP and planning system relate to the guiding and regulating of new development in a way that helps sustain the Welsh speaking communities. This is

T closely related to the ability of the communities to absorb non Welsh speakers and ensuring opic they have every opportunity to become Welsh speakers (particularly children of primary Paper school age). While it may be necessary to resist proposals that would create unacceptable linguistic impacts, the focus is likely to be on how adverse effects can be mitigated. Any (August enhancement agreed within a Language Action Plan will be monitored to ensure the agreement is adhered to. 2013) 8.0.20 Whilst ensuring that large scale development does not adversely impact the linguistic balance of a community the LDP will also look to reinvigorate Valley communities in a sustainable way. The future well-being of the language will depend on a broad range of factors, in particular: education, demographic change, community activities and a firm economic base. Whilst protecting the language from negative development it will be important to maintain prosperous and sustainable communities for the language to flourish.

8.0.21 The overall strategy for the LDP is to focus development along the Coastal Corridor whilst reinvigorating the Valleys. As an integral part of the strategy, Pontardawe has been identified as a growth point within the Valleys and as such the following sites (to be delivered over the Plan period) have been allocated for residential development:

H1/24 Bryn Morgrug (Phase 2), Alltwen;

H1/25 Ynysymond Road, Alltwen;

H1/26 Cwmtawe School (Phase 2);

H1/27 Waun Sterw / Waun Penlan, Rhydyfro; and

H1/28 Bryn Brych Farm, Rhos.

8.0.22 As a consequence, approximately 400 new homes will be built in the Pontardawe area by the end of the Plan period (2026). This will result in a significant influx of new residents into the Pontardawe area. It is evident from the Welsh Language Impact 38 Assessment undertaken, that such an influx could have a negative impact on the language. Applications on these sites will therefore need to include measures that will be taken to protect, promote and enhance the Welsh language in order to offset any potential negative impacts caused. 8 . Strategic Policy Development

8.0.23 The strategy of the LDP also includes a more flexible approach to employment development in the Valleys. Suitable proposals that satisfy the core objectives of the Plan 2013) will be considered to promote growth in valley communities mainly by small and medium sized enterprises and could be initiated by the community. Furthermore, in the Pontardawe (August area, the Authority will be seeking a 5% contribution for affordable housing on all new

housing development proposals of 3 or more dwellings, which itself provides the opportunity Paper for local Welsh speakers to stay within the community and help to sustain the language. opic T Deposit Plan Strategic Policy

8.0.24 The following strategic policy has been incorporated in the Deposit Plan. Language elsh

8.0.25 Strategic Policy: Welsh Language W - LDP Welsh Language

The Welsh Language will be safeguarded and promoted in the following language Deposit sensitive areas:

1. Amman Valley.

2. Swansea Valley.

3. Pontardawe.

4. The community of Crynant in the Dulais Valley.

8.0.26 On the whole, Neath Port Talbot has a lower percentage of Welsh language speakers compared to the Welsh average. There are however, areas within the County Borough where the language is an integral part of the social fabric and an important element of day to day life. While these areas contain very high levels of Welsh speakers, the erosion of the language in recent years has become a great concern within these communities.

8.0.27 The Welsh Language Board has identified and designated a 'Language Development Area' in Neath Port Talbot which includes the communities of Lower Brynamman, Gwaun Cae Gurwen, Cwmllynfell, Ystalyfera and Godre'r Graig. This area is of special linguistic significance, as the main language of daily life is Welsh. As a result of socio-economic factors however, the integrity of the language is under threat.

8.0.28 In addition, there are a number of other communities where a high proportion of 39 the population speak Welsh and the language in these communities is also considered an intrinsic part of daily life. The strategy therefore seeks to protect the integrity of the Welsh language within the areas identified in the policy, where 25% or more of the population speak the language. 8 . Strategic Policy Development Deposit LDP - W elsh Language T opic Paper (August 2013)

40 9 . Detailed Policy Development

9 Detailed Policy Development 2013) 9.0.1 In order to implement the strategy at the local level (through the determination of planning applications), the following topic-based policy has been developed. (August

9.0.2 Policy WL1: Development in Language Sensitive Areas Paper opic T Development in Language Sensitive Areas

The following development proposals within the identified language sensitive areas Language will be required to submit a Language Action Plan setting out the measures to be elsh

taken to protect, promote and enhance the Welsh language: W -

(a) Residential development for 10 or more dwellings; LDP

(b) Retail development with a total floorspace of 1000 sq m or more; Deposit (c) Commercial or industrial development.

9.0.3 Recent Census data has shown a substantial decrease in the number of Welsh speakers within language sensitive areas in recent decades. A study(14) has been undertaken to assess the potential effect that a large housing development may have on the integrity of the language within such an area. This relates to the ability of a community to absorb the potential increase in the number of non-Welsh speakers into an area and whether the character and linguistic balance of a community is affected. The study concluded that larger scale developments can have a negative impact on the Welsh language.

9.0.4 Where appropriate, development proposals will need to be accompanied by a Language Action Plan setting out the measures to be taken to protect, promote and enhance the Welsh language. Planning permission will be subject to conditions or legal agreement requiring the implementation of the recommendations of the Language Action Plan. Discussion at an early stage with the Authority is advised. Examples of such measures could include:

Support and funding for local Welsh medium schools to cater for additional numbers of non-Welsh speakers;

Support and funding for organisations and bodies that provide activities, facilities and education for Welsh speakers and learners (e.g. language classes); 41 Ensuring a Welsh language service is provided within any commercial development.

9.0.5 Further details of these requirements will be set out in Supplementary Planning Guidance.

14 Welsh Language Impact Assessment - Menter Iaith Castell Nedd Port Talbot (2012). 9 . Detailed Policy Development

Deposit 9.0.6 Street and development names within language sensitive areas will need to be in Welsh in order to protect local linguistic character, tradition and promote cultural

LDP distinctiveness. - W elsh Language T opic Paper (August 2013)

42 A . Appendix 1

A Appendix 1 2013) A.1 Knowledge of Welsh

A.1.1 Welsh Language Skills in Neath Port Talbot (August

Table A.1 Paper opic T Source: 2011 Census - table KS207WA - Welsh language skills

Ward Can speak Welsh (2011) Can speak, read and write Welsh (2011) Language elsh W

number % number % -

Aberavon 411 7.9 295 5.6 LDP

Aberdulais 311 13.5 233 10.1 Deposit

Allt-wen 664 29.5 459 20.4

Baglan 557 8.4 395 6.0

Blaengwrach 287 14.8 205 10.6

Briton Ferry East 242 8.6 172 6.1

Briton Ferry West 275 9.5 211 7.3

Bryn and Cwmavon 1,024 16.2 695 11.0

Bryn-coch North 297 13.9 216 10.1

Bryn-coch South 699 12.3 517 9.1

Cadoxton 211 12.8 146 8.9

Cimla 350 9.1 249 6.5

Coedffranc Central 425 11.0 314 8.1

Coedffranc North 265 11.4 199 8.6

Coedffranc West 316 12.3 243 9.5 Crynant 465 25.1 308 16.6 1 Cwmllynfell 669 58.8 506 44.5

Cymmer 186 6.9 127 4.7

Dyffryn 350 11.4 265 8.6 A . Appendix 1 Deposit 65 6.2 43 4.1

LDP 689 20.8 501 15.1 -

W Godre'r graig 473 30.1 300 19.1 elsh

Language Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen 1,576 55.8 1,131 40.1

Gwynfi 92 7.0 58 4.4 T opic Lower Brynamman 776 60.8 544 42.6 Paper 295 10.1 207 7.1

(August Neath East 497 8.1 334 5.4

2013) Neath North 379 9.9 250 6.5

Neath South 440 9.2 299 6.2

Onllwyn 222 19.1 136 11.7

Pelenna 178 16.0 129 11.6

Pontardawe 1,624 31.0 1,090 20.8

Port Talbot 518 9.5 393 7.2

Resolven 341 11.2 230 7.6

Rhos 588 24.7 432 18.1

Sandfields East 504 7.5 337 5.0

Sandfields West 524 8.1 373 5.7

Seven Sisters 469 22.9 345 16.8

Tai-bach 354 7.6 253 5.5

Tonna 292 11.9 242 9.9

Trebanos 459 33.6 353 25.8

Ystalyfera 1,339 46.0 899 30.9 2 A . Appendix 1

A.2 Education Figures 2013) Table A.2 Education Figures for Neath Port Talbot

Ward School in Ward % Demand for % Demand for % Undecided (August English Medium Welsh Medium Education Education Paper

Aberavon St Joseph's Inf, 47.8% 43.5% 8.7% opic T

St Joseph's Jnr

Sandfields Pri Language elsh

Aberdulais Cilffriw Pri 64.7% 29.4% 5.9% W - LDP Alltwen Alltwen Pri 31.8% 45.5% 22.7% Deposit Baglan Baglan Pri 71.1% 23.7% 5.3% Blaenbaglan Pri

Blaengwrach Blaengwrach Pri 46.2% 38.5% 15.4%

Briton Ferry East Ynysmaerdy Pri 61.5% 30.8% 7.7%

Briton Ferry West YGG Tyle'r Ynn 40.0% 55.0% 5.0%

Brynhyfryd Pri,

Llansawel Pri

Bryn & Cwmavon Cwmavon Inf, 62.1% 17.2% 20.7%

Cwmavon Jnr

Bryn Pri

Bryncoch North Bryncoch CIW Pri 66.7% 25.0% 8.3% Pri

Bryncoch South Waunceirch Pri 74.2% 16.1% 9.7%

Cadoxton Catwg Pri 42.9% 42.9% 14.3%

Cimla Crynallt Inf 82.4% 11.8% 5.9% 3 Crynallt Jnr

Coedffranc Central Coedffranc Pri 61.5% 30.8% 7.7%

Coedffranc North 62.5% 31.3% 6.3% A . Appendix 1 Deposit Ward School in Ward % Demand for % Demand for % Undecided English Medium Welsh Medium Education Education LDP Coedffranc West Crymlyn Pri 61.5% 38.5% 0.0% - W elsh Crynant Creunant Pri 30.8% 61.5% 7.7% Language

Cwmllynfell YGGD Cwmllynfell, 6.7% 93.3% 0.0% YGGD Rhiwfawr T opic Cymmer Croeserw Pri 66.7% 33.3% 0.0% Paper

Cymer Afan Pri (August Dyffryn Afan Pri 2013) Dyffryn Mynachlog Nedd Jnr 69.2% 23.1% 7.7% Neath Abbey Inf

Glyncorrwg Glyncorrwg Pri 75.0% 0.0% 25.0%

Glynneath Cwmnedd Pri 41.2% 52.9% 5.9% YGG Cwmnedd

Godre'r Graig Godrergraig Pri 33.3% 63.0% 3.7%

GCG YGGD Cwmgors 16.7% 73.3% 10.0% YGG GCG

Gwynfi Pen Afan Pri 80.0% 20.0% 0.0%

Lower Brynamman Tairgwaith Pri, 0.0% 100.0% 0.0% YGGD Y Glyn

Margam Groes Pri 66.7% 33.3% 0.0% Coed Hirwaun Pri

Neath East Melin Inf 51.4% 40.5% 8.1%

Melin Jnr

Gnoll Pri

Alderman Davies CIW Pri

4 Neath North YGG Castell Nedd 66.7% 33.3% 0.0%

Neath South St Joseph's Pri 44.4% 37.0% 18.5%

Onllwyn Maesmarchog Pri 66.7% 33.3% 0.0% A . Appendix 1

Ward School in Ward % Demand for % Demand for % Undecided

English Medium Welsh Medium 2013) Education Education

Pelenna Pontrhydyfen Pri 62.5% 12.5% 25.0% (August Tonmawr Pri

Pontardawe Rhydyfro Pr 30.8% 61.5% 7.7% Paper opic

YGG Pontardawe T

Llangiwg Pri Language Port Talbot Central Jnr 59.3% 40.7% 0.0% Central Inf elsh W - Clun Pri 80.0% 10.0% 10.0% Ynysfach Pri LDP

Rhos Rhos Pri 47.4% 47.4% 5.3% Deposit

Sandfields East Glanymor Pri 54.8% 38.7% 6.5% Tywyn Pri

Sandfields West Tirmorfa Pri 69.2% 30.8% 0.0%

St Therese's Pri

YGG Rhosafan

Traethmelyn Pri

Seven sisters Blaendulais Pri 50.0% 42.9% 7.1% YGG Blaendulais

Taibach Eastern Pri 61.9% 38.1% 0.0%

Tonna Tonnau Pri 44.4% 44.4% 11.1%

Trebanos YGGD Trebannws 30.0% 70.0% 0.0%

Ystalyfera YG Y Wern 23.3% 66.7% 10.0%

TOTAL: 51.0% 41.5% 7.6%

Source: Neath Port Talbot Education Department 5 A . Appendix 1 Deposit LDP - W elsh Language T opic Paper (August 2013)

6 Contents

1 Introduction 1 2013) 2 Background 3

3 Policy Context: National, Regional & Local 5 (August 3.1 National Policy Context 5 Paper

3.2 Regional Policy Context 8 opic T 3.3 Local Policy Context 9

4 Current Situation and Trends 15 Language

5 Summary of Consultation Responses 29 elsh W - 6 Issues to be Addressed 31 LDP 7 Objectives 33

8 Strategic Policy Development 35 Deposit 9 Detailed Policy Development 41

Appendices

A Appendix 1 1 A.1 Knowledge of Welsh 1 A.2 Education Figures 3 Contents Deposit LDP - W elsh Language T opic Paper (August 2013) 1 . Introduction

1 Introduction 2013) 1.0.1 This topic paper is one of a range of papers prepared to offer more detailed information and to provide an explanation of the approach taken in the Local Development (August Plan (LDP) in relation to different topics and issues affecting the County Borough. Paper 1.0.2 This paper specifically considers the Welsh Language. opic T 1.0.3 A previous version of this paper was published at the Pre-Deposit consultation stage in September 2011. The Pre-Deposit consultation was the first statutory stage of

the LDP and set out the Council's overall Preferred Strategy. Following the consultation, Language the comments received have been taken into account and the topic papers have been elsh amended accordingly. W -

1.0.4 The Deposit Plan consultation is the second statutory stage of the plan and LDP allows a further period of formal public consultation. Comments received at this stage will

be considered by an Independent Planning Inspector who will hold and Examination in Deposit Public into the Plan. If the Inspector considers the Plan to be 'sound' it will be recommended for adoption and once adopted it will supersede the current Neath Port Talbot Unitary Development Plan (UDP) and be the primary document for use in the determination of planning applications.

1.0.5 This topic paper can be read in isolation or in conjunction with the other topic papers and background papers that have been prepared to give a full picture of Neath Port Talbot(1).

1

1 The information contained within this Topic Paper is correct as of the date sent to print. 1 . Introduction Deposit LDP - W elsh Language T opic Paper (August 2013)

2 2 . Background

2 Background 2013) 2.0.1 The Welsh language is part of the heritage of many of Neath Port Talbot's communities. The Plan aims to preserve and enhance the area's cultural heritage and (August identity including the Welsh Language in language sensitive areas. Paper 2.0.2 In line with the Wales Spatial Plan there is an emphasis on the importance of a opic cohesive identity that sustains and celebrates what is distinctive about Wales. This includes T promoting the Welsh language to establish a sense of place and as a form of national identity. Language 2.0.3 For many areas throughout Wales the Welsh language is a living and intrinsic part elsh of community life. The planning system can have a far reaching positive or negative effect W - on the social fabric of a community and therefore affect the future of the language. A new housing development for instance could affect the proportion of Welsh speakers in a LDP community. The approval of a new retail store or leisure facility could attract custom away from the traditional shops and community facilities where residents would meet and Deposit converse in Welsh. Such development therefore has the potential to affect the social balance within a community to the detriment of the Welsh language.

2.0.4 The local authority has a duty to ensure that the planning process takes into account the well being of the Welsh language when planning applications are determined.

3 2 . Background Deposit LDP - W elsh Language T opic Paper (August 2013)

4 3 . Policy Context: National, Regional & Local

3 Policy Context: National, Regional & Local 2013) 3.1 National Policy Context

Planning Policy Wales (PPW) Edition 5 (2012) (August

3.1.1 PPW sets out the land use planning policies of the Welsh Government and provides Paper opic guidance to local authorities when formulating planning policies. T

3.1.2 This document states that the future well being of the Welsh language will depend

on various factors including education, demographic change, community activities and a Language sound economic base. elsh W 3.1.3 The Welsh language should be taken into account when determining planning -

applications particularly in communities where the language is a living and intrinsic part LDP of community life. The social effect of a development is particularly stressed and local authorities will need to consider whether they have communities where the use of the Deposit Welsh language is a part of the social fabric. In areas where the Welsh language is an important part of the fabric of the community it should be taken into account when formulating land use policies. For example, this could include setting policies that ensure housing development is phased and broadly distributed. Policies relating to affordable housing could also be of benefit but policy should not introduce any element of discrimination on the basis of their linguistic ability.

Technical Advice Note 20: The Welsh Language (2000)

3.1.4 TAN 20 supplements the policies set out in PPW. It reiterates that the location of new housing can ultimately affect the character of an area including it's linguistic balance. It also stresses the importance of a strong economy and providing affordable housing in these communities which would encourage the younger residents to stay thus promoting the economy and safeguarding the language.

Technical Advice Note 20: The Welsh Language [Consultation Draft (2011)]

3.1.5 On 21st March 2011, the WG published an update to TAN 20 for consultation. Where the use of the Welsh language is a significant part of the social fabric of a community, the needs and interests of the Welsh language should be taken into account in the formulation of the strategy, policies and site allocations set out in the LDP.

3.1.6 It is suggested that Welsh Language Impact Assessment should be undertaken at the LDP preparation stage, while linguistic issues should be considered in relation to individual planning applications. The site assessment process should consider the implications of the identified sites on the Welsh language in areas where the language is 5 a significant part of the social fabric.

3.1.7 In the Pre-Deposit Plan, where the Welsh language is a significant part of the social fabric of the community this should inform the identification of strategy and policy options. In particular, Welsh language considerations may inform the overall level of growth or change proposed and the spatial distribution of new development and infrastructure. It 3 . Policy Context: National, Regional & Local

Deposit should be the aim of local planning authorities to provide for the broad distribution and phasing of housing development taking into account the ability of different areas and

LDP communities to accommodate that development without eroding the position of the Welsh language. - W elsh 3.1.8 Where the Welsh language is a significant part of the social fabric of the community,

Language the local planning authority should build on earlier LDP preparation and ensure the Plan strategy, policies and land allocations in the Deposit LDP pay full regard to the needs and interests of the Welsh language. The reasoned justification for all LDPs should include a T

opic statement of the regard had by the local planning authority to social, economic and environmental considerations, including the needs and interests of the Welsh language, Paper and how any policies relating to the Welsh language interact with other Plan policies.

(August 3.1.9 TAN 20 also provides guidance on the type of mitigation that should be considered to offset any potential adverse impacts that have been identified during the determination

2013) of planning application. These include:

Phasing the number of houses built;

Provision of affordable housing for local needs;

Local labour contracts and training initiatives;

Provision of bilingual signs within and outside the establishment;

Support the funding for language induction and staff language lessons;

Support and funding for cultural and language initiatives/protects to encourage the use of the language within communities;

Support for the provision of school places in Welsh medium schools;

Support funding for language and cultural awareness initiatives.

A Bilingual Future (2002)

3.1.10 In recent decades the number of Welsh language speakers has been in decline. The report identifies that one of the most serious threats to the language is the reduction in primary Welsh speaking communities.

Welsh Language Measure (2011) 6 3.1.11 This modernised the existing legal framework largely governed by the Welsh Language Act 1993 regarding the use of the Welsh language in the delivery of public services. The Measure confirmed the official status of the language in Wales and created a new legislative framework. It also confirms the introduction of a new Welsh Language Commissioner who will deliver the Welsh Government vision of a thriving and vibrant language. 3 . Policy Context: National, Regional & Local

A Living Language: A language for Living (Welsh Language Strategy 2012-17) 2013) 3.1.12 This document contains the Welsh Government's vision to ensure the Welsh language thrives within Wales and builds upon the framework outlined in the Welsh Language Measure (2011). To achieve this the aim of the strategy is to encourage: (August

More opportunities for people to use Welsh; Paper opic T An increase in people’s confidence and fluency in the language;

An increase in people’s awareness of the value of the Welsh language, both as part Language of our national heritage and as a useful skill in modern life; elsh W The strengthening of the position of the Welsh language in our communities; and - LDP Strong representation of the Welsh language throughout the digital media. Deposit 3.1.13 The document states that there are two core elements to achieving the vision. Firstly, via measures to enable and encourage children and other people to acquire the language and secondly via measures to enable and encourage people to use the language on a daily basis.

3.1.14 This echoes the Welsh Language Measure (2011) which imposes a duty on local authorities to promote the Welsh language more widely. It is a five-year strategy, from 1st April 2012 to 31st March 2017, and supersedes Iaith Pawb published in 2003.

Planning and the Welsh language – The Way Ahead (2005)

3.1.15 A national study was commissioned(2) in an attempt to produce a linguistic impact methodology which would enable local planning authorities to produce meaningful and practical policies to protect and promote the use of the Welsh language. Although the document was not adopted as part of national policy, it gives guidance on how to identify areas where the Welsh language is part of the social fabric. The report recommended a 30% threshold to identify such linguistically important areas. It was however decided that Language Sensitive Areas should be based on whether around 25% or more of residents are Welsh speaking based on the 2001 Census figures. A 25% threshold is advised based on the following:

The national average of Welsh speakers is 20.8% (2001). The threshold should closely reflect the national average to ensure the majority of communities with a slightly higher percentage to the average are included. 7

2 University College London (UCL). 3 . Policy Context: National, Regional & Local

Deposit Planning Policy Wales states that every local Authority should consider whether they have communities where the use of the language is part of the social fabric. It is

LDP considered reasonable to consider those communities which have a higher percentage of Welsh speakers than the national average. - W elsh The 25% and over threshold, as opposed to the 30% threshold recommended by

Language UCL, forms a contiguous area within Wales.

T 3.1.16 The guidance also states that culture and language are components of amenity opic and advertisements contribute in a visual way to the physical and social character of an Paper area. The LDP therefore should include specific policies encouraging the use of bilingual signs within areas where the language is a part of its linguistic and cultural character. (August 3.2 Regional Policy Context 2013) Western Valleys Strategy (2006)

3.2.1 The Valley Strategy states that following engagement with the public one of its objectives would be to ‘...reverse the decline of the Welsh language and also promote Welsh language initiatives through organisations such as Menter Iaith’. It identifies the Amman and Swansea Valley as a whole including Pontardawe and its surrounding communities as having strong roots in the Welsh language and the decline of the language a concern and as such it would look to promote Welsh language initiatives within these areas.

Welsh Language Board (WLB) Language Development Area (2011)

3.2.2 In 2011 the WLB launched a programme of focusing additional resources on Language Development Areas (LDA). These areas contain communities with high levels of Welsh speakers (over 60%) but which face pressure on their linguistic balance and ability to sustain the language.

3.2.3 The first area is based upon the Amman and Tawe valleys and extends from Ammanford to Ystalyfera. Within Neath Port Talbot, this includes an arc of communities: Gwaun Cae Gurwen, Tairgwaith, Lower Brynamman, Cwmllynfell, Rhiwfawr, Ystalyfera and Godre'r Graig. The area extends into Carmarthenshire, Powys and the Brecon Beacons National Park.

3.2.4 The Report states that it could be argued that the area stretching from Trebanos to Cwmllynfell and Rhos to Gwaun Cae Gurwen is the most important area in the County 8 Borough with regard to the Welsh language due to the high number of Welsh speakers. 3 . Policy Context: National, Regional & Local

3.3 Local Policy Context 2013) Neath Port Talbot Working in Partnership 2013 - 2023: Single Integrated Plan

3.3.1 The Single Integrated Plan (SIP) sets out the Council's vision for Neath Port Talbot (August and the steps the Council will take together with partners to protect and improve local services and support communities. The Council's vision is 'Creating a Neath Port Talbot Paper opic where everyone has an equal opportunity to be healthier, happier, safer and prosperous'. T

3.3.2 An outcome that the SIP aims to achieve is that 'People in Neath Port Talbot fulfil

their learning potential'. In doing so, the Council will seek to: Language

Improve education and ensure that schools are fit for purpose and are capable of elsh W delivering high quality educational experiences; - LDP Support children and young people to fulfil their potential; and

Improve learning outcomes for adults. Deposit

Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council Unitary Development Plan (2008)

3.3.3 Neath Port Talbot contains communities (mainly in the Swansea Valley) in which the language is a feature of community life. They make a significant contribution to the South Wales core of Welsh speaking communities, which extends across the Amman and Gwendraeth Valleys.

3.3.4 The main problems facing the communities (in common with other valley communities within the County Borough) are a gradual loss of population and difficulties in attracting new employment and sustaining community and other facilities.

3.3.5 The Plan therefore aims to support the communities through ensuring that there is sufficient land available to allow the creation of local employment and the development of housing to meet their needs.

3.3.6 The objective in respect of the Welsh Language is to:

Encourage development which would help sustain the use of the Welsh language and resist proposals which would be likely to harm the linguistic character of communities.

3.3.7 The Plan contains a specific policy in relation to the Welsh Language and requires the provision of Welsh Language Impact Assessment for proposals which might have a 9 significant impact on the language in a community (e.g. housing sites of 10 or more dwellings) within the Swansea Valley area. 3 . Policy Context: National, Regional & Local

Deposit 3.3.8 The inclusion of the Pontardawe / Rhos area within the area covered by the policy reflects the importance of Pontardawe in providing services and facilities for the catchment

LDP which mainly comprises communities where the language is an important feature of everyday life. - W elsh 3.3.9 The UDP focuses its policies on the Swansea Valley area (including Rhos, Gwaun

Language Cae Gurwen, Cwmgors,Tairgwaith, Cwmllynfell and Rhiwfawr) due to the consistently high percentage of Welsh speakers in the communities (over 30% apart from Rhos 29.6%). It contains the 'Traditional Welsh' Primary schools which serve the local community where T

opic all the children receive their education through the medium of Welsh until 7 years of age.

Paper 3.3.10 Impacts on other community services and provision are considered, but the educational impact is the key measure. (August Menter Iaith Castell Nedd Port Talbot 2013) 3.3.11 The Menter Iaith is an organisation that supports and promotes the use of the Welsh language within Neath Port Talbot. It is one of a Wales wide network of such organisations and provides a range of activities for the community both within the Swansea and Amman Valleys and across Neath Port Talbot. The activities range from Welsh Language entertainment and sport / recreational opportunities to supporting the learning of the language.

Strategic Schools Improvement Program (SSIP)

3.3.12 This Program determines the way future education is provided within the County Borough both in terms of English and Welsh medium education.

3.3.13 Implementation of this program is likely to lead to substantial change involving opening new schools, closing existing schools, merging or amalgamating schools, federating schools and promoting new initiatives that support collaborative working between schools. This will mean re-assessing current provision in the light of future need and dealing with over capacity in the school building stock.

3.3.14 The intention of the program is to provide the following benefits:

Deliver 21st century schools;

Use resources efficiently and effectively;

Provide the right schools in the right places;

10 Reduce surplus capacity;

Promote Welsh medium education; and

Promote diversity and equality. 3 . Policy Context: National, Regional & Local

3.3.15 In June 2012, the projects identified as part of the program with regard to Welsh medium education are as follows: 2013)

Establish a new, 21st Century, 3-18, 'all through' Welsh Medium school in a new build / part reconstruction on an existing site in Ystalyfera in the north of the County Borough. (August This project provides for a new school to replace the secondary Welsh medium school, Paper Ysgol Gyfun Ystalyfera and the Welsh medium primary school Ysgol Gynradd Y opic Wern, both of which will consequently close. T

Establish a 11-16, Welsh medium secondary school in the location of the existing

Sandfields Comprehensive School. This is in response to an identified demand for Language such education within the Port Talbot area. elsh W -

Welsh Language Impact Assessment of Communities in the Swansea Valley (Menter LDP Iaith Castell Nedd Port Talbot) (November 2012)

3.3.16 Due to the lack of evidence on the impacts a large housing development can Deposit have on the language the Authority, with financial support from the Welsh Language Board (now part of Welsh Government), commissioned Menter Iaith Castell Nedd Port Talbot to undertake a Welsh Language Impact Assessment. The Assessment focused on two sites, one a long established area of housing in Ystalyfera and the other a new housing site in Godre'r Graig.

3.3.17 The purpose of the study was to investigate:

Whether there is a different percentage using the language compared with households in an area of long established housing;

Whether there are differences between the two areas in terms of their make up and behaviour of the households and their use of the language;

Through structured discussion with stakeholders serving the communities the role of the language, current practice and the prospects for the promotion of its use.

3.3.18 The findings were intended to identify whether new development is likely to create impacts on the language, and whether any impacts are likely to be beneficial or harmful, whether any harm may be mitigated or whether they could be of such a scale and impact that new development should be controlled through the LDP.

3.3.19 The study clearly identified that in the new housing development in Graig Newydd: 11 There is a significantly lower percentage of Welsh speakers;

English is likely to be the language of the homes in mixed language households; 3 . Policy Context: National, Regional & Local

Deposit Welsh speakers are less likely to use the Welsh language outside the home; and

LDP Lower percentages of children are likely to go to Welsh medium schools when compared with the area of existing housing. - W elsh

Language 3.3.20 The Assessment recommended the following:

When new development (whether housing, shopping, leisure or any other use that would be likely to impact on the language) is being considered, the scale, speed and T opic type of development is assessed in relation to the likely ability of the Welsh speaking

Paper community and its institutions to absorb it without causing unacceptable harm.

(August When new development is proposed that would affect Welsh speaking communities, a Welsh language service is provided throughout the period of opening hours. This

2013) does not mean that all staff need to be Welsh speaking, but that a 'face to face' service would be provided by Welsh speakers or learners who have attained a level sufficient to communicate with customers in Welsh.

Mitigation measures be provided to encourage Welsh speakers (adults and children) to use the language and encourage and enable learners to acquire the language and become part of the Welsh speaking community.

Monitoring is needed to ensure that commitments such as the Welsh Language Action Plan put in place in relation to the shopping developments in Pontardawe are actually implemented.

3.3.21 The Assessment also identified that further resources are needed to support Welsh speakers, learners, children learning Welsh (often in mixed or English language households) and the enterprises, organisations and bodies that provide their services and needs. Without the provision of mitigation, new housing, while helping revitalise the communities, is likely to damage the vitality of language in communities directly, indirectly and cumulatively. The Assessment advises on the following mitigation measures to offset any negative impacts on the language:

Welsh Language Schools: sufficient resources should be available to enable the schools to fulfil their role in producing fluent first language speakers. This should include the provision of support to cater for additional numbers of non-Welsh speakers and out of school activities. Transport should be provided as necessary to both types of activities.

12 English Language Schools: As above but with the aim of helping children gain access to the Welsh speaking community and its activities.

Adults: Sufficient resources are needed to reinvigorate the Welsh speaking communities and encourage the use of the language. Tuition should be provided for learners within easy access, both in distance and allowing working parents to attend. 3 . Policy Context: National, Regional & Local

Tuition should be part of an integrated programme with the aim of enabling learners

to become sufficiently fluent that they can become part of the Welsh speaking 2013) communities. (August A coordinated programme of support, should be provided for organisations and bodies

that provide activities, facilities, education etc for Welsh speakers and learners. The Paper Welsh Government's Special Language Area Programme and the Menter Iaith provide opic mechanisms to coordinate this provision. T

The performance and effectiveness of the measures should be carefully monitored

and assessed to ensure that they are relevant and provide effective use of the Language

resources. elsh W - When programmes have been put in place to provide mitigation for developments, the effectiveness of their implementation should be closely monitored and if necessary LDP enforced. Deposit

3.3.22 The Assessment suggests that further research should be undertaken to place the findings of the study in context and identify thresholds and measures that the local planning authorities can apply as a starting point for assessing likely impacts and appropriateness of mitigation measures. It also identifies the Amman Valley, Swansea Valley and Pontardawe as areas where the use of the language is a significant feature and the percentage of Welsh speakers is sufficient to sustain the use of the language. The language in these communities is vulnerable to development that could adversely affect the linguistic balance and discourage the acquisition and use of the language within the home, and the facilities, services and enterprises that serve the communities.

3.3.23 A similar study was prepared by Menter Iaith for Powys County Council comparing two housing sites in the nearby village of Ystradgynlais which borders Neath Port Talbot. This Assessment further reinforces the conclusion that a large scale housing development in the Swansea Valley contains a lower percentage of Welsh speakers and as such has had an impact on the social fabric of the community.

13 3 . Policy Context: National, Regional & Local Deposit LDP - W elsh Language T opic Paper (August 2013)

14 4 . Current Situation and Trends

4 Current Situation and Trends 2013) 4.0.1 According to the document entitled 'Planning and Welsh Language: The Way Ahead', ‘...the future well being of the language will depend on a variety of factors, such (August as education, its use in the business environment, demographic change and community (3) activities as well as a sound economic basis for each community . Whilst the planning Paper system does not have influence over many of these factors, the Plan will need to identify opic how the planning system can take into account the needs and interests of the language T and to what extent it can contribute to its well-being. It was identified during the LDP consultation process that the erosion of the Welsh Language is a concern in the areas of Pontardawe, Swansea Valley and Amman Valley. Language elsh W

Wales - The National Picture -

4.0.2 At the beginning of the 20th Century nearly half of the population in Wales spoke LDP Welsh. The percentage of Welsh speakers however, decreased throughout the 20th

Century (Figure 4.1) to as little as 18.7% in 1991. While it increased to 20.8% in 2001, Deposit principally owing to the growth in the teaching of Welsh as a second language in schools, recent 2011 Census figures suggest a decrease in the amount of Welsh speakers between 2001 and 2011. Figure 4.1 (4) illustrates the numbers able to speak Welsh and English in turquoise, numbers only able to speak Welsh in grey and the percentage speaking Welsh in black.

15

3 Paragraph 2.4 Planning and the Welsh Language: The Way Ahead (2005). 4 http://www.comisiynyddygymraeg.org/English/Assistance/Dataandstatisitcs/Pages/2011Censusresultsandchangessince2001.aspx 4 . Current Situation and Trends

Deposit Figure 4.1 2011 Census - Results & Changes Since 2001 LDP - W elsh Language T opic Paper (August 2013)

4.0.3 In December 2012, Welsh language 2011 Census figures were released at the national and local authority level. The national picture across Wales, taking into account most up to date figures, can be summarised as follows:

The proportion of people able to speak Welsh decreased from 20.8% in 2001 to 19% in 2011. This equates to a decline of 20,400 speakers from 582,400 to 562,000(5).

Differences between 2001 and 2011 figures varied by age group. The number and percentage of first-language speakers among young children (aged 3-4) increased from 18.8% to 23.3%, this can be attributed to the increase in Welsh medium education. There was also a slight increase in the number of adults aged 20-44 that were Welsh 16 speaking but a decrease in all other age groups. Figure 4.2 shows the amount of Welsh speakers by age group which was taken from WG's Welsh Language Statistic Bulleting (December 2012)(6).

5 http://wales.gov.uk/topics/statistics/headlines/population2012/121211/?lang=en 6 http://wales.gov.uk/docs/statistics/2012/121211sb1182012en.pdf 4 . Current Situation and Trends

Figure 4.2 Proportion of People Able To Speak Welsh by Age Group (1991-2011) 2013) (August Paper opic T Language elsh W - LDP Deposit

According to recent Census figures the population of Wales increased by 153,300 between 2001 and 2011. Migration accounted for over 90% of the population increases - this included migration from other parts of the UK and internationally. Inward migration has a significant impact on the proportion able to speak Welsh. The proportion of the population living in Wales but born outside Wales increased from 25% in 2001 to 27% in 2011. 2001 Census figures showed that 86% of the population born outside of Wales had no ability in Welsh - comparable data for 2011 has yet to be published but similar figures are expected (7).

There appears to be a net out-migration of fluent Welsh speakers from Wales. 2011 Census figures also show that there were 507,000 Welsh born people living in England. Broad estimates of the annual change in the number of fluent Welsh speakers were published as part of the Welsh Government's Welsh Language Strategy Evidence Review in March 2012(8). The paper suggests that there is likely to be an annual net loss of around 1,200-2,200 fluent Welsh speakers, and this is mostly due to out-migration.

The geographical distribution of Welsh speakers has changed meaning that the likelihood of one Welsh speaker meeting another at random has decreased. Such a change has implications for language use and for the formation of households where Welsh is used. 17

7 http://wales.gov.uk/docs/statistics/2012/121211sb1182012en.pdf 8 http://wales.gov.uk/docs/caecd/research/120301welshlanguageen.pdf 4 . Current Situation and Trends

Deposit 4.0.4 The recent 2011 Welsh language Census figures(9) released also included figures at a local authority level. All local authorities apart from Monmouthshire, Caerphilly and

LDP Cardiff saw a decrease in the proportion of people aged 3 and over able to speak Welsh. The largest percentage point decreases were in areas with higher proportions of Welsh - W speakers. Many of Wales's Welsh speaking strongholds such as Ceredigion and elsh Carmarthenshire experienced significant decreases. Neath Port Talbot experienced a Language 2.7% decline from 18% in 2001 to 15.3% in 2011 which equates to a 2,706 decrease in the Welsh speaking population. T opic Picture 4.1 Welsh Language Statistics by Local Authority (Census 2011) Paper (August 2013)

18

9 http://wales.gov.uk/docs/statistics/2012/121211sb1182012en.pdf 4 . Current Situation and Trends

Neath Port Talbot - The Local Picture 2013) 4.0.5 Recent Census figures have also been released for Welsh language skills (table 4.1) and as expected, skills in general have dropped both at a national level and within Neath Port Talbot. Figures for residents with no Welsh language skills have risen in Neath (August Port Talbot while figures for residents fluent in speech, reading and writing have dropped. Paper opic

Table 4.1 Welsh Language Skills in Neath Port Talbot (Census 2011) T

Residents 3 & No Skills in Can Can Speak Can Speak but Can Speak & Can Speak, Other Over Welsh Understand Welsh cannot Read or Read but Read & Write Combination of Spoken Welsh Write Welsh cannot Write Welsh Skills

Only Welsh Language

2001 2011 2001 2011 2001 2011 2001 2011 2001 2011 2001 2011 2001 2011 2001 2011 elsh W

Neath Port 130,305 135,278 71.18 75.2 6.52 6.4 18 15.3 3.26 2.7 1.69 1.6 12.83 10.8 4.51 3.3 - Talbot LDP Wales 2,805,701 2,955,841 71.57 73.3 4.93 5.3 20.8 19.0 2.83 2.7 1.37 1.5 16.32 14.6 2.98 2.5

4.0.6 While figures of Welsh speakers by age were not available for the 2011 Census, Deposit 2001 Census figures show a high amount of children and young adults who can speak the language within Neath Port Talbot due to the amount of Welsh medium education available (10).

Picture 4.2 Percentage Able To Understand / Speak / Read / Write Welsh by Age (2001)

19

10 http://www.comisiynyddygymraeg.org/English/Publications%20List/A%20statistical%20overview%20of%20the%20Welsh%20language.pdf 4 . Current Situation and Trends

Deposit 4.0.7 In January 2013 Welsh language figures were also released on a ward level. These figures show that there are some areas within Neath Port Talbot with very low

LDP numbers of Welsh speakers such as Port Talbot where the wards of Aberavon, Sandfields and Taibach contain less than 10% Welsh speakers (Appendix 1). - W elsh 4.0.8 Whilst language figures in some areas are well below the Welsh average, there

Language are areas within the County Borough where the language is an integral part of the social fabric and which contain very high levels of Welsh speakers. More than half of the population of Cwmllynfell, Gwaun Cae Gurwen and Lower Brynamman can speak Welsh T

opic and are regarded as traditional Welsh speaking communities. It is evident that the Amman and Swansea Valley areas are the stronghold of the language in Neath Port Talbot with Paper the Pontardawe area and Dulais Valley also containing communities where more than the Welsh average of the residents speak the language. These Valley communities are where (August Welsh language skills are highest with a high percentage that can speak, read and write Welsh (Appendix 1) 2013) 4.0.9 Pontardawe has strong links to the Amman and Swansea Valley areas as it acts as a hub, providing facilities and services where the language is a prominent feature and can be used on a daily basis.

Table 4.2 Communities With High Percentage of Welsh Speakers in Neath Port Talbot (2011 Census)

Ward Number of Welsh Speakers 2011 % Welsh Speakers 2011

Amman Valley Spatial area

Gwaun Cae Gurwen 1576 55.8%

Lower Brynamman 776 60.8%

Dulais Valley Spatial area

Crynant 465 25.1%

Onllwyn 222 19.1%

Seven Sisters 469 22.9%

Pontardawe Spatial area

Alltwen 664 29.5%

Rhos 588 24.7%

Pontardawe 1624 31% 20 Trebanos 459 33.6% Swansea Valley Spatial area

Cwmllynfell 669 58.8%

Godre'r Graig 473 30.1%

Ystalyfera 1339 46% 4 . Current Situation and Trends

Ward Number of Welsh Speakers 2011 % Welsh Speakers 2011 2013) Neath Port Talbot 20,698 15.3%

Wales Average 562,000 19% (August

4.0.10 It should be noted that these traditional Welsh speaking communities have Paper

witnessed a marked reduction in the numbers of Welsh speakers in recent years. This opic T can be seen when comparing the data over the past two decades. Ystalyfera for instance has seen a 20.7% reduction in the proportion of Welsh speakers between 1991 and 2011. It is evident from table 4.3 below that those communities with the highest % of Welsh Language speakers have experienced a significant loss in recent years. elsh W

Table 4.3 Change in Welsh Language Statistics in Neath Port Talbot (1991-2001) - LDP Community % Welsh % Welsh % Change in % Welsh % Change in % Change in Speakers Speakers Proportion of Speakers Proportion Proportion of

(1991) (2001) Welsh (2011) of Welsh Welsh Deposit Speakers Speakers Speakers 1991-2001 2001 - 2011 1991 - 2011

Cwmllynfell 76.93% 68.23% -8.70% 58.8% 9.43% 18.13%

Lower 76.60% 68.12% -8.48% 60.8% 7.32% 15.8% Brynamman

Gwaun Cae 79.11% 67.91% -11.20% 55.8% 12.11% 23.31% Gurwen

Ystalyfera 66.67% 54.56% -12.11% 46% 8.56% 20.67%

Trebanos 47.21% 42.37% -4.84% 33.6% 8.77% 13.61%

Godre’r Graig 46.26% 41.46% -4.8% 30.1% 11.36% 16.16%

Pontardawe 42.17% 37.40% -4.77% 31% 6.4% 11.17%

Alltwen 40.08% 35.91% -4.17% 29.5% 6.41% 10.58%

Rhos 31.38% 28.61% -2.77% 24.7% 3.91% 6.68%

Crynant 32.8% 29.7% -3.1% 25.1% 4.6% 7.7%

Seven Sisters 26.5% 25.6% -0.9% 22.9% 2.7% 3.6%

Onllwyn 25.0% 21.1% -3.9% 19.1% 2% 5.9%

Neath Port 17.9% 18% 0.1% 15.3% 2.7% 2.6% Talbot 21 Wales 18.7% 20.8% -2.1% 19.0% 1.8% 0.3%

4.0.11 The 2011 Census figures confirm a further loss of Welsh speakers which is reinforced by the findings of the Welsh Language Impact Assessment undertaken on a new housing site in the Swansea Valley. The Assessment identified a decline in the language in the traditionally Welsh speaking community of Godre'r Graig. 4 . Current Situation and Trends

Deposit Migration

LDP 4.0.12 Planning Policy Wales states that the future well being of the language will depend on a variety of factors including demographic change. Guidance states that inward and -

W outward migration can have a negative impact on the Welsh language. In order to gain elsh an understanding of why the Welsh language has decreased over recent years it is

Language important to get an idea of the migration trends within Neath Port Talbot. Between 2001 and 2009 the overall population of the area increased by 3,045(11).

T 4.0.13 Analysis of population change by age groups shows that the population is ageing. opic The largest increase in population between 2001 and 2009 occurred in the 45-64 age Paper group. Over the same period the number of pensionable age residents (65+) grew by 1,012. The only other category showing growth over the period was 16-24 year olds (August (+1,886). The categories of 0-15 (-1,432) and 25-64 (-2,600) experienced reductions in numbers during the same period. 2013) 4.0.14 The Economic Assessment and Employment Land Provision Report(12) identifies that net internal migration has decreased in recent years within the County Borough, which is mainly due to the higher number of migrants leaving the County Borough than migrating in. If this is the case population figures by age would suggest that a significant amount of those migrating out are the young working age population with those migrating in nearing pensionable age. As has been identified in the % age graph for 2001 the Authority's highest Welsh language speakers by age group were children and young adults. This would therefore suggest that the Authority is losing much of it's young Welsh speaking adults who are being replaced by the older working age residents and pensioners.

Picture 4.3 Demographic Change in Neath Port Talbot (2001-2009)

22

4.0.15 The Welsh Government 2008 based population forecasts show the likely increase in population in Neath Port Talbot by 2026. Population projections provide estimates of the size of the future population built from assumptions of births, deaths and migration

11 Deposit - Population & Housing Topic Paper (August 2013). 12 Peter Brett Associates (2012). 4 . Current Situation and Trends

(internal and international). The projections show an increase of 9,943 in residents aged

65+, a decrease of -2,223 in the working age and a rise of 1,092 in children (0-15). The 2013) Economic Assessment and Employment Land Provision Report identifies that the population of Neath Port Talbot is ageing with the working age declining which could have an impact (August on economic growth. Paper 4.0.16 Future projections therefore suggest a continued loss of younger working age opic residents and a significant increase in those of a pensionable age. T

Picture 4.4 Neath Port Talbot Welsh Government 2008 Population Scenario Language elsh W - LDP Deposit

Welsh Language Education

4.0.17 On a national level the percentage of school age children able to speak Welsh is increasing which is largely down to the increase in Welsh medium education.

4.0.18 Welsh language education has a strong influence on the vibrancy of the language both through Welsh medium schools and via adult learning classes. Many of the County Borough’s schools offer Welsh medium education which are generally located within the traditionally Welsh speaking communities of the Amman and Swansea Valleys.

4.0.19 Outside the Swansea and Amman Valley areas, Welsh language schools tend to be area based bilingual schools, rather than local schools serving their local community. The table below outlines the amount of pupils attending each Welsh language school in Neath Port Talbot along with the number of unfilled places during the school year 2012/13.

Table 4.4 Welsh Medium Primary Schools in Neath Port Talbot (2012/13)

Ward School Number of Pupils No of Unfilled Places Briton Ferry West YGG Tyle'r Ynn 186 50 23 Cwmllynfell YGGD Cwmllynfell 96 -4

Glynneath YGG Cwmnedd 183 2

GCG YGG Cwmgors 46 27

GCG YGG GCG 110 68 4 . Current Situation and Trends Deposit Ward School Number of Pupils No of Unfilled Places LDP Neath North YGG Castell Nedd 297 43 - W Pontardawe YGG Pontardawe 292 67 elsh

Language Sandfields West YGG Rhosafan 311 -4

Seven Sisters YGG Blaendulais 94 30

T Trebanos YGGD Trebannws 85 47 opic

Paper Ystalyfera YG Y Wern 130 132

Total: 1,830 458 (August

4.0.20 The only Welsh medium Comprehensive School within the County Borough is 2013) Ysgol Gyfun Ystalyfera located in the Upper Swansea Valley. Serving the whole of the County Borough, in 12/13 the school had 1,015 pupils with 270 unfilled places.

4.0.21 As mentioned in the previous chapter however, the Authority has published a Strategic Schools Improvement Programme, which identifies a number of priority areas for action.

4.0.22 Implementation of the programme will result and has resulted in the opening of new schools, closing existing schools, merging or amalgamating schools, federating schools and promoting new initiatives that support collaborative working between schools. This will mean re-assessing current provision in the light of future need and dealing with over capacity in the school building stock.

24 4 . Current Situation and Trends

Map 4.1 Welsh Language Schools in Neath Port Talbot 2013) (August Paper opic T Language elsh W - LDP Deposit

25

4.0.23 In December 2010, approval was given to the statutory publication of proposals to make provision for: 4 . Current Situation and Trends

Deposit Welsh Primary school pupils in the area served by YGGD Y Glyn to attend YGGD Gwaun Cae Gurwen and to subsequently close YGGD Y Glyn. LDP Welsh Primary school pupils in the area served by YGGD Rhiwfawr to attend YGGD -

W Cwmllynfell and subsequently close YGGD Rhiwfawr. elsh Language 4.0.24 The schools closed on 31st December 2011, following a decision by the Welsh Government. T opic 4.0.25 Welsh medium schools can accommodate a limited number of non Welsh speaking

Paper children but an influx of too many non Welsh speaking children can upset the linguistic balance and put pressure on staff resources. Discussions with local head teachers at an (August early stage in the planning process can assess the impact and how any issues can be resolved. This could include the provision of additional teaching resources to help non

2013) Welsh speaking children learn the language quickly which could avoid upsetting the linguistic balance in the school.

4.0.26 In the past a Language Immersion Unit located in Ysgol y Wern, Ystalyfera was set up to provide linguistic support for new students learning the language aged between 7-11. It provided education to fast track non Welsh speaking children to allow them to attend their local Welsh Language school. This Unit has recently closed however and the closest facility of its kind is based in Swansea.

4.0.27 The demand for English and Welsh medium education was calculated (Appendix 2). The areas of Pontardawe, Swansea Valley and Amman Valley experienced some of the highest demand for education through the medium of Welsh. This was also the case in Crynant and Seven Sisters within the Dulais Valley. It should be noted however that the Welsh Language Impact Assessment identified that children on the new Graig Newydd housing site in Godre'r Graig are less likely to attend a Welsh medium school compared to areas of existing housing. Whilst acknowledging that the report concentrates on one particular site, a decrease in the amount of children attending Welsh medium education in these traditional Welsh speaking areas would have a significantly negative impact on the linguistic balance in the area.

Table 4.5 Type of Education Demand in Neath Port Talbot (2010)

Ward No of % Demand for % Demand for Welsh Undecided Responses English Medium Medium Education Education

Gwaun Cae Gurwen 30 16.7% 73.3% 10%

26 Lower Brynamman 8 0% 100% 0%

Cwmllynfell 15 6.7% 93.3% 0%

Ystalyfera 30 23.3% 66.7% 10%

Godre'r Graig 27 33.3% 63.0% 3.7%

Pontardawe 39 30.8% 61.5% 7.7% 4 . Current Situation and Trends

Ward No of % Demand for % Demand for Welsh Undecided

Responses English Medium Medium Education 2013) Education

Trebanos 10 30% 70% 0% (August

Alltwen 22 31.8% 45.5% 22.7% Paper

Rhos 19 47.4% 47.4% 5.2% opic T

Crynant 13 30.8% 61.5% 7.7%

Seven Sisters 14 50% 42.9% 7.1% Language elsh

4.0.28 Another important means by which the Welsh Language is promoted is through W - the work of Menter Iaith Castell Nedd Port Talbot. This organisation is actively involved in promoting the use of the language throughout the County Borough through projects LDP such as youth clubs, concerts, literary, and social / community events. Deposit 4.0.29 The LDP identifies Pontardawe as a strategic growth point with a number of housing sites allocated in Rhos, Alltwen and Rhydyfro. A proportion of these houses will cater for the need in the Swansea and Amman Valley which will help keep Welsh speaking residents within the area but also attract residents from other parts of the County Borough and beyond.

4.0.30 The Welsh Language Impact Assessment (WLIA) has shown that large scale housing development has the potential to attract non Welsh speakers which can have a detrimental impact on the language. As has been identified there is a Welsh language Primary school located in Pontardawe and Trebanos and an influx of residents is likely to put strain on these schools to accommodate new pupils. The high number of Welsh speakers within the Pontardawe area as a whole and the fact that it is regarded as a strategic growth point justifies its inclusion as a Language Sensitive Area.

27 4 . Current Situation and Trends Deposit LDP - W elsh Language T opic Paper (August 2013)

28 5 . Summary of Consultation Responses

5 Summary of Consultation Responses 2013) 5.0.1 This section of the paper summarises the main issues and comments raised following: (August

The formal Pre-Deposit Consultation (September / October 2011); and Paper opic

The informal Emerging Deposit Plan Proposals Consultation (September / October T 2012). Language 5.0.2 The Pre-Deposit Consultation was the first of two formal consultations on the elsh

LDP and focused on the Authority's vision, strategic options, preferred strategy and key W policies. A previous version of this Topic Paper was published alongside the Pre-Deposit -

Plan. LDP

5.0.3 The Emerging Deposit Plan Proposals were discussed at a series of informal meetings with a variety of stakeholder organisations. These included representatives of Deposit the many interest and community groups in the County Borough. At the same time all of the information presented at the stakeholder meetings was made available on the Council's website and anyone or organisation that is interested in the future development of Neath Port Talbot was invited to comment.

5.0.4 The Deposit Plan Proposals Report (Sept’12) set out the emerging picture both in terms of the overall strategy for the LDP and the various topic based policies that will be included. The report was accompanied by the emerging Proposals Map which showed the geographical location of the emerging policies and proposals.

5.0.5 It should be emphasised however that this section does not present a comprehensive and exhaustive list of all comments received, moreover the following seeks only to summarise the main issues raised. Full details of comments received and the Council's responses to those comments are set out in the Initial Consultation Report(13).

Welsh Language

Pontardawe should be included in the Welsh Language Board's 'Area of Special Language Importance'.

Development proposals in Welsh speaking areas need to be supported by a 'Welsh Language Impact Assessment' and a 'Welsh Language Action Plan'.

The Deposit Plan needs to contain appropriate policy coverage which is based on adequate assessment and evidence. 29

13 LDP Initial Consultation Report (August 2013). 5 . Summary of Consultation Responses Deposit LDP - W elsh Language T opic Paper (August 2013)

30 6 . Issues to be Addressed

6 Issues to be Addressed 2013) 6.0.1 Having considered (1) the requirements of National policy and guidance, (2) the matters that have emerged from the evidence base, and (3) the responses received to (August the formal Pre-Deposit stage consultation (Sept'11), this section of the paper summarises

the issues and requirements that the LDP has to address. Paper opic Requirements Arising from National, Regional & Local Policies T

It is clear from National guidance that planning is expected to assist in maintaining

the well-being of the Welsh language. Language elsh

Where the use of the Welsh language is a significant part of the social fabric of a W community, the needs and interests of the Welsh language should be taken into -

account in the formulation of the strategy, policies and site allocations set out in the LDP LDP. Deposit Welsh language considerations may inform the overall level of growth or change proposed and the spatial distribution of new development and infrastructure. It should be the aim of local planning authorities to provide for the broad distribution and phasing of housing development taking into account the ability of different areas and communities to accommodate that development without eroding the position of the Welsh language.

Affordable housing policies may be able to play a limited role in sustaining the Welsh language by assisting local people to buy property within the area. Policies must not however discriminate on the grounds of linguistic ability.

Ensuring a sound economic base has also been highlighted in national guidance as important to the future well being of the Welsh language.

Where the Welsh language is a significant part of the social fabric of the community the local planning authority should build on earlier LDP preparation and ensure the Plan strategy, policies and land allocations pay full regard to the needs and interests of the Welsh language. The reasoned justification for all LDPs should include a statement of the regard had by the local planning authority to social, economic and environmental considerations, including the needs and interests of the Welsh language, and how any policies relating to the Welsh language interact with other Plan policies.

It is suggested that a Welsh Language Impact Assessment should be undertaken at the LDP preparation stage, while linguistic issues should be considered in relation to 31 individual applications.

The WLB designated Language Development Areas, some of which are identified in the Amman and Swansea Valley, contain significantly high levels of Welsh speakers. 6 . Issues to be Addressed

Deposit Issues Arising from the Evidence Base

LDP The number of Welsh language speakers within traditionally Welsh speaking communities is declining and has been identified as an issue within these communities. - W elsh Linguistic ability differs greatly between areas within the County Borough. Amman

Language Valley, Dulais Valley, Swansea Valley and the Pontardawe area all have communities where the percentage of Welsh speakers is higher than the Welsh average. The communities of Gwaun Cae Gurwen, Lower Brynamman and Cwmllynfell all have T

opic more than 55% of Welsh speakers.

Paper The population of Neath Port Talbot is ageing with the working age population falling and those at a pensionable age rising. (August Amman Valley, Dulais Valley, Swansea Valley and the Pontardawe area have been

2013) identified as having the highest demand for Welsh medium education.

The WLIA undertaken by Menter Iaith identified the potential negative effect a large new development can have on the amount of Welsh speakers within the community. This is further reinforced by a similar WLIA also undertaken by Menter Iaith in the neighbouring Authority of Powys which identified similar issues.

There is an identified need for further resources to support the language and the provision of mitigation in areas where it has been identified that proposed new development would have a negative effect on the language.

The same Assessment also identifies that in the past, mitigation or enhancement commitments that have been agreed at application stage have not been implemented. The Assessment suggests that closer monitoring of any agreements is needed to ensure that this does not occur in the future.

Key Issue

6.0.2 The Welsh language is a significant part of the social fabric of many valley communities within Neath Port Talbot. The language in these areas is under threat having experienced a decline in recent decades. Having taken into account all relevant policy, the evidence base and the issues identified during consultation, the following key issue has been identified in the Deposit Plan:

The erosion of the Welsh language is a concern in many of the Valley 32 communities. 7 . Objectives

7 Objectives 2013) 7.0.1 The objectives are at the centre of the LDP, they emerge from the vision and key issues and form the basis for future policy development. (August

7.0.2 The Pre-Deposit Plan identified a number of objectives, the following referred to Paper the Welsh language and will be carried forward and addressed in the Deposit Plan: opic T Preserve and enhance the area's cultural heritage and identity with a focus on the Welsh language in language sensitive areas. Language elsh W - LDP Deposit

33 7 . Objectives Deposit LDP - W elsh Language T opic Paper (August 2013)

34 8 . Strategic Policy Development

8 Strategic Policy Development 2013) 8.0.1 At the Pre-Deposit stage, the overall Preferred Strategy was underpinned by a number of topic based and area based strategies. (August

8.0.2 Having considered the consultation responses, issues and objectives outlined in Paper previous chapters, this section of the paper sets out how the strategy has evolved since opic the Pre-Deposit stage. Where appropriate, amendments and additions to the strategies T are highlighted and explained.

Pre-Deposit Strategy Language elsh

8.0.3 The Preferred Strategy included the following statement: W - LDP The Welsh language is an important element of day to day life in many of our Valley communities. The Language Development area (identified by the Welsh Language Deposit Board) covers the areas of Lower Brynamman, Gwaun Cae Gurwen, Cwmllynfell and Ystalyfera. Within this area the language is used as an integral part of daily life but it is under serious threat. In a number of further communities a high proportion of the population also speak Welsh. The Deposit Plan will also identify areas of linguistic Importance within which development proposals likely to have a significant impact on the linguistic character of the community will be expected to include appropriate measures to mitigate any adverse effects.

8.0.4 In addition, the Pre-Deposit Plan contained the following Area-Based Strategy:

The Valleys

The Welsh Language Board has identified and designated a 'Language Development Area' in Neath Port Talbot which contains the communities of Lower Brynamman, Gwaun Cae Gurwen and Cwmllynfell in which the percentage of Welsh speakers is particularly high. There are a number of further communities where a high proportion of the population speak Welsh. The Welsh Language will be protected in areas of linguistic importance and these areas will be identified in the Deposit Plan.

The implications of new residential and other development on the Welsh Language will need to be balanced against the need to rejuvenate the communities. 35 8.0.5 The Pre-Deposit Plan also contained the following Strategic Policy and supporting text (the numbering follows the numbering in the Pre-Deposit Plan): 8 . Strategic Policy Development Deposit Policy 32 - Welsh Language LDP The LDP will particularly seek to safeguard and promote the Welsh Language in -

W language sensitive areas. elsh Language 8.0.6 The Welsh Language Board has identified and designated a 'Language Development Area' in Neath Port Talbot which contains the communities of Lower T

opic Brynamman, Gwaun Cae Gurwen and Cwmllynfell. This area is of special linguistic significance as the main language of daily life is Welsh but where, as a result of Paper socio-economic factors, the language is under threat. In a number of other communities a high proportion of the population speak Welsh (over 30%) and within these centres, (August proposals will be assessed in relation to the impact on the language.

2013) 8.0.7 Within these areas development proposals, likely to have a significant impact on the linguistic character of the community, will be expected to include a Welsh Language Impact Assessment and produce a Welsh Language Action Plan to include measures to mitigate any adverse effects.

How The Strategy Has Evolved

8.0.8 One of the principal issues facing the LDP will be how the Plan can promote and support the language in the Welsh speaking communities (mainly in the Swansea and Amman Valleys).

8.0.9 Interventions by the LDP and planning system relate to the guiding and regulation of new development in a way that helps sustain the Welsh speaking communities. This is closely related to the ability of the communities to absorb non Welsh speakers, some of whom may become Welsh speakers (particularly children of primary school age).

8.0.10 While it may be necessary to resist proposals that would create unacceptable linguistic impacts, the focus is likely to be on how adverse effects can be mitigated.

8.0.11 Potential impacts on the Welsh language in areas of linguistic importance from development will be identified through a Welsh Language Impact Assessment.

8.0.12 The Authority commissioned 'Menter Iaith Castell Nedd Port Talbot' to undertake an assessment of the potential effect a large housing site has on the language within an area with a high amount of Welsh speakers. The study, despite relating only to one particular development reinforced the concern that an influx of a large amount of new housing can bring with it a high amount of non-Welsh speakers and thus have a detrimental 36 effect on the linguistic balance of an area. The assessment therefore identified the need to strike a balance between the need for new residential development that would help rejuvenate the Welsh speaking areas with the potential harm they could have on the language. This issue has been carried forward and will be addressed as part of the Deposit strategy and policies. 8 . Strategic Policy Development

8.0.13 Furthermore, there has also been a notable change since the Pre-Deposit stage.

The overall strategy for the Deposit Plan is now for a much higher level of growth and due 2013) to its status as a growth point in the Valleys, this has resulted in more land being allocated for housing in Pontardawe. A higher influx of residents to the area could therefore have a (August detrimental impact on the language in these communities and LDP policies will need to

protect the language in these areas. Paper opic Deposit Plan Strategy T

8.0.14 Due to the varying linguistic make up of Neath Port Talbot the Welsh language

policies would not be appropriate for all communities within the County Borough. In line Language with National guidance, it was deemed appropriate to only identify Language Sensitive elsh

Areas where the language is a significant part of the social fabric of the community. W -

8.0.15 There is a lack of guidance however on how to identify these Language Sensitive LDP Areas. The only guidance is contained within 'Planning and the Welsh Language: The

Way Ahead' which suggests that an indication of areas where the language is a significant Deposit part of the social fabric are those areas with 25% or more Welsh speakers. Taking account of this guidance, it was deemed appropriate to focus the Welsh language policy on the following communities:

Pontardawe;

Swansea Valley;

Amman Valley; and

The community of Crynant in the Dulais Valley.

8.0.16 These areas will be regarded as Language Sensitive Areas within the LDP and any Welsh language policy will apply. These areas contain communities where the language is spoken by 25% or more of the population and where the tradition and culture is strong. They play an important role in providing a reservoir of fluent Welsh speakers within the County Borough and indeed for Wales but in recent years the language has been under threat. In addition, a high proportion of the County Borough's Welsh medium schools are located within these communities with the demand for Welsh education high while the loss of Welsh speakers was identified as a concern during stakeholder engagement.

8.0.17 The Amman and Swansea Valley areas contain the highest proportion of Welsh speakers (40%+) and are included within Bwrdd yr Iaith's Special Language Areas. Pontardawe, while containing more than 25% Welsh speakers, also acts as the main service centre for these communities in terms of shopping, leisure, entertainment and 37 employment with a significant amount of these services provided through the medium of Welsh. The Welsh Language Impact Assessment identified that a high proportion of the services within Pontardawe have bilingual signage, advertisements and also employ bilingual employees. The organisations and enterprises questioned recognised the 8 . Strategic Policy Development

Deposit importance the language has in the community and used the language within the confines imposed by available finance, the pressures of running businesses and the language skills

LDP of their staff. -

W 8.0.18 The implications of new residential and other development on the Welsh language elsh will need to be balanced against the need to rejuvenate these communities. Language 8.0.19 Interventions by the LDP and planning system relate to the guiding and regulating of new development in a way that helps sustain the Welsh speaking communities. This is

T closely related to the ability of the communities to absorb non Welsh speakers and ensuring opic they have every opportunity to become Welsh speakers (particularly children of primary Paper school age). While it may be necessary to resist proposals that would create unacceptable linguistic impacts, the focus is likely to be on how adverse effects can be mitigated. Any (August enhancement agreed within a Language Action Plan will be monitored to ensure the agreement is adhered to. 2013) 8.0.20 Whilst ensuring that large scale development does not adversely impact the linguistic balance of a community the LDP will also look to reinvigorate Valley communities in a sustainable way. The future well-being of the language will depend on a broad range of factors, in particular: education, demographic change, community activities and a firm economic base. Whilst protecting the language from negative development it will be important to maintain prosperous and sustainable communities for the language to flourish.

8.0.21 The overall strategy for the LDP is to focus development along the Coastal Corridor whilst reinvigorating the Valleys. As an integral part of the strategy, Pontardawe has been identified as a growth point within the Valleys and as such the following sites (to be delivered over the Plan period) have been allocated for residential development:

H1/24 Bryn Morgrug (Phase 2), Alltwen;

H1/25 Ynysymond Road, Alltwen;

H1/26 Cwmtawe School (Phase 2);

H1/27 Waun Sterw / Waun Penlan, Rhydyfro; and

H1/28 Bryn Brych Farm, Rhos.

8.0.22 As a consequence, approximately 400 new homes will be built in the Pontardawe area by the end of the Plan period (2026). This will result in a significant influx of new residents into the Pontardawe area. It is evident from the Welsh Language Impact 38 Assessment undertaken, that such an influx could have a negative impact on the language. Applications on these sites will therefore need to include measures that will be taken to protect, promote and enhance the Welsh language in order to offset any potential negative impacts caused. 8 . Strategic Policy Development

8.0.23 The strategy of the LDP also includes a more flexible approach to employment development in the Valleys. Suitable proposals that satisfy the core objectives of the Plan 2013) will be considered to promote growth in valley communities mainly by small and medium sized enterprises and could be initiated by the community. Furthermore, in the Pontardawe (August area, the Authority will be seeking a 5% contribution for affordable housing on all new

housing development proposals of 3 or more dwellings, which itself provides the opportunity Paper for local Welsh speakers to stay within the community and help to sustain the language. opic T Deposit Plan Strategic Policy

8.0.24 The following strategic policy has been incorporated in the Deposit Plan. Language elsh

8.0.25 Strategic Policy: Welsh Language W - LDP Welsh Language

The Welsh Language will be safeguarded and promoted in the following language Deposit sensitive areas:

1. Amman Valley.

2. Swansea Valley.

3. Pontardawe.

4. The community of Crynant in the Dulais Valley.

8.0.26 On the whole, Neath Port Talbot has a lower percentage of Welsh language speakers compared to the Welsh average. There are however, areas within the County Borough where the language is an integral part of the social fabric and an important element of day to day life. While these areas contain very high levels of Welsh speakers, the erosion of the language in recent years has become a great concern within these communities.

8.0.27 The Welsh Language Board has identified and designated a 'Language Development Area' in Neath Port Talbot which includes the communities of Lower Brynamman, Gwaun Cae Gurwen, Cwmllynfell, Ystalyfera and Godre'r Graig. This area is of special linguistic significance, as the main language of daily life is Welsh. As a result of socio-economic factors however, the integrity of the language is under threat.

8.0.28 In addition, there are a number of other communities where a high proportion of 39 the population speak Welsh and the language in these communities is also considered an intrinsic part of daily life. The strategy therefore seeks to protect the integrity of the Welsh language within the areas identified in the policy, where 25% or more of the population speak the language. 8 . Strategic Policy Development Deposit LDP - W elsh Language T opic Paper (August 2013)

40 9 . Detailed Policy Development

9 Detailed Policy Development 2013) 9.0.1 In order to implement the strategy at the local level (through the determination of planning applications), the following topic-based policy has been developed. (August

9.0.2 Policy WL1: Development in Language Sensitive Areas Paper opic T Development in Language Sensitive Areas

The following development proposals within the identified language sensitive areas Language will be required to submit a Language Action Plan setting out the measures to be elsh

taken to protect, promote and enhance the Welsh language: W -

(a) Residential development for 10 or more dwellings; LDP

(b) Retail development with a total floorspace of 1000 sq m or more; Deposit (c) Commercial or industrial development.

9.0.3 Recent Census data has shown a substantial decrease in the number of Welsh speakers within language sensitive areas in recent decades. A study(14) has been undertaken to assess the potential effect that a large housing development may have on the integrity of the language within such an area. This relates to the ability of a community to absorb the potential increase in the number of non-Welsh speakers into an area and whether the character and linguistic balance of a community is affected. The study concluded that larger scale developments can have a negative impact on the Welsh language.

9.0.4 Where appropriate, development proposals will need to be accompanied by a Language Action Plan setting out the measures to be taken to protect, promote and enhance the Welsh language. Planning permission will be subject to conditions or legal agreement requiring the implementation of the recommendations of the Language Action Plan. Discussion at an early stage with the Authority is advised. Examples of such measures could include:

Support and funding for local Welsh medium schools to cater for additional numbers of non-Welsh speakers;

Support and funding for organisations and bodies that provide activities, facilities and education for Welsh speakers and learners (e.g. language classes); 41 Ensuring a Welsh language service is provided within any commercial development.

9.0.5 Further details of these requirements will be set out in Supplementary Planning Guidance.

14 Welsh Language Impact Assessment - Menter Iaith Castell Nedd Port Talbot (2012). 9 . Detailed Policy Development

Deposit 9.0.6 Street and development names within language sensitive areas will need to be in Welsh in order to protect local linguistic character, tradition and promote cultural

LDP distinctiveness. - W elsh Language T opic Paper (August 2013)

42 A . Appendix 1

A Appendix 1 2013) A.1 Knowledge of Welsh

A.1.1 Welsh Language Skills in Neath Port Talbot (August

Table A.1 Paper opic T Source: 2011 Census - table KS207WA - Welsh language skills

Ward Can speak Welsh (2011) Can speak, read and write Welsh (2011) Language elsh W

number % number % -

Aberavon 411 7.9 295 5.6 LDP

Aberdulais 311 13.5 233 10.1 Deposit

Allt-wen 664 29.5 459 20.4

Baglan 557 8.4 395 6.0

Blaengwrach 287 14.8 205 10.6

Briton Ferry East 242 8.6 172 6.1

Briton Ferry West 275 9.5 211 7.3

Bryn and Cwmavon 1,024 16.2 695 11.0

Bryn-coch North 297 13.9 216 10.1

Bryn-coch South 699 12.3 517 9.1

Cadoxton 211 12.8 146 8.9

Cimla 350 9.1 249 6.5

Coedffranc Central 425 11.0 314 8.1

Coedffranc North 265 11.4 199 8.6

Coedffranc West 316 12.3 243 9.5 Crynant 465 25.1 308 16.6 1 Cwmllynfell 669 58.8 506 44.5

Cymmer 186 6.9 127 4.7

Dyffryn 350 11.4 265 8.6 A . Appendix 1 Deposit Glyncorrwg 65 6.2 43 4.1

LDP Glynneath 689 20.8 501 15.1 -

W Godre'r graig 473 30.1 300 19.1 elsh

Language Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen 1,576 55.8 1,131 40.1

Gwynfi 92 7.0 58 4.4 T opic Lower Brynamman 776 60.8 544 42.6 Paper Margam 295 10.1 207 7.1

(August Neath East 497 8.1 334 5.4

2013) Neath North 379 9.9 250 6.5

Neath South 440 9.2 299 6.2

Onllwyn 222 19.1 136 11.7

Pelenna 178 16.0 129 11.6

Pontardawe 1,624 31.0 1,090 20.8

Port Talbot 518 9.5 393 7.2

Resolven 341 11.2 230 7.6

Rhos 588 24.7 432 18.1

Sandfields East 504 7.5 337 5.0

Sandfields West 524 8.1 373 5.7

Seven Sisters 469 22.9 345 16.8

Tai-bach 354 7.6 253 5.5

Tonna 292 11.9 242 9.9

Trebanos 459 33.6 353 25.8

Ystalyfera 1,339 46.0 899 30.9 2 A . Appendix 1

A.2 Education Figures 2013) Table A.2 Education Figures for Neath Port Talbot

Ward School in Ward % Demand for % Demand for % Undecided (August English Medium Welsh Medium Education Education Paper

Aberavon St Joseph's Inf, 47.8% 43.5% 8.7% opic T

St Joseph's Jnr

Sandfields Pri Language elsh

Aberdulais Cilffriw Pri 64.7% 29.4% 5.9% W - LDP Alltwen Alltwen Pri 31.8% 45.5% 22.7% Deposit Baglan Baglan Pri 71.1% 23.7% 5.3% Blaenbaglan Pri

Blaengwrach Blaengwrach Pri 46.2% 38.5% 15.4%

Briton Ferry East Ynysmaerdy Pri 61.5% 30.8% 7.7%

Briton Ferry West YGG Tyle'r Ynn 40.0% 55.0% 5.0%

Brynhyfryd Pri,

Llansawel Pri

Bryn & Cwmavon Cwmavon Inf, 62.1% 17.2% 20.7%

Cwmavon Jnr

Bryn Pri

Bryncoch North Bryncoch CIW Pri 66.7% 25.0% 8.3% Blaenhonddan Pri

Bryncoch South Waunceirch Pri 74.2% 16.1% 9.7%

Cadoxton Catwg Pri 42.9% 42.9% 14.3%

Cimla Crynallt Inf 82.4% 11.8% 5.9% 3 Crynallt Jnr

Coedffranc Central Coedffranc Pri 61.5% 30.8% 7.7%

Coedffranc North 62.5% 31.3% 6.3% A . Appendix 1 Deposit Ward School in Ward % Demand for % Demand for % Undecided English Medium Welsh Medium Education Education LDP Coedffranc West Crymlyn Pri 61.5% 38.5% 0.0% - W elsh Crynant Creunant Pri 30.8% 61.5% 7.7% Language

Cwmllynfell YGGD Cwmllynfell, 6.7% 93.3% 0.0% YGGD Rhiwfawr T opic Cymmer Croeserw Pri 66.7% 33.3% 0.0% Paper

Cymer Afan Pri (August Dyffryn Afan Pri 2013) Dyffryn Mynachlog Nedd Jnr 69.2% 23.1% 7.7% Neath Abbey Inf

Glyncorrwg Glyncorrwg Pri 75.0% 0.0% 25.0%

Glynneath Cwmnedd Pri 41.2% 52.9% 5.9% YGG Cwmnedd

Godre'r Graig Godrergraig Pri 33.3% 63.0% 3.7%

GCG YGGD Cwmgors 16.7% 73.3% 10.0% YGG GCG

Gwynfi Pen Afan Pri 80.0% 20.0% 0.0%

Lower Brynamman Tairgwaith Pri, 0.0% 100.0% 0.0% YGGD Y Glyn

Margam Groes Pri 66.7% 33.3% 0.0% Coed Hirwaun Pri

Neath East Melin Inf 51.4% 40.5% 8.1%

Melin Jnr

Gnoll Pri

Alderman Davies CIW Pri

4 Neath North YGG Castell Nedd 66.7% 33.3% 0.0%

Neath South St Joseph's Pri 44.4% 37.0% 18.5%

Onllwyn Maesmarchog Pri 66.7% 33.3% 0.0% A . Appendix 1

Ward School in Ward % Demand for % Demand for % Undecided

English Medium Welsh Medium 2013) Education Education

Pelenna Pontrhydyfen Pri 62.5% 12.5% 25.0% (August Tonmawr Pri

Pontardawe Rhydyfro Pr 30.8% 61.5% 7.7% Paper opic

YGG Pontardawe T

Llangiwg Pri Language Port Talbot Central Jnr 59.3% 40.7% 0.0% Central Inf elsh W - Resolven Clun Pri 80.0% 10.0% 10.0% Ynysfach Pri LDP

Rhos Rhos Pri 47.4% 47.4% 5.3% Deposit

Sandfields East Glanymor Pri 54.8% 38.7% 6.5% Tywyn Pri

Sandfields West Tirmorfa Pri 69.2% 30.8% 0.0%

St Therese's Pri

YGG Rhosafan

Traethmelyn Pri

Seven sisters Blaendulais Pri 50.0% 42.9% 7.1% YGG Blaendulais

Taibach Eastern Pri 61.9% 38.1% 0.0%

Tonna Tonnau Pri 44.4% 44.4% 11.1%

Trebanos YGGD Trebannws 30.0% 70.0% 0.0%

Ystalyfera YG Y Wern 23.3% 66.7% 10.0%

TOTAL: 51.0% 41.5% 7.6%

Source: Neath Port Talbot Education Department 5 A . Appendix 1 Deposit LDP - W elsh Language T opic Paper (August 2013)

6 Local Development Plan Cynllun Datblygu Lleol

August 2013 ENVT1541 www.npt.gov.uk/ldp