Blueprint for town's future wins council endorsement

* SML's chair and deputy chair, Phil Robinson and Issy Richards, during public consultation outside the Co-op in Regent Street.

The people’s own plan for the future of Llangollen has been endorsed by the Town Council.

For the past three years a group of volunteers known as Shape My Llangollen (SML) has been working to produce a Place Plan for the town covering the years 2022-2026.

And last Tuesday night that plan – entitled Caru (Love) Llangollen - was unanimously endorsed by members of the council.

SML was given the task by the Town Council back in the summer of 2018 and, as part of what is thought to be the largest exercise of its type ever undertaken,  has since carried out a series of public consultations  asking the people of Llangollen – residents, businesses and organisations – a number of key questions about their hopes and aspirations for the future development of their area. 

Questions including what they liked or disliked about the town and features they would like to see kept or changed were posed in face-to-face interviews at locations such as the health centre, local superstores and Centenary Square.

This exhaustive testing of grassroots opinion brought in over 1,700 replies and was reinforced by online consultations with major stakeholders in the town, ranging from the International Eisteddfod to the county council and from the Canal & River Authority to representatives of Castle Street  shops.

Although the pandemic slowed up the project it never came to halt and in the latter stages, to make up for any lost time and with the aid of a small National Lottery grant, a firm of expert consultants was brought in to help bring the results of the consultation together in Caru Llangollen, the draft Action Plan.

The views and opinions of the people of Llangollen form the core of the plan, which includes almost 90 separate action points in six sections of aims with headings including “A Community That Works Together Stays Together”, Our Younger Generation Will Be Able to Stay or Return to Live and Work in our Community”, “A Community That Supports a Vibrant Town Centre With Its Own Unique Identity” and “A Community That Provides Essential Services for Its Residents.”

The plan also lists those organisations, such as the town and county councils, responsible for taking the action points forward and gives a time scale for achievement.

There will be a final round f public consultation on the draft plan early in December and armed with the public’s latest impressions on the draft, SML will then produce the final Action Plan ready for publication early in 2022.   

Phil Robinson, who chairs SML, said: “Before final publication of Caru Llangollen in the new year, we are aiming to put it out to a final round of public consultation, hopefully, during early December.

“As we have stressed all along, this is the people’s own plan, echoing the things they have told us about how they would like to see our town shaping up over the year ahead, so we are hoping as many people as possible can join us for the consultation process details of which we will be bringing to you very soon.

“I would once again like to thank all those who have assisted our work and taken part in our earlier rounds of consultation. Without you we could never have completed this rather daunting task the like of which has never before been seen in Llangollen.”      

Here is the Action Plan

Action Plan Terminology

Stakeholders:

 

AONB	Dee Valley and Clwydian Range Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty	NWP	North Wales Police
BCUHB	Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board	NRW	Natural Resources Wales
CC	Cadwyn Clwyd	OPL	Our Picturesque Landscapes
DCC	Denbighshire County Council	SC	Local Schools
FOE	Friends of the Earth Llangollen	SDCP	South Denbighshire Community Partnership
FOP	Friends of Pengwern	SWGPG	South Wrexham General Practice Group
GC	Glandŵr Cymru (Canal and River Trust Wales)	TO	Tourism operators
HA	Housing Associations	WCC	Wales Co-operative Centre
LHC	Llangollen Health Centre	WG	Welsh Government
LFS	Llangollen Food Share	YM	Ymestyn
LTC	Llangollen Town Council
LTE	Llangollen Trade and Enterprise

Lead stakeholders charged with the task of taking forward actions are identified in Bold text and support organisation in Italics in the tables below. 

Priority for Action

 

A	Years 1- 2 schemes
B	Years 3- 4 schemes

 

                                    Our First Aim:

A Community that works together and supports each other

 

Ref	Priority	Stakeholders	Action (What we will do)	Output (Measuring success)	Objective
A1.1	A	LTC	Establish quarterly workshops/meetings to bring organisations together using the community plan as a focus	Enable coordination and promotion of events and activities across the year, and collective ownership of the development of this plan	Improve the collaboration between local organisations
A1.2	A	LTC	Town Council to encourage the re-establishment of a representative and influential Chamber of Trade and Tourism	Promote collaboration and joint initiatives, drive development projects, promote training and support opportunities, and coordinate activities and promotional activities
A1.3	A	LTC	Town Council to consider town and place management role	To develop programmes to improve the location or to maintain existing good standard of operation.
A1.4	A	LTC LTE	Establish and maintain a Community Calendar/Diary to publicise events and activities at one place.	Enable coordination and promotion of events and activities across the year
A1.5	A	LTC LTE	Establish and maintain a Community Directory with the contact details of key personnel in organisations and businesses	Enable easy communication between key individuals and organisations
A1.6	A	LTC LTE	Host regular volunteering fairs and events, targeting groups with time and incentive to get involved e.g., retirees/empty nesters with time on their hands, or young people needing volunteering opportunities for Welsh Baccalaureate or Duke of Edinburgh Award	Raise awareness and promote local opportunities to volunteer or get involved, the benefits of participating, and the difference that can be made	Increase the number of people involved with supporting our local community
A1.7	A	HA LTC	Engage families through the housing associations to identify needs of children and young people
A1.8	A	LTC	Engage youth groups via two Town Council youth reps
A1.9	A	LTC	Host regular 'community cafe' drop-in sessions to encourage community participation in developing projects and initiatives	Enable more people to actively influence and take part in activities that benefit the communities
A1.10	A	LTC	Town Councillors to hold regular 'Street Surgeries' as have been successfully trialled in the past
A1.11	B	LTC	Explore viability of establishing a Time Credit scheme in Llangollen
A1.12	A	LTC	Develop a 'Youth Council' with their own budget to deliver projects

 

Our Second Aim:

Our Younger Generation will be able to stay or return to live and work in our community

 

Ref	Priority	Stakeholders	Action (What we will do)	Output (Measuring Success)	Objective
A2.1	A	DCC LTC	Collaborate with DCC to promote current schemes to encourage and enable landlords to develop affordable residential units in vacant spaces e.g., Empty Home and Investor Matching Service	Increased participation in support schemes by Llangollen landlords leading to new affordable residential developments	Increase the provision of affordable housing for local people
A2.2	A	DCC LTC	Apply learning from other studies into transforming empty spaces above shops into residential units	Replicating successful interventions that lead to development of new affordable residential units in currently vacant spaces above local shops
A2.3	A	DCC LTC	Collaborate with DCC to develop clear evidence base for the need for affordable housing	Evidence to support and influence future affordable residential developments and inform the new DCC Local Development Plan
A2.4	A	DCC LTC	Undertake or commission a study to ascertain why potential residential development sites are currently vacant
A2.5	A	LTC DCC	Identify potentially viable sites for affordable housing, and liaise with DCC to include within the new Local Development Plan
A2.6	A	LTC WG	Town Council could adopt a position regarding change of use of residential housing to holiday accommodation in light of the Welsh Government’s pilot to address the second homes crisis in Wales
A2.7	B	LTC HA	Explore viability of setting up a land trust or similar in order to secure land for affordable homes development	Potential new organisation to enable the community to shape and drive future development
A2.8	A	LTE LTC	Arrange annual employer and training fairs to promote employment and training opportunities, and to encourage local people to work for local businesses.	More employers, employees and the unemployed accessing bespoke training opportunities	Accessible Training Opportunities for local people
A2.9	A	LTE TO	Establish positive ongoing relationships with regional training providers, identifying and developing training opportunities relevant to the needs of Llangollen businesses and residents

 

Our Third Aim:

A Community that supports a vibrant town centre with its own unique identity

 

Ref	Priority	Stakeholders	Action (What we will do)	Output (Measuring Success)	Objective
A3.1	A	LTE DCC	Engage with landlords regarding diversifying businesses in the town	Encourage a more attractive visitor offer, additional jobs, and more resilient economy	Increase employment opportunities in the town
A3.2	A	LTC DCC	Town Council to explore synergy with LDP and adopt local policies encouraging diversification which are enforced/supported by DCC
A3.3	A	LTC DCC LTE	Identify our strengths as a town and build an offer around it to attract new businesses and employers
A3.4	B	LTE	Promote existing support/networking schemes and opportunities to local businesses	Enable businesses to benefit from current support opportunities
A3.5	A	LTE	Identify and encourage use of local products and supply chains	Encourage collaboration, mutual support, and joint initiatives between local businesses
A3.6	B	LTE	Explore and coordinate a joint marketing/promotion scheme e.g., Stamp Passports
A3.7	B	WCC LTC LTE	Promote and support development of digital skills and infrastructure	Supporting businesses to adapt to changing retail and customer habits and expectations
A3.8	B	LTC AONB	Develop a signature project to improve the 'welcome' to the town along the A5 from the East	Improve the welcome to the town, promoting our vibrant cultural heritage and identity	Improve the quality of Llangollen’s streetscape and outdoor public spaces
A3.9	A	LTE	Street Banners to promote the area and brighten up the streets
A3.10	A	LTC DCC	Adopt a policy that all new developments in town centre must be accessible to all	Ensure all public areas and businesses are accessible for all
A3.11	A	LTC DCC	Establish locations for street entertainers and a clear plan to manage such activities	Cater for events and cultural performances to attract visitors to the town centre and create a unique sense of place
A3.12	A	LTC DCC	Identify space for public events, markets etc (indoor or out) and develop the area accordingly
A3.13	A	DCC LTC	Invest in improving outdoor green spaces and recreation areas, including Riverside Park water feature.	Better quality public green spaces and recreational areas within the town.
A3.14	A	DCC WG LTC	Collaborate in the implementation of the Castle Street Project	Improve Traffic flow and Parking provision in Llangollen Town Centre	Improve the Management of traffic, pedestrians, and parking in the Town
A3.15	A	DCC LTC	Identify potential sites to provide additional visitor parking
A3.16	A	DCC LTC	Lobby for support and funding for the 4-Highways project
A3.17	A	LTC DCC	Lobby for 20mph speed restriction in town centre	Safer roads for pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles on our main routes through the town
A3.18	A	LTC DCC	Lobby for weight restriction on the bridge
A3.19	B	DCC AONB	New circular cycling and walking routes connecting key sites	Develop new circular routes connecting key attractions for cyclists and pedestrians
A3.20	A	AONB OPL DCC	Connection of the new Wenffrwd pocket park to town centre and canal, via footpath network	Circular routes promoting heritage sites

                                                         Our Fourth Aim:

A Community that provides a sustainable and High Quality visitor offer

 

Ref	Priority	Stakeholders	Action (What we will do)	Output (Measuring Success)	Objective
A4.1	A	LTC WHS DCC	Re-establish active links and representation between World Heritage Site management groups and the Town Council	Capitalise on World Heritage Site Status, and influence developments to benefit Llangollen	Develop a high-quality offer in the outdoor adventure, cultural and heritage sectors that respects local distinctiveness
A4.2	A	LTC DCC LTE	Step up promotion of existing high quality visitor attractions focusing on the area’s unique selling points of culture, events, heritage attractions and natural beauty all set in a distinctive historic Welsh town	Develop a unique sense of place and identity, and enabling smaller businesses to benefit from the draw of our major attractions and Welsh heritage
A4.3	A	AONB OPL DCC	Trial Shuttle Bus service between key sites within the AONB	Link Llangollen with other heritage sites in the region to draw visitors
A4.4	B	LTC DCC LTE	Explore ways to promote and grow the Outdoor Activity Sector	Promote and manage sustainable growth in the outdoor activities sector
A4.5	B	LTC DCC LTE	Commission work to rationalise branding and messaging, focusing on World Heritage Site status but also incorporating AONB, Cittaslow, Plastic Free Llangollen etc.	A single coherent brand, image, and message to promote Llangollen	Improve the promotion of Llangollen’s attractions and events
A4.6	B	LTC DCC LTE	Work with businesses to develop messaging that promotes longer (overnight) stays visiting multiple establishments.	Targeting and attracting long-staying, high- spending visitors
A4.7	B	LTC DCC LTE	Encourage the provision of more hotel bedspaces including chain budget hotel e.g., Travelodge/Premier Inn
A4.8	A	LTC DCC LTE	Develop a marketing campaign spotlighting Llangollen’s attractions and events
A4.9	A	LTC LTE	Develop a coordinated calendar of events to ensure pressure on services and places is shared out across the year	Mitigate pressure on key sites and disruption to local residents during busy periods	Sustainable Management of Tourism
A4.10	A	AONB LTC	Collaborate with AONB team to organise and manage events within the AONB
A4.11	B	LTC DCC LTE	Work with partners to identify methods to manage visitor flows around the town and key sites during busy periods
A4.12	A	LTC DCC LTE	Develop common messages regarding sustainable behaviour toward both local people and the environment, and encourage local businesses to share and reinforce them with their visitors	Encourage and endorse responsible and sustainable behaviour by our visitors.
A4.13	A	LTC DCC LTE	Further develop calendar of extended (non-weather dependant) out of season events and activities which reflect Llangollen's character	Attract high value visitors during the quieter winter months to support businesses all year round and enable more permanent employment opportunities as opposed to seasonal	Extending the Season
A4.14	A	LTE TO	Work with local accommodation providers/camp sites to provide alternative accommodation options for potential out of season visitors, e.g., retired motorhome owners

                                                               Our Fifth Aim:

A Community that values, protects, and promotes the scenic beauty of our heritage and natural environment.

 

Ref	Priority	Stakeholders	Action (What we will do)		Output (Measuring Success)	Objective
A5.1	A	LTC DCC		Town Council to oppose planning applications that are contrary to the aims of the Conservation Area	Enforce suitable and sustainable developments	Increase employment opportunities in the Town
A5.2	A	LTC DCC		Town Council to oppose planning applications that are detrimental to the area's scenic beauty and natural environment
A5.3	A	LTC DCC		Collaborate with DCC to ensure measures to protect the scenic beauty, historic and natural heritage are included in the new LDP
A5.4	A	DCC LTC		Develop proposals for a fit for purpose recycling facility in Llangollen, both for household waste and street litter	Encourage and endorse responsible and sustainable behaviour.	Enabling residents and visitors to access recycling facilities, and support DCC to reach their recycling targets
A5.5	A	LTC		Continue to ensure that any Town Council organised events use locally sourced food, wherever and avoid single use tableware.
A5.6		FOE LTC		Maintain the town’s status as a Plastic Free Community
A5.7	A	LTC		Undertake or commission work to explore the feasibility of establishing a green energy (hydro/solar) scheme managed by a Community Interest Company	Reduce dependency on fossil fuels.	Establish a green energy infrastructure and enable residents and businesses to reduce their carbon footprint and cater for changing demands to and addressing the Climate and Ecological emergency
A5.8	A	LTC		Town Council to change to green energy suppliers
A5.9	A	LTC		Investigate and install electric vehicle charging points in Llangollen.
A5.10	B	AONB DCC LTC		Support the formal recognition of the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB as a ‘Dark Sky Community’ from the International Dark Sky Association (IDA).	To protect and preserve unique night-time conditions.
A5.11	A	LTC DCC		Align the Town Council’s Community Grants to projects that contribute to mitigating climate change and promoting biodiversity	Encourage activities that contribute to sustaining our historic and natural heritage and addressing the Climate Crisis
A5.12	A	LTC DCC SDCP		Support and promote the work of groups such as Llangollen Tidy Towns, Friends of the Earth and Llangollen Food Share#
	A	LTC SC		Collaborate with the schools to raise awareness of local heritage, environment, and the climate crisis
A5.13	B	DCC LTC AONB		Ensure that the definitive footpath map details all public rights of way within the community including ancient green lanes	Promote awareness and understanding of the value and management of our heritage and natural environment	Encourage local residents to sustainably manage our natural resources
A5.14	A	NRW AONB FOP		Develop the Pengwern Vale Community Environment Project

Our Sixth Aim:

A Community that provides essential services for its residents

 

Ref	Priority	Stakeholders	Action (What we will do)	Output (Measuring Success)	Objective
A6.1	A	LTC DCC	Engage youth groups via two Town Council youth reps to identify their needs and how we can work with them to deliver these	Identifying the needs of our young people so we can work with them to deliver projects to meet these	Improve Services for children and young people
A6.2	A	HA LTC	Engage families through housing associations to identify needs of children and young people
A6.3	B	LTC DCC	Promote training and employment opportunities in youth services	Addressing the identified lack of youth workers in the Dee Valley, both paid and voluntary.
A6.4	B	LTC DCC	Explore opportunities for intergenerational activities	Mutual beneficial projects to bring the community together	Ensure access to essential services for our residents who rely on them
A6.5	B	SDCP LRC	Expand the current Dial a Ride Scheme	Ensure essential transport is available for local residents
A6.6	B	SDCP LRC	Expand Meals on Wheels into Llangollen	Ensure food and essential goods are accessible for local residents
A6.7	A	LFS SDCP	Explore ways to support the current foodbank and food share initiatives to continue to meet increasing demands
A6.8	A	LTC DCC	Open a New Solo Digital Space service at the Library for people to access online support and platforms such as Zoom, Teams etc.	Respond to the new ways people are accessing services and changing working arrangements
A6.9	A	LTC	Review accessibility of the Town Council's services, recognising the need for a blended digital and face to face approach.	Ensure food and essential goods are accessible for local residents
A6.10	A	LTC DCC	Refer residents to DCC 's Digital Buddy Scheme
A6.11	B	FOP DCC SDCP	Develop a community Makerspace skills workshop at Pengwern	A new workshop space for practical skills development, upcycling, bike repairs, office provision and toilet facilities
A6.12	A	LTC	Undertake or commission a feasibility study to explore the potential for a new multipurpose community hub at the Town Hall	A clear understanding of the need for, viability and potential benefits of developing the town hall into a multipurpose community hub. Support local organisations to make improvements to Llangollen's community facilities	Improve Llangollen's community owned facilities
A6.13	A	LTC	Support planning applications that aim to improve both the quality and sustainability of community facilities, as long as they do not adversely affect the character and heritage characteristics of the town
A6.14	B	DCC FOP NRW	Promote engagement in sport, nature, creativity and social engagement as a means of keeping well. Nature for Health Programme
A6.15	A	SWGPG BCUHB LTC DCC HA	Ensure that residents’ views collected for the Place Plan and relating to Health and Well-being, are shared	Improve health and wellbeing by increasing access to the local environment	Ensure access to essential health services for our residents
A6.16	A	YM LHC	Many elderly people and individuals with current care needs in the community are excluded in some way from participating in social community life. Befriending is one way by which they can be supported to get more fully involved	Befriending provides companionship for isolated people a chance to develop a new relationship and opportunity to participate in local activities address issues associated with isolation and loneliness
A6.17	A	DCC LTC	Tackle environmental crime by clamping down on anti-social behaviour	To prevent the area from deteriorating and ensure it is free from litter	To feel safe at home, and secure in the area and with people in the community
A6.18	A	DCC LTC	Review existing dog control areas	To ensure areas of open space and recreation grounds are protected.
A6.19	B	NWP AONB	Actively police and advise of the effects of the illegal use of a vehicle which can lead to criminal damage of roads, other vehicles and surrounding property.	To manage off roading in the area to prevent anti-social behaviour
A6.20	A	NWP LTC	Refocus Neighbourhood Watch schemes which are not just about crime awareness but are also about supporting communities to tackle issues within them	To create a greater sense of security and reduce the fear of crime