RLDP Deposit 2018-2033

3. Priority issues and drivers for Conwy Comment

3.1 Approach Comment

3.1.1 The priority issues and drivers identified in this section are presented to reflect the RLDP structure and themes. The priority issues are further explored setting out the implications that they may have and how they have informed the RLDP. They also consider national and regional issues and their local implications for the RLDP. Further statistical data and sources for each of the local issues and drivers are detailed in the BPs and pre-Deposit RLDP papers. Comment

3.1.2 The priority issues and drivers identified through the RLDP preparation process have directly informed the development of the vision, objectives and plan as a whole. The section below sets out the priority issues and drivers. Comment

3.2 Strategic and spatial choices in Conwy Comment

Creating sustainable places Comment

3.2.1 The priority issues and drivers are: Comment

• As per the key planning principles and sustainable placemaking outcomes there is a need to ensure that the Conwy RLDP facilitates sustainable places, social inclusion and wellbeing for all.

3.2.2 The implications for the RLDP are: Comment

• The RLDP will need to embrace the sustainable principles and concept of placemaking to deliver growth and development in a sustainable manner. Future growth levels and development should take place in sustainable and accessible locations to mirror the Regional Growth Areas detailed in Future Wales 2040, in particular, Llandudno and Colwyn Bay. The RLDP must seek to promote good design and healthier places, protect, promote and enhance the Welsh language and be supported by the necessary social, environmental, cultural and economic infrastructure to create sustainable places and improved wellbeing.
   
• It is essential for the RLDP to plan for adequate and efficient infrastructure, including services such as education and health facilities along with transport, water supply, sewers, sustainable waste management, electricity and gas and telecommunications which are crucial for economic, social and environmental sustainability.

Healthy places, equality and wellbeing Comment

3.2.3 The priority issues and drivers are: Comment

• There is a need to address specific health, wellbeing and equality issues as identified in the Conwy and Denbighshire Wellbeing Plan (2023-2028), including improved wellbeing, economic prosperity, and overcoming barriers to equality and improved access to good quality homes.
   
• There is a slightly higher proportion of Conwy residents living with a limiting long-term illness when compared to the Wales average.
   
• Some parts of the plan area, especially in the northern coastal urban communities, are among the most deprived areas of Wales, with low levels of economic activity and access to facilities and services, particularly for children, young people and elderly populations. Conversely, the rural south of CCBC has some of the least deprived communities in Wales, except for access to services.
   
• Conwy County Borough has an ageing population structure, with higher proportions of older people than the Wales average.

3.2.4 The implications for the RLDP are: Comment

• The RLDP needs to tackle deprivation, by contributing positively to more resilient communities, jobs, skills, houses (including homelessness) and the needs of protected groups.
   
• There is a need to protect and improve access to healthcare services and facilities, reduce health inequalities and improve the physical and mental health and wellbeing of communities in Conwy County Borough. The RLDP will need to ensure that it facilitates and encourages active travel, physical recreation, green infrastructure and increases the accessibility and quality of open space provision.
   
• There is a need to reduce poverty and inequality, tackle social exclusion and promote community cohesion, including through enhancing access to community facilities. There is a need to ensure that the communities are in close proximity to existing community facilities, public services and key amenities.
   
• New developments need to be inclusive and age friendly and ensure that our older residents can stay living in their own homes and neighbourhoods for longer.

Population and creating sustainable places Comment

3.2.5 The priority issues and drivers are: Comment

• Retaining young people within our area is a major challenge, as the population estimates for Conwy County Borough show a big gap in the age structure between the ages of around 18 to 40. This is the age group which is most likely to be economically and socially mobile, seeking work, education and other social opportunities outside the area.
   
• Conwy County Borough has an ageing population structure. The age structure of the County Borough is significantly older than that for Wales with 26.2% of the population aged over 65, which places pressure on public and social services. By the mid-2030s (prior to the end of the plan period), Conwy will see a decrease in the older age groups (particularly aged 75+).

3.2.6 The implications for the RLDP are: Comment

• The RLDP will need to ensure that it promotes a balanced age structure and provides the necessary housing, employment and infrastructure to encourage economic, social, environmental and cultural well-being for all. Retention of the younger population is a critical matter for the plan in addition to encouraging the younger population to return to the area.
   
• The RLDP will need to plan for changes in population but also ensure that the appropriate level of public and social services is planned for to support an ageing population.

Good design, the built environment and placemaking Comment

3.2.7 The priority issues and drivers are: Comment

• There is a need to enhance design quality to create great places for people in Conwy County Borough, including design out crime and inclusive and accessible neighbourhoods. This includes reflecting the mix of settlement types and predominantly rural character of the RLDP plan area.

3.2.8 The implications for the RLDP are: Comment

• To achieve sustainable development in the RLDP, design must go beyond aesthetics and include the social, economic, environmental, cultural aspects of the development, including how space is used, how buildings and the public realm support this use, as well as its construction, operation, management, and its relationship with the surroundings area.
   
• Design needs to incorporate accessibility for all age groups and disabilities, for example, dementia friendly and age friendly measures.
   
• The RLDP needs to promote high quality architecture and design which strengthens local distinctiveness and fosters a sense of place. Design and placemaking issues will be of relevance to some RLDP components (e.g. design related policies and site allocations).

Welsh language and placemaking Comment

3.2.9 The priority issues and drivers are: Comment

• The Welsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011 requires that the Council must not treat the Welsh language any less favourably than the English language. This means promoting and facilitating the use of the Welsh language in everyday life. The Council must also follow the Welsh Language Standards.
   
• Conwy County Borough includes areas of Welsh heartlands, where there are high proportions of residents who can speak Welsh. Coastal areas are also important, with some areas having high numbers of residents who can speak Welsh.
   
• The Council’s Welsh language promotion strategy sets a target to increase the number of Welsh speakers by 1,600 in Conwy County Borough by 2029. There is a need to enhance and promote the use of the Welsh language amongst the resident population of the CCBC area and also mitigate against any negative impacts on the language through the RLDP.

3.2.10 The implications for the RLDP are: Comment

• The RLDP should recognise the value of language and include policy provisions to protect, promote, enhance and support growth in the use of the Welsh language. The scale and location of housing development, employment and community facilities can all impact on the Welsh language. BP42: The Welsh Language identifies sensitive areas and assesses the impact and mitigation related to the RLDP growth and site allocations.

Sustainable management of natural resources Comment

3.2.11 The priority issues and drivers are: Comment

• Natural Resources Policy and Area Statements are a key piece of evidence which must be taken into account in development plan preparation.
   
• Carbon sinks will also need be protected and where possible enhanced and expanded.
   
• Trees and soils, especially marine muds, act as substantial reservoirs of carbon, sequestering or trapping atmospheric carbon. Suitable soils can accumulate carbon faster under tree cover than other forms of vegetation.

3.2.12 The implications for the RLDP are: Comment

• The RLDP will need ensure all developments in the plan area and its functions are sustainable, taking full account of the implications of reducing resource use and addressing climate change, whilst also safeguarding and enhancing biodiversity.
   
• The RLDP should set out how:
  • it contributes to improving the resilience of ecosystems and ecological networks;
  • halts and reverses the loss of biodiversity;
  • maintains and enhances green infrastructure based on seeking multiple ecosystem benefits and solutions;
  • ensures resilient locational choices for infrastructure and built development, taking into account water supplies, water quality and reducing, wherever possible, air and noise pollution and environmental risks, such as those posed by flood risk, coastal change, land contamination and instability;
  • takes actions to move towards a more circular economy, and;
  • facilitates the move towards decarbonisation of the economy.

Placemaking in rural areas Comment

3.2.13 The priority issues and drivers are: Comment

• Being a predominantly rural area, Conwy County Borough’s countryside is a dynamic and multi-purpose resource. It must be conserved and, where possible, enhanced for the sake of its ecological, geological, physiographic, historical, archaeological, cultural, linguistic and agricultural value and for its landscape and natural resources.
   
• Rural areas in Conwy County Borough are facing challenges around a constrained housing supply, fewer employment opportunities, resulting in depopulation for some villages
   
• Rural communities are our Welsh heartlands. Enabling these communities to thrive is key to the future of the language in these areas.

3.2.14 The implications for the RLDP are: Comment

• The RLDP needs to conserve these attributes balanced against the economic, social and recreational needs of local communities and visitors. In rural areas most new development should be located in settlements which have relatively good accessibility by non-car modes when compared to the rural area as a whole.
   
• The RLDP will need to consider these issues in progressing the vision, objectives and growth strategy.

Previously developed land (PDL), constrained land and creating sustainable places Comment

3.2.15 The priority issues and drivers are: Comment

• There is a lack of PDL capacity to accommodate growth over the plan period, which places pressure on the need for greenfield lands. Some settlements along the coastal corridor are also highly constrained, mainly resulting from topography to the south, flood risk to the north and highways capacity, which impacts of the ability of those communities to facilitate growth, regenerate and create sustainable places.

3.2.16 The implications for the RLDP are: Comment

• The RLDP needs to ensure that future growth levels and development takes place in sustainable and accessible locations, seeks to promote good design and healthier places, protects Welsh language and is supported by the necessary social, environmental, cultural and economic infrastructure. In developing the spatial strategy for the RLDP, there is a need to prioritise the ‘town centre first’ principle and the use of suitable and sustainable PDL and/or underutilised sites for all types of development within existing settlements as a priority. Where no PDL is available, consideration should then be given to suitable and sustainable greenfield sites within or on the edge of settlements.
   
• In those areas that experience high constraints (e.g. flood risk), the RLDP will need to ensure that it contributes to resilient communities through improvement and regeneration programmes.

Managing settlement form Comment

3.2.17 The priority issues and drivers are: Comment

• Conwy currently has a number of Green Wedges and settlement boundaries designed to protect urban form and the open countryside.

3.2.18 The implications for the RLDP are: Comment

• The RLDP will need to protect from urban sprawl and inappropriate development through review of the Green Wedges and settlement boundaries.

Site allocations Comment

3.2.19 The priority issues and drivers are: Comment

• Site allocations are identified in the RLDP supported by deliverability assessments, viability assessments andsite specific placemaking policies.

3.2.20 The implications for the RLDP are: Comment

• In reflecting their contribution to the future growth requirements for Conwy’s RLDP area, and as key components of Future Wales 2040 and the North Wales Growth Deal, site allocations have been identified as making an important contribution to the overall provision for growth during the plan period. These sites are proposed predominantly in the Regional Growth Area identified in Future Wales 2040 and other sustainable locations, in areas of need and in locations where infrastructure is provided or can be provided over the plan period

Placemaking Plans and Place Plans Comment

3.2.21 The priority issues and drivers are: Comment

• Placemaking Plans and Place Plans are discretionary, non-statutory documents. They may be prepared at the initiation of the local community and are a powerful tool to promote collaborative action to improve well-being and placemaking.
   
• Placemaking Plans and Place Plans should support the delivery of the RLDP policies and are adopted as supplementary planning guidance (SPG).

3.2.22 The implications for the RLDP are: Comment

• The RLDP will need to set out the policy approach for Place Plans to ensure conformity and assist communities. The RLDP will need to recognise the importance of Place Plans as part of implementing placemaking and in delivering sustainable places and improved wellbeing.

3.3 Healthy and social places in Conwy Comment

Housing, affordable housing and Gypsy and Traveller needs Comment

3.3.1 The priority issues and drivers are: Comment

• The population of Conwy County Borough is projected to increase by approximately 4.2% over the plan period.
   
• By 2033, households will be smaller and there will be more households than present, both of which will result in the need for additional housing.
   
• Conwy County Borough’s population structure is ageing; adaptable housing stock and age friendly neighbourhoods will be needed.
   
• Conwy County Borough experiences a serious issue of the younger population out-migrating.
   
• Current evidence suggests that Conwy County Borough currently has an approximate need of 364 affordable housing units a year or 3,630 up to 2033. Not all of these need to be new build. The existing housing stock has a key role to play.
   
• There will be a continued need for pitches for Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Show people. The Gypsy and Traveller Needs Assessment (2022) conclude a need for 2 (two) additional gypsy and traveller pitches at the existing residential site in Conwy.

3.3.2 The implications for the RLDP are: Comment

• These key issues result in the need for additional housing and associated infrastructure to be provided over RLDP period.
   
• There are also implications on the type, mix and size of housing required to take account of smaller households and adapted living for the elderly.
   
• The RLDP needs to encourage a more balanced age structure and address out-migration of the younger population through housing, employment, education, community facilities and services.
   
• The need for new build affordable housing must be considered alongside other means of meeting affordable housing need (e.g. increasing churn in current stock, empty homes, private rental market). Viability is a key consideration of the RLDP in determining the level of affordable housing sought from housing developments.
   
• The RLDP needs to ensure that it puts in place mechanisms to delivers the RLDP housing need in-line with the trajectory by frontloading evidence, increasing the contingency allowance and deallocating undeliverable lands.
   
• The RLDP will need to ensure that it accommodates the current need for 2 residential pitches at the existing Conwy site and puts in place criteria-based policies to manage any newly arising need.

Transport and accessibility Comment

3.3.3 The priority issues and drivers are: Comment

• The planning system should enable people to access jobs and services through shorter, more efficient and sustainable journeys, by walking, cycling and public transport. Access to sustainable transport is key to supporting healthy well connected communities.
   
• Active travel routes within the CCBC plan area are described as being poor and lacking investment.
   
• Being a predominantly rural area, some communities struggle to avoid car usage as opposed to sustainable modes of travel.
   
• Some communities, especially along the coastal corridor experience highways capacity issues e.g. Abergele.
   
• The current Regional Transport Plan identifies priority projects for the Conwy County Borough area.
   
• The Core Road Network connects Conwy County Borough to adjacent County Boroughs and to regional transport consortium areas. The following roads constitute the Core Roads Network in County Borough: A55 (northern coastal route) and A470 (central route). The two main core roads connect local areas of population and major settlements, adjoining with B-road networks and all classified unnumbered routes within the County Borough.

3.3.4 The implications for the RLDP are: Comment

• The RLDP will need to influence the location, scale, density, mix of uses and design of new development to ensure it improves choice in transport and secures accessibility in a way which supports sustainable development, increases physical activity, improves health and helps to tackle the causes of climate change and airborne pollution.
   
• The RLDP will need to cover the following:
  • Enable more sustainable travel choices – measures to increase walking, cycling and public transport, reduce dependency on the car for daily travel;
     
  • Network management – measures to make best use of the available capacity, supported by targeted new infrastructure; and;
     
  • Demand management – the application of strategies and policies to reduce travel demand, specifically that of single-occupancy private vehicles.

Retail and town centres Comment

3.3.5 The priority issues and drivers are: Comment

• BP61: Town Centres First Study projections suggest, on balance, there is no need to identify site allocations for major new retail or food/beverage uses. The existing stock of premises should accommodate most if not all future growth and only small-scale developments are envisaged.
   
• Town centre health checks conclude that some towns within the County Borough experience good health and low vacancy levels, whilst others have experienced decline over recent years due to certain town centre shop closures (e.g. high street banks) and the impacts of the Covid 19 pandemic and changing shopping patterns.

3.3.6 The implications for the RLDP are: Comment

• The RLDP should establish a clear strategy for retail development, supported by policies, to achieve vibrant, attractive and viable retail and tow centres.
   
• The RLDP will need to ensure that retail needs, pressures and opportunities are supported by appropriate retail strategies. In some situations it may be necessary to take pro-active steps to identify retail and town centre locations for expansion. In others it may be necessary to identify measures to reinvigorate centres or to manage a change in the relative importance of a centre as other centres’ roles expand.

Community facilities and services Comment

3.3.7 The priority issues and drivers are: Comment

• Community facilities contribute to a sense of place which is important to the health, well-being and amenity of local communities and the Welsh language and should be protected. These facilities are often a key element in creating viable and sustainable communities. They can include schools, cultural facilities, health services, libraries, allotments and places of worship.
   
• Access to services within rural areas is a particular problem with the 9 LSOAs ranked within the 10% most deprived for access to services nationally.
   
• Some schools are at capacity or may reach capacity depending on new homes and population increase in the future.
   
• There is need for new allotments over the RLDP period.

3.3.8 The implications for the RLDP are: Comment

• The RLDP should support and identify adequate appropriate provision for community infrastructure to meet existing and projected future population needs, both within the CDSA and RDSA.

Recreational spaces Comment

3.3.9 The priority issues and drivers are: Comment

• Recreational spaces are vital for our health, well-being and amenity and contribute to green infrastructure. They provide a place for play, sport, healthy physical activity and a place to relax, often in the presence of nature, and contribute to our quality of life.
   
• Networks of high quality, accessible green spaces and recreational space provision will also promote nature conservation, biodiversity and provide enjoyable opportunities for residents and visitors to participate in a wide range of play, physical activities in order to promote physical and mental well-being.
   
• BP28: Recreational Spaces Assessment also identifies areas of shortfall within some areas of the County Borough.
   
• There is a need to identify, manage, expand and enhance the County Borough’s green infrastructure network, including areas of public open space and recognise its importance in delivering local environmental, socio economic and health benefits, which are identified as key issues in the Conwy and Denbighshire Wellbeing Plan.

3.3.10 The implications for the RLDP are: Comment

• The RLDP will need to encourage physical and mental wellbeing through the provision and protection of high quality, accessible green spaces, children’s play and recreation space networks.

3.4 Prosperous places in Conwy Comment

Economic development Comment

3.4.1 The priority issues and drivers are: Comment

• The Conwy ELR (BP18) concludes that the labour force in Conwy County Borough, that is the number of economically active people of working age, is forecast to increase by 2033. On this basis, between 14 and 20 hectares of business land (gross) could be required over the RLDP period.
   
• There is a need to ensure local employment sites are safeguarded and allocations come forward to support employment in communities.
   
• There is a net outflow of 4,300 residents who commute out from Conwy County Borough to work in other areas. Rebalancing the land uses of the County Borough to ensure that more (and better quality) jobs are provided could help to reverse this trend and ‘claw-back’ out commuters, reducing net out-commuting rates.
   
• Conwy County Borough has a lower job density ratio of 0.72 compared to the Welsh average of 0.74 and neighbouring authorities (0.78 in Denbighshire and 0.85 in Gwynedd).
   
• Conwy County Borough is situated within the North Wales Growth Deal area, which will create job opportunities. It will also have implications on employment, housing and infrastructure requirements.
   
• Future Wales – The National Plan 2040 highlighted the importance of the foundational economy. For Conwy County Borough, this includes the following sectors; health and social care sectors, retail, social housing, regeneration and tourism.
   
• The ELR states that the employment land allocations should be split 35% B1 Business and 65% for B1c/B2/B8 Industrial and Warehousing.
   
• The Conwy Property Market Assessment indicates that new employment land should be located in close proximity to the key A55 trans-European route.
   
• The Conwy Economic Strategy also promotes the use of urban town centres as key areas for employment growth.
   
• The Conwy and Denbighshire Well-being Plan 2023-2028 aspires to a flourishing economy, supported by a skilled workforce fit for the future.
   
• There is a need to support the development of business networks and clusters particularly in relation to innovative and technology based enterprise.

3.4.2 The implications for the RLDP are: Comment

• The RLDP will need to support long-term economic prosperity, diversification and regeneration, by taking advantage of Conwy County Borough’s strategic position within the wider regional growth deal and by promoting a holistic and co-located employment and housing growth strategy.
   
• The RLDP should direct economic development and investment to the most efficient and most sustainable locations.
   
• The RLDP should support the provision of sufficient land to meet the needs of the employment market. Existing safeguarded and new allocated employment sites should be protected via the RLDP.
   
• The RLDP should seek to:
  • Co-ordinate development with all forms of infrastructure provision such as transport and utilities
  • Align jobs and services with housing and sustainable transport infrastructure, to reduce the need for travel, and dependency on travel by car;
  • Deliver physical regeneration and employment opportunities to disadvantaged communities
  • Support business networks and clusters where appropriate.
  • Associated transport, environmental and telecommunications infrastructure links are needed to support these networks and clusters and, where improvements are necessary, these should be included in the development plan
  • The RLDP should also look favourably on any renewable and low carbon energy generation proposals designed to serve clusters, such as district heating systems and high efficiency energy recovery from waste, or the provision of an integrated network of waste recycling or collection.

Tourism Comment

3.4.3 The priority issues and drivers are: Comment

• Tourism can be a catalyst for regeneration, improvement of the built environment and environmental protection.
   
• Tourism is increasingly important to our economy and is supported by the Conwy Destination Management Plan (2019-2029)
   
• Tourism plays a very important part in Conwy County Borough’s economy and should be supported by the RLDP in a sustainable way. Tourism in the County Borough has historically been supported by excellent natural and historic assets, as well as being strategically located to the coast and to Eryri National Park.
   
• More recently there has been growth in sustainable all-year round outdoor and adventure tourism business.
   
• Conwy County Borough has seen a demand in different types of tourism accommodation away from the traditional. This has led to high levels of short-term holiday lets in some areas.
   
• Tourism development in rural areas will need to be sympathetic in nature and scale to the local environment.
   
• Conwy County Borough has high levels of traditional caravan accommodation sites, a high level falling within the flood risk area to the east of the County Borough.

3.4.4 The implications for the RLDP are: Comment

• The RLDP should encourage tourism where it contributes to economic development, conservation, rural diversification, urban regeneration and social inclusion, while recognising the needs of visitors and those of local communities.
   
• In addition, the RLDP should support the continued success of existing tourist growth across the plan area, by encouraging appropriate tourism-related development, which is sympathetic in nature and scale to the local environment.
   
• There will be a need to ensure sustainable tourism is promoted which seeks to accommodate all-year round tourism as opposed to seasonal.

Conwy’s rural economy Comment

3.4.5 The priority issues and drivers are: Comment

• A strong rural economy is essential to support sustainable and vibrant rural communities. The establishment of new enterprise and the expansion of existing business is crucial to the growth and stability of rural areas, supported by the required housing and necessary community infrastructure.
   
• Conwy County Borough’s rural areas accommodate approximately 15% of the County Borough’s population. The majority of the settlements fall some distance from the higher order urban centres, and as such economic development and the necessary infrastructure will need to be considered in the RLDP.
   
• Recognising that the ongoing impact of Brexit and other changes to the economy generally will have impacts on our rural communities who may need to diversify their business offer further to adapt.
   
• Rural parts of the County Borough are part of the Welsh ‘heartlands’. Supporting local residents with appropriate jobs and housing will contribute towards safeguarding and enhancing this important linguistic area.

3.4.6 The implications for the RLDP are: Comment

• The RLDP should promote and support sustainable and vibrant rural communities by facilitating new enterprise, permitting the expansion of existing business and by adopting a constructive approach to agriculture and changing farming practices.
   
• The RLDP will need to adopt a constructive approach towards agricultural development proposals, especially those which are designed to meet the needs of changing farming practices or are necessary to achieve compliance with new environmental, hygiene or welfare legislation. In addition, the RLDP should adopt a positive approach to the conversion of rural buildings for business re-use.
   
• Additionally, the RLDP will need to adopt a positive approach to diversification projects in rural areas. Diversification can strengthen the rural economy and bring additional employment and prosperity to communities.
   
• The RLDP should allocate new rural sites for economic development in development plans where appropriate.
   
• Whilst the protection of the open countryside should be maintained wherever possible, the expansion of existing businesses located in the open countryside should be supported in the RLDP provided there are no unacceptable impacts.
   
• The RLDP will need to designate a Welsh language sensitive area and a policy approach that safeguards, promotes and enhances the Welsh language. Appropriate levels of new housing and jobs to meet identified local need is vital for the Welsh language to thrive.

Transportation infrastructure and net zero Comment

3.4.7 The priority issues and drivers are: Comment

• The provision of sustainable transport infrastructure is essential in order to build prosperity, tackle climate change, reduce airborne pollution and to improve the social, economic, environmental and cultural well-being of Conwy County Borough.
   
• There is a need to facilitate the delivery, decarbonisation and improvement of transport infrastructure in a way which reduces the need to travel, particularly by private vehicles, and facilitates and increases the use of active and sustainable transport
   
• Active travel routes within the County Borough are described as being poor and lacking investment.
   
• Conwy County Borough has multiple town railway stations on the North Wales mainline route with connections to many other major destinations. Additionally, the Conwy Valley line runs from Llandudno, connecting many rural villages.
   
• The bus service along the coastal corridor is generally well served, although some areas may require additional services to accommodate growth. The rural area has a good service feeding Llanrwst, but is limited thereafter in supporting the wider rural settlements.
   
• A number of sustainable transport interchanges are planned within the area.
   
• The area currently has a number of large railway siding areas that require protection.

3.4.8 The implications for the RLDP are: Comment

• The RLDP should support necessary transport infrastructure improvements where it can be demonstrated that it increases the use of sustainable transport and reduces reliance on the private car for daily journeys.
   
• The RLDP should locate growth in areas that have the necessary or planned infrastructure to create sustainable places and reduce the need for car usage. The RLDP also should support additional public transport and interchanges where they are required.
   
• The RLDP should support (in principle) proposals for new roads and major improvements to the primary road network over the plan period and set out the broad policy on priorities for minor improvements. It should also support new active travel links and will seek off-site enhancement to active travel links where appropriate.

Net zero, energy and climate change Comment

3.4.9 The priority issues and drivers are: Comment

• Climate change research predicts an increase in the severity and frequency of rainfall events. Flooding from rivers, sewers and surface water is therefore likely to increase throughout Conwy County Borough in the future. The County Borough is also expected to become increasingly vulnerable to tidal flooding as sea levels rise.
   
• Future Wales 2040 identifies pre-assessed areas for renewable energy schemes in Conwy County Borough.
   
• The LAEP sets out a pathway to meeting net zero by 2050 via 7 key interventions.
   
• The Conwy Economic Strategy promotes increased renewable energy schemes and an aspiration to bring forward a tidal lagoon along the North Wales coast, which would see improved flood resilience, tourism and leisure generation and regeneration in addition to renewable energy generation.
   
• In the long term we can expect a continued trend away from fossil fuel generation towards more sustainable sources of energy.
   
• The Conwy and Denbighshire Well-being Plan (2023-2028) recognises the impacts from the climate change and the need to create resilience to such challenges.

3.4.10 The implications for the RLDP are: Comment

• The RLDP should set out policy to:
  • reduce the amount of energy we use in Conwy RLDP area;
  • reduce our reliance on energy generated from fossil fuels;
  • actively manage the transition to a low carbon economy; and
  • mitigate the causes of climate change in accordance with the energy hierarchy for planning.
  • Deliver the land-use requirements of the LAEP.
     
• The RLDP should support an appropriate mix of energy provision, which maximises benefits to Conwy County Borough’s economy and communities whilst minimising potential environmental and social impacts. The benefits of renewable and low carbon energy as part of the overall commitment to tackle climate change and increase energy security are integral to meeting carbon reduction targets. It should support renewable, low energy sustainable energy use and grid access within developments.
   
• The RLDP should incorporate the renewable energy targets, interventions and land-use requirements identified in the LAEP.
   
• The RLDP policies should ensure sustainable building design principles are integral to the design of new development. Additionally, the RLDP has assessed allocated sites through an economic viability assessment to identify opportunities to achieve net zero carbon development and require higher sustainable building standards.
   
• The RLDP should identify Local Search Areas for wind energy and set out how they relate to the Pre-assessed Areas in Future Wales 2040.

Telecommunications Comment

3.4.11 The priority issues and drivers are: Comment

• Affordable, secure electronic communications infrastructure is essential to people and businesses.
   
• Mobile Action Zones (MAZ) are referred to in Future Wales – the National Plan 2040, however, the areas have yet to be designated spatially.
   
• Areas of Conwy County Borough experience shortfalls in mobile telecommunication, and some areas do not have access to fixed-line broadband.

3.4.12 The implications for the RLDP are: Comment

• The RLDP should help support telecommunications infrastructure in appropriate locations. It should set out policies for telecommunications development, including criteria-based policies to guide development to suitable locations.
   
• The RLDP should seek to support proposals for new broadband infrastructure or improvements to existing networks or apparatus. Policies should also ensure that broadband infrastructure is an essential requirement in new development proposals.
   
• Regarding MAZs, although no zones have been formally announced to date, the LPA will continue to work with the planning process concerning mobile infrastructure for the betterment of those locations that currently have poor or a non-existent service.

Minerals Comment

3.4.13 The priority issues and drivers are: Comment

• The provision for aggregates within individual local authorities is guided by the Regional Technical Statement (RTS) for aggregates, which is a requirement of paragraph 50 of Minerals Technical Advice Note 1. This technical statement has been reviewed for second time in 2020, and it is this second review that it relevant to the RLDP.
   
• The revised RTS makes recommendations for any apportionments necessary to ensure an adequate supply of crushed rock and sand and gravel aggregates, including the nationally recommended minimum provision of 7 years sand & gravel and 10 years for crushed rock.
   
• A number of regional monitoring reports have been published which show that local authority collected waste arising in the County Borough have generally declined since the beginning of the plan period and recycling rates have generally increased. 
   
• The requirement to produce Regional Waste Plans has been removed, although there is still a requirement to carry out monitoring to ensure that sufficient disposal and recovery capacity exists within a region.
   
• The main conclusion to date has been that there is no additional need for disposal capacity within the region and that any further requirement for residual waste treatment capacity should be carefully considered to ensure that the facility would not result in overprovision.

3.4.14 The implications for the RLDP are: Comment

• There remains a significant landbank of permitted crushed rock reserves in Conwy County Borough, which is predicted to last the full RLDP period plus the required 10 years land-bank. It is therefore considered unlikely that there would be any significant requirement to make additional provision in the RLDP.
   
• Also, an absence of commercially viable and unconstrained sand and gravel resources means that any provision potentially required on Conwy County Borough for sand and gravel is more likely to be met by an apportionment on Gwynedd.
   
• Future RLDP reviews will need to be mindful of the outcome of further reviews of the RTS (once published).
   
• Although national policy and guidance has changed with respect to waste, existing LDP policies MWS/6 and MWS/7 have been sufficiently flexible to enable waste infrastructure to be delivered. However, as there is no need identified in Conwy County Borough for additional waste sites, a policy regarding allocations is no longer necessary.
   
• The approach to using employment land for waste uses continues to be feasible. Alignment with policies in the employment section of the RLDP is necessary to ensure flexibility of location to accommodate any new or relocation of existing facilities.

3.5 Natural and cultural places in Conwy Comment

Landscapes Comment

3.5.1 The priority issues and drivers are: Comment

• The landscapes of Conwy County Borough are rich and varied. The adopted Conwy LDP designates 6 Special Landscape Areas in the plan area.
   
• Eryri National Park, designated as a national park in 1951, is the largest and the first to be designated in Wales. It includes an area of 213,200 hectares. The Eryri National Park covers parts of Gwynedd and parts of Conwy County Borough. The boundary crosses through some rural settlements making them ’shared’ for land use planning.

3.5.2 The implications for the RLDP are: Comment

• The RLDP will need to consider landscapes at the outset of formulating strategies and policies.
• The RLDP will need to conserve and enhance Conwy County Borough’s high quality natural assets.
• Joint working between Conwy and Eryri National Park LPAs will be needed to plan effectively for our shared settlements.

Coastal areas Comment

3.5.3 The priority issues and drivers are: Comment

• The Conwy coastline contains 85% of the population. All higher order urban areas fall along the A55 coastal corridor.
   
• The area has a high level of development pressure and areas such as Pensarn, Towyn and Kinmel Bay are in need of regeneration, where adversely flood risk is a key challenge.

3.5.4 The implications for the RLDP are: Comment

• The RLDP will need to clearly establish what the coast means for Conwy County Borough and develop, or apply, specific policies, which reflect the characteristics of the coastline. In doing so the RLDP should acknowledge the interrelationships between the physical, biological and land-use characteristics of the County Boroughs coastal areas and the impacts of climate change.

Green infrastructure Comment

3.5.5 The priority issues and drivers are: Comment

• The Environment (Wales) Act 2016, provides a strong driver for the delivery of multi-functional green infrastructure.
   
• A Conwy Green Infrastructure Assessment (BP47) has been undertaken which informs the RLDP in developing a robust approach to enhancing biodiversity, increasing ecological resilience and improving well-being outcomes. It also identifies key strategic opportunities where the restoration, maintenance creation or connection of green and blue features and functions deliver the most significant benefits in Conwy RLDP area.

3.5.6 The implications for the RLDP are: Comment

• The RLDP should protect and enhance green infrastructure assets and networks.
   
• The RLDP must implement its Section 6 Duty in terms diversity, extent, condition, connectivity and adaptability to change.

Biodiversity Comment

3.5.7 The priority issues and drivers are: Comment

• Information contained in NRW Area Statements and species records from Local Environmental Record Centres should be taken into account. To date NRW have not produced the Area Statements for North West Wales.
   
• Conwy County Borough accommodates 3 SPAs, 8 SACs, a single Ramsar Site, 43 SSSI and 6 NNR. The RLDP must support the management of all nationally designated sites in pursuit of their defined conservation objectives.
   
• Conwy County Borough Council has designated over 40 Biodiversity Areas on land owned or managed by the Council and 11 Local Nature Reserves.

3.5.8 The implications for the RLDP are: Comment

• The RLDP will need to ensure that it follows a step-wise approach to protecting and enhancing biodiversity and building resilient ecological networks by ensuring that any adverse environmental effects are minimised and mitigated.

Water, air, soundscape and light Comment

3.5.9 The priority issues and drivers are: Comment

• Clean air and an appropriate soundscape contribute to a positive experience of place as well as being necessary for public health, amenity and well-being.
   
• The latest available data indicates that air quality standards within Conwy County Borough are not at risk of exceeding European Union derived Air Quality Objectives and no detailed assessments or management plans are required at Council level for any pollutants.
   
• There is a need to balance the provision of lighting to enhance safety and security to help in the prevention of crime and to allow activities like sport and recreation to take place with the need to protect the natural and historic environment including wildlife; retain dark skies where appropriate; prevent glare and respect the amenity of neighbouring land uses, and reduce the carbon emissions associated with lighting.

3.5.10 The implications for the RLDP are: Comment

• The RLDP should ensure that it contains policies to prevent impact and maximise its contribution to achieving a healthier Wales by aiming to reduce average population exposure to air and noise pollution alongside action to tackle high pollution hotspots. In doing so, the agent of change principle will be a relevant consideration.
   
• The RLDP should also identify areas, such as areas of cultural or historic importance, to be given special consideration in terms of soundscape where this may be necessary to safeguard the vibrancy of places or provide tranquil, restorative environments within busy built-up areas.
   
• It will be invaluable for the RLDP to identify synergies between the mapping of green infrastructure and the moderating effect the protection, or provision, of green infrastructure may have in terms of maintaining good air quality and appropriate soundscapes, including the role of tranquil green spaces.

Historic environment Comment

3.5.11 The priority issues and drivers are: Comment

• Historic assets play an important role for tourism, investment and communities and need protecting and enhancing through the RLDP.
   
• Conwy Castle and town walls are designated as a World Heritage Site. UNESCO considers Conwy Castle to be “one of the finest examples of late 13th century and early 14th century military architecture in Europe".
   
• The RLDP area hosts 80 Scheduled Monuments, 1,488 Listed Buildings of which 22 are listed at Grade I, 1,389 at Grade 2 and 77 at Grade 2*, and 25 Conservation Areas. The RLDP must support the protection and enhancement of all nationally designated heritage assets, including their setting.
   
• The adopted LDP includes a policy for the protection of buildings and structures of local importance, however to date, no list of historic assets has been published to support this policy.

3.5.12 The implications for the RLDP are: Comment

• The identified heritage assets benefit from statutory protection which must be taken account of within policies, proposals and guidance within the RLDP.
   
• The RLDP must conserve and enhance Conwy County Boroughs high quality cultural heritage assets.
   
• Their contribution to the area and especially Conwy town (a world heritage town) should be preserved, protected and promoted to encourage tourism within the area.
   
• In order to protect historic assets of local importance, a list of such assets will need to be drawn up prior to adoption of the RLDP. The process for this is already underway, with numerous potential historic assets having been identified at a town and community level. The finalised list will form part of an SPG on Historic Assets of Local Importance.

Culturally led regeneration Comment

3.5.13 The priority issues and drivers are: Comment

• National planning policy recognises the importance of retaining the unique and special characteristics that give a place a sense of identity and distinct feel. There are currently a number of initiatives and regeneration projects ongoing and planned for the near future across the county borough that will have a positive impact on enhancing and retaining the cultural assets of Conwy County Borough.

3.5.14 The implications for the RLDP are: Comment

• The RLDP will need to offer support for such initiatives where they are relevant to land use planning and compatible with other objectives / policies in the plan.