Swansea Bay

The consultation event was held on the 9th December 2003 in The Princess Theatre Royal, Port Talbot. Thirty-six participants attended, representing national and local organisations and sectors.
This was one of the larger events, benefiting from the range of sectors and responsibilities represented. Summary below.
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How we ran the workshops

Initial presentations from the plan team led to discussion about the need to link the Spatial Plan to existing sustainability appraisals and environmental strategies, as well as community plans, and questions about how the plan would be used by the Welsh Assembly in decision-making. Many of these issues were also repeated at other events.
Discussion about the zone and its attributes yielded a wealth of local knowledge, leading to more fine-grain descriptions of zone characteristics. Issues highlighted were the changing importance of the port in relation to air and road transport; cultural identity being defined not just by Welsh-speaking (although this was important); tension between the relatively prosperous M4 corridor and poorer valleys; the close proximity of prosperity and poverty; and the considerable scope for economic regeneration.
The complexities of issues in such a diverse zone were reflected in discussion around the sustainability matrix, with a mix of positive and negative pressures in most instances.
Participants suggested that more ‘people-oriented’ cards were needed to reflect, for example, health issues. Groups added a wide range of new cards during discussions, and after prioritising, the following themes were chosen for discussion in the afternoon: Knowledge Economy, Role of Centres, Distinctiveness, Swansea Bay Leadership, Infrastructure and Transport, Brownfield Development.
A range of specific actions, and participating agencies, were identified for each of the implementation areas. Not surprisingly, given the range and complexity of activities, leadership, effective partnership working, improved communication and conflict resolution were recurring themes.

Comments

[Jon Waters]

I disagree with the assertion made at the workshop that Swansea's maritime location is a relatively insignificant factor. While the functional importance of the ports in the area may be in long term decline, the waterfront location is a vital element of Swansea Bay's leisure and tourism offer, and both current (SA1) and past (Swansea Marina) regeneration schemes are dependent upon the dockside setting. The construction of a second marina at the disused Prince of Wales dock could make Swansea the premier boating location in the Bristol Channel.

I would agree that the 'Welshness' of the area should not be overstated. Swansea, Port Talbot and south Gower have long been highly anglicised (only 13% of the population of the former are Welsh speakers). The presence of the University and major employers makes Swansea relatively diverse, and recently more refugees and asylum seekers have arrived in the city under the government's dispersal programme.

I would also agree that Swansea lacks the credibility and support to take the 'leadership' role in the zone. I see it as comparable to the position occupied by Plymouth highlighted by Prof. Peter Gripaios comparison of Cardiff and Bristol in the late 90s - although it should be easier for Swansea as there is no rival centre of similar size and function in SW Wales, while Plymouth has to contend with Exeter, Torbay etc. Swansea should emerge as the natural key centre for the area. Maybe this is attributable to weak civic leadership? Property Week magazine highlighted this as a problem in Swansea a year or so ago. Also, while Cardiff has had organisations such as the CBDC driving development, until the WDA announced the SA1 scheme there was no comparable focus in Swansea.