People Places Futures

Guide to what's on the site

We have now posted a report on the two national conventions on the Wales Spatial Plan, an overall report on the consultation process , together with individual event reports and a report on written comments. Here's a guide to what you can find on the site.
Report on two national conventions
Report on local consultation events
Report on written consultations
All event reports
How we ran the events
Feedback from the events
Questions and answers on the plan process
How to run your own event
Commenting on the plan
More on using this site

Report of national conventions

Two conventions in Wrexham and Cardiff in July 2004 completed the major consultation process.
English version: you can download the report here as a Word document (1-4 below). The version with pictures is a substantially bigger file and will take some time if you only have a dial-up connection. For a quick download of the main section chose 3. below.
Welsh version (5-6). Graphs but no pictures. 5. is compressed and downloads faster but you will need software to 'unzip'.

 

1. Full report including appendix - with pictures (17M file - downloads slowly)
2. Full report including appendix - no pictures. (5M file)
3. Main section only, no pictures or appendix (180 K file - downloads quickly)
4. Appendix only  (5M file)
5. Welsh report - compressed (940K)
6. Welsh report - uncompressed (7.8M)

The overall message from the two events, summarised in section 4 of the main report, is:
1. There is substantial support for most of the national propositions of the Wales Spatial Plan, subject to amended wording in a number of instances. This response should not be a surprise given that so much has evolved from previous consultation inputs.
2. However, a limited number of national propositions may need to be completely re-thought in terms of purpose and wording - for instance in relation to the funding linkage.
3.There should be increasing focus on how to make the Plan become an effective tool through different mechanisms, but including area working among them.
4. Many of the detailed area propositions are readily supported, but most require some modification, with few rejected outright. Most require some re-wording to secure the necessary support across different stakeholders.
5. However in the reviews of wording, which often sought to reflect what is absent, some of the proposed modifications could make the propositions too all-embracing, pulling in too vague a 'holistic' direction to be truly effective at either a national or regional level.
6. There is a need to use the actions, programmes and projects as a key element of actualising the Spatial Plan, and not leave the document hanging in an intermediate proposition zone - open to excessively wide interpretation.

Sustainability Appraisal

The Sustainability Appraisal Report, with annexes, has been published on the official Wales Spatial Plan site. You can find it here >

Report on consultation events

The Wales Spatial Plan Unit commissioned Kevin Murray Associates and Drew Mackie Associates to undertake a series of facilitated consultation events into the draft Wales Spatial Plan: People, Places, Futures. This is a report of these consultation events, held for a wide range of stakeholders around Wales between October of 2003 and January of 2004.
Download Report - Welsh PDF 1.8 M
Download Report - English PDF 1.8 M
Reports of each event

Executive summary
Prior to the main series of eight events across Wales, there were two 'launches', one in Llandudno and the other in Cardiff. These were followed by a trial event to test the engagement process & techniques.
Following a refinement of the programme and the 'toolkit' of tasks, the consultation events were undertaken across Wales. They were well attended by several hundred participants from a range of fields in the public and voluntary sectors - notably planning, environment and economic development. By comparison, the business, development, and political sectors were somewhat under-represented.
The engagement process was generally deemed by participants to be a success in its accessible discussion of the Plan elements, and in thinking about how to take these forward on a collaborative basis.
As the participation process continued, we learned lessons about the levels of awareness of participants (generally high) and about how to make any future events accessible and effective.
The events enabled participants to explore the Wales Spatial Plan in a number of different ways - from the national principles and core objectives, to their translation into actions and collaborations along specific themes. The output from these processes is summarised in the report, along with any resulting area-based recommendations.
In addition to setting out recommendations for each area identified in the Plan, an overview is provided of the findings on a sector basis - covering Environment, Economy, Community and Accessibility, effectively the four building blocks of the Plan. There was considerable diversity across Wales and there were few common themes. However, where they have been identified and are relevant, recommendations for the future of these have also been provided. This has included aspects such as:
* the need for environmental enhancement, not just protection
* the positive roles of maritime and inland water resources
* the need for economic diversification and skills sets to support this
* the need for transport strategies which augment access to economic opportunity
* the need for a strong ICT infrastructure and related culture - to build community strength and support economic opportunity
* the importance of looking outside Wales to address opportunities through linkage to England, the rest of the UK and Europe

The importance of these requirements - some of which have particular relevance for a given geographical area or sub-region - mean that the manner of taking forward proposals using a cross sectoral approach is particularly important.
We also believe that the examination of the zonal area concept of the draft Plan has enabled a constructive dialogue to take place, but that consultation points towards an evolution of this concept in the next draft of the Plan.
Many consultees raised issues about the role and status of the Spatial Plan, particularly how its provisions would be followed through in different ways. Most participants welcomed the inclusive nature of the Plan and the broad directional framework for action that it was establishing.
However there were reservations expressed at most sessions about how the collaborative working could be taken forward effectively - either at national or localised area levels. Several suggestions were made about the Plan having stronger, more enforceable legal status, with many suggesting that without links to funding regimes it will not be able to 'bite'.
This partnership approach to the implementation of the Plan was one of the recurring themes of the consultation, with a strong recognition from the implementation discussions that a wide range of parties may be necessary to implement certain recommendations and aspirations.
Whilst the role of many of the participating partners at each event was highlighted in taking the Plan forward, notably that of local government and many environmental organisations, as well as a range of statutory undertakers and the WDA, it was recognised that the positive support of the different arms of the Welsh Assembly Government and the contribution of nationwide Assembly Sponsored Public Bodies was absolutely essential to effective delivery of the Plan in an integrated manner.

Report on written consultation

Nearly 130 written response were received to the Wales Spatial Plan - People, Places Futures - after it was published in draft in September 2003. They came from a wide range of organisations and individuals from across Wales, from neighbouring English regions and national organisations. A report summarising the responses is now available.
Download English language version Word 480K
Download Welsh language version Word 420K

Summary of headline points

The Approach
* Approach widely welcomed
* Many offers of future co-operation and support for further development

The Role of the Plan
* Greater clarity on role and status required

Vision Values and Objectives
* Vision, values and objectives widely supported
* Interdependence of set of different objectives
* Welcome value of “Respecting Distinctiveness”

Baseline and Drivers for Change
* CD ROM welcomed as innovative and informative
* Suggestions for further development of data & analysis
* Drivers section understates capacity of Welsh Assembly’s policy to influence

Spatial Challenges
The top 4 new challenges identified were:
* More identification of areas of growth and restraint, including redirection of resources, to improve the overall economic performance including of poorer areas
* Delivering an integrated and sustainable transport infrastructure
* Greater consideration of the European dimension post 2006 including international trade issues.
* Strategic development of energy including renewable sources and the prudent use of non renewables

South East Wales

The event was held on the 6th January 2004 at Glamorgan University Conference Centre in Pontypridd. Eighty four participants attended, representing a wide range national and local organisations and groups.
This was the largest consultation event and, by virtue of the numbers and wide scope of interests, the most challenging to enable as regards both the discussion time and feedback of inputs around the content of the Plan.
Picture gallery
Download report as Word document (size 430Kb)
Download report as pdf (size 460 Kb)
How we ran the workshops

Pembrokeshire Haven

The event was held on the 10th December 2003 at the Picton Castle in Haverfordwest. Fourteen people attended, representing national and local organisations. This was smaller than most events but still managed to cover a considerable scope of issues in constructive debate and discussion. Summary below.
Download report as Word document (size 870 Kb)
Download report as pdf (size 340 Kb)
Download cards as pdf (size 260 Kb)
How we ran the workshops

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.
Download report as Word document (size 300 Kb)
Download report as pdf (size 340 Kb)
Download cards as pdf (size 250 Kb)
How we ran the workshops

Cefn Gwlad

The consultation event was held on the 2nd December 2003 at the Elan Valley Hotel in Ryader. Twenty-seven participants attended, representing national and local organisations.
There was a good mix of participants and a diverse range of views. Partly because of the compact venue this seemed like one of the more intense events. The views and opinions expressed were not always consistent, and occasionally contradictory. However, it was probably one of the strongest in terms of generating bottom-up community-focused ideas. Summary below.
Picture gallery
Download report as Word file (size 700 Kb)
Download report as pdf (size 400 Kb)
Download cards (size 200 Kb)
How we ran the workshops

Menai

The event was held on the 27th November 2003 at the Celtic Royal Hotel in Caernarfon. Thirty-seven people attended, representing national and local organisations, as shown in Appendix.
This was one of the larger events outside the South-East, which also had a high proportion of Welsh speaking participants. The majority of the workshops groups were in Welsh and this added an important cultural dimension – offering some ideas and themes to consider bringing forward in the Plan.
Picture gallery
Download the full report as Word (size 190 Kb)
Download the full report as pdf (size 380 Kb)
Download the cards as pdf (size 260 Kb)
How we ran the workshops

North East Wales

The consultation event was held on the 26th November 2003 at the North East Wales Institute Plas Coch campus in Wrexham. Thirty-eight people attended, representing a range of national and local organisations. This was one of the larger events embracing a broad spectrum of issues, helped by the range of participants – including some from England. Summary follows below.
Picture gallery
Download the report as a Word document (260 Kb)
Download the report as a pdf (size 440 Kb)
Download the workshop cards as a pdf (size 300 Kb)
How we ran the workshops

East Powys

The event was held on the 12th November 2003 at Coleg Powys, Newtown. Nineteen people attended, representing a mix of national and local organisations. Whilst one of the smaller events, this was nevertheless a diverse and creative one, because of the range of participants and their willingness to engage in a range of issues constructively and in an integrated manner. You can read the summary below.
Picture gallery
Download the full report as pdf (size 312 Kb)
Download report as Word file (size 1.5 M)
Download workshop cards as pdf (size 184Kb)
How we ran the workshops

Cardigan Bay

The event was held on the 11th November 2003 at the University of Aberystwyth. Twenty participants attended representing a range of national and local organisations. The discussions were lively and diverse, assisted by the breadth of participants from different organisations and roles. Continue below for the summary.
Picture gallery
Download the full report as a pdf (size 424 Kb)
Download report as Word document (size 1.4 M)
Download workshop cards as pdf" (size 184 Kb)
How we ran the workshops

Updating this site

This site is being updated and redesigned and will shortly have all workshop reports. Please come back later if your area is not yet covered.

Questions and answers on the plan process

Here are some initial questions and answers about the plan development process, from the Spatial Plan Unit.

How we ran the workshops

This explanation of the consultation workshops will be helpful in reading the workshop reports.

The Spatial Plan workshops have been designed to:
• develop an overview of the provisions contained in the Plan as they apply to the local area in which the workshop is held
• allow everybody at the meeting to comment on the Plan and suggest how it may be implemented
• allow participants to add, amend or reject local challenges
• provide a starting point for a continuing debate about the Spatial Plan
The day starts with a brief presentation in which the format for the day is explained and the main points of the plan outlined.

Feedback from events

We offered workshop participants feedback questionnaires. Here below is a summary of responses, or you can download as a Word document (size105 Kb).

Comments on Plan and Sustainable Development

Vin West, Secretary of Arfon Access Group submitted comments on the plan after attending a workshop in Caernarfon on November 27 2003. You can download the file or read on below.
More here on how to add your own comments.

Commenting on the plan

The main Wales Spatial Plan web site has documents and a form for comments - details here.
In addition you can
* email the Wales Spatial Plan Unit directly wsp@wales.gsi.gov.uk
* add comments under any item on this web site, or submit new item to the manager of this site David Wilcox david@partnerships.org.uk
* attend consultation events or run your own event
More about using this web site .

Update February 16
The formal consultation process has ended, but we hope that people will use this site to continue conversation prior to a national event planned for July. You can add general comments here, or on specific items. See also Questions and Answers on the plan process.

Consultation "will integrate policies and places" says Minister

Sue Essex, Minister for Finance, Local Government and Public Services, says the consultation process and strategic approach "leads to better integration of policies and places. It identifies linkages both locally and regionally and responds to challenges. It sets a direction of travel recognising that we all need to develop policies which are responsive to the needs of individuals, communities and localities."
Ms Essex was addressing the Royal Society of Architects in Wales conference in Cardiff on Friday November 21.

Run an event yourself

If you wish to use the materials developed for the consultation workshops for your own event, or other discussion, you can download them here.

How we ran the workshops
Notes for Facilitators You may need to adapt for your own purposes.
You will find appropriate cards attached for download to each of the workshop reports. Choose those for the area that you are in.

We suggest that you also read:
The Press release about the consultation process on this site.
The Plan document available here.
Questions and answers on the plan process

Please add any comments or queries by clicking the Comments link under this item.

Using this site

This web site reports on a series of consultation workshops run by a team of consultants led by Kevin Murray and Drew Mackie on behalf of the Wales Spatial Planning Unit The site is designed as a 'blog' which means that items on the main page are in date order. They are also filed under different categories, and archived by date.

First 'dry run' workshop

In order to test the workshop design planned for local events, the consultants and team from the Wales Spatial Plan Unit invited about a dozen people to a 'dry run' event in Cardiff on October 27 2003. You can download the report here (Word) - but please bear in mind that this was a practice session, so the discussions and conclusions were really intended to try out the format rather than provide measured comments on the plan. To help you understand the report, here's what we did.

Plan documents

You can find the Wales Spatial Plan at the official Welsh Assembly Government site and also download some key documents here.
Original plan consultation document September 2001 Download pdf
Other research and meetings in plan development on the Wales Spatial Plan site
Current plan for consultation - in full Download pdf
National objectives from the current plan Download English pdf
National objectives from the current plan Dowload Welsh pdf
Consultation forms for current plan on on the Wales Spatial Plan site
Contact details for Wales Spatial Plan Unit

Programme of consultation events

The consultation programme was launched in October 2003 at two events
North Wales, Llandudno, October 17 2003
South Wales, Cardiff, October 20 2003

Press release on consultation process

Here's the press release produced by the consultation team for release on November 20 2003.
"The Spatial Planning Unit of the Welsh Assembly Government is meeting the challenge of explaining and developing spatial planning through an innovative public engagement process involving workshops, online participation and DIY facilitation kits.
"Launched by Sue Essex in October, the Wales Spatial Plan - People, Places, Futures – highlights objectives of valuing environment, increasing and spreading prosperity, building sustainable communities and achieving sustainable accessibility.
"In order to engage with different local and sectoral interests the Unit is holding a series of workshop events throughout the country, facilitated by a consultancy team led by RTPI past president Kevin Murray and Drew Mackie."