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Vision for Denbighshire 2025

Denbighshire in 2025 will be the ideal place to visit, live, work, conduct business and pursue a wide range of activities.

The population will be more balanced, retaining and attracting more young people who, with the support, skills and experience of our older population, will help to sustain our communities and grow our economy. To meet the needs of a growth in population additional housing will be needed in the County. The bulk of extra houses will be provided through mixed developments, consisting of business, housing and infrastructure, in areas close to main transport routes. In addition, there will be more houses in rural communities, to sustain facilities such as schools and shops. New housing will meet the needs of our diverse population, with the appropriate provision of affordable units to buy or rent.

• We will improve access by developing better transport links for journeys within Denbighshire, between rural areas and the main towns, and between Denbighshire and other areas.

• We will have grown more high quality businesses in Denbighshire, particularly in the field of opto-electronics and by assisting the development of small and medium enterprises. Support will be provided for an increase in research, science and technology, recognising the importance of the knowledge economy as a source of competitiveness.

• More people will be working and will have the vocational and life skills required to meet employment needs, and the confidence and support to start their own businesses. There will be vocational learning hubs to the north and south of the County and an integrated network of local centres providing lifelong learning throughout the County.

• We will invest in our schools in order to sustain high standards of educational attainment to meet the needs of pupils, the wider community and the economy.

• Our diverse county will attract more visitors throughout the year who will experience Denbighshire’s outstanding natural and built environment, culture and wide range of outdoor activities.

• We will bring services closer to communities, with some areas identified as focal points where a range of services such as health and social care, youth facilities, education and neighbourhood policing can be accessed from one location. These centres will be connected using up to date technology. Our approach to community safety will be developed by agencies such as the County Council and the Police working closely together.

• Partners in the public, private and voluntary sector will have worked together to eliminate deprivation and to encourage individuals to help themselves and their communities.

• We will safeguard vulnerable children and adults, promoting their independence and ensuring that everyone is able to realise their potential.

• People across the County will take more responsibility for their own health and wellbeing. They will be fully aware of the benefits of taking regular exercise and eating well. More adults and young people will participate in sport and physical activity.

• We will celebrate and respect the diversity of our county. We will make sure that any actions we take protect the environment and do not have a negative impact on the lives of future generations.

The vision for our rural communities and main towns is:

Our rural communities will be economically, socially and culturally active whilst maintaining the beautiful natural and historic environment. There will be access to affordable housing, to employment and to services for people from all parts of our rural community. More housing will sustain community facilities such as schools and shops. Local transport structures will improve access between communities while the unique rural culture and identities of our small villages will be protected and celebrated. Economic activity will sustain the natural beauty of the AONB and rural areas. The agri-food sector, tourism and contemporary communications technology will enable further rural diversification.

The regeneration of Rhyl through a high quality redevelopment of its marine quarter will make the coastal area an exciting and enjoyable visitor destination. There will also be a vibrant retail sector. A change in the type and quality of housing available in the town will have helped to regenerate its economy.

Prestatyn’s economy will be revitalised by the regeneration of the town centre. Its unique position between the sea and hills and at one end of the Offa’s Dyke long distance footpath will have been utilised making it a wonderful place to live, relax and visit, with well-used community facilities such as the Scala.

At St Asaph there will be further development of a high quality business park suitable for high value-added businesses such as the opto-electronics cluster. A North-South link will allow the regeneration of the town centre.

Steeped in heritage and culture with a thriving and vibrant community, the medieval town of Denbigh will have been regenerated with redevelopments at the former North Wales Hospital and around the site of the former station meeting the need for more employment and housing land.

Ruthin’s position as a vibrant, historic market town will have been secured by the Glasdir development, the presence of Denbighshire County Council’s County Hall, the presence of a major retailer in Lon Parcwr and the development of the craft centre as a facility of national importance.

Llangollen will draw even more visitors from near and far all year round. The Pavilion site will have undergone a transformation that secures the International Eisteddfod for the future and turns it into a major year-round venue of national and international significance.

Corwen will be the main employment centre in South West Denbighshire providing premises for businesses trading in niche sectors with access to visitor activities from the western terminus of the steam railway.

Denbighshire will be an ideal place to live because:

• Everyone whether they buy or rent will be able to access good quality, affordable housing, which is more energy efficient and designed to meet their needs.
• We will use new technology and provide services which enable people to stay longer in their own homes and have houses more suitable for disabled people.
• We will have clean streets and open spaces because the County has a strong enforcement policy.
• Levels of crime will continue to fall and neighbourhood policing will mean that we feel safer when we are out and at home.
• There will be a range of sports and activities for all age groups to help us stay fitter and healthier.
• All kinds of public services will be able to be accessed in one place and are more locally based.
• We will recycle most of our waste and conserve energy.
• Partners will work together to eliminate deprivation and we will be a County where people help themselves and their communities.
• Vulnerable children and adults will be safeguarded.
• We will respect and maintain our natural environment.
• Our towns will provide high quality local shopping and a vibrant nightlife.
• We will have excellent schools with high standards of educational attainment.

Denbighshire will be an ideal place to work and invest because:

• We will be a modern County which encourages and supports new businesses.
• We will help to increase the competitiveness of existing companies.
• We will have a supply of high quality business accommodation at a number of key sites.
• We will have a flexible and adaptable labour market and take advantage of opportunities such has home working/learning.
• We will provide vocational and apprenticeship opportunities and high quality jobs for young people and graduates.
• Our businesses will be varied and small and medium enterprises will be encouraged to flourish and grow. We will specialise in the opto-electronics industry.
• Our work force will have the skills which meet the needs of a variety of businesses, particularly health and social care, tourism, technology, science and research.

Denbighshire will be an ideal place to visit because:

• Our towns and villages will look and “feel” different to other areas.
• We have stunning scenery, castles, culture and coastline.
• We have the Clwydian Range Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the Offa’s Dyke National Trail.
• New markets for tourism will have been developed.
• We will have high quality hotels and caravan parks and are renowned for our excellent restaurants which serve local produce.
• We will offer a high standard, year round set of attractions and activities.
• We will have excellent road, rail, bus and air links making it easier to visit Denbighshire.
• The appearance, access and facilities of towns and villages will reflect their unique heritage, character and attractiveness.