Give feedback on this pagePRIORITY 3 – REGENERATION
What is regeneration?
Regeneration and renewal involves developing, or redeveloping, every aspect of Denbighshire’s environment, from housing and transport networks, to business and jobs, as well as shopping and entertainment facilities. The Council aims to reduce the gap between Denbighshire’s most deprived areas and the rest of the County.
Denbighshire’s economy, jobs and transport
The overall County unemployment figure is relatively low at 2.7% although it is above Welsh and UK averages. However there are some problems with the Denbighshire economy because there is a high number of economically inactive residents and this issue is exacerbated by an ageing population. Average household incomes are lower than the national average; more people move out of the County to work than move into the County to work.
Large numbers of Denbighshire residents commute to jobs in Flintshire and Conwy. Despite there being an unmet need for employment land, many of our employment sites remain undeveloped which could be due to infrastructure issues. Rhyl’s performance as a sub-regional retail centre has been declining for several years and a large part of the town centre has been identified as an area for significant investment. Llangollen, Corwen and Denbigh are losing food retail income to neighbouring towns and further work is required on retail need in these areas. Denbighshire is largely a car dependant County and locating major development in the north of the County, in close proximity to the A55 or the North Wales Railway Line, is likely to be the most sustainable.
Area profiles
The Council’s aim is to ensure that it understands the issues facing Denbighshire’s local communities and is equipped with the information to effectively respond. The Council will be developing Area Profiles which paint a picture of the quality of life and service provision in a local area. Area Profiles will help the Council identify where improvement is most needed locally and will support the regeneration of the County which will be the responsibility of the Regeneration Programme Board.
The Regeneration Programme Board
Objectives:-
- To consult with communities to find out their key priorities via town and community councils
- To produce Area Profiles and Town and Hinterland Strategies with the aim of regenerating communities
- To identify and reduce the gap between Denbighshire’s most deprived areas and the rest of the County
- To evaluate the impact of a recession and rising fuel and energy costs on the actions planned by the Council to regenerate the County
- To work with partners to make improvement to activities and processes which focus on outcomes, reduce duplication and make the most efficient use of resources
- Establish and work with broader based regeneration partnership