Sustainability in Anglesey
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Over recent decades, sustainability has been an important issue on the Isle of Anglesey and the principles of sustainability have been enacted by various parties, including developments and schemes by Anglesey County Council, European Union initiatives and various non-governmental organisations. These ideas of sustainable practices and principles can be divided into economic, environmental and social factors and have been implemented through various strategies to create a sustainable environment on the island for future generations. The Brundtland Report, by the World Commission on Environment and Development of the United Nations, defines sustainable development as ‘development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs’, and such actions on the Isle of Anglesey have reflected and been based upon this report, alongside UK Government criteria.[1] These policies implemented in Anglesey focus on the economic, environmental and social aspects of sustainable principles.
Economic Sustainability
Sustainable economic principles on the Isle of Anglesey have been and are being implemented in part by Anglesey County Council. In 2004, Anglesey County Council published an ‘economic regeneration strategy’ for the timeframe of 2004 to 2015.[2] This document aimed to “outline the vision” for a sustainable economy in Anglesey. The document was produced in part by Anglesey Economic Regeneration Partnership under Anglesey County Council, and aimed to deliver “a thriving and prosperous economy” within Anglesey and create “sustainable communities”. Targets included to have a “GDP at 72% of UK average”, “a relative unemployment rate of 4%” alongside “employment to 21,000 full-time equivalent” and to reduce “workforce with no qualifications to 10%”.[2]
In 2010, the county council produced an evaluation on the island’s ‘Energy Island’ scheme. The scheme aimed to develop “a world-renowned centre of excellence for the production, demonstration and servicing of low-carbon energy” through to the year 2025.[3] Outlined within the document, the council outlines potential economic impact of the ‘Energy Island’ scheme on the local economy. Estimated benefits included “up to 4,500 construction jobs” on the island and within the further North Wales region. A further “2,500 operational and maintenance jobs” were also estimated to be created by 2025.[3] The county council of Anglesey stated that an increase in potential jobs on the island could make a contribution of £2.34 billion to the local economy and an additional 8.6% of the region’s GVA per annum over the period of 2010 to 2025.[3] A joint venture between E.ON UK and RWE Power to construct a new nuclear reactor at the Wylfa Nuclear Power station on the island had been promoted by the council as a particular example of economic sustainability to increase the number of jobs on the island.[3] In 2015, the Wylfa Nuclear Power station was decommissioned.
In 2013, an economic overview for Anglesey was published for the island, including various statistical figures on the county’s economy. The council stated that “the percentage of economically active people [in Anglesey] who are unemployed continues to fall”.[4] For September 2012, relative unemployment on the island fell to 4.7%, in-line with the county’s goals established in 2004. The relative unemployment figure for Wales as a collective in September 2012 was 8.5%.[4] This figure was the lowest amongst the six local authorities in the North Wales region.[4]
The Port of Holyhead on Anglesey is a vital asset and communication route for the island’s and Wales’ economy. In 2013, 2,000,000 passenger movements were made between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, with Holyhead being a main transport route for this journey, providing sustainable jobs and connections between Northern Ireland and North Wales.[5]
Environmental Sustainability
Environmental sustainability is the study of how natural systems function, remain diverse and produce everything required for the local ecology to remain in balance. In Anglesey, significant areas are designated as areas of protected environment and areas of natural beauty. The local authority has implemented initiatives to protect and conserve the local environment on the island. The Anglesey and Gwynedd Joint Local Development plan of 2011 identified key issues surrounding sustainability on the island.[6]
The plan raised issues of climatic factors, including pollution and air quality and climate change. The Brundtland Report, by the World Commission on Environment and Development of the United Nations, defines sustainable development as ‘development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs’.[1] Actions by the local authorities of Anglesey and Gwynedd follow this definition within the joint development plan.
The council required local companies, in regards to the Beaumaris pier, that existing wood be used from the pier and relevant walkways, therefore reducing the amount of material which would have otherwise been discarded. This plan was funded in part by the Welsh European Funding Office. Additionally, the plan aimed to tackle pollution control due to increased car usage and water pollution.
The ‘Energy Island’ plan for the island, published in 2010 by Anglesey County Council, set out to additionally establish the island as a centre for renewable and sustainable energy initiatives. This plan was backed by the Welsh Government to ensure environmental targets within the area were achieved.[3]
Main aspects of the ‘Energy Island’ scheme included “supporting low-carbon demonstration” through aspects of tidal power, alongside implementing offshore wind turbines in the county. Mitsubishi, GE and Clipper Wind Power announced investments in the ‘Energy Island’ scheme of a combined value of £350 million to establish offshore wind developments to create a source of sustainable energy from the Irish Sea.[3]
Local sources for the scheme were to be supplied in part by local manufacturers, including Parc Cybi and Anglesey Aluminium. The council, through the use of the scheme, had also planned to capitalise on RAF Valley/Anglesey Airport and Holyhead Port to promote the sustainable initiatives within the plan.[3] The Welsh Government backed this plan and continues to maintain a strong relationship with the Anglesey local council.
Sustainable Housing in Anglesey
Interventionist policy within Wales backed by the government aims to advocate and improve the general welfare and well-being of Welsh citizens. Housing policy by the UK Government has shifted responsibility to the Welsh Assembly Government in recent years through the process of devolution. Previously in Wales, a top-down approach was mainly the focus of policy making and funding, specifically within the housing sector, however since post-devolution of power to the Welsh Government, a massive change or impact on socio-economic patterns and trends has been observed. This has forced adoption within government approaches resulting from a ‘bottom-up’ approach, whereby people's voices were heard more and affected policy decisions and funding directions. The National Assembly, formed in 1999 for Wales, began to set its own guidance on affordable and sustainable housing plans within Wales.
The Housing Act 2014 identified a need for affordable housing and has attempted to tackle the problem by physically providing affordable housing within Wales. In rural Wales, house prices between 1997 and 2005 increased by a figure of 176%, a marginally higher value than Wales on average at 157%.[7] An increase in affordable housing between 2014 and 2015 compensated for the lack of affordable housing by increasing the number of available homes from 2,218 to 2,400. This contrasts a decline in affordable housing in England, whereby a decrease from 66,700 to 32,630 has been observed.[7]
In Anglesey, HCA programs are funded by the European Union and central government, with responsibility transferred to investment cohorts and housing associations in the area. The Welsh Government Local Development Plan (LDP), established as a requirement of ‘The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act’ of 2004, requires local authorities in Wales to create individual LDPs for their area. The Anglesey and Gwynedd Joint Local Development Plan of 2017, created to run until 2026, covers the requirements of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act by covering health, economic regeneration, urban planning and the supply of quality housing.[6] Beaumaris, Anglesey has been identified as in need of housing; therefore, a site was chosen and approved and started in April 2014, and is still under construction, for an area of land known as Casita where an indicative growth level of 35% is projected.
Cultural Protection and Conservation
Anglesey is known to be one of the most culturally significant places in Wales with its stunning historical architecture such as the 13th Century Beaumaris Castle or the ancient burial mounds like Barclodiad Y Gawres. With Anglesey being one of the most Welsh-speaking areas, it’s important that Anglesey has projects in place to sustain and keep this culture preserved as the Welsh language is experiencing a decline with only about 20% of the country being able to speak Welsh.
The Anglesey and Gwynedd Joint Development Plan targets tourism as a potential for future growth on the island. The plan outlines that by 2026, the two local authorities aim to be “recognised for lively communities that celebrate their culture and heritage”.[6] Anglesey, in particular, aimed to modernise tourism and preserve cultural values of the island.
Objective 5 of the Joint Development Plan aims to “enhance” cultural aspects and repair damages to castles and historic landmarks and attractions in the area. Alongside this, the plan aims to promote Welsh language growth by promoting the language across the island and providing more services in Welsh to provide a selling point for local tourism.
Another aim of the Joint Development Plan targeted the promotion of the Welsh language and culture to ‘younger generations’ in order to increase the number of young Welsh-language speakers. Anglesey and Gwynedd council outlined their ambitions to protect and conserve the Welsh language within Wales and their respective local authorities.
In 2009, 29% of visitors from the UK rated their trip as excellent for giving them a unique Welsh experience, showing that keeping the cultural values of the country is very important for future growth.
Summary
Various tactics have been used within the Isle of Anglesey county area in order to sustain the principles of sustainability and ensure sustainable developments in the county’s economy, local environment and communities. Anglesey has continued to make progress comparable to Wales as a whole through the implementation of sustainable strategies. In particular, the ‘Energy Island’ scheme on the island and the Joint Local Development Plan with Gwynedd County Council incorporates the ideas of sustainability on the island. The Welsh Government and Anglesey County Council have implemented wide-ranging policies to tackle sustainability deficits in the island’s economy, environment, communities and housing sector. Additionally, the preservation and conservation of local culture and the Welsh language continues to be a recurring theme in Welsh Government initiatives and schemes within the local authority of Anglesey.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Our common future. World Commission on Environment and Development. Oxford: Oxford University Press. 1987. ISBN 9780192820808. OCLC 15489268. Search this book on
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Anglesey Economic Regeneration Strategy". Anglesey County Council. 2004. Retrieved March 20, 2018.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 "Energy Island: Potential Opportunities and Economic Impacts" (PDF). Anglesey County Council. 2010. Retrieved March 18, 2018.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Economic overview of the Isle of Anglesey. A data analysis of the Island" (PDF). Anglesey County Council. 2013. Retrieved March 19, 2018.
- ↑ "Sea Passenger Statistics 2012" (PDF). UK Government. 2013. Retrieved March 19, 2018.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 "Sustainability Appraisal" (PDF). Gwynedd County Council. 2016. Retrieved March 21, 2018.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Flint, J., Powell, R., Casey, R., Pearce, S., Moore, T. and Green, S. (2009). "A study to examine local barriers to the delivery of affordable housing in Wales. A report to the Welsh Assembly Government".CS1 maint: Multiple names: authors list (link)
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