"Aberystwyth is a special place with a strong and diverse bilingual community; a stunning environment and a unique location in one of the fastest growing regions of Wales.
The Welsh Assembly Government and Ceredigion County Council are building major new offices close to the centre of the town; the University is beginning an ambitious process of modernisation and the National Library is welcoming increasing
numbers of visitors, on-line and in person. Private investors and
developers from near and far have proposed significant residential, office and shopping developments.
The Aberystwyth Masterplan Steering Group was brought together to find a way to manage change within the town. The aim is to ensure that new development does not repeat the mistakes of the past, and is coordinated to bring benefits to the community, create good quality jobs and improve the environment.
So Ceredigion County Council and the Welsh Assembly Government Department for the Economy and Transport (DE&T) commissioned LDA Design to produce the 'Aberystwyth Masterplan' which provides a coordinated vision for the planning of the town.
Over the past 18 months LDA Design has worked with many community groups, Councillors, members of the public and representatives of other organisations to draw out key priorities for the future planning of the town.
The Aberystwyth Masterplan was developed to address each of these priorities. Of course it is never possible to achieve everything that everyone wants, but it is hoped a good balance has been achieved.
The Priorities:
To support and strengthen the community by promoting proposals that seek to improve quality of life for residents and
visitors; ensuring the social and economic vitality of the
town centre; and regenerating neighbourhoods and adjacent
settlements such as Llanbadarn Fawr and Penparcau that are in
need of assistance.
To build a recognised identity for Aberystwyth that draws
on its role as the regional centre; its status as a centre for Welsh
culture; its stunning environment; and, physical and community
resources.
To diversify and strengthen the economy by reinforcing the
existing town centre as the heart of Aberystwyth and creating
new opportunities for private sector investment in high-value,
knowledge-based jobs that capitalise on the research and
skills provided by the University.
To protect and enhance the natural and built environment of the town and its setting.
To promote a transition towards a sustainable future by
pursuing low carbon planning, development and communitybased
initiatives that make the best use of local skills, business,
and resources.
To make the town accessible, enjoyable and easy to move
around by creating a high quality pedestrian and cycling
environment; encouraging investment in public transport;
and, investing appropriately in highways and parking
improvements to create and deliver more attractive streets and
spaces for people.
To support the development of a quality tourist offer for
Aberystwyth and capitalise on the potential for the town to
develop as a centre for lowcarbon tourism.
To deliver the main proposals of the Masterplan in partnership with the community, stakeholders and private sector investors.
Making it happen
It is all very well to have a vision but it means little unless it is possible to work towards actually achieving it. The first step towards this is in the development of the 'Aberystwyth
Masterplan Steering Group'. By getting the right people together regularly we can ensure proposals for change are coordinated and, if necessary, identify new initiatives.
The Group includes representatives of Ceredigion County Council and the Welsh Assembly Government Department for the Economy and Transport, the NHS Trust, Aberystwyth University, Dyfed-Powys Police, Coleg Ceredigion and the National Library.
The intention is that the Steering Group manages the overall
implementation of the Masterplan and ongoing engagement with the
community. Delivery Teams will be created to focus on making the
projects identified in the Aberystwyth Masterplan happen and will set up dedicated teams to take forward individual projects."
Extracts from the Aberystwyth Vision Development Brief by LDA on behalf of the Welsh Assembly Government's Department of Environment and Transport and Ceredigion County Council
Masterplan index...
More on Aber's Assembly building...
