Category Archives: Cymunedau

REASONS FOR REJECTING THE ADOPTION OF THE LOCAL JOINT DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR GWYNEDD AND MÔN

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In partnership with the following language organisations; Cylch yr Iaith, Canolfan Hanes Uwchgwyrfai and Cymdeithas yr Iaith,  Dyfodol i’r Iaith is part of the Gwynedd and Môn Housing and Planning Campaign Committee. This Committee was established to challenge and oppose the Local Development Plan, which is about to be decided upon by both authorities.

If you are also concerned about the impact this Plan will have on the Welsh language, then we would ask you to write to your county Councillor, and demostrate your objection by joining the gathering arranged outside the Gwynedd Council Offices in Caernarfon at 1.15 on 28/07, and Cyngor Môn’s offices, Llangefni ar 9.15 on 31/07.

Our objections to Plan can be summarised thus:.

  • TOO MANY HOUSES 

The Plan states that the number of houses; 7,902 between the two authorities, provides for population growth. This growth is based upon in-migration, and in preparing for this, promotes it. The process was based upon allocating county totals for Gwynedd and Môn, and distributing these to communities. This is totally unacceptible. The totals should have been based upon supplying the local needs of each of the communities.

 

  • FLAWED LANGUAGE ASSESSMENT

In contrast to assessements of other aspects of the Plan, the Joint Planning Policy Unit did not commission an independent assessment of its language sustainability. This work was undertaken by the Unit itself, despite its admission that it had no expertise in this area. The language organisations decided to commission an independent assessment from the language consultancy, Hanfod. This study concluded that the Plan proposed too many houses, and that as a result, the situation of the Welsh language would be weakened. The independent assessment was ignored by by the Unit.

 

  • FLAWED LANGUAGE POLICY

The Plan’s Strategic Policy 1 (The Welsh Language and Culture) does not support the Welsh language. The policy allows for damaging developments if it is possible to lessen the damage to some extent by ameliorative measures. Siân Gwenllian AM and Llyr Huws Gruffydd AM have stated that this policy is unacceptable.

 

  • FLAWED SURVEY

As part of their evidence base for the Plan, both local authorities conducted the ‘Gwynedd and Ynys Môn Housing and Language Survey’ between September and November 2013, but the statistician Hywel Jones (Statiaith) demonstrated that the methodology adopted was seriously flawed. His assessment of the survey concluded that it was statistically invalid and its conclusions unreliable.

 

  • PERCENTAGE OF AFFORADLE HOUSING TOO LOW

The percentage of affordable housing within a development is set as low as 10%. Evidence of need shows that this percentage should be much higher. This policy means that open market housing will constitute 90% of these housing developments.

 

  • NUMBER OF LOCAL HOUSING MARKET POLICY COMMUNITIES TOO LOW

Only in a very limited number of communities will the policy of limiting housing to local people be implemented.

 

  • FEWER AREAS ALLOCATED CLUSTERS

Fewer small villages and rural areas will be allocated clusters, leading to a low number of houses. This will negate the opportunity for many communities to ensure their sustainablity and natural growth by supplying local need.

 

  • NO GRADUAL DEVELOPMENTS

It will not be possible to impose conditions upon developers to build gradually; that is, to build a specific number of houses at a time, according to an agreed timetable.

 

 

DYFODOL CONDEMNS THE WELSH GOVERNMENT’S POSITION ON THE PEN Y FFRIDD DEVELOPMENT

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Dyfodol i’r Iaith have expressed their disappointment that the Welsh Government is about to approve the development of 336 new houses at Pen y Ffridd in Penrhosgarnedd, Bangor. This was announced in spite of local and county opposition to the plan, and the findings of an independent assessement, which concluded that the development would be to the detriment of the Welsh language in the Penrhosgarnedd area and beyond.

This case demonstrates that the Welsh langugage is not being given a high enough priority, and in Dyfodol’s opinion, it constitutes a further argument for the language to be given a stronger statutory role within planning matters.

THE WELSH LANGUAGE; BEYOND THE SCHOOL GATES

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Thank you to everyone who came along to our public meeting at Arad Goch in Aberystwyth recently. We hope that you enjoyed the session, and that it provided food for thought.

Siôn Aled Owen gave a fascinating presentation on the theme of; The Welsh Language;Beyond the School Gates. This presentation was based upon his important research into the use of Welsh by pupils in Welsh medium education outside the classroom.

Although the children and young people’s attitude towards the language was overwhelmingly positive, Dr Owen said that urgent action needs to be taken to ensure that this goodwill becomes concrete reality. More has to be done in order to create opportunities to speak Welsh informally and to encourage confidence in its day to day usage. His research shows that enforcement is not the answer, but rather, that behavioural patterns need to be changed, while recognising the key roles played by the family (including the extended family) and the media.

We were pleased to hear that this research confirms one of Dyfodol’s key messages; that language policy has to concentrate on creating opportunities to use the language as a natural choice, and to promote confidence and pride in its everyday use. Siôn Aled Owen’s research shows that the foundation, in terms of goodwill is firmly in place, and that Government now has to build upon this.