Deposit LDP
10. The Clusters
10.1 Figure 8 above sets out both the key diagram and identifies the subdivision of the Plan areas into identified clusters with each containing component settlements as defined within the settlement framework set out within Strategic Policy SP16. The clusters subdivided the Plan area into six geographical areas, each with a principle or service centre supporting or supported by a network of other settlements.
10.2 The defined clusters are as follows:
- Carmarthen and its Rural Areas
- Llanelli and the Southern Gwendraeth Area
- Amman and Upper Gwendraeth
- Teifi
- Upper Tywi Valley
- Western Carmarthenshire
Carmarthen and its Rural Areas
10.3 The Carmarthen and its Rural Areas cluster is characterised by a rural theme with settlements ranging from the regional centre of Carmarthen through market towns to small and large villages within a rural backdrop. The settlements are located in rural landscapes which are predominately dominated by the agricultural economy.
10.4 Siting at the heart of both the County and the region, it is located on a series of strategic highway and rail routes centred on the historic market town ofCarmarthen. As a regional centre with its associated functions, Carmarthen remains a focus for the delivery of new homes and jobs and also as a vibrant retail centre, with public sector as a core employer. Future opportunities for growth will focus on providing a wider range and mix of development sites. It is anticipated that Carmarthen will receive a large portion of the cluster's development but with the need to sustainable rural settlements and the economy reflected in the distribution of growth.
10.5 The role of Carmarthen across the region and in relation to its hinterland is reflected through its identification as a 'regional growth area' within the Mid and South West Wales region as defined within the Draft NDF[30].
10.6 Surrounding the town are a number of rural and well connected villages which relate to Carmarthen as the larger settlement, by virtue of road linkages, public transport, and access to services and facilities. These make an important contribution to the wider cluster often acting as places where people live and work.
10.7 The area is widely visited and has a number of tourist attractions including the National Botanic Gardens of Wales in Llanarthne, Brechfa Forest which offers mountain biking and walking trails, The Gwili Steam Railway, and Llansteffan beach and castle.
Llanelli and the Southern Gwendraeth Area
10.8 This cluster along the Llanelli coastline retains a strong developmental focus, with its regeneration potential recognised within the Transformations Strategy, City Deal and current Adopted LDP. This has been further reinforced through the content of the Draft NDF which identified Llanelli specifically as a 'national growth area'.
10.9 It is located in the south east of the County, which is predominantly urbanised in nature. It has direct accessibility to the M4 and with strong connections by rail. Its location on key infrastructure routes, geographical position and its close proximity to Swansea ensures its strategic importance not only to Carmarthenshire but also regionally and nationally.
10.10 Llanelli remains the focus for delivery within this area, along with villages within its urban outskirts. The service centres which fall within this cluster are key components in the delivery of new homes and jobs given their overarching relationship to the rest of the cluster. This cluster has the highest population density within the county.
10.11 Despite the urban and post-industrial character often associated with this area the area is set within a rural backdrop with many of the larger settlements providing a focus for jobs, services and homes as well as supporting those rural settlements and communities. In this respect 'Moving Rural Carmarthenshire Forward[31]' identifies Kidwelly as one of the Ten identified rural towns referenced in Chapter 3. This reflects not only the role of the settlement but the diversity that characterises the cluster area.
10.12 The area is a strong contributor in terms of retail with varying scales of retail offer within the settlements within the cluster. Whilst its tourism potential is noted including the Ffos Las Racecourse in Trimsaran and the Millennium Coastal Path and Pembrey Country Park along its southern coastline.
10.13 Llanelli sees the majority of major employment opportunities. It retains an ongoing reputation as a base for traditional manufacturing sector, however the area's broadening sectoral base is reflected in the contrasting employment offers at Bynea, Dafen and Delta Lakes.
10.14 Whilst predominantly urban and post-industrial in nature, the area can in part be characterised by a series of inter related settlements. The delivery of new homes and jobs has been focused upon the A48 corridor, with Cross Hands and nearby settlements a key focus. This reflects its position on a key part of the strategic network connecting Carmarthenshire to the rest of West Wales and Pembrokeshire, but also critically Cardiff, Swansea, and mid Wales as well as across the border to England. It has grown as a centre and with a focus for investment in jobs, homes and services. Ammanford is an established centre having been established as an industrial base. Following the decline in its employment base its role in supporting the surrounding communities has evolved – it now plays an important service centre role, providing localised retail, employment, education and leisure facilities.
10.15 Despite the urban and post-industrial character often associated with this area, it is set within a rural backdrop with many of the larger settlements providing a focus for jobs, services and homes as well as supporting those rural settlements and communities. In this respect Moving Rural Carmarthenshire Forward[32] identifies Cwmamman (consisting of the settlements of Glanaman and Garnant) and Cross Hands as two of the Ten identified 'rural towns' referenced in Chapter 3. This reflects not only the role of the settlements but the diversity that characterises the cluster area.
10.16 Glanaman/Garnant evolved around the industrial activities associated with the tinplate works and the coal mining in the area. The settlement however sit in a largely rural context flanked on one side by the Black Mountain and the other by Betws Mountain.
10.17 Cross Hands as a former mining community has developed over recent decades through its position on the A48 strategic transport route. Nevertheless its origin is a rural one and along with other settlements within the Ammanford/Cross Hands Principal Centre (Strategic Policy SP16) and those across the cluster interact with the rural communities and settlements.
10.18 The post-industrial Amman and Gwendraeth Valleys (upper) are seen as key linguistic heartlands of the Welsh language and are key components in defining the sense of place and cultural identity. These Valley settlements play a localised service centre function rather than being a primary focus for new development. The area's natural environment also contributes to its character, with the Caeau Mynydd Mawr project an integral component in mediating and balancing conflicting demands.
10.19 The area's predominately rural character and lower population base, is reflected in the classification of the settlements within the area. Whilst not containing a tier 1 Principal Centre the important contribution within the County is reflected in the identification of a cluster across the area. In this respect it is recognised that such rural areas and their settlements play an important role across what is a diverse County delivering homes and jobs and providing services for their communities.
10.20 Newcastle Emlyn performs an important service centre role for the area (particularly in terms of education, employment and localised retail) as opposed to being a focus for new development. The close cross border relationship of the area to those communities in Ceredigion is noted, as is the role that settlements such as Llandysul, Lampeter and Cardigan play to the communities in this area. This relationship is recognised in various policy documents, and is a key consideration in the distribution and supply of homes within the Deposit LDP. It is recognised that many of the settlements within this cluster look to Carmarthen as the principal centre for retail, administrative, health, and job opportunities outside of those often associated with rural areas. This does not however detract from its potential to develop to serve its community's needs.
10.21 The area's spatial position, developmental constraints and housing needs, reflect the diversity of the County as a whole. In this respect the rural character requires a different approach in the provision of homes and jobs that those predominately more urban areas. The Plan seeks to respond to this difference and the areas role in accommodating growth.
10.22 Newcastle Emlyn and Llanybydder are two of the Ten 'rural towns'[33] reflecting the role and function of the settlements and their contribution within the wider community and cluster area.
10.23 The area's predominately rural character and lower population base, is reflected in the classification of the settlements within the area. Whilst not containing a tier 1 Principal Centre the important contribution within the County is reflected in the identification of a cluster across the area. In this respect it is recognised that such rural areas and their settlements play an important role across what is a diverse County delivering homes and jobs and providing services for their communities.
10.24 Llandeilo, Llandovery and Llangadog perform the key service centre roles within this cluster, and supports the social, employment, education and localised retail offer for the smaller settlements. The area is well connected to the wider transport network via the A40, A476 and Heart of Wales Railway.
10.25 Consideration of the area's spatial position, developmental constraints (e.g. flood risk and landscape quality), and housing need may assist in understanding and guiding any future role that the area could play in development terms. The area's attractive setting is shaped and influenced by the river valley.
10.26 Whilst many of the settlements within this cluster looks to Carmarthen or Ammanford / Cross Hands as the major centres for larger retail and employment offers, the role and function of Llandeilo and Llandovery within 'Moving Rural Carmarthenshire Forward'[34] as two of the Ten identified 'rural towns' referenced in Chapter 3 reflects their contribution in providing services, homes and jobs in serving the wider community and cluster area.
10.27 The area's predominately rural character and lower population base, is reflected in the classification of the settlements within the area. Whilst not containing a tier 1 Principal Centre the important contribution within the County is reflected in the identification of a cluster across the area. In this respect it is recognised that such rural areas and their settlements play an important role across what is a diverse County delivering homes and jobs and providing services for their communities.
10.28 With its links to West Wales, this cluster has traditionally seen development focused on the settlements of St. Clears and Whitland. These settlements predominately perform the key service centre roles within this cluster and support the social, employment, education and localised retail offer for the smaller settlements. The area is well connected to the wider transport network via the A40, A477 and the London – Fishguard railway route. The north western area of the cluster also enjoys good road links on the A478 to Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire, integrating with the wider region.
10.29 Its relationship to Pembrokeshire and its attractive coastline has seen a strong tourism offer develop with settlements, with Laugharne and Pendine making an important contribution to the overall sense of place and to the visitor economy. In terms of tourism, the offer in this character area (coastal based) is generally distinct from activity based tourism in the rural north of the County and those larger scale attractions in the Llanelli and the Southern Gwendraeth Area.
10.30 Whilst many of the settlements within this cluster looks to Carmarthen, or cross border into Pembrokeshire for larger retail and employment offers, the role and function of St. Clears and Whitland is reflected within 'Moving Rural Carmarthenshire Forward'[35] as two of the Ten identified 'rural towns' identified. This recognises their contribution in providing services, homes and jobs in serving the wider community and cluster area.
[30] National Development Framework 2020 – 2040: Consultation Draft
[31] Moving Rural Carmarthenshire Forward (June 2019): Report and Recommendations of the Carmarthenshire Rural Affairs Task Group. https://www.carmarthenshire.gov.wales/home/council-democracy/strategies-and-plans/moving-rural-carmarthenshire-forward/
[32] Moving Rural Carmarthenshire Forward (June 2019): Report and Recommendations of the Carmarthenshire Rural Affairs Task Group. https://www.carmarthenshire.gov.wales/home/council-democracy/strategies-and-plans/moving-rural-carmarthenshire-forward/
[33] Moving Rural Carmarthenshire Forward (June 2019): Report and Recommendations of the Carmarthenshire Rural Affairs Task Group. https://www.carmarthenshire.gov.wales/home/council-democracy/strategies-and-plans/moving-rural-carmarthenshire-forward/
[34] Moving Rural Carmarthenshire Forward (June 2019): Report and Recommendations of the Carmarthenshire Rural Affairs Task Group. https://www.carmarthenshire.gov.wales/home/council-democracy/strategies-and-plans/moving-rural-carmarthenshire-forward/
[35] Moving Rural Carmarthenshire Forward (June 2019): Report and Recommendations of the Carmarthenshire Rural Affairs Task Group. https://www.carmarthenshire.gov.wales/home/council-democracy/strategies-and-plans/moving-rural-carmarthenshire-forward/