The people of Wales are to get the opportunity to have their say on how the country should develop over the next 20 years as the consultation for the Wales Spatial Plan gets underway.
The Spatial Plan, titled People, Places, Futures, will shape how each part of Wales will develop economically, socially and environmentally and guide the way the Assembly Government spends its money over the coming years. "The Wales Spatial Plan will have a real impact on people's lives. It will affect the future of everyday issues like housing and transport," said Andrew Davies, Minister for Finance and Public Service Delivery. "The Spatial Plan is a now a key consideration in the development of all national and local policies. We have identified how the places where we live should develop in each region of Wales in terms of access to services and future growth. "Crucially, the plan will help to ensure consistent, high quality and citizen focused services are delivered across Wales." The Spatial Plan is made up of six areas: • Central Wales • Pembrokeshire - The Haven • Swansea Bay – Waterfront and Western Valleys • South East - the Capital Network • North West Wales - Eryri a Môn • North East Wales - Border and Coast "Working together is the key to the plan - a project or decision made in one town or village can have an impact beyond the immediate area. The plan helps ensure the coordination of all investments and services in every part of Wales to maximise the benefits to all."
The consultation document is available online and events will be held in each of the six Spatial Plan areas before Easter to give stakeholders, such as environmental groups, the voluntary sector and housing associations the opportunity to feed back directly and hear more about what each region intends to do over the coming years.
"Only with all parts of Wales working together can we plan for the future. This approach will ensure public and private investment is targeted to best effect so we can create the best public services, infrastructure and economic development possible," added Andrew Davies. The Ministerial Leads for each Spatial Plan area are: • North West - Elin Jones, Minister for Rural Affairs • North East - Brian Gibbons, Minister for Social Justice and Local Government • Central Wales - Rhodri Glyn Thomas, Minister for Heritage • Swansea Bay - Jane Davidson, Minister for Sustainability and Housing • South East and Pembrokeshire - Andrew Davies, Minister for Finance and Public Service Delivery.