North West Wales

Status, Plans and Opportunities

At present, the key development priorities for North West Wales, as defined by the North West Wales Spatial Development Strategy are as follows.

Development of high value sectors / clusters - building upon the area's competitive advantages and exploiting the sub-region's assets, including its outstanding natural environment, for economic gain in a sustainable manner.
Reform and development of traditional sectors, including tourism and agriculture, to maximise their value and contribution to the sub-region's prosperity
The appropriate balance of effort to be struck between support to maintain traditional economic activities and the development of new sectors
Development of a conducive business environment
How the positive effects of economic agglomeration could be gained within the sub-region (given its largely rural nature)
Support for business start-ups
Knowledge transfer and utilisation of the area's academic institutions for local economic gain

Development of the road, rail and air infrastructure and improvement of public transport
Maximising the opportunities which arise from the area's position as an international gateway and key transport corridor
Improving the transport infrastructure within the sub-region and between the sub-region and adjoining areas (North - South as well as East - West)
Development of the ICT infrastructure and early adoption of new technologies
Housing (with specific reference to affordable housing)
Other infrastructure development implications (e.g. schools, health services, etc) of future development

Growth distribution and opportunities for growth within the sub-region
Global connections (exploiting globalisation)
Zonation of areas of common needs/aspirations and the identification of hubs/key settlements within the sub-region and their dependant populations
Local and sub-regional connections - the interrelationship between areas and settlements within the sub-region and between the sub-region and other areas
Anticipated impact of key trends and policies upon different zones

Alex has been actively involved with several projects undertaken by government agencies and local communities. He is currently the Vice Chairman and consultant to the Wales Spatial Plan North West Wales Sustainable Development Advisory Group (NWWSDAG). For more information, please see the Projects page.