Here is a unique opportunity for residents and businesses within the Hiraethog area to play a crucial part in the development and regeneration of their area by working together to realise the strategy’s aim that was specifically developed for their community.
The aim of the Development Strategy for Hiraethog area is to:
“Sustain and develop Hiraethog as a place where people want to and are able to live, work and play utilising and sustaining the areas unique natural environment, landscape, heritage and culture.”
The Hiraethog Strategy was commissioned as a collaboration between the Local Action Groups in Conwy and Denbighshire Counties – Conwy Cynhaliol and Cadwyn Clwyd. It has received funding through the Welsh Government Rural Communities – Rural Development Programme 2014-2020, which is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and Welsh Government. Additional support and funding has also been received by Conwy County Borough Council (CCBC) and Denbighshire County Council (DCC).
A key part of the Strategy is the Implementation Plan which sets clear and practical steps to achieve the aim over the next few years. Following their successful application through an open tender process to CCBC, Menter Iaith Conwy will be responsible for raising awareness of and managing this Implementation Plan. Eirian Pierce Jones from Menter Iaith Conwy was appointed as the Hiraethog Co-ordinator and she is already in post. She is looking forward to working with all residents, organizations and businesses within the Hiraethog area to ensure the best possible opportunities and benefits for all as the Strategy is implemented within the community. Her work will vary from day to day and will concentrate on assisting communities to realise plans that bring benefits to the community and its people. This can include, amongst other things, projects focused on agri-food, the environment, culture, heritage and tourism as well as activities that improve access to services such as broadband and transport in rural areas. Eirian will also be available to assist communities in discovering other funding sources to realise their projects.
Eirian said: “The Hiraethog Strategy offers great regeneration opportunities for residents, businesses and visitors to the area in terms of the economy, community and environment. I’m very much looking forward to bringing the content of the strategy and particularly the implementation plan to the communities over the next few months. We can discuss how we can all work together to ensure the strategy’s success in the area.”
The Hiraethog Steering Group’s first meeting was held in September last year and the group has an integral role in this work. There are nine members including County Councillors from Conwy and Denbighshire counties as well as two members from either county who represent various sectors. During their first meeting it was unanimously decided that the main priority would be to improve the quality of broadband in the Hiraethog area and so this will be the main focus of Eirian’s work.
In this context, the Hiraethog area includes the following wards: in Conwy the electoral wards of Llansannan, Uwchaled, Llangernyw, Uwch Conwy and the parish of Llanfair Talhaiarn and in Denbighshire the electoral wards of Efenechtyd, Llanrhaeadr yng Nghinmeirch, Denbigh Upper, Corwen and Llanfair Dyffryn Clwyd / Gwyddelwern and the parish of Cefn Meiriadog. It was agreed that particular attention would be given to the area that is central to Hiraethog which is defined as a 6 mile radius from the centre of Mynydd Hiraethog. Even so, Eirian is very eager to hear from anyone in the area in its entirety.
Eirian will be arranging meetings with community councils within the area in February and is keen to work with any business, organization and community to realise the strategy’s aim.
Anyone who is interested in the work, or has any queries, is more than welcome to contact Eirian at Menter Iaith Conwy’s office in Llanrwst by phoning 01492 642357 or sending an e-mail to eirian@miconwy.org