Plans to boost rural Swansea move forward

Plans to help boost rural parts of Swansea are surging ahead, according to Swansea Council.

Five new projects including the development of new walking routes in Mawr and a mobile rural youth project are now up and running and are all part of a wider plan to help develop rural Swansea and boost the rural economy.

The Council, on behalf of its partners from the public, voluntary and private sector, has successfully bid for £350,000 from the Welsh Assembly Government and the European Union under the Rural Development Plan for Wales. The first business plan specific to Swansea's rural areas has been devised and is set to be developed between now and February 2011.

Rural Swansea takes up around 60 percent of the City and County. The areas set to benefit under the plan include the Gower, Mawr, Pennard, Pontarddulais, Fairwood, Llangyfelach, Bishopston and Penclawdd wards.

Other projects under the plan include linking up local food producers with local food markets. Another project will aim to boost local arts and crafts in rural Swansea. These two projects are being delivered by the Partnership's sister group, Rural Swansea Action.

Richard Beale, chair of the Swansea Rural Development Partnership, said: "I'm really pleased that all five of the projects that have been developed are now active.

"Many assume that rural Swansea means Gower but there are many other parts of rural Swansea outside Gower that have huge appeal and can also benefit from the planned projects.

"Everyone involved in the plan is now working towards making these projects a success and achieving the main aims of the rural development plan."

The business plan projects have received funding through the Rural Development Plan for Wales (2007 to 2013) which is funded by the Welsh Assembly Government and the European Fund for Rural Development.

The Swansea Rural Development Plan is divided in to two business plans. The Council has completed the first plan and is calling on the public to come up with ideas that could help develop part two of the plan.

Mr Beale said: "We are now seeking views and ideas from the public which we can add into the second business plan. Projects such as supporting rural businesses including tourism businesses as well as providing better community facilities and village enhancement schemes could become part of the of the next plan.

"We would love to hear from anyone who has ideas about developing rural Swansea further."

Visit www.swansea.gov.uk/rdp for more information on the Rural Development Plan including the latest newsletter. Alternatively, people can contact Richard Beale 01792 6335094 or Paul Relf 01792 636858.