All-Wales Development

A Plaid Cymru Government would not leave any region of Wales behind. Prosperity Wales, our new all-Wales economic development agency, would be charged with overseeing development strategies for Clwyd, Powys, Swansea Bay and the South-East.

Considerations for the development of these regions include:

Clwyd

• Its core economic role and identity is manufacturing, moving into green technology. It should become seen as a ‘Workshop of Wales’, with key anchor firms such as Airbus.
• Wrexham will become the financial capital of Wales, plus developing as a film and television cultural hub, linking Glyndwr University, Creative Wales, the British Film Commission, and the county council.
• Just like their counterparts in Arfor, towns like Wrexham, Ruthin, Denbigh and Corwen will be promoted as centres of the Welsh language cultural scene, with a regional focus for a youthful urban experience which is vital for the future of the Welsh language.
• Developing Mostyn as a deep-water port specialising in offshore energy and tidal lagoon maintenance in the Dee Estuary and Colwyn Bay.

Powys

• It should develop niche industries related to its strong farming culture, adding value with new local processing facilities in Llanidloes and Brecon. We will support the creation of a Welsh Wool Research Centre in Newtown to add value through technology and information transfer in the development of new enterprises.
• Encourage a stronger hospitality and tourism offer linked to Welsh heritage and walking (long distance pathways).
• Its central location makes it a key meeting point for conferences and events. We will develop a new conference facility at a suitable location in Llandrindod or Builth.

Swansea Bay

• Wales’ city for academic and business collaboration, Swansea should build on its record of high-tech University spin-outs – for example Solar Research and Energy Active Buildings and a Welsh Centre for Specialist Medicines. An academic/industry research team should be established at Llandarcy to find new uses for waste oil and plastic products.
• Swansea Bay should become a centre for development of Wales’ renewable energy technology – Plaid commits to the Swansea Tidal Lagoon and an associated initiative to create a Welsh Sea Life Centre.
• Develop Swansea Bay Metro proposals, reopening old railway lines and stations - including Cockett, Landore and the Swansea District Line – and creating direct routes to the surrounding Swansea and Amman Valleys.

South-East

• Cardiff should continue to attract and support enterprises that will not locate outside a large city environment. At the same time, it needs to develop a more specialist base around collaborative innovation, especially in the arts, and scientific research, especially in life sciences.
• Monmouthshire should build on its reputation as the food capital of Wales and as an attractive location for high growth digital business.
• Newport should focus on developing our maritime energy potential - with tidal lagoons, offshore wind, and wave power to create a Green Jobs revolution.