INTRODUCTION TO THE MEANING AND INTENTION OF THE ACT:
Please fill in our survey to be part of the movement.
LOCAL AREAS
Hover over the map for more information
AMMAN VALLEY
The westernmost of our five valleys is known as the gateway to the Black Mountain range, on the western edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park.
Due to its setting, the Amman Valley is surrounded by hills with access to the surrounding countryside by a range of rights of way. The disused railway line, which passes through the area, provides an important green corridor and recreational facility.
In the Amman Valley there is a strong emphasis on culture relating to Welsh heritage, values and traditions and ensuring that these are passed on to the next generation through cultural events.
• At the heart of the Amman Valley is the former coal mining village of Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen, the birthplace of former Welsh international scrum-half Gareth Edwards.
• This area has the highest percentage of welsh speakers in NPT at 57.3%
NEATH
Neath town developed as a market town for the surrounding rural valley areas. The town’s landmark, St David’s Church clock tower, is in the heart of the town centre. The town offers a range of shops, cafes, public houses and a Victorian Indoor Market, which is home to a number of specialist stalls offering local produce.
The ruins of Neath Abbey Monastery are located just outside the town while Neath Castle, a grade II listed building, is located within the town itself. Neath is also home to the oldest rugby club in Wales, Neath RFC.
The Neath community area has a rich and varied landscape with woodland, wetland, dune and floodplain habitats. These include the European designated Special Area of Conservation/National Nature Reserve at Crymlyn Bog and Pant y Sais Fen.
Gnoll Estate Country Park was recently named one of the country’s best green spaces as part of the Green Flag Award winners.
The Neath and Tennant Canals provide important ecological connectivity through the area and are also used extensively for walking and cycling
Neath town centre is currently undergoing major development and regeneration.
PONTARDAWE
The town of Pontardawe, or ‘Ponty’ as it is affectionately known, sits alongside the river Tawe. The town’s landmark is a 197ft high needle-like spire from the church of St. Peter.
The town of Pontardawe is the third largest settlement in the County Borough and the largest settlement in its immediate area. The town centre provides a range of retail services, leisure facilities and educational establishments. Pontardawe Arts Centre, based in the centre of town has gained a reputation for being one of the finest cultural venues in South Wales and attracts artists from all over the world.
The Pontardawe community area is well served by open spaces and there is a good network of public foot and cycle paths. The Cwm Du Glen Woodlands and Glanrhyd Plantation are located immediately to the north west of Pontardawe, within walking distance of the town centre.
The Swansea Canal is important for wildlife, has many historic features and provides a wonderful walking/cycling route from Clydach to Pontardawe.Glantawe Riverside Park
25.8% (3,335) of residents in Pontardawe can speak Welsh.
AFAN VALLEY
The Afan Valley is very close to many areas of dense urban population, including Swansea, Neath, Port Talbot and Bridgend. Unlike many of the other areas, it has no large centres of population, but instead a string of villages set amongst glorious countryside.
The Afan Valley has a rich and diverse range of built and cultural heritage assets, which plays a vital role in creating a sense of place and local identity for the area.
The area’s natural environment and forest rated as one of its biggest assets. It is renowned for its mountain bike trails, with Afan Forest Park considered one of the UK’s most iconic mountain bike destinations.
Pen Y Cymoedd Wind Farm is located in the Afan Valley and is one of the biggest onshore windfarms in the UK, providing enough power to more than meet Neath Port Talbot’s and Rhondda Cynon Taf’s electricity demands. Its habitat restoration plan offers an innovative approach to restore its historic landscape and habitats, including hundreds of hectares of carbon-locking peatland.
The Afan Valley is the birthplace of the actor Richard Burton. A life sized image of Burton himself can be found in the Afan Valley, along the low level cycle trail.
NEATH VALLEY
The Neath Valley is well placed in terms of infrastructure with the A465 creating access throughout the Valley, which runs through into neighbouring Rhondda Cynon Taff.
The natural environment offers many amenity and recreational opportunities. The abundance of waterfalls within the Vale of Neath and nearby Brecon Beacons National Park have become known as Waterfall Country. The Neath canal once used for carrying coal has now been restored and is used for kayaking and informal recreation.
The area is comprised of a heavily wooded steep valley of mainly conifer plantation with some ancient woodland. The forested area supports various rare and protected species including crossbill, goshawk, and honey buzzard.
The Neath Valley faces significant flooding issues from the river Neath itself.
DULAIS VALLEY
The community area, bordered by the Brecon Beacons National Park to the north, offers a number of attractions such as Cefn Coed Museum, DOVE training centre and coffee shop.
Once home to many collieries, the area has largely been reclaimed by nature and now the scenery is serene and wildlife is plentiful. Steeped in history, the area was once occupied by the Romans, who built two forts in the nearby area. The remains of Sarn Helen, an important Roman road which linked the town of Neath in the south to Caernarfon in North Wales still exist.
The area bears testament to its reliance on coal, with the Cefn Coed Colliery museum, restored areas of opencast and remnant colliery spoil tips. However, it now plays a key role in renewable energy with a number of hydropower schemes providing renewable energy on the main river Dulais, as well as its tributaries.
Sewage-related impacts from network overflows and domestic drainage misconnections have been issues within the Dulais catchment in recent years.
PORT TALBOT
Famous for its industrial heritage, stunning coast and countryside that surrounds it, including Aberafan beach which is one of the longest beaches in Wales, offering significant recreational opportunities for the local community and tourists. Also Margam Country Park, which was recently named one of the country’s best green spaces as part of the Green Flag Award winners.
Port Talbot is home to some of the UK’s top manufacturers, such as, Tata Steel and BOC. The M4 motorway runs through the centre of the town.
Port Talbot is the birthplace of Anthony Hopkins and Michael Sheen.
Bathing water quality at Aberafan beach is currently ‘sufficient’.
An Air quality management area was declared in Taibach/Margam in 2000 for PM10. Air quality in Port Talbot has shown significant improvements in the last 10 years, but further improvement is sought.
The area of Port Talbot is the highest risk to flooding community in Neath Port Talbot and is one of the top 10 highest risk communities in Wales.
SWANSEA VALLEY
With the rise and fall of the iron and coal industries in the area over the last 200 years, the Valley has a strong affinity with industrial heritage. The Swansea Canal and the aqueduct at Ystalyfera are some of the most visible remainders of this period in the history of the Valley, and today they provide a tranquil setting for wildlife and walkers.
There are a large number of outdoor activities available in the Swansea Valley. These include riverside, canal and mountain walks, the route 43 cycle trail, bridle paths, golf clubs, fishing and orienteering.
The Swansea Valley hosts the longest standing Welsh medium comprehensive school in the County Borough located at Ystalyfera.
The Swansea Valley is home to important species, such as the Skylark and Brown Hare. The river corridors and valley sides support areas of ancient woodland and the Swansea Canal provides important habitat connectivity through the area, with key species such as the Beautiful Demoiselle, a large damselfly.
The area has a high number of Welsh speakers (44.1%)
Famous for its industrial heritage, stunning coast and countryside that surrounds it, including Aberafan beach which is one of the longest beaches in Wales, offering significant recreational opportunities for the local community and tourists. Also Margam Country Park, which was recently named one of the country’s best green spaces as part of the Green Flag Award winners.
Port Talbot is home to some of the UK’s top manufacturers, such as, Tata Steel and BOC. The M4 motorway runs through the centre of the town.
Port Talbot is the birthplace of Anthony Hopkins and Michael Sheen.
Bathing water quality at Aberafan beach is currently ‘sufficient’.
An Air quality management area was declared in Taibach/Margam in 2000 for PM10. Air quality in Port Talbot has shown significant improvements in the last 10 years, but further improvement is sought.
The area of Port Talbot is the highest risk to flooding community in Neath Port Talbot and is one of the top 10 highest risk communities in Wales.
Neath town developed as a market town for the surrounding rural valley areas. The town’s landmark, St David’s Church clock tower, is in the heart of the town centre. The town offers a range of shops, cafes, public houses and a Victorian Indoor Market, which is home to a number of specialist stalls offering local produce.
The ruins of Neath Abbey Monastery are located just outside the town while Neath Castle, a grade II listed building, is located within the town itself. Neath is also home to the oldest rugby club in Wales, Neath RFC.
The Neath community area has a rich and varied landscape with woodland, wetland, dune and floodplain habitats. These include the European designated Special Area of Conservation/National Nature Reserve at Crymlyn Bog and Pant y Sais Fen.
Gnoll Estate Country Park was recently named one of the country’s best green spaces as part of the Green Flag Award winners.
The Neath and Tennant Canals provide important ecological connectivity through the area and are also used extensively for walking and cycling
Neath town centre is currently undergoing major development and regeneration.
The town of Pontardawe, or ‘Ponty’ as it is affectionately known, sits alongside the river Tawe. The town’s landmark is a 197ft high needle-like spire from the church of St. Peter.
The town of Pontardawe is the third largest settlement in the County Borough and the largest settlement in its immediate area. The town centre provides a range of retail services, leisure facilities and educational establishments. Pontardawe Arts Centre, based in the centre of town has gained a reputation for being one of the finest cultural venues in South Wales and attracts artists from all over the world.
The Pontardawe community area is well served by open spaces and there is a good network of public foot and cycle paths. The Cwm Du Glen Woodlands and Glanrhyd Plantation are located immediately to the north west of Pontardawe, within walking distance of the town centre.
The Swansea Canal is important for wildlife, has many historic features and provides a wonderful walking/cycling route from Clydach to Pontardawe.Glantawe Riverside Park
25.8% (3,335) of residents in Pontardawe can speak Welsh.
The Afan Valley is very close to many areas of dense urban population, including Swansea, Neath, Port Talbot and Bridgend. Unlike many of the other areas, it has no large centres of population, but instead a string of villages set amongst glorious countryside.
The Afan Valley has a rich and diverse range of built and cultural heritage assets, which plays a vital role in creating a sense of place and local identity for the area.
The area’s natural environment and forest rated as one of its biggest assets. It is renowned for its mountain bike trails, with Afan Forest Park considered one of the UK’s most iconic mountain bike destinations.
Pen Y Cymoedd Wind Farm is located in the Afan Valley and is one of the biggest onshore windfarms in the UK, providing enough power to more than meet Neath Port Talbot’s and Rhondda Cynon Taf’s electricity demands. Its habitat restoration plan offers an innovative approach to restore its historic landscape and habitats, including hundreds of hectares of carbon-locking peatland.
The Afan Valley is the birthplace of the actor Richard Burton. A life sized image of Burton himself can be found in the Afan Valley, along the low level cycle trail.
The westernmost of our five valleys is known as the gateway to the Black Mountain range, on the western edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park.
Due to its setting, the Amman Valley is surrounded by hills with access to the surrounding countryside by a range of rights of way. The disused railway line, which passes through the area, provides an important green corridor and recreational facility.
In the Amman Valley there is a strong emphasis on culture relating to Welsh heritage, values and traditions and ensuring that these are passed on to the next generation through cultural events.
At the heart of the Amman Valley is the former coal mining village of Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen, the birthplace of former Welsh international scrum-half Gareth Edwards.
This area has the highest percentage of welsh speakers in NPT at 57.3%
The Neath Valley is well placed in terms of infrastructure with the A465 creating access throughout the Valley, which runs through into neighbouring Rhondda Cynon Taff.
The natural environment offers many amenity and recreational opportunities. The abundance of waterfalls within the Vale of Neath and nearby Brecon Beacons National Park have become known as Waterfall Country. The Neath canal once used for carrying coal has now been restored and is used for kayaking and informal recreation.
The area is comprised of a heavily wooded steep valley of mainly conifer plantation with some ancient woodland. The forested area supports various rare and protected species including crossbill, goshawk, and honey buzzard.
The Neath Valley faces significant flooding issues from the river Neath itself.
The community area, bordered by the Brecon Beacons National Park to the north, offers a number of attractions such as Cefn Coed Museum, DOVE training centre and coffee shop.
Once home to many collieries, the area has largely been reclaimed by nature and now the scenery is serene and wildlife is plentiful. Steeped in history, the area was once occupied by the Romans, who built two forts in the nearby area. The remains of Sarn Helen, an important Roman road which linked the town of Neath in the south to Caernarfon in North Wales still exist.
The area bears testament to its reliance on coal, with the Cefn Coed Colliery museum, restored areas of opencast and remnant colliery spoil tips. However, it now plays a key role in renewable energy with a number of hydropower schemes providing renewable energy on the main river Dulais, as well as its tributaries.
Sewage-related impacts from network overflows and domestic drainage misconnections have been issues within the Dulais catchment in recent years.
With the rise and fall of the iron and coal industries in the area over the last 200 years, the Valley has a strong affinity with industrial heritage. The Swansea Canal and the aqueduct at Ystalyfera are some of the most visible remainders of this period in the history of the Valley, and today they provide a tranquil setting for wildlife and walkers.
There are a large number of outdoor activities available in the Swansea Valley. These include riverside, canal and mountain walks, the route 43 cycle trail, bridle paths, golf clubs, fishing and orienteering.
The Swansea Valley hosts the longest standing Welsh medium comprehensive school in the County Borough located at Ystalyfera.
The Swansea Valley is home to important species, such as the Skylark and Brown Hare. The river corridors and valley sides support areas of ancient woodland and the Swansea Canal provides important habitat connectivity through the area, with key species such as the Beautiful Demoiselle, a large damselfly.
The area has a high number of Welsh speakers (44.1%)
THEMES
Click the links to learn more about the themes
Social
Economic
Environment
Cultural
SUMMARY
Hover over the map for more information
Green Economy: NPT remains one of the most important manufacturing locations in the UK with largest steel production complex at Port Talbot. Decarbonising important economic assets such as this to achieve the Welsh Government’s Net Zero target are a significant challenge. While carbon emissions have reduced in NPT over the last decade, it is below the national average. However, there are promising opportunities for future growth linked to decarbonisation such as through Associated British Port’s vision for Port Talbot Docks as a globally significant offshore wind turbine production hub.
Skilled Workforce: Occupations remain lower skilled compared to the UK average. We need to work together to upskill our workforce to meet the long-term demand for jobs in the area.
Pandemic Recovery: Employment is recovering following the pandemic, but support is needed around recruitment for growing sectors. The pandemic has given us an opportunity to rethink the way we do things and build back better in a green and just way that addresses both the climate and nature emergencies.
Natural Resource Limits: We are using stocks of our natural resources at a rate which is unsustainable and that our ecosystems are under increasing pressure and threat from the impacts of climate change, land use change, invasive non-native species (INNS), pollution and over-use.
Ecosystems: Many of our ecosystems are not resilient to unexpected or unforeseen change. This jeopardises the ability of our natural environment to provide a number of vital well-being benefits now and in the future.
Nature-based Recovery: A changing climate will likely impact on the condition and distribution of habitats and species, and degraded habitats contribute to climate change. However, by putting nature into recovery we can also tackle climate change.
Natural Assets: Residents appreciate and value the natural assets in NPT, but more is required to improve and recover them over the long-term.
Flooding and Coastal Change: Flooding and coastal change risks to homes, communities, businesses, infrastructure, and ecosystems are one of the top concerns of climate change in NPT.
Changing Population: There is an ongoing increase in the older population, also in single person households, which is likely to be a factor in increased loneliness and isolation. The gap in life expectancy and healthy life expectancy also indicates increased pressure on health and social services.
Healthy Places: In comparison to Wales, NPT has one of the least healthy diets and lowest levels of physical activity. Work is needed to reverse the growing trend of obesity and more can be done to make sure the places we live help us to be active and eat well.
Mental Well-being: Residents of NPT reported comparatively positive mental well-being in the National Survey for Wales. However, we need to be prepared for an increase in low mental well-being and mental health conditions as the true impacts of the pandemic surface.
Housing: We need more affordable housing in NPT, with 1,037 new homes required by 2033. Encouragingly, 434 new units were built between 2018 and 2021.
Air Quality: While there has been improvement in air quality across NPT in the last decade, it still remains an area of concern and is a key priority in order to improve the health of current and future generations.
Deprivation and Poverty: High concentrations of deprivation and poverty remain in areas of NPT. These areas will be most impacted by the current increases in living costs.
Household Income: Household income has fallen across Wales during the pandemic with people on low to mid incomes more likely to be affected.
COVID-19 Impact: Covid-19 has increased inequality in general in NPT and the worst affected groups include Black and Ethnic Minorities, women and young people.
Education: The pandemic appears to have increased inequalities in educational attainment and the full extent of this impact may not yet be evident.
Environmental Risk: Those most vulnerable in society are at higher risk environmental risk such as poor air quality and flooding. Climate change is expected to exacerbate these inequalities and there is a risk that responses to climate change can place disproportionate burdens on vulnerable people and communities.
Community Spirit: Communities have pulled together during the pandemic and residents have noted the increase in community spirit and support. Communities should be supported to shape their own futures.
Safe Communities: NPT is generally considered to be a safe place to live. There has been a reduction in anti-social behaviour and violence against women, although we have seen an upward trend in cyber-crime. NPT residents are concerned about drugs in the communities.
Connected Communities: Whilst the towns of Neath, Port Talbot and Pontardawe are well connected to each other and the rest of Wales, transport links in the valley areas are poor and contribute to the social and economic isolation of people living there.
Children and Young People: Residents of NPT feel it is important for children and young people to have more places to go and things to do.
Proud Heritage: People in NPT are proud of their heritage and traditional Welsh communities. We need to preserve and protect our culture, history and rich natural heritage, whilst keeping inclusivity in mind as our culture becomes more diverse and working to remove historical stigma associated with the area by promoting the area.
Welsh Language: Whilst the number of Welsh speakers has declined, learning and Welsh educational opportunities are increasing. We need to provide more opportunity to use the Welsh language in NPT to increase residents' confidence.
Arts and Culture: Underfunding of the arts and culture has had a negative impact on the offer over the years, which the pandemic has further impacted. We know access to these things are an important factor to improving well-being.
Volunteering: With the increasing number of community assets (e.g. community centres, libraries and heritage sites) being run by volunteers relying on grant funding, we need to provide support to make this sustainable so that such assets are not lost.
Resource Use and Decarbonisation: NPT uses 2.5 times per person more resources than the planet can sustain. Further, NPT is a major carbon contributor in Wales and faces a challenge to balance Net Zero goals against the economic benefits brought by its high energy/emission employers.
Climate and Nature Emergency: NPT is a leader in renewable energy with some of the highest installed renewable energy capacity in Wales. Current projects to restore adjacent habitats such as carbon-sequestering peatlands demonstrates ways in which multiple benefits can be derived to tackle both the Climate and Nature emergencies together.
Famous Personalities: NPT has produced world famous actors, artists and sports personalities giving us a global identity, this can be further harnessed to promote the region.
Click here for more details
Green Economy: NPT remains one of the most important manufacturing locations in the UK with largest steel production complex at Port Talbot. Decarbonising important economic assets such as this to achieve the Welsh Government’s Net Zero target are a significant challenge. While carbon emissions have reduced in NPT over the last decade, it is below the national average. However, there are promising opportunities for future growth linked to decarbonisation such as through Associated British Port’s vision for Port Talbot Docks as a globally significant offshore wind turbine production hub.
Skilled Workforce: Occupations remain lower skilled compared to the UK average. We need to work together to upskill our workforce to meet the long-term demand for jobs in the area.
Pandemic Recovery: Employment is recovering following the pandemic, but support is needed around recruitment for growing sectors. The pandemic has given us an opportunity to rethink the way we do things and build back better in a green and just way that addresses both the climate and nature emergencies.
Natural Resource Limits: We are using stocks of our natural resources at a rate which is unsustainable and that our ecosystems are under increasing pressure and threat from the impacts of climate change, land use change, invasive non-native species (INNS), pollution and over-use.
Ecosystems: Many of our ecosystems are not resilient to unexpected or unforeseen change. This jeopardises the ability of our natural environment to provide a number of vital well-being benefits now and in the future.
Nature-based Recovery: A changing climate will likely impact on the condition and distribution of habitats and species, and degraded habitats contribute to climate change. However, by putting nature into recovery we can also tackle climate change.
Natural Assets: Residents appreciate and value the natural assets in NPT, but more is required to improve and recover them over the long-term.
Flooding and Coastal Change: Flooding and coastal change risks to homes, communities, businesses, infrastructure, and ecosystems are one of the top concerns of climate change in NPT.
Changing Population: There is an ongoing increase in the older population, also in single person households, which is likely to be a factor in increased loneliness and isolation. The gap in life expectancy and healthy life expectancy also indicates increased pressure on health and social services.
Healthy Places: In comparison to Wales, NPT has one of the least healthy diets and lowest levels of physical activity. Work is needed to reverse the growing trend of obesity and more can be done to make sure the places we live help us to be active and eat well.
Mental Well-being: Residents of NPT reported comparatively positive mental well-being in the National Survey for Wales. However, we need to be prepared for an increase in low mental well-being and mental health conditions as the true impacts of the pandemic surface.
Housing: We need more affordable housing in NPT, with 1,037 new homes required by 2033. Encouragingly, 434 new units were built between 2018 and 2021.
Air Quality: While there has been improvement in air quality across NPT in the last decade, it still remains an area of concern and is a key priority in order to improve the health of current and future generations.
Deprivation and Poverty: High concentrations of deprivation and poverty remain in areas of NPT. These areas will be most impacted by the current increases in living costs.
Household Income: Household income has fallen across Wales during the pandemic with people on low to mid incomes more likely to be affected.
COVID-19 Impact: Covid-19 has increased inequality in general in NPT and the worst affected groups include Black and Ethnic Minorities, women and young people.
Education: The pandemic appears to have increased inequalities in educational attainment and the full extent of this impact may not yet be evident.
Environmental Risk: Those most vulnerable in society are at higher risk environmental risk such as poor air quality and flooding. Climate change is expected to exacerbate these inequalities and there is a risk that responses to climate change can place disproportionate burdens on vulnerable people and communities.
Community Spirit: Communities have pulled together during the pandemic and residents have noted the increase in community spirit and support. Communities should be supported to shape their own futures.
Safe Communities: NPT is generally considered to be a safe place to live. There has been a reduction in anti-social behaviour and violence against women, although we have seen an upward trend in cyber-crime. NPT residents are concerned about drugs in the communities.
Connected Communities: Whilst the towns of Neath, Port Talbot and Pontardawe are well connected to each other and the rest of Wales, transport links in the valley areas are poor and contribute to the social and economic isolation of people living there.
Children and Young People: Residents of NPT feel it is important for children and young people to have more places to go and things to do.
Proud Heritage: People in NPT are proud of their heritage and traditional Welsh communities. We need to preserve and protect our culture, history and rich natural heritage, whilst keeping inclusivity in mind as our culture becomes more diverse and working to remove historical stigma associated with the area by promoting the area.
Welsh Language: Whilst the number of Welsh speakers has declined, learning and Welsh educational opportunities are increasing. We need to provide more opportunity to use the Welsh language in NPT to increase residents’ confidence.
Arts and Culture: Underfunding of the arts and culture has had a negative impact on the offer over the years, which the pandemic has further impacted. We know access to these things are an important factor to improving well-being.
Volunteering: With the increasing number of community assets (e.g. community centres, libraries and heritage sites) being run by volunteers relying on grant funding, we need to provide support to make this sustainable so that such assets are not lost.
Resource Use and Decarbonisation: NPT uses 2.5 times per person more resources than the planet can sustain. Further, NPT is a major carbon contributor in Wales and faces a challenge to balance Net Zero goals against the economic benefits brought by its high energy/emission employers.
Climate and Nature Emergency: NPT is a leader in renewable energy with some of the highest installed renewable energy capacity in Wales. Current projects to restore adjacent habitats such as carbon-sequestering peatlands demonstrates ways in which multiple benefits can be derived to tackle both the Climate and Nature emergencies together.
Famous Personalities: NPT has produced world famous actors, artists and sports personalities giving us a global identity, this can be further harnessed to promote the region.
