1999 United Kingdom Countryside Exchange
Rhossili, Wales – Executive Summary

Introduction

Rhossili is a small community (pop. 310) situated on the most westerly tip of the Gower peninsula. Gower was the first AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) to be designated and Rhossili beach and the Worm’s Head are amongst the most well known images of Wales.

Gower is within the City and Council of Swansea, with a substantial population and a large number of visitors, many of whom visit Rhossili. Visitor pressure can be overpowering at times.

Much of the land within the community is owned by the National Trust, and the Trust is seeking to facilitate participation and involvement by many local individuals and organisations, including the Community Council.

The team was tasked with:

• developing a statement of character/spirit of place to inform future planning decisions;
• helping to empower the community to deal with outside bodies with influence over Rhossili’s future;
• examining the opportunities for sustainable development at a time of major change in the local economy;
• identifying a youth strategy; and
• creating a transferable model to help empower other local communities by example

Observations and Key Issues

Environment

The quality of the environment in terms of the natural and built heritage is the foundation of, and the context for, the economic, social and community life of Rhossili. Sustaining the quality of the environment of the area is fundamental to sustaining Rhossili as a viable community. Managing pressures and changes related to the agricultural landscape, visitor use, and the built environment is essential.

Visitor Use Impacts

Visitors to Gower pursue a wide variety of recreational activities including hiking, biking, boating, birding, photographing nature, viewing scenery, exploring historical sites, and experiencing the local culture. Although Gower, and Rhossili in particular, provides outstanding recreational opportunities for visitors, visitor use impacts occur that threaten the dynamic balance of natural habitats and lessen the quality of the visitor experience.

Quality of the Built Environment

The built environment represents a key part of the cultural inheritance that gives the community character. In managing the built heritage, the challenge is to protect and take forward that culture and tradition.

Economic Development

Tourism is a significant component of life in RhossiliÑimpacting on every aspect of the community. It is estimated that more than 400,000 people visit Rhossili each year. The majority of these arrive during the short summer season Ñmany experience the beauty of the area through day visits only, so they don’t contribute much money to the local economy. Extending the season and marketing to the destination visitor will allow the community to expand their ability to capture and retain this money within the local community. Currently there is little sound information on visitors on which to plan provision.

The traditional agricultural sector is faced with an economic downturn. Diversification into non-traditional areas, such as farm or ecotourism, organic production or community-supported agriculture, are ways to ensure that agriculture remains viable. This will allow the community to retain both the people and the landscape that characterises communities in the Gower area.

There are few traditional businesses currently in operation in Rhossili. Because of the existing captive tourist market, the development of local businesses related to tourism should be encouraged. It is also imperative that other business ventures not directly related to tourism are explored. This could allow those currently commuting out of the area to work on a professional basis within the community.

Community

Rhossili’s small community is spread over 100 square kilometres. Its wild and beautiful setting and extensive views over the sweeping beach, rugged coastline, including Worms Head and out to sea, make it a wonderful place to live. This was the overwhelming consensus among the residents with whom the team spoke. The community is generally a happy one, yet this can easily hide some discontent and considerable concern about the future of the community. There is a lack of community facilities, meeting places, and play spaces, as well as provision for children and young people. High house prices often prevent young people from staying in the community. There is some resentment and distrust of the larger agencies that have an influence on Rhossili, and a common view that their actions were uncoordinated. Frustration with community leadership was expressed.

Recommendations and the Future

The team strongly recommended that strategic planning should be focused on a review of the AONB Management Plan. This should be the platform for formulating an integrated action program for all aspects of life in Gower and, in particular, the needs of the Rhossili community. In addition the following recommendations were made:

• To safeguard the natural environment, protect cultural resources, and provide quality visitor experiences, Rhossili must develop a visitor use management strategy to identify and address unacceptable impacts and ensure that recreation and tourism provide the desired benefits to community residents.

• Develop positive guidelines for good design in relation to buildings and other developments.

• Develop an integrated and comprehensive tourist programme that benefits the community and improves the quality of the tourist experience.

• Develop an integrated and comprehensive interpretation programme that presents a unified and consistent message about the area.

• Support and encourage diversification in the farming community.

• Undertake a questionnaire based community appraisal.

• Create a roundtable forum for community stakeholders including young people and the elderly, farmers and residents.

• Develop an integrated community centre or centres to include conference facilities, retail outlets, work units, cafe and restaurant.

• Develop community programmes across all age groups.

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©2002 Glynwood Center