This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/wales/south_east/7231278.stm
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Low house price boost for valleys | Low house price boost for valleys |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Fewer people are moving away from the south Wales valleys and more are setting up home in the area because of lower house prices, it is claimed. | Fewer people are moving away from the south Wales valleys and more are setting up home in the area because of lower house prices, it is claimed. |
| But while decades of population decline is finally slowing, more action is needed to ensure it continues, says the Institute of Welsh Affairs think-tank. | But while decades of population decline is finally slowing, more action is needed to ensure it continues, says the Institute of Welsh Affairs think-tank. |
| This includes better houses and merging local councils to improve services. | This includes better houses and merging local councils to improve services. |
| A conference will hear how the top end of the valleys should also be promoted as a desirable area to attract people. | A conference will hear how the top end of the valleys should also be promoted as a desirable area to attract people. |
| John Osmond, director of the Institute of Welsh Affairs (IWA), said: "The trends show that a steep decline in population of recent decades has been slowed over the past five years which, if continued, provides evidence of a rejuvenation. | John Osmond, director of the Institute of Welsh Affairs (IWA), said: "The trends show that a steep decline in population of recent decades has been slowed over the past five years which, if continued, provides evidence of a rejuvenation. |
| "The change is almost certainly due to lower house prices at the top end of the valleys making them more attractive to low income families and first-time buyers." | "The change is almost certainly due to lower house prices at the top end of the valleys making them more attractive to low income families and first-time buyers." |
| But he said the next challenge was to attract people who wanted to live in the area, and not just because it was cheaper than Cardiff. | But he said the next challenge was to attract people who wanted to live in the area, and not just because it was cheaper than Cardiff. |
| The valleys are green again and are on the doorstep of the Brecon Beacons. John Osmond, Institute of Welsh Affairs | The valleys are green again and are on the doorstep of the Brecon Beacons. John Osmond, Institute of Welsh Affairs |
| To do this, more attractive housing developments should be built and councils should work closer together - and in the long-term merge - to ensure better service and governance, he said. | To do this, more attractive housing developments should be built and councils should work closer together - and in the long-term merge - to ensure better service and governance, he said. |
| "The key challenge now is to devise regeneration policies that build on the strengths of the heads of the valleys in other respects," he said. | "The key challenge now is to devise regeneration policies that build on the strengths of the heads of the valleys in other respects," he said. |
| "Certainly they should have a competitive advantage in being so close to the Brecon Beacons National Park. | "Certainly they should have a competitive advantage in being so close to the Brecon Beacons National Park. |
| "This should make them desirable, not just as a tourist destination but as a place to live and work as well." | "This should make them desirable, not just as a tourist destination but as a place to live and work as well." |
| The conference, which is being held in Hirwaun on Thursday, will hear from Leighton Andrews, AM for Rhondda and deputy minister for regeneration, who will also talk about the need to overhaul council housing stock. | The conference, which is being held in Hirwaun on Thursday, will hear from Leighton Andrews, AM for Rhondda and deputy minister for regeneration, who will also talk about the need to overhaul council housing stock. |
| "This in itself will provide local jobs and improve skills," said Mr Osmond. | "This in itself will provide local jobs and improve skills," said Mr Osmond. |
| But Mr Osmond conceded the key to regeneration will be the ability to change perceptions about the valleys, which have social problems such as high unemployment and poor health. | But Mr Osmond conceded the key to regeneration will be the ability to change perceptions about the valleys, which have social problems such as high unemployment and poor health. |
| The conference will address how policy-makers and local people can work to change prejudiced views. | The conference will address how policy-makers and local people can work to change prejudiced views. |
| "I'm sure it's not the right one, but frankly a lot of people who live and work in Cardiff don't go to the valleys and they have a perception of it being a bit 19th Century. | |
| "But the valleys are green again and are on the doorstep of the Brecon Beacons. | "But the valleys are green again and are on the doorstep of the Brecon Beacons. |
| "If you say to people you could live in a National Park 30 minutes from Cardiff where the cost of living is less... we should see the valleys as an opportunity, not as a problem." | "If you say to people you could live in a National Park 30 minutes from Cardiff where the cost of living is less... we should see the valleys as an opportunity, not as a problem." |