Counter-urbanisation Key idea: Changes in rural settlements

Key idea: Changes in rural settlements Index of rurality Key idea: Changes in rural settlements

Key terms Rural is belonging to or relating to life in the countryside, in contrast to an urban lifestyle. Rural population is people living in the countryside in farms, isolated houses, hamlets and villages. Gentrification is the in-migration of people from higher socio-economic groups into areas where the existing population is generally of lower socio-economic group.

change in response to a range of economic, social, political ● Rural areas are dynamic spatial entities. They constantly change in response to a range of economic, social, political and environmental factors. ● The economy of rural areas in the developed world is no longer dominated by farmers and landowners. ● The rural landscape has evolved into a complex multiple-use resource, and as this has happened the rural population has changed in character. ● Gentrification is every bit as evident in the countryside as it is in selected inner city areas. ● Because of the geographical spread of counter-urbanization since the 1960s or so, the areas affected by rural depopulation have diminished. ● The considerable increase in car ownership in recent decades has had a negative effect on public transport.

Green belt is an area of open land retained round a city or town over which there are wide-ranging planning restrictions upon development. Key village is a village designated to be developed in terms of the goods and services available to its own population and the population of a designated surrounding area.

Village is a group of houses and other buildings such as a church, a school and some shops. Larger than a hamlet but smaller than a town, usually ranging from a few hundred people to a few thousand. Metropolitan village is a village which has been transformed into a commuter settlement because of its proximity to a large urban area. Hamlet is a rural settlement which is too small to be considered a village. It lacks a church and other services.

Rural depopulation is the decrease in population of rural areas, whether by out-migration or by falling birth rates as young people move away, usually to urban areas. Counter-urbanisation is the process of population movement from urban areas to smaller settlements in rural areas.

Expanding or declining? Expanding rural areas… Are accessible Have an expanding population from families with young children moving in New arrivals may commute by car to work or work from home Fewer elderly people Declining rural areas….. Are remote Have a declining population, few children are born Young people move away to look for work so fewer people of this age Larger elderly population – people move there to retire or have lived there for years. 8

Migration and rural population structure Expanding rural areas have a much higher proportion of 45+ year olds. 9

Consequences of expansion… Creation of several small, new housing estates, often with houses local people cannot afford Many families have 2+ cars = more congestion, especially at peak times Villages are often dormitory villages, with little life during the day Conflicts can occur between established villagers & newcomers Maintaining the rural identity in an increasingly urban environment is an issue

How does migration affect the character of rural areas? List the changes that have occurred as villages become dormitory villages with a high proportion of commuters or second homes. Changes for the worse Village stores have closed Post offices and banks have closed or operate on a part-time basis Uneconomic public transport routes have closed Ageing population and falling school roles leads to closure of village school Changes for the better New types of shops like farm shops have opened up Mini health centres have set up in larger villages and there are grants available for rural GP practices Co-operation between some banks and post offices to offer a service. 11

Who is moving to rural areas? The most affluent and mobile people Families with children (keen to avoid the possible disadvantages of city locations) What are the push / pull factors? Traffic congestion Pollution Fear of Crime (muggings, burglary and car theft) Rural dream (idea of the ‘rural idyll’ – pleasant surroundings, quiet etc.) Estate Agents, housing developers etc.. All encourage outward movement through new developments / building more houses and marketing these areas.

Counterurbanisation What is it? Counter-urbanisation is the movement of people from urban areas into rural areas (leaving the city and moving to smaller towns and villages). There are 2 distinct trends: A movement of employment to rural areas A movement of people to rural areas who then commute. Counter-urbanisation began in many parts of Western Europe in the 1960s in particular.

Counter-urbanisation of Cardiff Cardiff docks reached their peak in 1913 exporting 13.5 million tonnes of coal. This dropped rapidly after WWII. Coupled with the closure of the East Moor Steelworks unemployment rose. Low income, racial prejudice and ageing housing stock lead to the bay area becoming a Zone of Discard. By the 1970’s and early 1980’s the outward movement from the Bay area lead to the suburbanisation at the urban-rural fringe. Beyond the fringe, in accessible, attractive rural settlements, these urban “refugees” bought homes and became commuters. Suburbanised villages emerged.

Cardiff bay area

1897

Can you identify the original core?

Llandow Industrial Estate Cardiff Bridgend St. Hilary B4270 Cowbridge Llandow Industrial Estate (ex-RAF airbase) St. Athan village St. Donats Llantwit Major Barry B4265

Suburbanisation of Llantwit Major in the Vale of Glamorgan Llantwit Major has seen significant suburbanisation since the 1970’s. this corresponds with an era of counter-urbanisation in the nearby Capital city. It is possible to identify the original core on an O.S. map by:- The convergence of original roads and lanes Historic building such as churches and ruins The more formal layout of roads and housing in the modern suburbs.

Historic Buildings in the original village core. http://www.llantwit-major.net/2004/history.shtm St. Illtuds church Ruined Manor house, Llantwit Place

Why did the commuters come to Llantwit Major Census data since 1961 shows a steady increase in the percentage of people employed in management and professional roles. These commuters chose Llantwit Major probably because of its: Accessibility to Cardiff thanks to the A48 and M4. Bridgend and Cowbridge are easy to get to. Good range of services including schools, retailing, health and leisure. Availability of new housing and renovated character properties. Attractive townscape and local environment. Llantwit Major is only 1 mile from the Glamorgan Heritage Coast and has many sites of historic interest.

Accessibility Use a map to determine the travelling times to nearby towns and cities.

2. Services and facilities Llantwit Major now boasts: A Leisure Centre Two Supermarkets Several Primary and a Comprehensive Schools A Doctors Surgery Library

3. Available housing Many former barns have been converted since the 1980’s in the old core of Llantwit Major.

3. Available housing Many of today’s most desirable homes have humble origins as the original dwellings of rural people. The Old Malthouse Huntsman’s Cottage West Farm

3. Available housing Expensive, modern, planned estates cater for the majority of newcomers to Llantwit Major.

4. Attractive local environment

Increasing employment opportunities near Llantwit Major Llandow Industrial Estate is approximately 3 km north of Llantwit Major and provides increasing numbers of employment opportunities for the Vale of Glamorgan. It is built on a Brownfield site utilizing roads and hangars from St Athan air base. It comprises of a trading, business and retail units.

Attraction of Llandow Industrial Estate for businesses Access is good. The A48 is 3 km away which then allows good access to the M4 corridor. Brownfield site status means planning controls are more relaxed and land is probably cheaper compared to urban locations. A large pool of labour and is accessible in nearby Llantwit Major and Cowbridge. Its rural location provides a more pleasant working environment. Essential services are already in place.

Llandow Business Park

Llandow Trading Estate The former RAF air traffic control tower converted to the site office.

Llandow Industrial and Retail Estate This shows one of the old aircraft hangars that has been converted to business use at Llandow Industrial Estate It is built on a Brownfield site utilizing roads and hangars from an RAF air base and comprises of a trading, business and retail units. Brownfield site status means planning controls are more relaxed and land is probably cheaper compared to urban locations.

This was one of the old Vulcan hangars RAF St Athan was a maintenance unit servicing RAF bomber aircraft until the 1980s This was one of the old Vulcan hangars

RAF St Athan was a maintenance unit servicing RAF bomber aircraft until the 1980s

RAF St Athan was a maintenance unit servicing RAF bomber aircraft until the 1980s

St Athan Aerospace Park today

Llandow Industrial Estate Cowbridge more accessible than Llantwit. But reduced housing availability has restricted growth. A48 Cardiff Bridgend St. Hilary B4270 Cowbridge St. Hilary has strict planning controls on housing development which limited its growth. Llandow Industrial Estate (ex-RAF airbase) St. Donats has not grown significantly because of restricted housing availability. St. Athan village St. Donats St. Athan’s closeness to heavy industry has made this less attractive to commuters. Llantwit Major Barry Llantwit Major developed due housing availability. B4265

How has Llantwit Major changed? In 1961 Llantwit Major had a population of 4,243 Households in 1961 were 1,256. Many of the people were retired. By 2000 population had more than doubled to 9,000. By 2015 it had a population of 14,000. Households in 2015 = 5,038 The majority of people in the area are economically active.

Summary In this case study we see that:- Counterurbanisation can lead to rural settlements taking on more urban characteristics with some of the negative effects: expansion/sprawl, traffic pollution, industry. Rural locations like the Vale of Glamorgan are becoming increasingly attractive for business. The old traditional rural life has disappeared.

Dissatisfaction with Counterurbanisation Environmental concern about urban sprawl means people are moving back to the city. This could be due to journey times or a preference for city life. Developers are providing measures to deal with problems in inner cities, security, town houses etc.