1. How does migration affect the character of rural areas? 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.

2. Who is moving to rural areas? 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. What are the push / pull factors? The most affluent and mobile people Families with children (keen to avoid the possible disadvantages of city locations)

3. 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: 1.A movement of employment to rural areas 2.A movement of people to rural areas who then commute. Counter-urbanisation began in many parts of Western Europe in the 1960s in particular.

4. 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.

5. Cardiff bay area

6. 1897

7. Can you identify the original core?

8. Bridgend Cardiff Barry Llantwit Major Cowbridge St. Hilary St. Donats B4265 B4270 A48 Llandow Industrial Estate (ex-RAF airbase) St. Athan village

9. 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:- O.S. map 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.

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

11. 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: 1.Accessibility to Cardiff thanks to the A48 and M4. Bridgend and Cowbridge are easy to get to. 2.Good range of services including schools, retailing, health and leisure. 3.Availability of new housing and renovated character properties. 4.Attractive townscape and local environment. Llantwit Major is only 1 mile from the Glamorgan Heritage Coast and has many sites of historic interest.

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

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

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

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

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

17. 4. Attractive local environment

18. 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.

19. 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.

20. Llandow Business Park

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

22. 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.

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

24. RAF St Athan was a maintenance unit servicing RAF bomber aircraft until the 1980s Hello from Mr Thomas in 1971

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

26. St Athan Aerospace Park today

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

28. How has Llantwit Major changed? 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. In 1961 Llantwit Major had a population of 4,243

29. 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.

30. Dissatisfaction with Counterurbanisation 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. Environmental concern about urban sprawl means people are moving back to the city.