The modern face of Welshpool

The changing face of modern-day Welshpool has been revealed as the town’s future priorities are being decided in a five-year plan.

Following the 2011 Census and from statistics gathered by the Town Council for its Town & Community Plan (2017-2022), Welshpool is now home to a large number of foreign nationals with approximately one in 10 of the town’s population claiming to have been born abroad.

Approximately 33% of the town is aged over 60, and figures reveal that up to a quarter of the town’s population is registered ‘long-term disabled’. Another one in four are aged under 18.

With unemployment below the national average, although many workers are classed as part-time, 27% of the workforce is in retail, wholesale and transport; 14% are carers and 22% work in tourist related jobs.

The Plan also shows that 32% of residents don’t own a car, but 34.33% don’t have access to a car or van. More than 90% of residents have little or no knowledge of the Welsh language.

The draft of the 74-page Plan shows proposed projects to be undertaken over the coming five years, and is now available to read on the link below.

Comments will need to be sent to the town council by October 10, and it will then be put to the Planning and Development Committee the following day who will then recommend the plan (adjusted or not) for final adoption on October 25 at the Full Council meeting.

The full plan can be read at: http://www.welshpooltowncouncil.gov.uk/documents/user/TanCPLAN2017-2022FINALDEPOSITPLAN.pdf