Deposit Draft Local Development Plan - Rhondda Cynon Taf

Key Facts About Rhondda Cynon Taf1.12. Rhondda Cynon Taf covers an area of the South Wales Valleys stretchingfrom the Brecon Beacons in the north, to the outskirts of Cardiff in thesouth. It comprises a mixture of urban, semi-suburban and ruralcommunities, situated in mountains and lowland farmland.1.13. Rhondda Cynon Taf is the second largest Local Authority in Wales, formedin 1996 from the former Boroughs of Rhondda, Cynon Valley and Taff Ely(part). The County Borough covers an area of 424 square metres with apopulation of 231,946 (2001). The area has 75 electoral wards, of which 22are Communities First Areas. Strategic highway links with the wider regionare provided by the M4, A470 and A465. A range of bus and rail servicesprovides public transportation links across the region.Links to Strategies1.14. Local Development Plans are intended to streamline the plan makingprocess and promote a proactive, positive approach to managing changeand development. Key aims of the new system are to speed up thepreparation of the development plan, contribute towards the achievementof sustainable development, ensure plans are monitored and effectivelyreviewed, achieve more effective community involvement and developplans that are more appropriate and responsive to changing local needs.1.15. A key objective of the new planning system is “joining up” with plans andstrategies of other organisations and agencies,especially where they relate to the developmentof land. In developing the Local DevelopmentPlan the Council has had regard to relevantWelsh Assembly Government, Regionaland local strategies and programmes.5