Programme for Anglesey has closed
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF) Lle Da Place-Making Programme for Anglesey has now closed.
The programme is no longer accepting new applications, project proposals or requests for funding support.
This webpage remains available as a source of information about the programme, its activities and its contribution to regeneration and place-making across Anglesey.
It also provides links to related strategies, plans and regeneration initiatives that continue to support town and village centres across the island.
Regeneration and place-making enquiries
For regeneration and place-making enquiries, contact the Isle of Anglesey County Council's Regulation and Economic Development Service at adfywioregen@anglesey.gov.wales
Supporting the regeneration and prosperity of Anglesey's town centres and villages
Following a successful funding bid, the Isle of Anglesey County Council's regeneration team secured funding through the UK government's Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF). This funding supports a place-making programme designed to enhance and strengthen town centres across the island.
The programme aligns with the council's Town Centres Improvement Strategy 2023 to 2028 and complements wider regeneration initiatives across Anglesey, including Welsh Government's Transforming Towns Programme, and the UK Pride in Place Impact Fund (PIPIF). Together, these initiatives support the long-term regeneration, resilience and prosperity of communities across the island.
Key objectives
The programme supports a range of place-making and regeneration activities, including:
- delivering the first phase of the place-making programme, with an initial focus on Anglesey's five principal town centres
- supporting the development of tailored place-making plans for selected town centres and baseline evidence for the island's five towns. These documents should be read alongside the Town Centres Improvement Strategy 2023 to 2028.
- enhancing the urban environment, facilities and public spaces within town centres and other settlements across Anglesey
- promoting the reoccupation of vacant premises and supporting improvements to shopfronts and commercial properties
- working with town and community councils to encourage and facilitate community-led regeneration projects
- providing resources for marketing activities, promotional events and visual enhancements that help revitalise commercial and public spaces
Focus areas and scope
The primary focus of the Lle Da programme was on Anglesey's principal urban centres:
- Holyhead
- Llangefni
- Amlwch
- Menai Bridge
- Beaumaris
These locations play an important role in supporting local businesses, sustaining services and contributing to community wellbeing across the island.
In addition, a number of Shared Prosperity Fund projects delivered benefits across Anglesey and extended beyond the urban settlements listed above.
Place-making plans and evidence
A key element of the programme is the development of tailored place-making plans for selected town centres and the preparation of baseline evidence for Anglesey's five principal towns.
These documents support a better understanding of local strengths, challenges and opportunities and help inform future regeneration priorities, investment decisions and place-making initiatives. They provide an important evidence base for future activity and should be read alongside the Town Centres Improvement Strategy 2023 to 2028.
Project delivery and partnership working
The Lle Da programme was delivered by a small team within the council's economic development function, supported by several partners and stakeholders.
The programme involved close working relationships with organisations such as Menter Môn, MônCF and local town councils. This collaborative approach helped ensure projects responded to local needs while supporting longer-term community development objectives.
Partnership working was a key element of the programme and helped maximise the impact, sustainability and legacy of regeneration activity across Anglesey.
Key components of the programme
The programme included a range of activities designed to improve the attractiveness, vitality and long-term sustainability of town centres.
These include:
- highway and street environment improvements
- grants to support town centre events, activities, and improvements
- surveys, assessments and plans relating to vacant, underused or eyesore sites and buildings
- commercial premises improvement grants that helped enhance town centre properties and support regeneration objectives
- baseline assessments and place-making activity that help shape future priorities for town centres across Anglesey
Supporting local businesses
As part of the wider Shared Prosperity Fund programme, the Lle Da team was involved in supporting the planning and funding of the MônCF led 'Paint the Town' scheme for town centre property facelifts, and the provision of small business grants to town and village centre businesses.
Community and business involvement
A core principle of the Lle Da programme was encouraging strong collaboration between local communities, businesses, town councils and other stakeholders.
By supporting close engagement and partnership working, the programme helped ensure that improvements, projects and future place-making priorities reflect local needs, local knowledge and community aspirations.
This approach supported a sense of local ownership and helps communities play an active role in shaping the future of their town centres. It also contributed to the preparation of place-making plans that are informed by local stakeholders and grounded in local priorities.
The programme also supported local economic activity by helping businesses create more attractive and functional commercial spaces. This contributed to the visual appeal of town centres while supporting longer-term economic sustainability and encouraging future investment.
Sustainability and long-term impact
The Lle Da Place-Making Programme placed sustainability at the heart of regeneration activity. Individual projects considered the long-term economic, social and environmental wellbeing of Anglesey's communities.
The programme promoted improvements that create attractive, vibrant and sustainable places to live, work and visit.
These objectives complement the council's wider ambitions to reduce environmental impacts and support a greener and more resilient local economy.
The preparation of place-making plans and supporting evidence also provides a strategic framework that can help guide future public and private investment, supporting regeneration and place-making activity for years to come.
Monitoring and evaluation
A monitoring and evaluation framework supported the programme and included regular reviews against agreed indicators and objectives.
In addition, external evaluation formed part of the wider UK Shared Prosperity Fund evaluation process for Anglesey. This helps assess programme impact, value for money, achievement of intended outcomes and lessons that may inform future regeneration initiatives.
Legacy and future regeneration activity
While the SPF funded Lle Da Place-Making Programme has come to a close, the information, evidence, partnerships and place-making approach developed through the programme continue to provide value.
The programme helps establish a foundation for future regeneration activity by identifying priorities, strengthening partnerships, supporting investment planning and providing evidence that can inform future projects and opportunities. The Lle Da approach has been applied to the Pride in Place Impact Fund scheme to fund small-scale capital improvements in 40 communities across the island.
The lessons learned, evidence gathered and relationships established through the programme contribute to a broader long-term vision for Anglesey's town centres and villages, helping ensure they remain attractive, vibrant and sustainable places for future generations.
Further information
For further information regarding regeneration and place-making activity, please contact:
Regulation and Economic Development Service, Isle of Anglesey County Council
Email: adfywioregen@anglesey.gov.wales
