Planning at the country level: a case study of Gwent, South Wales

Abstract

Tourism is one of the few remaining growth industries which local authorities can significantly encourage. The authors describe in detail the policies and actions of Gwent, a Welsh county where the already high unemployment rate will be increased by steel-industry closures. Standards must not be abandoned in the rush to attract tourists — developments should be channelled to areas where benefits would be highest and environmental costs lowest. Cooperation (between the public and private sectors, and among statutory bodies of all kinds) is the key to success.