We are privileged to live and work in a beautiful area. The things we enjoy about Conwy result, of course, from the interaction of local communities and the environment. Sometimes features are incidental, sometimes they have evolved over a very long time and sometimes they are planned; whatever the case we need to try and ensure that future communities have the opportunity to enjoy all that is best about Conwy, as we do. That is not to say that things will remain the same; the area faces many pressures and challenges that can only be addressed by looking at the problems afresh. We must, for example, find ways of meeting local people's housing and affordable housing needs, enabling the provision of well-paid jobs, safeguarding the linguistic character of communities, protecting the environment and addressing the threats from flood risk.

The process of preparing the new Local Development Plan has been a long and complex one. We have spent a great deal of time exploring the issues, consulting with a wide range of organisations, including the town and community councils, commissioning specialist studies and considering existing evidence. This process has allowed us to discuss the issues affecting the County Borough with many people and has provided a solid foundation on which to develop the document now before you.

This Conwy Local Development Plan Deposit provides a clear vision for how new development can address the challenges we face and identifies where, when, how much and how new development will take place in Conwy up to 2022.

I would like to thank all those who have contributed to the development of this Plan and hope it provides the basis for the provision of new development in Conwy to address the needs of the local communities in a sustainable and locally distinctive manner.

Councillor Dilwyn Roberts

Leader of the Council