2006 will see significant changes in Rhuthun/Ruthin - and not because of Tesco! Tesco will not actually open till midway through 2007 though, of course, Tesco will make a start on the building, something that will take a twelve month.
No, the change comes, first, with the the start of the construction of 300 houses at Glasdir together with 28ha of employment land. Some say that Glasdir is needed to ensure Rhuthun/Ruthin remains economically sustainable as a town. Others feel that the town is just right as it is, that Glasdir residents will go elsewhere for work (there being no real industry in Ruthin in any case, even with the 28ha expansion). It matters not whoever's right: it's happening anyway. Tesco will attract the majority of those living at Glasdir; it's that type of housing. But lets hope that the new residents will also feel able to contribute to the town's life and economy, too, otherwise the thoughts of sustainable are a sham. As an aside, the most interesting feature about Glasdir is that it's not only on a flood plain but located at the very mouth of the Mwrog Street flood defence scheme.
Secondly, the Ruthin Craft Centre (opposite what will become Tesco) is to undergo £3.1mil of development. This was only announced officially on 8 December and promises to place Rhuthun/Ruthin "on the world map and will be an international platform for applied artists in Wales. Rhuthun/Ruthin Craft Centre is one of the trendsetters in contemporary craft and design in the UK. The transformed Rhuthun/Ruthin Centre will see Wales leading the UK in the applied arts", according to Celfyddydau Cymru/Arts Wales. This, then, should help Rhuthunn/Ruthin's sustainabley, provided visitors venture further than Tesco.
Will Tesco help or hinder Rhuthun/Ruthin's new sustainability?
No, the change comes, first, with the the start of the construction of 300 houses at Glasdir together with 28ha of employment land. Some say that Glasdir is needed to ensure Rhuthun/Ruthin remains economically sustainable as a town. Others feel that the town is just right as it is, that Glasdir residents will go elsewhere for work (there being no real industry in Ruthin in any case, even with the 28ha expansion). It matters not whoever's right: it's happening anyway. Tesco will attract the majority of those living at Glasdir; it's that type of housing. But lets hope that the new residents will also feel able to contribute to the town's life and economy, too, otherwise the thoughts of sustainable are a sham. As an aside, the most interesting feature about Glasdir is that it's not only on a flood plain but located at the very mouth of the Mwrog Street flood defence scheme.
Secondly, the Ruthin Craft Centre (opposite what will become Tesco) is to undergo £3.1mil of development. This was only announced officially on 8 December and promises to place Rhuthun/Ruthin "on the world map and will be an international platform for applied artists in Wales. Rhuthun/Ruthin Craft Centre is one of the trendsetters in contemporary craft and design in the UK. The transformed Rhuthun/Ruthin Centre will see Wales leading the UK in the applied arts", according to Celfyddydau Cymru/Arts Wales. This, then, should help Rhuthunn/Ruthin's sustainabley, provided visitors venture further than Tesco.
Will Tesco help or hinder Rhuthun/Ruthin's new sustainability?