Council consults on town's parking and road layout changes

Denbighshire County Council are consulting on a Traffic Regulation Order to introduce new ‘super short stay’ parking and other road layout changes to Llangollen town centre.

Traffic regulation orders (TROs) are legal documents which are necessary for making changes to traffic and parking restrictions such as double yellow lines and one-way streets.

The council are proposing the following changes to Llangollen town centre:

• Market Street: Remove two parking spaces nearest the junction with Castle Street. Replace one of the taxi rank spaces with a parking space. This parking will be free of charge. Between the hours of 9am and 5pm the parking space will have a maximum stay of 1 hour, and no return to the same space within 2 hours.
• Hall Street (outside Rani Kitchen): Introduce new, legally enforceable, short stay parking to enable "pop and shop" parking. This parking will be free of charge. Between the hours of 9am and 5pm the parking spaces will have a maximum stay of one hour, and no return to the same space within two hours.
• Willow Street: Introduce double yellow lines to the left-hand side of the road for the entire length of the road. Introduce additional double yellow lines on a short section of the right-hand side of the road outside the youth club.

The new ‘short stay’ parking will be free of charge, in line with existing similar spaces elsewhere in the town centre. However, they will be enforced by Civil Enforcement Officers (CEOs) between the hours of 9am and 5pm to ensure they are used correctly.

Denbighshire County Council says it hopes that by introducing the proposed changes in Market Street, Hall Square and Willow Street it will improve traffic flow and maintain pedestrian access by reducing inconsiderate parking in these areas.

Councillor Barry Mellor, Lead Member for Environment and Transport, said: “Llangollen is an historically important town in the south of Denbighshire. In addition to being popular with tourists and day-trippers, Llangollen is a 'hub' town which serves a large network of villages and other rural communities locally. We hope that with these changes, the town centre will be safer and more accessible to visitors travelling by foot or by car.

“It’s also important to note that with these proposed changes, there will be no net loss of parking in the town centre and there will be no impact on marked disabled badge (blue badge) spaces. There will also be no impact on bus stops or bus stop locations as a result of these proposed changes.”

For more information on the proposed changes:

• View the consultation online by visiting denbighshire.gov.uk/consultations
• Copies of the proposals will be available to view in Llangollen Library during usual library opening hours between now and June 3 2026

The closing date for all feedback is Wednesday June 3.

Plan approved for former bookmakers to become salad bar

* The premises at the corner of Castle Street and Market Street where a change of use has been approved.

An application to change the use of the former bookmakers at the corner of Castle Street and Market Street, Llangollen into a salad bar and sandwich shop was approved after a lengthy debate at the Denbighshire's planning committee this morning (Wednesday).

Mr P Rowe and RL Frodsham Ltd submitted a retrospective application after the shop, named Let's Avo Cuddle, briefly opened and closed again without permission some months ago.

The plan is for not hot food to be served, only cold.

Despite being recommended for approval by officers, the plan was opposed by Llangollen Town Council and a number of private objectors.

The town council said the development would not enhance the vitality and viability of the town centre and result in an unacceptable imbalance of retail and non-retail uses.

The private objectors argued that it would lead to an over-concentration of food shops and takeaways in the town, dilute existing established food places and detract from the viability of the town centre

At the planning meeting Llangollen county councillor Karen Edwards strongly opposed the plan, saying there were already 12 cafes in the town centre and that this would mean an over-concentration of the same sort of outlet. 

She said: "I am unable to support this retrospective application for the following cumulative planning reasons.

"Firstly, there is already a significant overconcentration of Class A3 uses within Llangollen town centre, with a substantial number of cafés and takeaways both on the main street and surrounding side streets. 

"Planning Policy Wales and the Denbighshire Local Development Plan both require town centres to maintain a diversity of uses in order to protect their vitality and viability. In my view, this proposal would further erode that balance and contribute to harmful clustering of A3 uses in a sensitive location.

"Secondly, the site lies within a designated conservation area and is immediately adjacent to a listed building. National policy and statute require that development in such locations must preserve or enhance character, and that special regard must be given to the setting of listed buildings. 

"In this case, the existing and proposed shopfront treatment, signage, and external presentation fail to meet that test and result in harm to the conservation area and the setting of the listed building, to which considerable weight must be given.

"Thirdly, the site occupies a highly constrained and prominent corner at the junction of Castle Street and Market Street, which forms a key pedestrian route to the town’s main car park and experiences heavy footfall. Even in the absence of external seating, the nature of an A3 use in this location would generate periods of queuing, congregation, servicing activity, and delivery movements. 

"These cumulative effects would risk creating a pedestrian pinch point at this sensitive junction, which is contrary to Planning Policy Wales requirements for safe, accessible and inclusive places.

"Fourthly, insufficient information has been provided to demonstrate that the use can operate without unacceptable impacts arising from odour, grease, and ventilation. In particular, the absence of a properly designed extraction and filtration system raises a reasonable likelihood of harm to amenity and to the character of the conservation area, particularly should the use intensify towards hot food preparation."

During the debate at planning committee, which lasted for an hour and 20 minutes, there was some agreement on these points by other members, while others voiced their support for the application.

Cllr Alan James (Rhyl West) said: "This is very much an improvement. Generally, this sort of food outlet is quite different from what we are used to in Llangollen. I am very happy to support it. It's far better than leaving an empty shop."

In a report considered by the committee planning officers said: "The application is considered to be acceptable against the relevant Local Development Plan Policies, and national policy and guidance and is recommended for grant, subject to conditions to control the opening hours, application of vinyl/stickers to the windows and door, future extraction flue installation and biodiversity enhancement measures. 

"The use of the premises as a cafe is not considered to have a detrimental impact on visual amenity or the character of the Conservation Area or AONB and would therefore be in general compliance with the tests in the policies referred to."

Members voted 10-7 in favour of Cllr James's proposal to approve the application.

Plan to build 22 holiday lodges between A5 and the river is approved

* The development area between the A5 and the river marked on a site plan.

Denbighshire planners have approved a scheme to build 22 new holiday lodges at Eirianfa Country Park in Llangollen which its developers claim will create over £1m of extra spending in the area.

The site, which lies between the A5 and the River Dee between the White Waters Hotel and Ystrad Hall, was once used as a touring campsite and has existing consents for this type of use, according to a report which was considered by the planning committee this morning (Wednesday).

The report says that all 22 of the holiday homes will be let out on a short-term basis of either a full or half week. None will be individually owned. There would be two site managers plus cleaners and groundsmen to run the site. 

Beyond the £1.46m anticipated to be spent with local contractors for the construction phase, based on the average spend of £250 per person a week, the scheme would generate an estimated £1.14 million spend in the local area per year, adds the report.

The applicants, Hereford Dwellings Company Limited, are said to have over 40 years of experience as leisure park operators. 

The report goes on: "Officers consider that the scheme would create significant economic benefits for the area through construction, job creation and use. 

"As the units are proposed to be let only, this would ensure the ongoing management/upkeep of the units and site generally. 

"Having regard to the detailing of the proposals, the potential impacts on the locality, and the particular tests of the relevant policies, the application is considered to be acceptable and is recommended for grant."

The council received five letters of objection, which raised traffic congestion, overdevelopment, and concerns about safety as the site is close to the river.

A summary of objectors’ anti-social behaviour fears is also included in the planning report, alleging a previous campsite on the land brought unruly behaviour.

Llangollen Town Council formally objected to the application claiming that it conflicts with the Local Development Plan and is not small in scale and proportionate to its location, particularly within and adjoining the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty or Area of Outstanding Beauty, Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal World Heritage Site,  or other regionally important landscape areas. 

The town council also said the development would result in an overconcentration of sites in any one locality to the detriment of the landscape or residential amenity. 

In supporting the application, Llangollen county councillor Karen Edwards said: "This is a complex and finely balanced application on a long-established tourism site on the edge of Llangollen, within one of the most sensitive landscape and environmental settings we deal with locally.

"We are not considering a new tourism use in the open countryside. The site already benefits from a long planning history and extant permissions for a significant number of holiday units, together with previous caravan and chalet uses, some of which have been implemented.

"What is proposed today is a revised scheme for 22 units, which is a reduction in overall numbers compared to the existing consents, along with a more structured layout, enhanced landscaping, and modernised drainage and ecological mitigation measures."

Planning committee members unanimously accepted the officers' recommendation to grant the application subject to a lengthy list of over 20 conditions. 

Young Denbighshire musicians invited to bid for £2,000 prize

 

* Pianist Rufus Edwards, winner of the 2025 Pendine Young Musician of Wales competition. 

Young musicians from Denbighshire are being urged to bid for a £2,000 prize at a top festival.

Royal composer Paul Mealor is backing the prestigious Pendine Young Musician of Wales competition and telling talented youngsters not to miss out on a “glorious opportunity”.

The competition returns for a third time at the North Wales International Music Festival at St Asaph Cathedral.

The winner will receive a £2,000 cash prize, a silver trophy and a shot at performing on a world-class stage. There is a second prize of £1,000 and the two runners up will each receive £500.

Prof Mealor, the festival’s Artistic Director, said the contest offers a rare platform for under-21s to perform, gain expert feedback and be broadcast live on BBC Radio Cymru.

It’s been made possible by support from the owners of the Pendine Park care organisation, Mario Kreft MBE and his wife Gill, via the Pendine Arts and Community Trust which they set up to support community and arts activities.

As part of their 40^th anniversary celebrations, Pendine has also announced they will continue to back the competition for the next five years.

Prof Mealor said: "The Pendine Young Musician of Wales is a unique opportunity for young musicians born or living in Wales to showcase their talents at the North Wales International Music Festival and perform in one of the greatest acoustics in Wales, St Asaph Cathedral and at Tŷ Pawb in Wrexham.

"The competition is open to all musicians who were born or who are living in Wales or who are Welsh nationals studying abroad.

"We are a fully inclusive competition and positively welcome applications from musicians with apparent and non-apparent disabilities."

Mario Kreft MBE of the Pendine Arts and Community Trust said: "The past two competitions have been truly memorable and we are delighted to be part of this exciting competition.

"It is a wonderful opportunity for a young musician to perform in the cathedral at St Asaph. It has a fantastic atmosphere and the most wonderful acoustics.

“The knowledgeable and appreciative audience who enjoy the concerts at the North Wales International Music Festival will simply add to the occasion and I am looking forward to the Grand Final very much indeed.

“Supporting this wonderful competition chimes perfectly with our ethos at Pendine where intergenerational activities and the arts provide a golden thread running through daily life at all our care homes.”

According to Prof Mealor, entries for the competition are now open and the closing date for applications is 5pm on Friday July 31, 2026.

"All musicians must be under the age of 21 on January 1, 2026 to be eligible to compete but there is no minimum age for entry," he said.

He said the idea for the competition came from young performers who have taken part in festival concerts in recent years.

"They realised there was no competition like it and little opportunity for them to perform individually in the cathedral which has the best acoustics for a solo performer.

"I suggested the competition and spoke with Mario Kreft and he loved the idea and came straight onboard. The competition has been staged during the past two festivals and produced some wonderful performances and very worthy winners.

"The first winner was harpist Heledd Wynn Newton from Cardiff who returned last year to perform at the festival. The 2025 winner was pianist Rufus Edwards from Bersham and he has a very bright future ahead of him," he said.

The competition this year will be staged in two sections with entrants asked to submit a video or audio clip of their performance for consideration by the judges.

"The performance can be no longer than five minutes in duration. It may be a performance of a single piece or a movement of a larger work or a short programme of no more than 5 minutes in duration.

“The judges will select four performers and invite them to participate in the live Grand Finale on Wednesday, September 16," Prof Mealor added.

Paul Mealor, who was born in St Asaph and raised in Connah's Quay, took over as Artistic Director of the North Wales International Music Festival from the acclaimed mezzo soprano, Ann Atkinson, in 2024.

He first came to prominence in 2011 when one of his compositions, Ubi Caritas, featured at the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton.

His compositions featured in three of the four national services of thanksgiving for the life of the late Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022.

The following year he was commissioned to create a brand new piece for the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla.

The work, "Coronation Kyrie" was sung by Welsh bass-baritone Sir Bryn Terfel – the first time that the Welsh language was sung at a Coronation. He was appointed Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order (LVO) in the 2024 New Year Honours.

William Mathias, who was Professor of Music at Bangor University, founded the festival at St Asaph Cathedral in 1972 and directed it until his death, aged 57, in 1992. 

As a student Paul Mealor studied with William Mathias and cites him as being the person who inspired his career in music and particularly his love of large scale choral compositions.

Anyone interested in taking part in the Pendine Young Musician of Wales competition is asked to upload a video or audio clip of a five- minute performance – along with their application form and proof of age document – via the Festival’s website at https://nwimf.com.

* The North Wales International Music Festival 2026 will be held from September 10-19 at St Asaph Cathedral. Tickets go on sale from Wednesday, June 24.

I'm surprisingly underwhelmed by new Mazda CX-5

Mazda CX-5 launch drive by Steve Rogers

It’s a brave move to launch a new model these days with neither self-charging nor plug-in hybrid options but you can rely on Mazda to do their own thing.

The company has been rebelling for decades whether with rotary power or, more recently, big petrol and diesel engines when all around were downsizing and dumping diesel.

It is content to stick with the combustion engine and has dropped a 2.5 litre petrol into the new CX-5 replacing the more powerful 2-litre. So what’s going on?

I could be flippant and say answers on a postcard but better to let Mazda’s UK boss Jeremy Thomson explain.

In a nutshell Thomson says the company still has faith in the combustion engine and ‘remains committed to giving customers real choices’.

Mazda has been lagging behind the pack on electric models and seems to be adopting a ‘what’s the rush’ approach yet the next two models will be the electric Mazda 6e, which has just won the world design award, and at the end of the year the CX-6e SUV.

We are now into the third generation of CX-5 since its launch in 2012 and it has consistently been the company’s best selling car not just in the UK but around the world which goes a long way to explaining why Mazda has resisted making too many changes to its biggest success story.

There is some minor reshaping with the main concentration on making it bigger - 115mm longer, 30mm taller, 15mm wider and with 61 litres more luggage space than the old model, and smartphone style connectivity using Google.

So a big step forward then? Not so sure about that, more a sideways move from what I can see. It is cheaper than the outgoing model, which is good, but has lost some key features that gave it the edge over a shedful of rivals.

It is no surprise Mazda has adopted the Chinese minimalist approach to cabin design, we have seen it in the upcoming electric Mazda6e, so those neatly laid out switches for heating and other everyday features have gone replaced by a much larger touchscreen, 12.9in or 15.6in on the top Homura model.

This becomes the command centre so we are lamenting the loss of the rotary controller that allowed drivers to pay attention to the road rather than dabbing at a touchscreen. There are quick keys ranged across the base but that is no substitute for what was an excellent, safe set up.

Equally disappointing, not to mention surprising is what has happened in the cabin. At first glance it looks luxurious with quality coverings along the dashboard but what’s happened to the soft touch padding? Everything is bone hard while the door cappings are now cheaper looking plastic. Someone trading up to the new model could fairly say Mazda has dialled back on quality.

The move to a larger mild hybrid 2.5 litre engine goes against the grain when the majority are downsizing with turbo charged petrol self charging and plug-in hybrids.

This is a mild hybrid with a 24V starter generator and cylinder deactivation to help economy but loses 24bhp to the 2-litre and doesn't gain any performance apart from a little extra mid range torque. Without a self charging hybrid option exhaust emissions are fairly high and economy is some way off self-charging or plug-in hybrid rivals. Acceleration through a six-speed automatic gearbox is adequate rather than sparkling, and the engine becomes harsh as it pushes up the rev range. You notice it more because they have done a good job suppressing road and wind noise.

Mazda showed with CX-5 that SUVs don’t have to be dull and came about as close as you can get to hatchback dynamics. This time round the suspension has been softened a touch to make it more comfortable and if it has lost a little of its sporting edge it is still better than most demonstrating agility on miles of demanding Scottish roads. This is still a rewarding car to drive with or without all wheel drive.

CX-5 is a desirable SUV but I came away surprisingly underwhelmed. I prefer switches for everyday controls and these have gone, even the volume control knob. The rotary controller is history, quality has dipped and the single engine option has not moved the car forward in performance or economy yet its handsome body, spacious cabin, huge boot and competitive price still make it a strong contender for larger families.

Fast facts

CX-5 5-dr SUV

£31,550-£40,950

Range: Pure, Centre, Exclusive, Homura

2.5 litre petrol mild hybrid; 139bhp

0-62mph 10.5secs; 116mph

40.4mpg combined

159g/km. 1st VED £1,465

Boot: 583-2019 litres

Towing: 2,000kg

Local MP makes post-election statement

Clwyd East Labour MP Becky Gittins has just posted a statement on her Facebook page about the results of last week's Senedd elections, shown below, congratulating the winners and commiserating with the losers. However, in it she makes no mention of the current controversy surrounding the future of Orime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. 

Latest local roadworks alerts from Denbighshire County Council

Latest local roadworks alerts from Denbighshire County Council are: 

BEECHLANDS, FRON BACHE,  15/06/2026 - 17/06/2026, Gwaith Dwr / Water Works HAFREN DYFRDWY, Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure.

Carriageway, COED AFON, 22/06/2026 - 26/06/2026, Clytio/ Patching (DCC), Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

JUNCTION OF CASTLE STREET, 18/05/2026 - 22/05/2026, Gwaith BT/ BT Works RNR TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT

A539, APPROX 108M FROM YEW TREE COTTAGE, TYN DWR ROAD, LLANGOLLEN, 15/06/2026, Adnewyddu Polyn / Renew Pole GT WILLIAMS, Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

Carriageway, A539 LLANGOLLEN ROAD, until 15/05/2026, Clytio/ Patching DCC HIGHWAYS, Confoi 10 mya/10 mph Convoy

A539, 67M EAST TO BRYNIAU BACH GERAINT, 19/05/2026 - 20/05/2026, Adnewyddu Polyn / Renew Pole GT WILLIAMS, Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

JUNCTION REGENT STREET, HILLSTREET, 15/05/2026 - 22/05/2026, Gwaith BT/ BT Works RNR TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT, Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

Wharf Hill / Castle Street/ Mill Street, 24/06/2026 - 12/07/2026, Goleuadau traffig i reoli traffig yr Eisteddfod / Traffic signals to manage Eisteddfod traffic

UTSIDE LYNWOOD ON PENYCOED ROAD, 27/05/2026 - 28/05/2026, Adnewyddu Polyn / Renew Pole GT WILLIAMS, Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

Full extent TOWER ROAD, 24/06/2026 - 12/07/2026, System Unffordd ar gyfer Eisteddfod Gerddorol Ryngwladol Llangollen / One-way System to support Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, Un Ffordd/ One Way

OUTSIDE SOAR COTTAGE, SUN BANK until 13/05/2026, Gwaith Dwr / Water Works HAFREN DYFRDWY, Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure