"The
Management Committee of Keep Llangollen Special have held various meetings
since the last Llangollen News. Interestingly we went on a site visit to Dobson
& Crowther as a fact finding exercise to understand the Company's position
in relation to the planning applications to Denbighshire Denbighshire Council
to relocate their premises to Cilmedw. This visit was arranged for us by Ken
Skates AM and we met with Paul Holden Managing Director and his highly
motivated team when taken on a tour of the factory. It was extremely
interesting to hear Paul's presentation and to learn about the range of
products they produce many for household names and then to see the factory in
action. We would like to thank Paul Holden and his team for meeting with us.
"The
Company are operating in a very difficult market place at a time of recession
and to some extent we understand why they have teamed with a speculative
property developer to relocate their premises to Cilmedw. However it is the groups
view that Llangollen Town Centre will pay a heavy price if a Sainsbury's
supermarket is built outside the main shopping area. The application for a
supermarket on the busy A5 tourist trunk route is contrary to Welsh Government
Planning Policies which protect the vitality and vibrancy of town centres. Also
the application is contrary to the sustainability policies because it will lead
to increased vehicle journeys. The developer's recent amendment to include
traffic lights at the junction into the new Cilmedw Industrial Estate will
interrupt the two way flow of traffic which already experiences blockages at
the Castle Street traffic lights and the Sorting Office pelican crossing. Also of course there would be a new entrance
into and out of the proposed supermarket which in our view is all a recipe for
massive congestion on the A5.
"Do we
really want to lose our local butchers, greengrocers, delicatessens etc and see
masses of empty shops in the town like many other towns up and down the UK?
Buy Local Day
"The last
Buy Local day took place recently centring on Llangollen Cafes this time and
the day was an outstanding success and our Secretary, Jude Williams reports
that the majority of cafes participated with Dragons Den, Cottage Tea Rooms,
Village Bakery and the Courtyard Cafe in particularly reporting doubling their
sales of teas and coffees. These dedicated "Buy Local" are becoming
more and more successful and we plan to hold a day covering all shops in the
town centre next month. Thanks to Jude for all her hard work on behalf of Keep
Llangollen Special.
NHS Reforms
"We are
endeavouring to find out as much as possible about the reorganisation of health
services in Llangollen following the announcement by Betsi Cadwaladr University
Health Board of proposals to replace the existing Community Hospital on Abbey
Road with a new multi-purpose Health Centre to be erected on the site of the
former Woodlands Hotel now known as the Riverside Lodge. The biggest concern is
that the Health Board propose to close the existing Hospital early next year,
but not replace it until 2015 which will mean Llangollen residents having to
travel to Chirk and Wrexham for many services. We also understand that BCUHB
have to present a Business Case to Welsh Government to acquire the Riverside
Lodge site, so their scheme has many hurdles to jump including receiving
Planning Permission before it comes into being. At the moment patients can walk
or take a short journey to the existing Health Centre in the middle of town,
but residents will be forced to travel by car or public transport to get to the
new Health Centre, if and when it's built. Residents can find out more on the
26th September, 2012 when the Health Board hold briefing sessions to explain
their proposals, but residents need to
ring 0800 678 5297 to book their place.
Chair of Keep Llangollen Special
"Unfortunately
Martin Crumpton has had to stand down as Chair of the Group due to poor health.
The new Chair is Michael Edwards and Vice Chair is Philip Jones. The Group wish
to place on record their thanks to Martin for all his hard work in setting up
Keep Llangollen Special and are pleased that he is able to continue as our
Researcher and contribute to the future work of the group."
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