Friday, August 24, 2012

Keep Llan Special chair speaks out

Mike Edwards, chair of Keep Llangollen Special, has given llanblogger the following update on the group's recent acivities:
"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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