Planners approve scheme to reinstate Berwyn Works on A5

* Berwyn Works on the A5. 

A scheme to reinstate what has become an eyesore building at the gateway to Llangollen has been approved by county planners. 

Since it was built in the 19^th century Berwyn Works has since been used as a brewery and later as light industrial and office accommodation. 

It is currently empty, derelict and potentially dangerous with debris sometimes falling onto the busy A5 which runs in front of the building. 

At the end of February an application by Grouber Ltd to repair and replace existing roof, doors and windows, including the alteration and insertion of new window openings and the rendering of the building’s exterior and associated works was granted by Denbighshire planners. 

The design and access statement which accompanied the application says: “The Berwyn Works has been used over the years since it was built in the late 19th century as a brewery and in more recent years, as light industrial and office accommodation. The building as a whole is under-utilised in its current form.

“The building’s facade is unattractive and contributes a negative visual presence on the main entrance to the town and as a backdrop viewed from the riverside park.

“This can be greatly improved, adding a positive contribution to the townscape as described in this application.

"The application site in its present form is a negative function in this townscape ... research shows that the tower was originally built in red brick and then faced in the yellow brick at a later date and marks the transition point in the character of the former brewery.

“Despite having being much altered in its current form it nevertheless makes a significant contribution to the townscape.

“An option to purchase the buildings was granted in 2017 to 2023, the planning proposals were frustrated by the problems of reaching a financially feasible solution to access to the site.”

The statement adds that the objectives of the application are to restore the building for commercial use in line with the current planning conditions.

This will mean, it adds: “Reinstating the structural integrity of the buildings in line with existing planning permission for commercial use, re-roofing all the existing roofs and re-glazing all the existing window openings.”

The statement goes on: “In this proposal we are planning to repair and renew all the roof coverings on the building. Currently the roof is slate and has been partially removed as they were deemed unsafe due to water damage affecting the structural integrity of the timbers.

“In this application we are proposing to reinstate the roofs on the buildings with insulated metal profile sheets, the proposed colour is anthracite grey. This material will match the neighbouring commercial buildings. This material has been chosen for his long-term sustainability.

“The proximity buildings to the A5 trunk Rd is also a concern as slates have slipped from the roof in the past and landed on the road, by using this material that scenario will no longer be problematic.”

The statement includes a note which says: “We will be submitting a Construction Traffic Management Plan (CTMP) to the Local Planning Authority that shall be to the satisfaction of the Welsh Government prior to the commencement of any works effecting on the elevation adjacent to the A5 trunk road to maintain the safety and free flow of trunk road traffic.”

The application was approved by Denbighshire planners subject to conditions on February 2.

* Significant work has been done over the past few months on replacing the retaining wall alongside Berwyn Works.

Heron spotted on the canal this morning

 

* A heron, which are regular visitors to the canal, spotted near Bridge 48W around 7.30 this morning looking for business. 

April what's on for Pengwern Community Hub

April what's on for Pengwern Community Hub is:

Forthcoming Citizens Advice dates:

Plas Newydd re-opens for the 2025 season

* Plas Newydd historic house and gardens from the air.

Llangollen’s historic Plas Newydd is open for the new season with an array of events and activities on offer.

This fascinating historic house, home to the famous Ladies of Llangollen in the late 18th century, opened its doors again from the beginning of April.

Lady Eleanor Butler and Miss Sarah Ponsonby captured the imagination of Regency society. They received a stream of visitors to the unpretentious little cottage which, over the years, they transformed into a Gothic fantasy of projecting stained glass and elaborately carved oak. 

You can discover their extraordinary story and purchase tickets to visit the house between 11am and 4pm seven days a week. 

You can take tea, as Wordsworth, Sir Walter Scott and the Duke of Wellington have all done before you and enjoy delicious food in the Old Stable tearooms from 10am - 4pm daily.

The gardens at Plas Newydd are renowned for their romantic setting and rich history. The Ladies adored nature and gardening, and transformed the grounds into a romantic landscape filled with exotic plants, winding paths, waterfalls and decorative features that still enchant visitors today. You can explore the gardens free of charge daily, all year round, between 8am and dusk. 

Keep an eye out for forthcoming events, promoted locally and on the Plas Newydd Llangollen Facebook page: www.facebook.com/plasnewyddllangollen 

An exciting array is on offer for the 2025 season, including craft workshops, garden walks and talks, historical events, plays, performances and family activities, including the popular seasonal children’s garden trails with fantastic new prizes. 

This year Plas Newydd will also be hosting the first Ladies of Llangollen Legacy week in June with a packed week of activities relating to the Ladies, their unique story and their legacy. 

“The team at Plas Newydd have an exciting programme of events and new features to share with our visitors in the 2025 season and we are looking forward to welcoming people from near and far,” said Sallyanne Hall, National Landscape Community Engagement Officer.

Councillor Alan James, Lead Member for Local Development and Planning, added: “Plas Newydd is a historic gem that we are lucky enough to have on our doorstep here in Denbighshire. The historic property offers a unique exploration of a wealth of history and is a brilliant place to visit during 2025.”

School meal prices set to rise by 5p from April 28

Due to rising costs, it has been agreed to increase the cost of school meals in Denbighshire by 5p, which will be implemented on April 28.

The Denbighshire School Catering Service says it has faced an increase of prices for all major commercially procured food products, the domestic food market and across all food market supply chains.

 

The service was recently been recognised as the best performing catering service at The Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE) awards earlier this year.

 

Councillor Diane King, Lead Member for Education, Children and Families said: “The decision to increase the cost of school meals was not taken lightly. However, even after this increase, these new prices will still be relatively low compared to other local authorities.

 

“As evidenced in their recent success at the APSE awards, the Council’s School Catering service are committed to providing value for money in terms of the quality of food given to pupils across our schools”.

 

* To view the school meals menu, or for more information visit the Denbighshire school meals website.

 

Nantclwyd y Dre to welcome back visitors this week

 

* Nantclwyd y Dre historic house and gardens is re-opening tomorrow (Thursday). 

Nantclwyd y Dre historic house and gardens close to Llangollen is set to welcome visitors once again as it opens for the season tomorrow (Thursday).

 

The higgledy-piggledy timber-framed townhouse in Ruthin, which offers visitors over 500 years of history under one roof and beautiful hidden gardens, is bursting with new and updated exhibitions, activities, and trails, designed to tell this historic attraction’s fascinating history, in new and interactive ways.

 

A major highlight for 2025 is the introduction of historical scents. From smoky tallow candles in the medieval room, to fresh bread in the kitchen and delicate roses in the Georgian bedroom, evocative fragrances add to the immersive experience, complementing the period costumes, soundscapes, and hands-on activities that help bring Nantclwyd y Dre’s history to life.

* The historic house offers hand-on experiences.

 

Councillor Emrys Wynne, Lead Member for Welsh Language, Culture and Heritage, said: “I look forward to the opening once again of Nantclwyd y Dre. It’s a vital piece of Ruthin and indeed Denbighshire’s history. The townhouse, the tranquillity of the gardens are just some of the reasons to pay it a visit and I would encourage you all to do so.”

 

Kate Thomson, Site Manager at Nantclwyd y Dre, said: “We are very much looking forward to welcoming visitors back for another season. Our enthusiastic staff and volunteers are putting the final touches to the new ways we have for visitors to explore the house and gardens - we can’t wait to see to see visitors enjoying them!”

 

* Enjoying the garden at Nantclwyd y Dre.

Designed to make history ‘hands-on’, Nantclwyd y Dre’s unique visitor experience offers plenty of ways for visitors of all ages to learn about the house and experience what daily life was like for the characters who lived and worked here. Holding Hidden Gem status, Kids in Museums accreditation and rated 4.5 stars on TripAdvisor, Nantclwyd y Dre offers a highly enjoyable outing for history enthusiasts and families alike.

 

* Nantclwyd y Dre will be open from 10.30am to 4.30pm (last entry 3.30pm), Thursday – Saturday until September 30. For full details on opening times and ticket prices, please visit www.denbighshire.gov.uk/heritage

A5 speed limit changing from 20 to 10mph from today April 1

 

April 1 exclusive

The controversial 20mph speed limit on the A5 (Queen Street, Regent Street and Berwyn Street) in Llangollen is reverting to ... 10mph.

When the 30mph restriction was slashed to 20 on many urban roads in Wales in September 2023 it sparked a storm of protest by motorists across the country.

This led to a record-breaking petition with a total of 469,571 signatures being handed into the Senedd headed by the demand: “We want the Welsh Government to rescind and remove the disastrous 20mph law.”

As a result the government agreed to a review which resulted in councils across Wales asking the public which roads they would like to see going back to 30mph.

It is due to this consultation that the length of the A5 running from just before Birch Hill to just after the Wild Pheasant will see the limit change - not from 20 down to 30mph as in many other parts of the country but down yet again to a creeping 10mph from noon today, Tuesday April 1.

The local resident behind the reduction is Rob Philipson who said: “When the council asked for our views on what the speed limit on Regent Street should be I immediately responded saying that rather than taking it back up to 30mph they should in fact cut it even further to just 10mph. I think many other people must have expressed the same view because that’s now being implemented.

“After all it’s an extremely busy and potentially dangerous road and since the 20 limit was imposed in 2023 the traffic has slowed down considerably making it much safer pedestrians and cats to get across.

“I for one am delighted to see it going right down to 10mph and I’m now campaigning for the council to take things even further and safer by having a man with a red flag walking in front of the vehicles travelling along the street.

“To enforce this we could have a convoy system where the flagman waits for say 10 or 12 vehicles to arrive before he leads them all along the street together. I think this makes good sense really and I’d like to hear what other local people think of it.”