Four-week delay to major Covid rule easing in Wales

The First Minister (pictured) has confirmed a delay of at least four weeks to any major easing of Covid rules in Wales due to the spread of the Delta variant, ITV Wales is reporting.

The story says that the Delta variant of the virus - previously known as the Indian variant - has been confirmed as the dominant strain in Wales.

It adds that Mark Drakeford is due to announce the pause at a press conference today (Friday) on a day when he had hoped to have lifted some of the restrictions on mixing indoors for people not in extended households or “bubbles.” 

Ahead of the announcement, Mr Drakeford wrote on Twitter: "Cases of the Delta variant are spreading across Wales. In the space a few weeks, cases have been confirmed in all parts of the country.

"We have reviewed all the evidence and will pause changes to the rules for 4 weeks."

These changes won’t now happen until at least July 19.

However, some minor changes will come into force on Monday. They include:

A relaxation on the limit of people allowed to attend an indoor wedding or civil partnership reception or a funeral wake, currently capped at 30. It’s not clear what the new limit will be but the Welsh government says it will depend on the size of the venue and a risk assessment.

Gig-goers and comedy fans will be able to go to “grassroots” music and comedy venues on the same basis as people going to pubs and restaurants.

Primary school children in the same school contact group or bubble will be able to stay overnight in a residential outdoor education centre.

Pilot events in theatre, sport and other sectors will also continue throughout June and July.

The number of people who can attend a wedding will increase under the minor changes of restrictions.

More than four out of five new Covid cases in Wales are the Delta variant and two-thirds of these are not linked to travel or contact with another case, suggesting community spread.

St Collen's consults public on its blueprint for the future

* Father Lee Taylor leads a service in St Collen's before lockdown.

St Collen’s has a series of public meetings planned for next month where people can discuss plans for the church’s future.

Last October vicar, Father Lee Taylor, unveiled an ambitious scheme to upgrade the centuries-old place of worship with the aim of making it a hub for a wider range of religious and social use.

During a Zoom meeting he gave full details of the Community Vision proposals, which includes:

* The removal of pews at the front of the nave to allow a raised platform stage to be built for worship and performance events    

* The provision of a folding kitchen to provide refreshments at cafe-style social gatherings

* Repositioning of the font to a more practical location      

* The installation of modern LED lights in the roof to highlight its historic beauty

* Fitting glass doors at entrances to allow the heavy oak front door to be left open to make the building feel more welcoming

* A new chapel for private worship where the current vestry is sited

* Replacing the traditional pipe organ with a digital version

* Part of the church's Community Vision plan.

This week, on social media, he quoted Dr John Inge, Bishop of Worcester, who said:  “Church buildings should never be silent mausoleums, but always vibrant centres of service at the heart of their local communities.”

And Father Lee added: “St Collen’s has for almost fifteen centuries been a place of worship for the people of Llangollen and beyond. The church has been cared for by succeeding generations who have seen fit to make some significant alterations to the building as its purpose has developed in a changing culture. 

“The challenge of re-ordering the church is to ensure that the church is able to reinforce its role as a focal point in the community. This means providing a building which is sufficiently flexible which the wider community can utilise for community gatherings, concerts, school performances and the like. 

“Our re-ordering project began with a community consultation process last year with an online presentation on zoom and with the distribution of questionnaires. This process is ongoing.

“We are holding further community consultations in church on the following days.

Wednesday 14th July at 6.30pm

Sunday 18th July at 12.15pm

Refreshments provided.

“This event is open to all. Refreshments will be provided. If you intend to come along please RSVP: 01978 861768, or email: stcollens@gmail.com” 

In his October public consultation Father Lee said the call to change was more urgent than it had ever been, in the face of dwindling Sunday morning congregations across the whole of the Church in Wales, the lack of younger people joining and fewer priests being available to serve communities.

And he stressed: “The fact is that we must adapt or die. In 10 or 20 years if we don’t do something there will be no parish church. It will close.”

Booking now open for pop up waste service at Pavilion

Denbighshire County Council says on social media this afternoon that bookings are now open for the Llangollen green waste pop up service to run on the first and third Saturday mornings each month at the Pavilion.

The service will initially run until the end September, subject to Covid-19 restrictions announcements from Welsh Government, after which time it will be reviewed. 

This green waste service will run alongside the main recycling pop service on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month. 

Booking slots will be available between 9am and 11am and you can book via www.denbighshire.gov.uk/recycling

Llan man wades into canal to rescue drowning fox

* Nico Decourt with the fox he rescued from the canal. Llanblogger, who was one of those Nico met as he walked along the towpath, took this picture.

A quick-thinking Llangollen man jumped into the canal to rescue a fox he saw drowning in the canal earlier today. 

Nico Decourt was on his early morning run along the towpath when the drama developed close to the bridge near the Sun Trevor. 

As he was passing past a moored boat a woman stopped him and asked if he could help with a fox struggling in the water. 

Without a second thought Nico, clad in his running gear, waded in and helped the floundering female fox to the side and stayed with her for almost an hour as she fought to recover from her ordeal. 

Nico, who works in the education world, said: “I ran past their boat and the lady was on the side of the canal with her spaniel. 

“She stopped me and asked if I could help. To start with I thought she had a pup that was stuck in the water but then realised it was a small fox. 

“I had to go in the water as the fox wouldn’t trust us to pick her up and she started drowning. 

“I found a stick to guide her to the side then lifted her up. 

“She stayed on the side in shock for a good 45 minutes while we tried to warm her up with a small blanket and dry her. 

“I decided to walk back with her along the canal as I didn’t want to leave her on the side of the path on her own. 

“I met some very nice people along the way who enquired about what had happened.” 

Nico added: “I wasn’t too sure about what to do to be honest but the lady’s concern gave me that little bit of energy to rescue the poor animal. 

“I made it to near the pavilion with the fox in my arms when someone else spoke to me. The fox got a bit scared and jumped out of my arms and disappeared into the grounds of the pavilion. 

“So all was fine. She was running and well alive. 

“I believe she milked it from the wharf, enjoying the warmth of my arms and being carried around.”

All the latest action at reviving Llangollen railway

* The little tank engine sets off from Llangollen for its period on hire in Somerset. 

* The insignia of the Austin Motor Company on the engine.

The little tank engine set off from Llangollen Railway for a summer hire period at the Midsomer Norton railway in Somerset today.

Paul Reynolds photographed the engine loaded up ready to leave the yard.

It has been repainted by railway volunteers and given new lining-out with the addition of an insignia for the Austin Motor Company which acknowledges the engine's 40-year career as the shunter at Longbridge car plant in Birmingham.

The hiring out of the engine comes as a useful earner for the railway which is battling to re-open later this summer after emerging from its financial crisis.

* Engine No.3802 completes its steam test at Llangollen station.

* Engine owner Nick Gilbert.

Earlier this week the Heavy Freight GWR engine No.3802 completed a steam test in the yard and came down into the station to take water.

It then ran through the station and posed for photos whilst further checks were carried out. 

Owner Nick Gilbert said he was delighted with the chance to operate the locomotive over the tracks within the limits off Llangollen station, pending a longer run when the Dee Bridge work is complete and trains can cross over.

No 3802 will likely be a mainstay of train operations this season when services resume at Llangollen.

Woman schooled in Llangollen awarded the OBE

* Sara Pierson received the OBE in the Queen's birthday honours.

A woman who went to school in Llangollen has been awarded the OBE in the Queen's birthday honours list.

Sara Pierson, the elder daughter of David and Judy Pierson, was honoured for services to UK education and the promotion of the English language overseas.

Born and brought up in Glyndyfrdwy where her parents still live and she loves to visit them, Sara attended Llangollen Primary School, Ysgol Dinas Bran and Ellesmere College. 

She obtained an honours degree at Warwick University then worked at the Open University in Milton Keynes before moving on to work for the British Council, where she is currently employed as Director of Examinations.  

In her present role since August 2015, Sara has overall accountability for strategic relationships with over 150 UK examination boards and awarding bodies, ensuring delivery of university, school, professional and English language exams in line with their exacting standards and quality frameworks.

She has previously worked in senior partnerships positions at OUW Ltd, a subsidiary of the Open University. 

Her proud parents said: "Sara has many friends in and around Llangollen who we know will be delighted to hear of her success."  

Suzuki gets well Across e-power with its new hybrid

Suzuki Across road test by Steve Rogers

What's this? A Suzuki that looks suspiciously like a Toyota Rav4.

Nothing suspicious about it, this is a Rav4 with a Suzuki badge.

So what's this all about? It is quite simple, Toyota, one time world's biggest car company, has taken fellow Japanese, but smaller car company Suzuki, under its wing and is sharing its huge nous in hybrid technology along with handing over a couple of its models.

It is not all one way, Toyota gets into the Indian market where Suzuki is king - it has almost half the market with a showroom every 15 miles - and will sell Toyota badged Suzuki models there and on the African continent.

In Europe Suzuki has called its SUV the Across, a plug-in hybrid with an electric only range of up to 46 miles which is about as good as it gets at the moment. The set up is a 2.5 litre petrol engine paired with an electric motor that together produces a whopping 306bhp so if you want quick you can have quick, or you can take your time, watch the fuel gauge needle drop ever so slowly and enjoy free road tax and, for business users, next to nothing in income tax.

My 41 miles on electric only is the best from a plug in hybrid and only five short of the maximum so a good result. On engine power, and using economy mode, Across hit 45mpg on a couple of trips because the electric motor recharges under braking and kicks in when coasting.

There are two other drive modes selected from a switch in front of the auto gear lever, normal and sport should you feel the need for some rocket power. It can be driven on electric up to 84mph but fast motorway runs will gobble up the electric reserve in no time.

You have to take your hat off to Toyota for really getting this hybrid business sorted. Charging from my Podpoint wall charger took just over two hours. Plugging into the mains takes longer but can be sorted overnight and you don't have to worry about seeking out a charge station on a long journey.

By Suzuki standards Across is a big car with a big price but is great news for those followers mourning the loss of Grand Vitara. It fills the void, and handsomely as well because this is Toyota's best Rav4 by a country mile.

It also bucks the trend by being just partially digital. The driver's binnacle is computer generated but not multi layered like many rivals although you can scroll through a mound of information. There is a central touchscreen for navigation, phone, audio and driver information, but the heating controls are good old fashioned switches and a joy to use.

Suzuki offers one model but is packed with just about everything needed apart from a digital speedo display which is becoming an absolute must if you are not to be caught out by the multitude of cameras.

There is a wide range of safety features along with all the things we like, heated seats, powered driver's seat, auto dipping lights, keyless entry, powered tailgate with 'kick' opening when your hands are full of shopping bags.

And there is plenty of room for families with leggy grown up children supported by generous boot space. A minor point may be but for this money the boot walls need to be lined although the plastic trim is easier to keep clean... I suppose.

You would hardly describe Across a sporty SUV, there is a little more body movement than some of the German brethren, but nothing to be concerned about. Throw stonking performance into the mix though and it does present a lively performance challenge.

Why buy Across over a Rav4? A grand cheaper might help and the Suzuki front grille, the only visual difference, looks better, so over to you...

Watch this space for a report on the next Suzuki badged Toyota model.

Fast facts

Across Plug-in Hybrid

£45,599

2.5litre petrol+electric motor; 306bhp

0-62mph 6secs; 112mph

42.9mpg combined

22g/km. VED £0

BIK tax 6 per cent

Insurance group 43

Boot 490 litres

Covid cases in county identified as Delta variant

Cases linked to an increase of Covid-19 infections in Denbighshire have been identified as the Delta variant, says the county council in its latest update. 

An Incident Management Team (IMT) is currently in operation to manage the situation and comprises of Denbighshire County Council, Public Health Wales and Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.

The linked cases are connected to a number of gatherings and cases are being identified in a number of settings and venues, including schools.

So far there have been a total of 25 confirmed linked cases, although not all have been confirmed as the Delta variant, while a total of 428 pupils are self-isolating from Ysgol Brynhyfryd, Denbigh High School and St Brigid’s.

Those displaying symptoms of Covid-19 are asked to book a PCR test immediately.

An additional mobile testing unit is operating at Caledfryn, Denbigh, while testing centres are also operating in Rhyl, Quay Street Car Park and Llangollen, Market Street Car Park. Booking is required at these sites.

HWB Dinbych is operating a Covid Support Hub offering collection of free lateral flow tests from today (Tuesday, June 15).

Chair of the IMT, Nicola Stubbins, said: “Enquiries are still being made and further test results are still pending and we would like to reassure residents we are working to reduce any further spread.  This includes offering an additional testing site in the county as well as an enhanced Test, Trace and Protect process and 14 day self-isolation for any contacts.

“Not all cases have been confirmed as the Delta variant, but the strain is becoming the dominant variant in the UK and we are treating these connected positive tests as the Delta variant. The Delta variant is more transmittable and sticking to the guidelines is the best way of slowing its spread within our communities. The emergence of these new cases is a reminder we should not become complacent, even as rates of the virus across Wales remain low.

“It is vital residents do not attend any gatherings which contravene Welsh Government Covid-19 guidelines and remain vigilant by following the rules, including wearing masks in indoor spaces and maintaining social distancing.

“You can now go for a free Covid-19 test if you have a wider range of symptoms which include flu-like symptoms, not caused by a known condition, muscle ache or pain, excessive tiredness, persistent headache, runny nose or blocked nose, persistent sneezing, sore throat and/or hoarseness, shortness of breath or wheezing and generally feeling unwell.

“Anyone who develops Covid-19 symptoms should book a PCR test at a test centre immediately and following a positive result, must self-isolate and share all relevant information with TTP tracers and advisors.

“We are also reminding those eligible and not showing symptoms to undertake regular lateral flow tests at home, which are free and can be ordered online for home delivery.

“I would also urge anyone eligible to get a vaccine to do so as soon as possible and for those who have had their first dose to take up the offer of the second dose.

“On behalf of the IMT, I would like to thank Denbighshire residents for their co-operation and their efforts to follow the guidelines and keep our communities safe.”

Book a PCR test at www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test order a lateral flow test at www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-tests

You can book a test by telephone on 119 between 7am and 11pm (calls are free).

You can pick up free lateral flow tests from HWB Dinbych, Smithfield Road, Denbigh, LL16 3RG from June 15 on Tuesday 8.30am - 1pm; Wednesday 4pm - 6pm; Thursday 8.30am - 1pm and Friday 8.30am - 1pm.

You can also pick up free lateral flow tests from Rhyl, Quay Street Carpark LL18 1NS, between 8am and 1pm, seven days a week.

First Minister sets out priorities for new Welsh Government

 

* First Minister Mark Drakeford. 

The First Minister will today (Tuesday) set out ambitious plans for a "stronger, greener and fairer" Wales as he launches the Programme for Government.

The five-year plan shows how the new Welsh Government will deliver on the promises made to voters during the Senedd 2021 election and how it will tackle the big challenges we face in Wales. Climate change and the environment will be at the heart of the new government – a new “super-Ministry” has been created, bringing together the big policy areas to help Wales reach its legally binding target of reaching Net Zero by 2050. For the first time, transport, planning, housing and energy are brought together, with the environment, to tackle the climate and nature emergencies, with the aim of making sure climate change is firmly on the agenda for every public service and private sector business. Mark Drakeford said: “We will build a fairer, greener, stronger and ever more successful Wales that we all want for ourselves and for each other. “But I am determined that as we move Wales forward, no one will be left behind and no one will be held back. “People in Wales look after each other, and this programme is built on exactly that principle. “These plans will help move Wales forward beyond the pandemic which has affected every part of our lives. They focus on the areas where we can make the greatest difference to people and communities. “We will help our learners catch up and help people into new jobs. We will restore capacity in the NHS and help our industries and businesses prepare for the opportunities that lie ahead of us. “It is a transparent and achievable plan but recognises the need for radical action and innovative thinking in the face of unprecedented challenge.” Highlights of the programme are: Provide advanced, effective healthcare closer to people’s homes Prioritise investment in mental health Establish a new medical school in North Wales Roll out child and adolescent mental health services in schools across Wales.  Protect, re-build and develop our services for vulnerable people Pay care workers the real living wage Increase apprenticeships in care and recruit more Welsh speakers Fund childcare for more families where parents are in education and training.  Build an economy based on the principles of fair work, sustainability and the industries and services of the future Deliver the Young Person’s Guarantee, giving everyone under 25 the offer of work, education, training, or self-employment Create 125,000 all-age apprenticeships Develop a Tidal Lagoon Challenge Fund and support ideas that can make Wales a world centre of emerging tidal technologies Seek a 30% target for working remotely.  Build a stronger, greener economy to make maximum progress towards decarbonisation Launch a new 10-year Wales Infrastructure Investment Plan for a zero-carbon economy Upgrade our digital and communications infrastructure Work towards a new target of 45% of journeys by sustainable modes by 2040, setting more stretching goals where possible.  Embed the response to the climate and nature emergency in everything the government does Legislate to abolish the use of more commonly littered, single-use plastics Create a National Forest to extend from North to South Wales Introduce legislation to deal with the legacy of centuries of mining and ensure coal tip safety; strengthening local authority powers to protect the public and the environment Introduce a Clean Air Act, consistent with World Health Organisation guidance. Extend the provision of air quality monitoring.  Continue the long-term programme of education reform, and ensure educational inequalities narrow and standards rise Fund up to 1,800 additional tutoring staff in schools Continue to meet the rise in demand for Free School Meals and review the eligibility criteria, extending entitlement as far as resources allow Explore reform of the school day and the school year.  Celebrate diversity and move to eliminate inequality in all of its forms Explore legislation to address pay gaps based on gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, disability, and other forms of discrimination. Pilot an approach to basic income Ensure public bodies and those receiving public funding address pay disparities Implement targets around gender budgeting Ensure the history and culture of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities are properly represented by investing further in our cultural sector and museum network Make our Welsh public transport system more accessible to disabled people.  Push towards a million Welsh speakers, and enable our tourism, sports and arts industries to thrive Establish a National Music Service Consult on legislation permitting local authorities to raise a tourism levy Introduce a Cymraeg 2050 Welsh Language Education Bill to strengthen and increase Welsh language school provision Promote equal access to sports and support young and talented athletes and grassroots clubs Develop plans for a Museum of North Wales.  Make our cities, towns a villages even better places in which to live and work Build 20,000 new-low carbon social homes for rent Improve building safety so people feel safe and secure in their homes Make 20mph the default speed limit in residential areas Ban pavement parking wherever possible.  Lead Wales in a national civic conversation about our constitutional future, and give the country the strongest possible voice on the world stage Establish an independent, standing commission to consider the constitutional future of Wales Establish a Peace Academy in Wales Seek to reform council tax to ensure a fairer system for all Put in place a £65m international learning exchange programme.

Time to have your say on plans for Llangollen town centre

* The three pictures above show a series of computer generated artist's 

impressions of how the final 2020 scheme will look.

Public consultation on the £1.7 million plan which aims to streamline traffic and pedestrian flow in and around the town centre officially starts today (Tuesday).

The Llangollen 2020 Castle Street Improvement scheme aims to improve the town's main thoroughfare and some adjacent streets.

The council says the proposals are intended to improve the public realm along Castle Street by replacing the existing kerbs and footway paving with high-quality materials.

It will also see the removal of on-street parking from Castle Street and from the Abbey Road/Castle Street junction to enable the adjacent pavements to be widened and reduce parking-related congestion on Castle Street.

Other proposals include introducing a number of pedestrian dropped kerbs along Castle Street and to reduce traffic speeds by raising the road surface at some side road junctions as well as providing two loading bays for businesses on Castle Street, together with two disabled parking spaces near to Castle Street.

It is also proposed to make Market Street one-way in a westerly direction between Castle Street and East Street and introduce a loading bay on the south side of Market Street where the temporary loading bay is currently located.

The Castle Street improvement is part of a phased-approach to improve parking and to improve walking and cycling routes in the town.

The three-week consultation exercise launches today (Tuesday, June 15) and will close on July 6.

As consultation begins the council says around 2,000 residents and businesses in the area will receive a letter briefing them on the proposals.

There will also be an information campaign on social media. 

Members of the public can have their say on the plans online and at a public exhibition which will be held on Castle Street near to the Town Hall between Monday and Friday, June 21 and 25 June. 

Council officers will be there to explain the scheme and county councillors will also on hand at various points over the five days. 

The council says it will visit Castle Street businesses during week commencing June 21 to give them the opportunity to discuss the proposals with officers.

Plans will also be on display in the windows of the former bar within the Royal Hotel at the corner of Castle Street and Bridge Street for the three of the consultation.

A further briefing by officers will take place at the Town Council meeting this evening.

Cllr Brian Jones, Denbighshire County Council’s Lead Member for Waste, Transport and the Environment, said: “For the past three years the council has been working closely with the Llangollen 2020 group to develop these proposals.

“We want as many members of the community to have their say on the latest plans for the project

“Funding is in place to deliver the scheme in the autumn and winter of 2021-22. However, no final decision has yet been taken by the council on whether to proceed with the scheme as this will be dependent upon the outcome of the consultation with any final decision on the scheme being made by the council’s cabinet.

“We are also aware of concerns raised regarding the acacia tree located near the Town Hall. The current situation is that the condition of the tree is still being assessed by tree experts and no decisions have yet been made about its future.”

At a media briefing session last Friday, Cllr Jones told llanblogger the results of the public consultation will be taken fully into consideration by the council’s cabinet before it makes the final decision on whether the scheme goes ahead.

He added: “Weight will be given to the public feedback and we therefore want as many people as possible to engage with us and let us know their views.

“Given the size and cost of the project it is only right that the cabinet makes the final decision on it.”

If 2020 gets the green light from the cabinet Cllr Jones said work will start on creating the new town centre environment in early September this year with completion expected by next spring.

Traffic and road safety manager for Denbighshire, Mike Jones, said construction would be co-ordinated with possible work on Llangollen bridge by the county and Dwr Cymru, with close liaison taking place throughout the project with shops and businesses in the affected area to minimise disruption.

* You can have your say on the plans at https://countyconversation.denbighshire.gov.uk/project/600. Paper copies of the online questionnaire will be available at the public exhibition and can also be requested by contacting the Council on 01824 706000. 

Pop-up waste service resumes at the Pavilion

* The Pavilion car park where the waste service is resuming.

The free pop-up garden waste collection from Llangollen Pavilion, cancelled due to the pandemic, will resume its weekly slot over the summer as from this Saturday, June 19, with bookings being taken from the beginning of this week.

This means that the frequency of the pavilion pop-up service will now resume to pre-pandemic levels, according to Llangollen's two county councillors Graham Timms and Melvyn Mile.

In a joint comment they say: "We have also been assured that extra flexibility has been added to the pop-up service to make sure that it will be able to meet the demand for both the garden waste and the full recycling facilities.

"An appointment will be required, in common with all other Denbighshire recycling sites."

Service provision will be:

* First and third Saturday of the month, 9-11am garden waste only

* Second and fourth Saturday, 9-11am, full household recycling service including garden waste

* Fifth Saturday, no service

Appointments can be booked online at www.denbighshire.gov.uk or by phone: 01824 706000)

Direct link to the booking line is: https://hwrc-booking.denbighshire.gov.uk/renderform.aspx?t=2&k=82D29A1F86C4FD76CF9B71ED826470AFBBD1CB81&lang=en-GB

Public views sought on lighting in the great outdoors

* Castell Dinas Bran by night.

A public consultation has been launched on the affects lighting has on the great outdoors around Llangollen.

Denbighshire County Council in partnership with Flintshire County Council, Wrexham County Borough Council and the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) are seeking views on a draft Supplementary Planning Guidance note (SPG) for lighting in the AONB.

The SPG will provide advice and guidance for developers and others on good lighting design in the AONB which is designated as a landscape of national importance and the main aim is to conserve and enhance its natural beauty.

One of the recognised special qualities of the AONB is its tranquil nature, which includes the opportunity to experience dark night skies. 

The area has some of the darkest skies in Wales and the draft SPG seeks to conserve and enhance this special quality by providing guidance for developers and others on dark sky friendly lighting design.

When approved by each of the Local Planning Authorities the SPG will be a material planning consideration in determining planning applications and appeals.

Cllr Tony Thomas, Chair of the AONB Joint Committee, said: “The Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB is one of Wales’ most cherished landscapes. The area enjoys some of the darkest skies in Wales and provides opportunities to experience the wonders of a dark night sky.

“The SPG will help to conserve and enhance this special quality by raising awareness of the issue and promoting dark sky friendly lighting design.  We want to know what you think, and I would encourage as many people as possible to take part in the consultation process and to have their say on the draft SPG before the deadline on August 9.”

The three Local Planning Authorities and the AONB are keen to hear from a wide range of statutory and non-statutory organisations, town and community councils, voluntary groups and the general public as well as local planning consultants and agents. 

Comments should be forwarded to Denbighshire County Council who are coordinating the consultation on behalf of the three Local Planning Authorities and the AONB. 

Comments should be submitted by 5pm on August 9 using one of the following methods:

* By e-mail to: clwydianrangeaonb@denbighshire.gov.uk

* Via the Denbighshire Consultation Portal, or in writing to Huw Rees, Countryside and Heritage Services Manager, Planning, Public Protection and Countryside Services, PO BOX 62, Ruthin LL15 9AZ 

Any queries relating to the draft SPG or the consultation can be directed to the following contacts at each of the Local Planning Authorities:

* Denbighshire: planningpolicy@denbighshire.gov.uk phone: 01824 706916

* Flintshire: developmentplans@flintshire.gov.uk phone: 01352 703213

* Wrexham: planning_policy@wrexham.gov.uk phone: 01978 298994

* AONB Partnership: clwydianrangeaonb@denbighshire.gov.uk  phone: 01824 712735 

The document can be viewed on the Denbighshire, Flintshire, Wrexham or AONB websites and hard copies are available for inspection at Denbighshire’s public libraries.

Police appeal following serious accident near Llangollen

Police have launched an appeal for witnesses after a motorcyclist was taken to Royal Stoke Hospital by the Welsh Air Ambulance following a road traffic collision leading up to the Horseshoe Pass, Llangollen, on the A542 from Llandegla, just after 2.30pm yesterday (Sunday).

The collision involved a silver coloured Suzuki Swift motor car and a blue coloured Honda CBR motorcycle. The motorcyclist suffered serious injuries.

Sergeant Medwyn Williams from the Roads Policing Unit said: “I hope the motorcyclist makes a good recovery.

"I am appealing to anyone who was travelling on the road at that time between 2.20-2.35pm who witnessed the collision or may have dashcam footage of either vehicle prior to the collision.

"I would also welcome anyone who may have been travelling that route that has dashcam to contact us. If you have any information, please get in touch via web chat or by calling 101, quoting reference 21000413584.

"I would also welcome anyone who may have been travelling that route that has dashcam to contact us. If you have any information, please get in touch via web chat or by calling 101, quoting reference 21000413584.

"The road was re-opened at 7pm.

"We continue to urge drivers and and bikers to enjoy north Wales safely. Drivers - please look out for bikes when turning, whilst at junctions and when changing lanes. Bikers - please ride to the conditions, stick to the speed limit and know your capabilities."