Extra housing land earmarked in Llan

Llangollen is one of the areas where it is being suggested extra houses are built to meet future housing requirements in Denbighshire.  

Across the county more than 8,000 new homes could be built as part of the Local Development Plan (LDP) currently under consideration by the Welsh Government.

Proposed sites include greenfield locations in villages  and extra plots have been added to the county’s draft LDP after the Welsh Government said Denbighshire’s initial proposals were insufficient.

Mike Edwards, chair of the Keep Llangollen Special group, points out that among the sites suggested is a 0.26-hectare piece of land at Wern Road in the town which would provide space for eight dwellings.  

Mr Edwards said: “This this is small scale development, but it does impinge on the greenbelt area on the lane which leads up to Castell Dinas Bran and appears to be outside the existing settlement boundary.

“On a general point there is limited scope fortunately for new development within Llangollen due to the topography.”

A recent public meeting was held in Denbigh to oppose the extra homes plan.

Opponents claim tdditional houses across the county would place an “intolerable” burden on the county’s services and infrastructure.

Amongst the additional sites are plans for 172 houses on land at HM Stanley Hospital in St Asaph, 84 on land adjacent to Ysgol Heulfre, Denbigh, 59 on land at two sites in Ruthin and 15 on land at Cynwyd.

Other sites are at Bodfari, Cyffylliog, Dyserth, Llanarmon yn Iâl, Llanbedr DC, Llanfair DC, Llangollen, Llanrhaeadr, Prestatyn, Rhuallt and Rhuddlan.

A hearing on the LDP is due to take place in late January.

Ysgol Dinas Bran goes international

Ysgol Dinas Brân has launched its new Comenius project, with seven other European countries - Estonia, Germany, Italy, Romania, Spain, the Czech Republic and Turkey. 

The aim of this two-year project is to investigate the nature of young people's beliefs, in Europe.

It will involve a number of mini-projects and tasks, coupled with visits by both teachers and students.  

The first event at the school will be the launch of the logo competition, so that the overall project, its final book and its website will have a logo that represents its theme. 

The initial visit was to the Czech Republic, where, in Uhersky Brod, teachers and students had a programme of meetings and events, culminating in their participation in a candlelit procession and a folklore evening. 

Each country will take two teachers and three students to each meeting, the next of which will be in Estonia, in March 2013, followed by Sardinia, in April. 

Wales will host in May 2013 and the project will end in Germany - the project co-ordining country -  in 2014, where there will be a big festival to mark its conclusion. 

Peter Williams, the school’s international co-ordinator, said: “We are hoping that the project will help our students to look more closely at what they believe, themselves, as well as the society around them.

“We are hoping, equally, that they will be able to broaden both their cultural and linguistic experiences, as all student visits are homestay ones.”

New police commissioner speaks out

North Wales' new Police and Crime Commissioner says he will be accountable for "every penny and every decision made".  

 

In a statement on his website, Winston Roddick, (pictured below) who was elected to the new post on Thursday, says: "It is a great honour for me to have been elected as the first Police and Crime Commissioner for North Wales.

"The people of North Wales who voted yesterday have shown that they want an independent commissioner.

 

"We now need to ensure that this new role works effectively for the communities of North Wales.

 

"Turnout was low for these elections across the UK, but the voters have made a choice.

 

"What is important now is that we work together to ensure the best possible police service for North Wales.

 

"As your Police Commissioner I will act independently of any outside interference and I will not let politics get in the way of delivering the best possible police service.

 

"During my campaign, I promised to increase the visible presence of the police, to ensure security at home and safety on our streets, to work with the Chief Constable and officers to ensure the best police service.

 

"I promised to reach out and build partnerships inside and outside the criminal justice system and be accountable to you for every penny spent and every decision made.

 

"These are now my top priorities.

 

"During the coming weeks I will set out how the office of Police and Crime Commissioner will work and how we will reach out and to communities across North Wales.

 

"I will meet the Chief Constable at the earliest opportunity and start working with him and his officers.

 

"I would like to express my sincere thanks to all those who supported my campaign and who voted for me."

Police promote plan to reduce cycle theft

* North Wales Police are helping you to protect your bike against theft.

Your local Police Community Safety Team are promoting Bike Register which is a free online bicycle identification and registration initiative which is intended to reduce cycle theft, identify stolen bikes and assist in owner recovery.

Norman Hughes, a Crime Reduction Officer, said: "It is possible to register on line athttp://www.bikeregister.com/ or by returning the registration forms to the Community Safety Team. Bike Register may also be contacted via their free phone number 0800 587 4739.

"Registration forms have been distributed to local cycle stores who have agreed to provide the forms with each new purchase during the Christmas period.

"As a team we have also contacted local cycling clubs promoting the scheme highlighting the possible benefits.

"The support we have received has been very encouraging and I urge everybody to register as it is free and could assist in the recovery of stolen bicycles."

He added: "Once registered, details are posted on a secure on-line database which Police Forces across the country have access to.

"Owners also receive a free log book and specific crime prevention information.

"We have intentionally highlighted this initiative during the Christmas period as bicycles could be included on wish lists of presents.

"The initiative is intended to promote crime prevention and not to raise the fear of crime."

More information is available on the North Wales Police website http://www.north-wales.police.uk/Advice & Support, Bicycle Security.

Llan residents offered special Christmas deal

In a special Christmas deal Llangollen-based Whitewater Active is offering local residents 20% off a range of outdoor activities.

Until December 24, they can make the saving on white water rafting (Llangollen only), kayaking, climbing/abseiling and gorge walking vouchers.

A company spokesperson said: “At the centre in Llangollen we offer rafting and kayaking on the River Dee, climbing / abseiling at Trevor rocks and gorge walking at Bwlchgwyn.

“We do offer other activities at various locations but it will be the four activities mentioned that we would like to promote to the residents of Llangollen at a reduced rate.

“Rafting takes place on the River Dee here in Llangollen and is a two-hour activity. We provide wetsuits and all safety equipment but the customer is required to bring a pair of trainers that they don’t mind getting wet, swimwear and a towel.

“Kayaking also takes place on the River Dee in Llangollen and again is a two-hour activity. As with the rafting we provide wetsuits and all safety equipment but the customer is required to bring a pair of trainers that they don’t mind getting wet, swimwear and a towel.

“Climbing/abseiling takes place at Trevor Rocks, customers are required to meet at the centre first to collect their safety equipment then they are required to drive to the rock face in their own vehicles. This activity lasts for three hours.

“Gorge walking also lasts for three hours but that does include the travel time to Bwlchgwyn, and again customers are required to meet at the centre first and then drive to the gorge site in their own vehicles.

“Full details of all the activities can be found on our website www.whitewateractive.co.uk.

“You can now purchase a voucher for any of the activities mentioned above for only £44 per person when this is usually £55 per person.”

Conditions are:

·         Vouchers are valid from 25.12.2012

·         Vouchers expire 30.06.2013

·         Bookings required via phone on 01978 860763 quoting reference KLS20

·         Not open to trade customers

·         Minimum number of people required for activities to take place

Roddick wins North Wales PCC election

* Winner - Winston Roddick. 

Independent candidate Winston Roddick has been elected as North Wales' first Police and Crime Commissioner.

Low turn-outs have been recorded in yesterday's elections across the UK.

In Denbighshire turnout is said to have been a meagre 16.7%.

Mr Roddick scored victory over four other candidates in North Wales - another independent, one Labour, one Tory and a UKIP representative.

He is a barrister and former senior legal adviser to the assembly.

PCCs, as they will be known, will be responsible for setting priorities for their police force, overseeing its budget and hiring the chief constable.

Mr Roddick beat Labour's Tal Michael in the second round of counting.

He began his career as a police constable in Liverpool before becoming a barrister and has been a crown court recorder.

The count went to the second round, with the second preference votes from other candidates going forward.

Those candidates eliminated after the first round were Irish-born Colm McCabe, the Conservative candidate, a former chief officer for the special constabulary in North Wales; Richard Hibbs, a Llanduno-based businessman, an independent, and Warwick Nicholson, a retired police officer, was Ukip's only candidate in Wales.

Latest roadworks in the area

Denbighshire County Council has given details of the following roadworks in the area:

Berwyn Road, Llangollen, until November 17, temporary traffic lights to allow water works by Dee Valley Water. 

Pendre Road, Berwyn, until December 6, road closure to allow work by DCC Bridges. 

A5, Corwen, Highgate Crossroads to A5104 junction, from November 21 to December 5, road closure to allow work by Electricty Alliance West. 

A5, from Carreg Afon to Heol Llanundain, temporary traffic  lights to allow retaining wall works by CCBC Structures Trunk.  

Bridge Street, Corwen, from November 19-25, temporary traffic lights to allow improvement works by Amberon.

Berwyn Street, Llangollen, junction of Castle Street, November 11, stop go boards to allow drainage works by KTL Contracting.