KLS cries foul over dog poo bins

A campaign group leader has highlighted what he claims is a lack of receptacles for dog waste in Llangollen.

Mike Edwards, chair of Keep Llangollen Special (KLS), has also criticised the county council for not proving a recycling centre for the town.

* Mike Edwards of KLS. 

Mr Edwards’ comments were sparked by a llanblogger post earlier this week linking to a Daily Post story about dog fouling.

This said that in the past eight years councils in North Wales have received more than 9,250 fouling complaints, with Denbighshire handling over 1,000 complaints since 2008 and handing out 185 penalties to owners.

Recently the local authority agreed an action plan to stamp it out across the county, with a crack team kitted out with cameras to target hotspots.

Since May 2010 there has been a continual campaign to educate and raise awareness of the blight of dog fouling. Denbighshire County Council Enforcement officers issue Fixed Penalty Notices, cautions, warning letters and verbal warnings.

But Mr Edwards said: “Whilst KLS welcome this vital health solution we feel there are insufficient receptacles around town for pet owners to dispose of the offending items.

“There is only one dedicated bin in the Riverside Garden and there are very few other general waste bins around Llangollen which the public can use, and one on the top of Hill Street disappeared recently when the lamp standard was replaced.”

Going to deal with recycling issues, he said: “Whilst it is good that Denbighshire CC have finally provided recycling bins (most local authorities have had them for 20-odd years) we have no recycling centre in Llangollen and residents have to travel to Corwen to dispose of any items which are not catered for in the household recycling bins.

“This is not a sustainable approach since it encourages vehicle journeys on a principal tourist route creating associated congestion and pollution of the environment in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and World Heritage Site Buffer Zone.
 
“Denbighshire claim to be a leading authority in relation to recycling, but this is not reflected in the current position in Llangollen.

“Perhaps our local councillors could look into these short-comings?”

Wern Road site suggested for eight homes

A site in Llangollen is among 21 across Denbighshire now accepted by the county council for inclusion in its local development plan as locations for new housing.

The sites were proposed after a government inspector said insufficient land was allocated to meet the original target of 7,500 homes by 2021.
 

A report warned the inspector could declare the LDP "unsound" without the extra sites.

Opponents claim homes in some new locations would add pressure to local traffic, water and power supplies.
 

The Llangollen site earmarked (county council reference number AHS 15) is 0.26 hectares of land at Wern Road, which planners believe could accommodate eight homes. 

A county council report says of it: “Thirteen responses [were] received, of which 6 are objections. 

“Llangollen Town Council expressed its support for development on this site throughout the process.

“Local residents are mainly concerned about the impact of additional eight houses on the local road network and impact on the (local) natural environment.  

“Highways consider that this development would only have negligible impact on the existing road infrastructure with site access to be created from existing estate road.  

“Adverse effects on landscape and wild life will be mitigated through applying high quality design in line with LDP policy RD1, Supplementary Planning Guidance Note 26 (‘Pontcysyllte Aqueduct & Canal World Heritage Site‘), and LDP policy VOE2.” 

Other areas in the county put forward for more homes include Bodfari, Llanarmon, Llanbedr DC, Dyserth and Cyffylliog.

The largest site is at the former HM Stanley Hospital in St Asaph where 172 extra houses are planned.

 

Don't miss Festive Frolics at the Town Hall

There's still time to get your tickets for Festive Frolics, a seasonal selection of songs and sketches being staged by members of Llangollen Operatic Society at thd Town Hall next Tuesday, December 11, starting at 7.30pm.

A society spokesperson said: "Get into the Christmas spirit with our programme of well-loved seasonal songs, humorous readings, poignant poems and favourite carols."

Tickets, at £5, include a mince pie and a glass of wine.

They are available now from the Tourist Information Centre, Gwyn the Butchers or any Operatic member.

Promotional street banners scheme explored

* The A5 could get promotional banners either side of the lights.

Llangollen Chamber of Trade and Tourism has been checking out the cost of installing promotional banners in the town centre.

Chair John Palmer told members at their meeting at the Hand Hotel on Monday night that his initial research had shown it would cost an estimated £2,500 to site the banners, hanging from poles and bearing a welcome message to potential tourists, either side of the lights on the A5 and in Castle Street.

He also reckoned there could be around a £1,000 contribution towards the cost of the project.

Mr Palmer said the chamber would retain ownership of the banners and about 20 of them would be needed.

The chamber is now looking further into the scheme and coming up with ideas for the design to be carried on the banners.

AM warns over Christmas loan sharks

Clwyd South Assembly Member Ken Skates has warned constituents to guard themselves against unscrupulous loan sharks this Christmas.

A recent report by the Money Advice Service has shown that more than one in 10 people across the UK who took on debts to fund Christmas 2011 are still paying off their loans as this year’s festive season approaches.

The research also found that in Wales, 36% of people questioned said it would be more difficult to afford Christmas this year.

The AM said financial help and advice was available to groups that need it and there were alternatives to illegal loan sharks.

Mr Skates said: “As families in Denbighshire brace themselves for a winter of soaring energy bills and increasing food prices, there is a risk vulnerable people will fall into financial hardship and approach unscrupulous loan sharks to help them get through.

“The average price of Christmas is now up to £600, more costly than ever before. It is therefore very important that low-income groups in Denbighshire get the advice and support they need over the Christmas and New Year period and avoid the predatory loan sharks operating in the area.

“Some victims are being charged thousands of per cent interest by rogue money lenders operating without a licence from the Office of Fair Trading. We need to be clear that these individuals are breaking the law because lending money without a licence is a crime.

“If anyone is having problems with loan sharks or is being pressured into borrowing money, please get in touch with the Wales’ Illegal Money Lending Unit for advice and support.

“If you are having problems this Christmas then there are viable alternatives to loan sharks, such as the local credit union which is a much more affordable way to borrow money.”

* WIMLU has a dedicated hotline number (0300 123 3311) that is answered 24 hours a day for anyone who is concerned about a loan they have taken out, and all information you give to the investigators is confidential.

Interest shown in buying Oakleigh

* Oakleigh is on the market with offers invite around £350,000. 

A spokesman for the company tasked with marketing Oakleigh, the former mental health facility in Abbey Road, Lllangolen, has told llanblogger they have already had a number of people interested in buying the property. 

In a letter we published earlier today (Wednesday) a reader suggested the asking price – offers in the region of £350,000 are invited – seemed low. 

In response, Stephen Wade, director business space for Legat Owen’s Chester office  which is marketing the property of behalf of its owners the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, has supplied its full details to us. 

And Mr Wade said: “Boards have now been erected and adverts are being placed in the local press. 

“We have already received several expressions of interest and viewings are being arranged.”     

The sale details show that Oakleigh covers 306 square metres (3,293 square feet) on a site of 0.28 hectares (0.69 acres). 

The description continues:  “Oakleigh comprises an attractive two storey period propertyfof brick construction under a pitched timber framed roof with clay tile covering.  

“Internally the property retains many of its original features. 

“The property has a rateable value of £10,000 and is available for sale freehold. 

“The property offers potential for a variety of alternative uses subject to securing the appropriate planning permission. 

“Planning permission has recently been granted for a change of use to a residential dwelling.”

Call for more responsible alcohol sales

As Ministers propose a minimum price of 45p a unit for the sale of alcohol in England and Wales, two senior North Wales councillors have called on shops and supermarkets to be more responsible in their attitude towards the sale of alcohol.

The call was made by Councillor Phil Edwards, Conwy’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Councillor David Smith, Denbighshire Lead Member for Public Realm, following a meeting of the Conwy and Denbighshire Community Safety Strategic Group at Divisional Police HQ at St.Asaph to discuss ways of reducing violent crimes and their impact on communities.
The group was particularly concerned about the increased incidence of violence in the home.

Councillor Phil Edwards said: “The link between crimes and many offences involving violence has been long established. Licensing Committees on Local Authorities have made a great deal of headway in tackling troublesome pubs and off-licences but there is now a growing body of evidence that shows that alcohol induced violence in the homes has increased significantly and that this problem is made worse by the availability of cheap beers and strong ciders in retail outlets.

"The statistics that relate to domestic violence, which too often ends in tragedy for a family is frightening and it is high time we all started to tackle this seriously. At least one woman is killed every day by domestic violence and the link between this and too much alcohol is undeniable”.

Councillor Edwards added: “Shops and supermarkets need to remember that they are subject to the same strict Licensing Laws as pubs and clubs and if their activities contribute in any way against the Licensing Objectives, they will have to face the consequences in exactly the same way. In my view, there is very little difference between encouraging people to drink excessively in a ‘happy hour’ and encouraging people by offering alcohol at grossly reduced prices. The outcome too often is the same and it’s time that responsible sale of alcohol came before profits.”

Councillor David Smith agreed and said:“As responsible councillors we are concerned at the number of crimes associated with alcohol abuse, particularly alcohol induced crime in the home.

"In many cases, this is a result of readily available cheap alcoholic drinks many of which have high alcohol levels. I fully endorse the comments made by Councillor Phil Edwards and would ask retailers who sell alcohol to be more responsible in the way they sell alcohol to the public.”