Segway centre plan is withdrawn

llanblogger exclusive

A planning application for a segway adventure trail on the edge of Llangollen has been withdrawn.

Details of the scheme - reference number 03/2013/1014 - on land to the north of Cilmedw Farm, were submitted to Denbighshire County Council last August. 

The plan called for the creation of a segway adventure trail, the demolition of an existing building and the erection of a replacement building to provide facilities for a segway centre and, as a white water rafting centre, the formation of vehicular access and creation of car park and associated development.

According to the planning brief, the site of the application was to the west of the A5 and to the north west of the White Water Hotel, and located close to the edge of Llangollen amongst a cluster of development associated with the town and set around the A5. 

However, yesterday (Thursday) an objector to the scheme was sent a letter from Graham Boase, Denbighshire’s Head of Planning and Public Protection, says: “I write to advise you that the above application submitted to the Local Planning Authority has now been withdrawn by the applicants/agent and the Authority will not therefore proceed any further with its consideration.”

The site of the application is currently agricultural land which slopes up from the A5 towards the northern and western sides of the site in line with the land form of the area, which is defined by the wooded slopes that form the western side of the Vale of Llangollen. 

The brief explains: “The proposal is a full application for the creation of a segway adventure trail and a white water rafting centre which involves the following elements:

• Creation of a segway track (with a grass surface);

• Demolition of existing agricultural building on site and erection of a replacement building of a similar size and scale which will provide facilities for the segway centre, and will also be used as the base for the applicant’s white water rafting business;

• Creation of a new access and formation of a parking area (gravel surface);

• Provision of wood chip path between parking area and building;

• Formation of soakaways to serve the building."

The planning brief submitted with the application said: “The proposal would make a positive contribution to the area’s economic character as it would provide employment and would be an additional attraction that would assist in attracting and retaining visitors. 

“A new access will be provided for the site onto the road bordering the northern section of the western edge of the site, this will then allow access onto the A5 via the existing junction.” 

Well-known local campaigner Martin Crumpton, of Berwyn, who led the initial opposition to the Sainsbury’s supermarket on the Dobson & Crowther site off the A5 and also battled plans for the closure of Llangollen Cottage Hospital, opposed the segway scheme.

Writing to a county council planning official last August Mr Crumpton expressed his concern the proposed development would destroy an identified, active badger sett and lead to what he described as “further decimation of AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) and World Heritage land”.

On hearing that the application had been withdrawn, Mr Crumpton said: "The badgers who live at an undisclosed location west of Cilmedw are now safe."

Plaid Cymru to stage annual conference in Llan

* Llangollen Pavilion.

Hundreds  of delegates from across the country will be converging on Llangollen next autumn as Plaid Cymru stages its annual party conference at the town’s Pavilion.

Plaid leaders say they see it as a landmark occasion as it will be the last major gathering of supporters before the 2015 General Election.

It is also regarded as significant because it will be held just weeks after the referendum on Scottish independence.

The conference will take place oat the pavilion - home each summer of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod - on Friday and Saturday, October 24 and 25.

An official statement from Plaid Cyrmu says:  “The party are looking forward to returning to Llangollen, following many successful conferences there in the past. 

“The venue is an ideal one for our conference,  with great facilities at the pavilion, ample accommodation nearby for our delegates and the backdrop of the beautiful landscape of the Llangollen area.

“Taking place under the shadow of the ancient Welsh stronghold of Dinas Brân, this conference will be held little over a month after the Scottish referendum on independence.

“Whatever the result, it will undoubtedly change the contours of politics in the UK and will therefore provide an enabling context for our debates. This is will also be our last annual party conference  before the Westminster elections of 2015.

“Many policies discussed and adopted at this conference will inform our 2015 manifesto and candidates for that election are sure to have a prominent presence on the conference stage. 

“The highlight of the conference will be on the Friday afternoon, when Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood AM will address delegates.”

David Davies, chair of Llangollen Chamber of Trade & Tourism, said: “We are delighted to hear that Plaid Cymru is to hold its annual conference this year in Llangollen.

“This will provide a great opportunity  to boost the economy of the town during the generally quiet autumn period and showcase the outstanding beauty and attractions of the area.

“Hopefully, it will also demonstrate what a good venue the Pavilion is for other conferences in future.” 

Llyr Gruffydd, Plaid Cymru's North Wales AM, said: "Holding our national conference in Llangollen is a great opportunity for delegates from all over Wales to see what exactly this part of the country has to offer. I'm sure Llangollen will be offering its customary welcome to the conference."

Plaid Cymru points out that its conferences are open to all members. Opportunity packs for organisations and charities wishing to book stalls are available now for the conference at Llangollen by contacting Gwenno George – gwennogeorge@plaidcymru.org

Message about recycling from county council

Denbighshire County Council says it is advising householders in Llangollen to recycle their glass bottles and jars using the simple and convenient household recycling service provided by the council (blue bin/blue dumpy bag or clear sacks as appropriate) after reports that a contractor has removed the bottle bank on Market Street.
   

A statement from the council says: "Any businesses that have used the Market Street bottle banks will need to ensure they have the arrangements in place to comply with all waste legislation. Most waste collection contractors, including Denbighshire County Council, can offer collections of recyclable materials as well as non-recyclable rubbish."

 

Llan man launches new poetry collection

Mike Law of Llangollen will launch his new collection of poetry at the latest in a series of Viva Voce open mic nights at the Saith Seren Welsh community centre in Wrexham this evening (Wednesday)  from 8-10pm. Admission is free. 

 

 

 

 

 

Schemes benefit from seized crime cash

People across north Wales have chosen which community projects are to benefit from the money seized from criminals in the region.

 

Following a public online vote, two projects in each county have been awarded grants of up to £3500 towards reducing crime in their local area.

 

The grants have been distributed under the Participatory Budgeting Fund set up by Police and Crime Commissioner Winston Roddick (pictured right) and partly funded with money seized by North Wales Police under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

 

The fund was launched at the beginning of November and community groups were invited to bid for grants to help cut crime and reduce anti-social behaviour.

 

A total of 73 projects were submitted and later shortlisted to five per county area following a panel discussion involving police, local authority and community representatives.

 

Commissioner Winston Roddick said: “It is only right that money recovered from those who commit crimes against people in north Wales should go back to benefit local communities.

 

“This small grants initiative goes a step further by allowing the public to decide on where and how it should be spent.”

 

The programme was coordinated by PACT (Police and Communities Trust), operated through North Wales Police.

 

North wales Police Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Simon Shaw said: “I would like to congratulate the groups on their success in securing funding for their initiatives.

 

“The worthy recipients cover a wide-range of interesting and exciting projects that will help enhance local communities. What makes this even more worthwhile is that they are being funded by money we’ve taken from criminals.

 

“I look forward to hearing about the development of the winning projects.”

 

The successful groups, by county, are:

 

ANGLESEY:                 Plas Road Allotment Project, Holyhead (£3500); Valley Community Group (£3301)

 

CONWY:                      Llandudno Junction FC (£3500); Llanrwst Junior Football Club (£3300)

 

DENBIGHSHIRE:          Prestatyn Youth Centre (£1150); St Asaph Football Club (£2000)

 

FLINTSHIRE:                Saltney Ferry Scout/Guide Group (£3500); DangerPoint (£3500)

 

GWYNEDD:                 Gwarchod Bermo Watch, Barmouth (£3500); Noddfa Community Church, Caernarfon (£3500)

 

WREXHAM:                 Wrexham Street Pastors (£3500); Groundworks North Wales, Alyn Waters, Wrexham (£3500)

 

County unveils new anti-bullying strategy

Denbighshire County Council's proactive approach to tackling bullying amongst children and young people has been highlighted in a brand new strategy hot off the press.

The council's Anti-Bullying Strategy aims to help schools reduce the frequency of bullying, increase the likelihood that incidents are disclosed to responsible adults and intervene effectively when bullying happens.

The council says it will help reduce bullying by:

·        providing a model anti-bullying policy and guidance for schools, including establishing effective procedures for recording and dealing with bullying incidents;

·        providing targeted training where appropriate, for example with regards to Internet safety and cyber bullying;

·        collecting information about incidents of bullying in schools to inform future policy development;

·        supporting schools in tackling bullying issues, for example directly through existing support such as behaviour support teachers and education inclusion officers or referrals to other external agencies;

·        establishing a mechanism for raising awareness of bullying issues, including sharing effective practice and useful resources.

An example of a proactive approach to tackling bullying has been the establishment of the Prestatyn Community Anti-bullying Group. The Council's Educational Psychology Service is part of the cohort of people that formed this group approximately two years ago. We have wide involvement from the local community.

Safe Havens have been created  in shops in the town centre and the Council provides training for people in the shops to safely engage with young people who feel unsafe in the town when they are out and about.

This venture is becoming quite successful and the intention is to have the community programme run out in other towns in Denbighshire.  This method of community action means that the focus is on protecting the young people throughout the school week, after school and weekends.

Michael Duke, Denbighshire's Principal Educational Psychologist, said: "There are many important categories of bullying, including bullying around racism, sexual orientation, gender-based, bullying of people with long term health conditions and cyber bullying.

"In Denbighshire, the Council has been active in training students, staff, parents/carers and other professionals for some years in the dangers of the Internet and safe use of social networking sites.  This is an increasing problem nationwide and is difficult to trace, requiring schools to be particularly vigilant and innovative in finding solutions.  

Dr Melaine Ackers, an Educational Psychologist with Denbighshire County Council said: "We are spending a lot of time working with schools to address any concerns or issues they may have, but also to raise awareness of issues around bullying and trying to prevent it from happening in the first instance. The situation in Denbighshire is no different to any other part of the country, but with new communications channels available, we need to be more alert to how bullying can happen and be more creative in our approach to tackling the issues."

Sky man backs bid to save leisure centre

Sky Sports commentator and Wrexham Supporters' Trust president Bryn Law is the latest person to add his voice to the campaign to save Plas Madoc Leisure Centre.

The commentator, who was raised in Ruabon, said: "I'm aware of the threat to Plas Madoc. It would be a very great shame if it had to close.

 "The leisure centre and pool played a big part in my life when I was growing up in Ruabon. I'd never seen a pool with a slide and wave machine before I made my first visit on the very same day I moved house from Liverpool. Our new neighbours took me and my brother whilst my parents unpacked.

 "I've played football and badminton in the gym and I still go to the pool with my children when I come over to North Wales to visit my parents. At a time when we're all being encouraged to live more healthy lifestyles, I'd have thought it would be a better decision to improve not remove facilities. Good luck with the campaign."

His passionate plea is another boost to the growing campaign to save the leisure centre.

Clare Wright, speaking on behalf of the campaign to save Plas Madoc Leisure Centre, said they were grateful to Mr Law for speaking out on this important issue: "The level of support from people from beyond the immediate area is fantastic as they realise the threat to this unique leisure centre. Bryn speaks for many when he says how important it still is to him and his family.

"The full council is voting on the clo sure on February 26th and the campaign group will be holding a mass meeting at 7.30pm on Thursday, Feb 20th, at the Air Products Social Club in Acrefair to discuss our next move. We are clear in our minds that the future of Plas Madoc is in the hands of individual councillors and they must do the right thing next week. If they do not, we will hold them to account in their communities."