Further developments on Vicarage Road plan

The developer aiming to build new homes on the Vicarage Road site in Llangollen has now put forward a number of amendments to the original scheme which sparked a storm of protest from opponents in the area when it was first announced.

Earlier this year Castlemead Homes submitted an application to Denbighshire County Council for a development of 99 dwellings comprising a mixture of two, three and four bedroom detached and semi-detached properties.

But people in the area argued strongly that local roads would not be able to cope with the extra traffic these would generate both during construction and when the new homes were occupied.

Now, with the application expected to go before the planning committee next month, the developers say there would be fewer homes than originally suggested – 95 instead of 99 – and that if the scheme is given the go-ahead they are prepared to build the access road before any homes are constructed.

Its representative also says there would be cash contributions for extra primary school provision in the area and also for improved open space.

These revelations come in a letter from planning consultants acting on behalf of Castlemead Homes to council chiefs, a copy of which has been sent to a member of the local group campaigning against the scheme.

The letter says: “You have asked me for a resume of our proposals following our various discussions over the past few weeks. 

“For the avoidance of doubt, the proposal is now for 95 dwellings, plots 96 – 99 have been deleted from the proposals (although these benefit from a separate permission).

“So far as other matters are concerned, in the event that you resolve to grant permission, then our clients would be prepared to commit to the following: 

“Highways: We propose to construct the new road access prior to the construction of any dwellings.

“The following matters would be covered in a Section106 Agreement: 

“Education – An education contribution of £172,800, relating to the expansion of primary school capacity in Llangollen, by means of either a contribution to a new build school or extension(s) to existing facilities. The contribution to be made prior to the occupation of the 51st dwelling.  

“Open Space - Commuted sum of £1,818.28 payable prior to the occupation of the first dwelling in the development, to be spent on the improvement or provision of open space facilities in Llangollen 

“Affordable Housing - Four dwellings provided on-site for (plots 7, 8, 50, 51), together with a financial contribution of £47,074.50 in relation to the residual requirement of an additional half a dwelling.”

County officers say they are anticipating that the application will be presented to the planning committee on December 14.

Planning permission to build 54 houses on land adjacent to Vicarage Road was granted to Castlemead on appeal by Denbighshire back in 2001.

Attached to the original application was a Section 106 agreement under which the developer was legally bound to build a new access road to the site before the scheme was started.

The field above the main site has since been included in the Local Development Plan at the request of the Planning Inspectorate to encourage the building of more houses to meet local demand.

Castlemead’s latest application, submitted earlier this year, had been to build a further 45 homes, making a total of 99 houses, on four parcels of land.

County stresses importance of responsible dog owners

Denbighshire County Council is reiterating its message for dog owners to clean up after their animals.

The latest warning follows an incident where a child playing rugby on Cae Ddol fields in Ruthin managed to get dog mess on their gum guard, which could have had serious consequences for the child’s health.

Councillor David Smith, Cabinet Lead Member for Environment, said: “ I am disgusted and disappointed by this lack of concern by certain dog  owners disregarding all the messages regarding the consequences of dog fouling on the health of our children. 

“The council has been running a campaign, educating and encouraging people to clean up after their animals. The majority of people do act responsibly and carry bags with them.

“However, there are some individuals who think it’s appropriate not to clear the mess.

“Dog mess is a blight on the landscape and is one of the key issues of concern raised by residents. There is also risk to people’s health and well-being and there are examples nationally of people losing or partly losing their sight after coming into direct contact with dog mess.

“Luckily in the Ruthin incident, the child did not suffer any reactions or lasting effects but it still would have been a very unpleasant experience for her and her family and the consequences could have been serious.

“We would urge everyone to be responsible and clean up after their animals."

* To report any problems with dog fouling, please visit: http://www.denbighshire.gov.uk/dogfouling or phone 01824 706101.

Housing plan could be decided next month

* The Vicarage Road site.

A controversial scheme to build 99 homes on land at Vicarage Road in Llangollen is likely to be decided next month, according to a senior county planner.

Earlier this year Castlemead Homes submitted an application to Denbighshire County Council for the development, which includes a mixture of two, three and four bedroom detached and semi-detached properties.

But the scheme has sparked fears amongst people in the area that local roads will not be able to cope with the extra traffic it will generate both during construction and when the new homes are occupied.

The scheme has attracted considerable opposition and members of the group campaigning against it have submitted evidence to the council which they say shows the kind of traffic problems it would create on roads leading to the site from the town centre.

One of the opponents has just received notification from senior planning official Paul Mead which says: “The LPA (Local Planning Authority) has received some final amended plans and documents this week from the applicant.

“These plans and documents are being checked and will be placed on our website as soon as possible.

“We will be carrying out a re-consultation exercise on these plans and documents and so, if you have previously made any formal representations on material planning issues, you will no doubt be informed by letter/e-mail of the opportunity to make further representations.

“Officers are anticipating that the application could then be presented to our Planning Committee on 14^th December 2016. Any representations you have made on material planning issues will be summarised for Members of that Committee.”

Planning permission to build 54 houses on land adjacent to Vicarage Road was granted to Castlemead on appeal by Denbighshire back in 2001.

Attached to the original application was a Section 106 agreement under which the developer was legally bound to build a new access road to the site before the scheme was started.

The field above the main site has since been included in the Local Development Plan at the request of the Planning Inspectorate to encourage the building of more houses to meet local demand.

Castlemead’s latest application has been to build a further 45 homes, making a total of 99 houses on four parcels of land.

As part of the formal consultation process, the town council has been able to give its official response to the application although a decision on it rests with the county council.   

At their May meeting all seven members of the town’s planning committee voted to object to the proposal. 

Llan is filled with Christmas Festival fun

* The firework display which rounded off the festival after the lights were switched on. 

* The head boy and girl from Ysgol Dinas Bran switched on the Christmas lights.

Hundreds braved the cold today (Saturday) to make an early start to the festive season by flocking to  Llangollen's Christmas Festival.

The annual event kicked off in style with the traditional parade headed by Santa who was driven to the Town Hall in his sleigh to take up residence in his grotto where he was visited by scores of excited youngsters wanting to share their Christmas lists with him.

There was a full programme of entertainment out on the Town Hall steps and in nearby Market Street, including a display by the Clerical Error morris dancers, a Punch and Judy show and music from solo performers and St Collen's choir and orchestra.  

Proceeds from the event will be shared between Wales Air Ambulance and the fund to put on next year's festival.    

Llanblogger has been out and about recording the day's fun which ended with the switching on of the town lights and a big firework display.

 

* A dazzling fire display came at the end of the festival. 

* Santa leads the big Christmas parade.

* St Collen's choir and orchestra perform on the Town Hall steps.  

* Visitors browse around the Christmas fair inside the Town Hall. 

* A guitarist belts out seasonal songs.

* All the fun of the fair in Market Street.

* Leonie Kirby sings Christmas songs in Market Street.

* A vintage tractor joins the opening parade.

* More tractor action on the bridge.

* A sleighful of youngsters head into town.

* Members of the National Elf Service greet the crowds on the bridge. 

* The Clerical Error morris dancers make their way into town.

* Llangollen Silver band sets the pace for the parade.

* A vintage car from the Motor Museum was a crowd pleaser.

* Town Crier Chem rings his bell aboard a parade float.

* Santa' little helpers Phil Meyers and Graham Platt.

Christmas in Llangollen starts today

Santa is raring to go at Llangollen Christmas Festival which takes place today.

The annual event starts with the traditional parade through town at 1pm and you can see Sion Corn in his sleigh and then visit him in his grotto.

There will be events and entertainment in and around the town until the Christmas lights are switched at 5pm followed by fireworks.

New Dot plans Christmas film with a difference

* Tokyo Godfathers is the latest offering from Llangollen's New Dot Cinema, on Friday December 9.

New Dot Cinema’s latest screening is a moving and unusual take on the Christmas theme.

A classic of Japanese anime, Tokyo Godfathers will be screened on the balcony at Llangollen Town Hall on Friday December 9.

It’s Christmas Eve and three homeless people, Gin, a middle-aged alcoholic, Miyuki, a teenage runaway and Hana, a transsexual former drag queen Hana (Yoshiaki Umegaki) have formed a makeshift family on the streets of Tokyo.

While rummaging in dustbins for food they find an abandoned newborn baby.

With only a handful of clues to the baby's identity, the three misfits try to solve the mystery of the abandoned baby and returning her to her parents.

Along the way, encounters with seemingly unrelated events and people force them to confront their own haunted pasts, as they learn to face their future, together.

Seats are £8 and £6 for concessions. Online ticket sales close 10am on the day of the screening. Tickets available from https://www.skiddle.com/whats-on/Llangollen/Llangollen-Town-Hall/New-Dot-Cinema---Tokyo-Godfathers/12872848/]

Doors open at 7.30pm and the show starts at 8pm.

For more information, go to newdotcinema.org.

Financial expert reviews Autumn Statement

A FINANCIAL expert from one of North Wales’ leading accountancy firms says Chancellor Philip Hammond’s first Autumn Statement yesterday is good for families, low earners and businesses.

Anthony Lewis (pictured) is a Director of Chartered Accountants Coxeys who have offices in Wrexham and Saltney and represents a wide range of clients from sole traders right through to international market leaders.

He said: “For families, especially low earners, the increase in the personal tax allowance to £12,500 by the end of this Parliament and raising the higher rate band to £50,000 will be very welcome as will a reduction in the taper rate of universal credit from 65 to 63 per cent for those people who are on benefits but also have a job.

“Another good thing for families is the cancellation of the fuel duty increase for the seventh successive year which will save the average car owner £130 a year. But on the minus side is the increase in insurance premium tax from 10 to 12 per cent by June next year.”

He added: “For businesses the main plus points are the £2 billion extra investment in research and development which will affect quite a number of firms in our area, the extra £400 million in grants which the Welsh Government will be receiving and the rate relief planned for businesses in smaller rural areas.

“A bad thing, in my view, is the removal of the flat rate scheme for VAT which allowed smaller companies to make a calculation based on turnover. In future they will have to revert to the old and more time-consuming method of working out every element of their VAT.”

Looking at how the Autumn Statement will affect the region’s farmers, Mr Lewis said they would benefit from the £1 billion investment in broadband announced by the Chancellor.

“Apart from making it easier for them to communicate generally, this will also help towards the government’s long term goal of having all businesses report quarterly online to HM Revenue and Customs in a couple of years’ time,” he added.

Mr Lewis said students would welcome the abolition of letting fees which have been charged to tenants and also the increase in the Living Wage by around four per cent, from £7.20 to £7.50 in April next year.

For pensioners, Mr Lewis said: “There were no significant changes outlined by the Chancellor. However, the extra money he earmarked for cultural and heritage projects across the UK will be of interest to older people who are regular visitors to these places.

“Of longer term interest to them will be the new three-year savings bond with the possibility of investing up to £3,000 which he promised to give more details about in the next budget."