Local people CAN now use Plas Madoc, says council

* Plas Madoc Household Waste Recycling Centre.

Llangollen people can now officially use Plas Madoc tip, says Denbighshire County Council. 

Ever since the town lost its own refuse site at Wenffrwd years ago and Wrexham banned Llangollen people from using Plas Madoc, they have been faced with a 32-mile round trip to the nearest Denbighshire tip in Ruthin. 

The alternative has been to use the temporary ‘pop-up’ recycling facility set up for a few hours on the Pavilion car park on Saturday mornings but even this was halted during the Covid lockdowns.   

Over a thousand people signed a petition, organised by campaigner Phil Jones, demanding that Llangollen should have a more convenient recycling facility. And the question became a campaign issue at the last county council election. 

Last year Denbighshire negotiated a deal with Wrexham enabling Llangollen people to use Plas Madoc from October. But various problems stood in the way of the agreement being put into action.

Although some people have been able to use the tip for the past few months, others have been turned away.

But Denbighshire now says Llangollen people can start to use the tip immediately.

In an official statement to llanblogger earlier today (Monday) a council spokesperson said: “Appointments at Plas Madoc are now available for Llangollen residents daily from today 18th March.”

* To book an appointment at Plas Madoc, follow the link, enter your post code and follow the directions. 

Llangollen people can now officially use Plas Madoc tip, says Denbighshire County Council. 

Ever since the town lost its own refuse site at Wenffrwd years ago and Wrexham banned Llangollen people from using Plas Madoc, they have been faced with a 32-mile round trip to the nearest Denbighshire tip in Ruthin. 

The alternative has been to use the temporary ‘pop-up’ recycling facility set up for a few hours on the Pavilion car park on Saturday mornings but even this was halted during the Covid lockdowns.   

Over a thousand people signed a petition, organised by campaigner Phil Jones, demanding that Llangollen should have a more convenient recycling facility. And the question became a campaign issue at the last county council election. 

Last year Denbighshire negotiated a deal with Wrexham enabling Llangollen people to use Plas Madoc from October. But various problems stood in the way of the agreement being put into action.

Now Denbighshire says Llangollen people can start to use the tip immediately.

In an official statement to llanblogger earlier today (Monday) a council spokesperson said: “Appointments at Plas Madoc are now available for Llangollen residents daily from today 18th March.”

* To book an appointment at Plas Madoc, use the following link:

https://conwy-self.achieveservice.com/fr/service/Book_Recycling_Centre_Appointment

Best friends to tackle canal walk in aid of 'lifeline' charity

* Jess Marshall, left, and her friend Grace Bennett will be tackling the Llangollen Canal Walk.

Two best friends will be stepping out at the Hope House Llangollen Canal Walk this weekend to raise money for the charity which has been a “lifeline”.

Jess Marshall, 18, from Norton-in-Hales near Market Drayton, is raising money for Hope House which has cared for her older sister Minnie for the past 16 years. She will be joined by her lifelong best friend Grace Bennett, also 18.

“It’s a cause that is very close to our hearts,” said Jess, a trainee accountant.

“Hope House has been a lifeline for families like mine, providing essential support and care for children with complex medical needs.

“Minnie suffers from a rare progressive degenerative neurological condition that has left her with profound disabilities and complex medical needs. As a family, we are forever grateful to Hope House for the incredible care they have provided to Minnie.”

* Jess Marshall and her sister Minnie.

Minnie’s genetic condition was diagnosed after hers and Jess’s younger brother Max died, aged two, in 2013, where a post-mortem revealed the condition.

Mum Liz Hall said Max sadly became ill and died too suddenly to have been able to use Hope House, but that she is so grateful Hope House was there for Minnie and the family.

“Hope House has not only given Minnie the best possible care but also allowed us to do things together as a family, knowing that Minnie is in safe hands,” said Liz.

“The care and support they have given has allowed Jess to have a very normal childhood in a very abnormal situation, having two seriously ill siblings.

“Grace has been best friends with Jess since they were small and has been by her side through everything, and it’s fitting they do the Llangollen Canal Walk together to raise money.”

Initially Jess and Grace had hoped to raise £250, but they have already smashed through their target and currently sit on £344.

You can donate to Jess and Grace’s fund by visiting www.hopehouse.org.uk/jess-and-grace.

* The final tickets for the Llangollen Canal Walk are available, so if you would like to sign up for the event on Sunday March 24 then secure your place at www.hopehouse.org.uk/canal.

“Our Llangollen Canal Walk is always one of our most popular events,” said fundraiser Vicky Bradbeer.

“As we enter the run up to the events tickets always sell quickly, so make sure you sign up before the day to secure your place and avoid disappointment.”

Two local roadworks alerts

 

Latest local roadworks alerts from one.network are:

Berwyn Street, Llangollen, Denbighshire 18 March - 19 March   Roadworks, Delays likely   Traffic management: Traffic control (multi-way signals)   Description: Traffic light reconfiguration   Works location: A5 Berwyn Street Junction, Castle Street. Llangollen LL20 8RU   Public facing description: one.network has automatically assigned a category of Unclassified works to this Works based on the information available. Please note: Works Descriptions are not published by NMWTRA/SWTRA.   Responsibility for works: NMWTRA/SWTRA   Current status: Planned work about to start   Works reference: PD5012424112646702       Bache Mill Road, Llangollen, Denbighshire 18 March - 03 May   Roadworks, Delays possible   Traffic management: Traffic control (multi-way signals)   Description: REPLACE 205M OF OLD METALLIC GAS MAINS WITH NEW PLASTIC MAINS AND RENEW/TRANSFER APPROX. 2 SERVICE P   Works location: JUNC VICARAGE ROAD - JUNC GRANGE ROAD   Public facing description: Wales & West Utilities Ltd has not assigned a specific description to this Works. Please note: Works Descriptions are not published by Wales & West Utilities Ltd.   Responsibility for works: Wales & West Utilities   Current status: Advanced planning   Works reference: XY254003001625596

Discover the picturesque Dee Valley with guided ranger walks

* The ranger walk group stops at Pen Y Pigyn. 

The Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB countryside rangers are continuing their series of guided walks in the Dee Valley, exploring some of the lesser-known trails this stunning area has to offer.

The Dee Valley is an iconic area of truly outstanding scenic and visual quality, featuring a diverse landscape of heather moorland, limestone crags, ancient woodlands and windswept hilltops, all cut by the sweeping River Dee.

It is also an area rich in cultural and industrial heritage, and is home to ancient monuments including Castell Dinas Brân, Caer Drewyn hillfort, and Valle Crucis Abbey. 

Much of the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal World Heritage Site also lies within this area. The scenic landscapes, dramatic summits and historic towns and villages have inspired folklore, literature, painting and music over many centuries.

* The snowdrops guided walk.

The AONB Rangers are leading regular Dee Valley guided walks, showcasing the work they are doing to protect and conserve the area, and helping people to discover the landscape and heritage which makes it so special, all while enjoying the benefits of being outdoors.

At the beginning of this month a new leafleted trail ‘From Arch to Arch’ launched, following the picturesque River Dee between Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Cefn Viaduct and taking in outstanding views of the World Heritage Site and Tŷ Mawr Country Park.

The next guided walk and tour will be Caer Drewyn Hillfort in Corwen, on March 26. The guided walks are free to attend and open to all, if you would like to join the rangers for one of these walks, or if you want to hear about future walks, please email morgan.vaughanjones@denbighshire.gov.uk.

Councillor Win Mullen-James, Denbighshire Cabinet Lead Member for Local Development and Planning, said: “Getting outdoors is so important for boosting physical and mental health and I would encourage anyone to join these fantastic guided walks by the rangers to learn about the management and history of Loggerheads while enjoying the benefits being outdoors can bring to your own well-being.”

Roadworks update from Denbighshire County Council

Latest roadworks update from Denbighshire County Council is:

JUNC BACHE MILL ROAD - JUNC REGENT STREET BUTLERS HILL 25/03/2024 12/04/2024 Gwaith Nwy / Gas Works WALES & WEST UTILITIES (A LLANGOLLEN Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

JUNCTION OF CHAPEL STREET TO S/O NO.1 OAK STREET 29/04/2024 14/05/2024 Gwaith Nwy / Gas Works WALES & WEST (DCC) LLANGOLLEN Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

JUNC BACHE MILL ROAD - O/S GRANGE LODGE GRANGE ROAD 15/04/2024 07/05/2024 Gwaith Nwy / Gas Works WALES & WEST (DCC) LLANGOLLEN Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

Outside lumber yard MAESMAWR ROAD 20/03/2024 22/03/2024 Gwaith Dwr / Water Works HAFREN DYFRDWY (GEORGIA) LLANGOLLEN Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

Notice given of planning application for apartments next to Royal Hotel

* The notice on the fencing next to the Royal Hotel.

A notice advising the public of the intention of a company to apply for planning permission to convert the extension to the Royal Hotel into 12 residential apartments has been posted nearby.

And it says the public are invited to have their say on the proposal.

The Grade II Listed hotel dating back to 1752, which stands on the corner of Castle Street and Bridge Street, has been closed since 2019.

In late 2022 Denbighshire County Council approved a planning application, submitted the previous March in the name of Matt Jones of MAVI Properties Ltd, to transform the Royal into a “destination hotel”.

The application allowed for the demolition of the original existing extension, the erection of a four-storey extension to the side and rear, including health spa, and additional hotel accommodation.

Now, a four-panel notice, with illustrations of various aspects of the plan, has been posted on the fencing between the extension and Riverbanc.

It says: “Notice is hereby given that Mavi Royal Ltd are intending to apply for a full planning application for conversion and extension of part of hotel to form 12 residential apartments.”

It goes on to explain that the development “offers a mixture of six one-bedroom and six two-bedroom apartments”.  

The notice adds: “The project involves separating the 1970 extension into apartments and keeping the original hotel as a hotel, bar and restaurant.”

The notice, in the name of Ruthin-based Ty Architecture, has been published, it says, under the Town and Country Planning Order for Wales, for publicity and consultation before applying for permission.

And it goes on: “The notice gives the opportunity to comment directly to the developers prior to the formal submission of the planning application to DCC. Any subsequent planning application will be published by the relevant LPA [local planning authority] and any comments provided in response to the notice will not prejudice your ability to make representations to the LPA on any related planning application. Any comments submitted may be placed on public file.”

The notice says that any comments on the proposal should be sent by post to: Ty Architecture, 15a Clwyd Street, Ruthin, LL15 1HF, or by email to: info@tyarchitecture.co.uk  by April 10, 2024.

It adds that the plans can be viewed at www.royalhotelllangollen.co.uk, or paper copies can be inspected at the architects’ address and that requests for email copies should be sent to: info@tyarchitecture.co.uk  

Llangollen councillor brands toilets cuts plan 'act of self-harm'

* Llangollen's public toilets in Market Street.

Denbighshire councillors have agreed to look again at a plan to dispose of all its public toilets in a bid to save around £200,000 a year in running costs. 

But at the council’s community scrutiny committee yesterday (Thursday) a package of measures aimed at examining the proposal in more depth put forward by Llangollen councillor Karen Edwards was rejected.  

Officers’ say the council needs to make savings as it faces an “unprecedented” financial challenge and the closure proposal is part of a corporate process to pinpoint cuts in the 2024/25 budget.

The provision of public conveniences (PCs) is a non-statutory duty. Many local authorities ceased providing this service many years ago.

Denbighshire currently has 20 toilet sites across the county, including Llangollen, none of which break even financially. 

The council aims to transfer as many of them as possible to other groups or organisations, such as city, town and community councils, so that they continue to operate but at no cost to DCC. 

At yesterday’s scrutiny committee Cllr Edwards made an impassioned plea for a closer examination of the proposal before it is allowed to go ahead.

She said: “We are all aware of the financial challenges facing this council and the tough decisions now being taken by the cabinet in its drive to balance the books in an era of diminishing financial settlements, increasing demand on services and inflation.

“In our previous meeting we made recommendations regarding mitigating the cuts to our library services. Our recommendations were not accepted by cabinet  but further work would be undertaken to identify alternative sources of funding.

“Perhaps the most important issue before us today is the proposal to close our public toilets or transfer responsibility for their operation to third parties. 

“This particular proposal has to be considered in the context of the council’s core policy objectives, one of which is the promotion of tourism to grow the regional economy. As we all know, tourism plays a vital part in Denbighshire’s economy with 6.03 million visitors in 2022. 

“In the case of the Llangollen ward that I represent along with Councillor Keddie, our town centre car park has a public convenience which is used in part by coach parties. Without this facility Llangollen will no longer be able to offer a convenient ‘relief stop ‘ for coaches and they may well cease to stop there. 

“Businesses in the town will suffer and the closure would therefore be an illogical act of self-harm. The car park in Market Street generated an income of £171,396.61 in 2022/23, this equates to 43% of DCC’s total income from car parks with public conveniences.   

“It is my understanding having spoken with the Llangollen Town Council clerk that it would be impossible for them to agree to take over the unsolicited financial liability of this property asset as  they have yet to be officially consulted and their precept for this forthcoming year was submitted to DCC last January. If the public conveniences were to close, there are no suitable alternatives.”  

She added: “There is mention within the report of the Community Toilet Scheme [by which businesses are paid a grant to allow the public to use their toilets] which has apparently been in existence for a number of years with very limited uptake - one I believe. You may argue the point that it hasn’t been widely publicised, but realistically unless this is proven to be an absolutely viable alternative, your sanguine approach is at best premature. 

“We have a tourism economy which is growing year on year, and the car parks of Llangollen are frequently filled to capacity by visitors during the whole year, not just the summer months. The toilets are an essential part of our public infrastructure to accommodate the needs of visitors to the town. 

“From a policy viewpoint there is no logic in closing such vital facilities if we continue to spend money marketing Denbighshire, as a means of generating more visitors - approximately £718,000. We should consider achieving savings by reducing marketing budgets as opposed to closing facilities. Public conveniences may well be a non-statutory obligation but neither is the marketing of this authority to promote tourism. 

“It is therefore unrealistic to propose the removal of the budget for public conveniences  in total as there will be on-going costs associated with de-commissioning these facilities, updating others, and retaining those considered to be essential in tourist hot spots.” 

Cllr Edwards proposed the committee make a recommendation for further consideration by the officers responsible for the proposal and that a further report be produced recognising that the budget for public conveniences  cannot be removed in its entirety and will identify: 

* The take-up of third-party management of toilets. 

* All costs of accommodation work prior to transfer, or decommissioning, and redundancies, if any 

* The on-going budget required to operate those toilets to be retained as essential tourist infrastructure.

* Revenue costs for retained toilets to be supported by savings made in the tourism marketing budget and a review of the charges made for the use of public conveniences.

Even though the decision to bring the plan back to the scrutiny committee was supported her proposal was rejected.