County councillor gives her views on new National Park plan

As Natural Resources Wales prepares to host a drop-in public consultation event on the proposed Glyndwr National Park at Llangollen Town Hall on Tuesday November 18, one of the area's county councillors, Karen Edwards, has given her views on the controversial plan to llanblogger. She says in a statement:    

"The creation of a new National Park is not a good idea. So, what has stimulated the Welsh Government to suggest it? 

"In 2021, in the Senedd, Mark Drakeford said, ‘We need to spread the load,' in response to the congestion and over-tourism experienced in other National Parks including Eryri. Would we like some of that visited upon us in Denbighshire?

"We need to dispel the myth that all tourism is good for the economy, because it isn’t.

 

"The Welsh Government isn’t very good at economics when it comes to doing economic impact assessments before it rolls out a new idea. It didn’t do it before the roll out of the 20mph speed limit and it hasn’t as far, as I know, done any tangible work to assess the economic costs and disbenefits associated with a new National Park. 

"For example it would see the establishment of a two-planning-authority system. That idea was thrown out as inefficient in the 90’s when local government was re-organised. Are we expected to support this idea and hope for the best? 

 

"There is a suggestion of stable long-term funding for a new National Park but this belies the fact that our existing parks have seen significant drops in their budgets in real terms in recent years.

"In fact, National Parks in Wales are widely considered underfunded  with campaigners and officials warning that recent budget increases are insufficient to address years of real-terms cuts. Despite a recent 5% core grant increase, National Park Authorities face significant strain, leading to concerns about job losses, reduced services, and an inability to deliver on nature and climate goals.

 

"The reliance on short-term grants and project funding is also a concern, as it makes it difficult to retain skilled staff and plan for long-term projects. The lack of funding has an impact on the ability to deliver core services, conservation efforts and nature and climate restoration programmes.

 

"We need stable, long-term funding for this local authority first. It is an affront to our intelligence at a time when we cannot fund essential public services like libraries and public toilets to suggest that money can be found for a new National Park. This will increase the tax burden on all of us.

 

"The consideration of a new National Park should be deferred indefinitely until such time as the long-promised economic growth delivers adequate and stable funding to the authority and when the Welsh Government demonstrates its ability to give sufficient funding to its existing National Parks. Only then should we be asked to explore the viability of more cost to the public purse in creating a new National Park."

* The Natural Resources Wales (NRW) drop-in public consultation event at the Town Hall on November 18 runs from 4-7pm and they say that all are welcome.

NRW adds: "Drop by at an in-person event, come along to a public meeting, or email us at: designated.landscapes.programme@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk to sign up to an online event."

This announcement of an extra date follows criticism, reported by llanblogger, that no consultation event was to be held in Llangollen, which would be a key area within the proposed park. 

Welsh-language Christmas trains return to Llangollen Railway

* Sion Corn is ready to greet the Santa Specials on Llangollen Railway.  

Families are invited to climb aboard a magical festive journey this December as Llangollen Railway once again runs its popular Sion Corn - Tren Arbennig (Santa Special) services. 

Running on a beautifully restored heritage railcar, the trains will travel from Corwen to Llangollen on December 5, 12 and 19, with departures at 10.00am and 12.20pm.

 

Tickets are £12 per person, with each child ticket including a special gift from Sion Corn, who meets each child personally during the journey and spreads festive cheer in the heated comfort of our cosy carriages.

 

Sion Corn is a cherished part of Welsh Christmas folklore. Meaning Chimney John, Sion Corn is the Welsh counterpart to Santa Claus - a friendly, story-telling figure who brings warmth and community spirit to the season. Llangollen Railway’s special trains celebrate this unique Welsh heritage, helping families experience the magic of Christmas in their own language.

 

The service is perfect for group trips, home-educated children, and younger families, as it runs during term time and offers a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere with a strong Welsh flavour.

 

Bookings can be made directly through the Llangollen Railway office by calling 01978 860979 (Mon–Fri, 9.30am–4.30pm) or emailing info@llangollen-railway.co.uk

 

Ian Lebbon, Director of the Llangollen Railway Trust, said: “Marking this Welsh language Christmas tradition is so important to us at Llangollen Railway. The Sion Corn trains bring communities together to celebrate the season in a way that’s uniquely Welsh – full of warmth, community, and pride in our heritage. We’re delighted to offer this magical experience once again and look forward to welcoming everyone aboard.”

 

* For more information, visit www.llangollen-railway.co.uk

Forthcoming community events in Llangollen area

The following events and activities are happening in the Pengwern Community and Llangollen area in November and December:

Details of Llangollen's Remembrance commemorations

* Last year's Remembrance Sunday service in Centenary Square. 

Llangollen Town Council will hold the annual Remembrance Sunday Service on November 9 on Centenary Square. 

As usual the parade will muster on Market Street at 10.30am. The Service of Remembrance will start at 10.55 am at the War Memorial.

At 10.45am on Armistice Day, Tuesday November 11, there will be a short Act of Remembrance at the War Memorial organised by the Llangollen Branch of the Royal British Legion.

Volunteer fair planned for railway this week

 

* To book, go to: DVSC Llangollen Volunteer Fair - Stall Holders Tickets, Sat 8 Nov 2025 at 11:30 | Eventbrite

Fund aims to boost Denbighshire voluntary organisations

Denbighshire Voluntary Services Council (DVSC) has relaunched its Key Fund which aims to increase the sustainability and resilience of third sector organisations across the county.

The initiative is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), which supports the government’s five national missions, including empowering local communities, kickstarting economic growth, and promoting opportunities in all parts of the UK.

Supported by Denbighshire County Council, this year’s Key Fund has seen strong demand, with 99 applications submitted from a diverse range of organisations and community groups across the county.

Following a rigorous assessment process, 45 applicants were successful, securing vital funding to strengthen their operations. In total, DVSC’s 2025 Key Fund has awarded £212,114 in Capital grants and a further £633,906 in Revenue grants.

These grants are designed to help ensure the resilience and long-term sustainability of Denbighshire’s third sector organisations, many of which deliver essential services to local people.

The Key Fund is a central part of DVSC’s wider work under the UKSPF programme, which runs until 31 March 2026. Alongside grant funding, DVSC is delivering a broad package of support including:

• Free training sessions, masterclasses, and workshops
• A GROW support programme to strengthen governance and strategic planning
• An exciting mentoring programme, matching senior professionals from the corporate and public sectors with third sector groups seeking targeted support

Tom Barham, Chief Officer of the Denbighshire Voluntary Services Council (DVSC) said: “We are delighted to relaunch the Key Fund and to see such strong interest from organisations across Denbighshire. The funding and support available through this programme will help strengthen the resilience of our third sector, enabling groups to grow, adapt, and continue providing vital services for our communities.”

Councillor Jason McLellan, Leader and Lead Member for Economic Growth & Tackling Deprivation, said: “It’s fantastic that so many third sector organisations who deliver such vital services to the County can be supported through the relaunch of the Key Fund as well as other services that the DVSC provide. This is a great example of the strong partnership working that exists between the Council and the voluntary sector, through DVSC”.

The Key Fund represents DVSC’s commitment to empowering local organisations, building stronger communities, and ensuring that the third sector in Denbighshire is equipped to thrive in the years ahead.

Plan for flats at the Royal approved by county councillors

* A plan for the creation of eight apartments at The Royal Hotel has been approved.

An application to extend and alter part of the Grade II Listed Royal Hotel to create eight self-contained flats, including parking, was approved by the county planning committee at its meeting this morning (Wednesday).

The scheme, put forward by Mat Jones of Mavi Royal Ltd, retains the frontage of the building onto Bridge Street, and creates a contemporary extension to the rear.

Recommending that it should be granted an officer’s report says: “The proposal has been designed to complement the physical features of the building that justify its listing and contribute to its historic significance.

“The proposals involve the demolition of some historic fabric to facilitate the alterations and extensions, however, these are from the later additions.

“The Heritage Impact Assessment sets out how works have been carefully designed to protect the integrity of the building whilst carrying out necessary works in carefully selected locations.

“It is considered that the proposal has been designed to complement the intrinsic architectural or historic interest of the building as well as its setting within the Conservation Area and in proximity to other important listed/scheduled features such as the Bridge.

“It is proposed that all works to the historic fabric are to be done under watching brief so that any historic fabric can be examined, understood and recorded.

“The extent to which the proposed works would bring substantial community benefits for example, by contributing to the area’s economy or the enhancement of its local environment.”

The Royal closed in 2019 and in 2022 the site was granted planning permission for the renovation of the existing hotel, 15 apartments on the current application site plus spa facilities.

The latest planning submission advised the committee that the original £4.7 million project has escalated to over £6.4 million due to rising construction and energy costs, interest rate increases, and fundamental shifts in the hospitality sector since 2020.

In response, the applicant has revised the scheme — based on market testing, financial modelling, and lender requirements — to ensure it remains “viable, fundable, and deliverable”.

Speaking in support of the application, Mat Jones told the committee that the Royal, which he described as “a large and significant building,”  had fallen into disrepair, adding that the proposed apartments were “not a compromise” and would make the restoration of the hotel viable.

He stressed: “Without it the Royal will fall into further disrepair.”

Llangollen county councillor Karen Edwards, who is a member of the planning committee, said: “I agree with what the applicant has said. I welcome the investment and propose that it is granted subject to conditions.”

The plan was approved by members as was an associated application for Listed Building Consent for the scheme.