Author: Rhys Gregory

Cardiff Council has arrived at a significant milestone in its exciting scheme to regenerate the Channel View estate. Representing the largest and most exciting holistic estate redevelopment within the council’s development programme, the scheme in Grangetown will deliver around 319 new highly energy-efficient, low-carbon mixed-tenure homes, including the replacement of the existing 180 Council-managed properties. Following the conclusion of the procurement process for the appointment of a developing partner for the project, a preferred bidder has been identified to deliver the entire scheme. At its next meeting on Thursday, September 21, Cabinet will consider the recommendation to delegate authority to…

Cardiff Council is taking steps to increase the protection afforded to buildings of local architectural or historical interest in the city against demolition or unsympathetic development. There are currently more than 200 ‘Buildings of Merit’ in the city. While some fall within existing conservation areas, there are many pubs, community buildings and music venues which do not have ‘locally-listed’ status but still make an important contribution and have the potential to enrich the historic and cultural life of Cardiff. Last week, councillors and planning officers moved to remove the owner’s right to demolish the Rompney Castle pub in Wentloog Road,…

Thousands of runners and supporters enjoyed the weekend’s Admiral Swansea Bay 10k. Runners in the main race headed west from the seafront Rec at St Helen’s to Mumbles and then back along the Prom to finish on Mumbles Road near the Rec. A number of other races took place, including 1k and 3k races for juniors and a mascot race in which the winner scooped £100 for charity. The total number of entrants topped 4,100. Participants and spectators enjoyed the event village with food, drink and entertainment. Swansea Council cabinet member Robert Francis-Davies said: “We thank all those who came to…

A series of changes to free car parking arrangements over the Christmas period, current car parking charges, parking permit charges and the introduction of a parking charging regime along the Aberavon Seafront have been agreed by Neath Port Talbot councillors. The new fees and charges seek to address the outstanding maintenance issues faced by the council’s car parks and to reduce severe budget pressures within the council’s parking services. Members of Neath Port Talbot Council’s Environment, Regeneration and Streetscene Cabinet Board agreed the changes at their meeting on Thursday September 14th. Nicola Pearce, Neath Port Talbot Council’s Director of Environment…

RCT’s Cabinet will consider proposals and recommendations put to them by Council Officers to close Rhigos Primary School and transfer pupils to Hirwaun Primary School – with a decline of pupil numbers in Rhigos projected to continue, and the old school buildings requiring significant works. On Monday, September 18, Cabinet could agree to consult residents on the proposal, which would also require the catchment area of Hirwaun Primary School to be increased to include Rhigos. Parents also have the option for their children to continue their education at Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Penderyn, with support from the Welsh Language Immersion Team.…

The sympathetically restored elements of the Iron Tram Bridge in Trecynon are now being delivered to the works site for their installation. The Scheduled Ancient Monument, built in the early 1800s, is on course to reopen in October. The main scheme started this summer after the Council, working closely with Cadw, gained consent to undertake a complex restoration and reinstatement scheme for the historic structure – which was damaged in several storm events including Storm Dennis. Planning permission was then granted in June 2023. The original bridge was constructed in the early 1800s, manufactured by the Abernant Foundry to carry…

Newport City Dogs Home has won gold in two categories at the 2023 RSPCA Cymru PawPrint Awards for their work with stray dogs. This is the twelfth year that the team has been recognised with a gold award in the stray dog category for their hard work looking after the dogs in their care. Newport City Dogs Home also won a second gold award for their work with kennelling stray dogs. The RSPCA PawPrints annual award scheme recognises hard work from public bodies in relation to animal welfare. There are a number of categories for awards including recognition for stray…

The Waterstones Children’s Laureate for 2022-2024, Joseph Coelho, was welcomed to Caerphilly Library as a part of his ‘Library Marathon’. The Library Marathon sees Joseph joining a library in every local authority in the UK, thus encouraging people to register with their local library and highlighting the vital role libraries play in inspiring a love of reading in young people. During his visit, Joseph read some of his stories and poems to pupils from The Twyn Primary School and then gave them the opportunity to ask him some questions about his role as the Children’s Laureate. He also registered for…

Contractors, ISG have started  work on the site of the former Monwel Hankinson factory, Ebbw Vale, to create a new multi-million hi-tech post 16 education facility. The new 21,808 sq ft High Value Engineering (HiVE) facility will provide state-of-the art training and education for young people and businesses in the fields of robotics, advanced materials and manufacturing, and digital and enabling technologies. In partnership with Coleg Gwent, and industry partners, the Council secured over £12 million from the Welsh Government’s Tech Valleys programme and the UK Government to bring the redundant factory building back in to use and create HiVE…

An authentic taste of Naples has arrived on Merthyr Tydfil’s high street, with the opening of Scorchini’s Pizzeria. The family run business is Wales’ first ever authentic Neapolitan pizzeria — one of only twelve across the UK. What’s more, the restaurant’s owners and head pizzaiolo’s, Gareth and Miranda George, are two of only a select few professionally trained, authentic pizza chefs in the UK. The husband-wife duo trained in Naples with the great-grandson of Raffaele Esposito — who is credited with creating the Margherita pizza in 1889, at the Associazione Vera Pizza Napoletana (AVPN) School in Naples. Starting out travelling…