Author: Rhys Gregory

Neath town centre Neighbourhood Policing Officers have disrupted a significant cannabis operation, which had the capability to have grown to become the “largest ever” of its kind in South Wales. The operation came as a result of intelligence gathered by the Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT). Suspicious activity had been reported around the former Marks and Spencer shop on Green Street, which had been vacant since the closure of M&S on May 18 2024. While on patrol, a 34-year-old man was spotted acting suspiciously and was stopped by the officers, then arrested shortly after on suspicion of burglary. Officers, alongside specialist…

A new framework designed to create a stronger, fairer and greener Cardiff for all has been developed to enhance the vitality and viability of Cardiff’s neighbourhoods. Cardiff Council’s ambitious draft Regeneration Strategy 2025–2030 brings together a range of council policies and strategies relating to regeneration and placemaking into a single, cohesive framework. It has been in developed in line with the authority’s Corporate Plan 2025–28 and the emerging Replacement Local Development Plan. The draft strategy sets out a structured approach to future investment and the regeneration of Cardiff’s centres and neighbourhoods. Its purpose is to identify areas of need and…

Cardiff Council is looking to secure the future of Cardiff Riding School by seeking a new operator to run the much-loved facility in Pontcanna Fields. The move, which comes against a backdrop of significant financial pressure on local authority budgets across the UK, aims to deliver much-needed investment in the facility and ensure it continues to serve the community for years to come. Councillor Jennifer Burke, Cabinet Member for Culture, Sport and Parks, said: “We know how much Cardiff Riding School means to people. Finding a new operator will secure its long-term future, deliver the investment needed to update facilities,…

Plans for a newly build school to improve education for pupils in Blaenymaes and Portmead are moving forward. Swansea Council and the Welsh Government are behind the planned investment that will hugely improve indoor and outdoor facilities for hundreds of pupils. It will also include a part-time nursery and Flying Start provision as well as a Specialist Teaching Facility for children that need additional support. The plan is for it to open in 2031. As part of the process Blaenymaes and Portmead schools will be amalgamated in 2030 creating one governing body with one headteacher before they move from their existing…

Ysgol Hen Felin pupils were among a group of visitors to the construction site for the new Additional Learning Needs School in Clydach Vale on Thursday, as the project continues towards its completion next year. The young people marked an important milestone of the construction phase with a festive twist – by signing decorations for a Christmas tree! The major investment will provide English Medium ALN facilities for 176 pupils aged 3-19. The development will respond to the increasing number of ALN learners in Rhondda Cynon Taf, along with the growing complexity of pupils’ needs and the capacity pressures at…

Monmouthshire County Council will commence work on enhancing the Shire Hall in Monmouth. To bring this ambitious vision to fruition, Shire Hall will temporarily close to the public from 20 December 2025, to allow essential work to commence. The building is expected to remain closed to the public until early 2027. Supported by a £2.8 million investment, including £1.5 million from the National Heritage Lottery Fund, this project will see Shire Hall revitalised as an inspiring community museum and dynamic learning hub. What’s Changing? The revitalised Shire Hall will offer innovative displays telling Monmouth’s story, flexible learning spaces, visible object…

A safety alert has been issued over baby sleep pillows following child deaths in the UK and overseas. The Office for Product Safety and Standards has warned parents and carers about products commonly referred to as baby sleep pillows, which are marketed as cushions or pillows for babies to sleep on or be placed on while unattended. The alert says these products pose serious risks including suffocation and overheating, which can lead to serious injury or, in some cases, death. Parents and carers are being urged not to use these products for babies under 12 months old and not to…

A new process comes into effect today to speed up the planning process and make Wales a more attractive place for investors. The process introduced by The Infrastructure (Wales) Act 2024 applies to large scale infrastructure developments, including renewable energy, waste, water, and transport projects. It replaces the Developments of National Significance and other existing consenting programmes. Earlier this year hyperscale data centre operator Vantage, which is investing billions in the Welsh economy by building new data centres, was impressed with the speed of the planning application process for its plans to build on the old Ford Factory site in…

More than £41m extra will be invested into general practice this year as part of a deal struck between the Welsh Government and GPs. The deal includes a 4% uplift to the general medical services contract in 2025-26, in line with the independent Doctors and Dentists Review Body (DDRB) recommendations, and a guaranteed 5.8% recurrent funding uplift from 2026-27, underlining the government’s commitment to continue to invest in primary care and community-based services. Health Secretary Jeremy Miles said: “This investment demonstrates our unwavering commitment to general practice in Wales. The 4% pay uplift ensures fair recognition for GPs and practice…

An improved train timetable across Wales has started. The December timetable update on the Wales and Borders network will offer more services, strengthen connections and help boost the economy. The new timetable includes a new additional hourly service between Chester and Wrexham, an extra train in each direction every day on the Heart of Wales line between Swansea and Shrewsbury, three later last trains from Cardiff to Treherbert, Aberdare and Merthyr Tydfil and a new hourly service on Sundays on the Coryton line. Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales, Ken Skates said: “Rail connectivity is absolutely vital in driving…