Author: Rhys Gregory

2022 will mark a significant milestone with the start on site of a project to transform a nationally significant Snowdonia landscape that will ultimately remove the overhead electricity line and pylons from across the Dwyryd Estuary. National Grid will begin the environmental and archaeological survey works this spring when our teams in orange high visibility jackets will be working in and around the area. This work which will continue through the summer will provide essential information for the detailed design of the project ready for main construction starting in 2023. In the Autumn, the team will start to establish the…

A construction firm from the South Wales with a projected turnover of £15m at the end of this financial year has just secured its largest project to date as it enters its milestone tenth year of business. Pontypridd-based Trojan Construction Management which specialises in the food retail and commercial sectors, has built over 170 projects including more than 120 drive thru units for the likes of Starbucks, Costa, KFC, Taco Bell, McDonalds and Burger King, totalling nearly £60m of projects over the company’s ten years in operation. The firm, founded by construction director David Thomas and commercial director Shaun Welsh,…

A new video reveals how Swansea Council plans could make a key part of the city centre even more people-friendly. The short film shows a greener, more welcoming Castle Square Gardens emerging between a new Community Hub, with library, and the improved Wind Street. The short film shows a destination attractive to pedestrians, cyclists and businesses. In due course, the aim is to link it seamlessly with Swansea Arena and the wider new Copr Bay district. Council leader Rob Stewart said: “Our £1bn regeneration of Swansea has taken great strides in recent years – and we’re planning for that positive…

Swansea Council is to serve up another boost to the city’s cafes, pubs and restaurants as the pandemic continues. Its ruling cabinet today, Jan 20, agreed to continue to provide licences for outdoor dining areas free of charge until the end of March next year. The move – which follows the suspension of fees for Pavement Café Licences since summer 2020 – aims to help businesses as they operate within pandemic restrictions. It will continue to bring added life and vibrancy to the city’s streets and other areas. The move – saving business around £50,000 a year – will be part of…

Swansea city centre has a new information hub for local residents eager to cut their fuel bills. Commissioned by Swansea Council and run by the Environment Centre Swansea with the help of specialist partners, the Energy Awareness Hub aims to help households with free, accessible and independent support. Based in Nelson Street, close to the Quadrant Bus Station, the centre also plans to take the service on the road to communities around the city. Andrea Lewis, the council’s joint deputy leader and cabinet member for climate change and service transformation, said: “Rising energy costs, inflation and the pandemic are among…

The Cabinet of Bridgend County Borough Council has agreed what its budget proposals will be for 2022-23 following a record 9.2 per cent increase in funding from Welsh Government. With an additional £19.6m to support the medium-term financial strategy for next year, the proposals will now be placed before overview and scrutiny committees for consultation before being discussed and voted upon by full Council. If approved, the Cabinet’s budget proposals will mean that council tax will not be increased for 2022-23, and there will be no significant cuts to frontline services. This would mean an extra £2.5m to ensure that…

A masterplan for Usk, which will focus on future improvement projects and opportunities for the town, has been approved by Monmouthshire County Council’s Cabinet following a meeting on Wednesday 19thJanuary 2022. From improving the town’s shopping experience to enhancing public spaces, the masterplan aims to introduce improvements to the public spaces in the town and increase opportunities for the community whilst also responding to climate change and modern economic challenges such as the move from high street shopping to online. The Plan was commissioned jointly by Llanbadoc Community Council, Usk Town Council and Monmouthshire County Council. The Usk (and Woodside)…

The Welsh Government have extended the Pupil Development Grant to include additional year groups for the academic year 2021/22 only. Parents of eligible pupils for Years 2, 4 and 6 can now apply. This is in recognition of the extreme pressures facing many families, and the subsequent rise in eligibility of Free School Meals. The grant is now available to all school years Reception – 11. Please note – applications for the next academic year (September 2022 – July 2023) are NOT OPEN until JULY 2022. If you have already made a claim or received a payment for a year…

Rhondda Cynon Taf Council is continuing to put the spotlight on irresponsible dog owners and over 185 owners have been given a £100 Fixed penalty Notice to walk home with! The message from the Council is clear – if an irresponsible dog owner is found breaching the rules of the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) by an Enforcement Officer, the Council will take action and issue a £100 Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN). In October 2017 the Council was one of the first Local Authorities to introduce strict rules in terms of dog controls, when it put in place a PSPO.…

A five-year plan to re-imagine and re-vitalise Cardiff city centre in a post-pandemic world has been published by Cardiff Council. The plan, which is designed to bring partner groups and stakeholders together from across the city to help realise the vision, will focus on nine key themes: A fully curated (managed) city centre which is clean, safe, green and attractive to all. A dynamic business and employment hub delivering more job opportunities. A city centre which lies at the heart of a fully-integrated transport network. A green and bio-diverse city centre. A centre which contains excellent urban design and public…