Author: Rhys Gregory

Sales activity in the Welsh housing market continued to rise the final month of 2024 according to the latest Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Residential Market Survey, however surveyors remain hesitant on the pricing outlook through the early stages of 2025. A net balance of 9% of respondents in Wales reported that sales rose through the final month of 2024, which is just above the UK average of 7%. Looking ahead, Welsh surveyors are positive about sales heading into 2025, as a net balance of 9% of respondents expect sales to rise through the first quarter of the year,…

On 6 January 2025, Ysgol Dyffryn Aeron proudly opened its doors for the first time, providing an exceptional learning environment for up to 240 primary school pupils, of nursery age between the ages of 3 – 11. The school was opened to staff members on Monday 6 January, in preparation for welcoming the pupils on Tuesday 7 January. The area school will amalgamate Ciliau Parc School, Dihewyd School and Felinfach School providing modern, state of the art learning facilities for pupils. Ysgol Dyffryn Aeron has a range of modern amenities such as a 3G astro turf pitch as well as…

Estimated to attract around £1.26 billion of investment by 2033 the Swansea Bay City Deal is an unprecedented investment funded by the Welsh Government and UK Government, the public sector, and the private sector through the counites of Carmarthenshire, Neath Port Talbot, Pembrokeshire and Swansea. It will help transform South West Wales’ urban and rural areas into a place where businesses can thrive, and residents can boost their skills and gain access to over 9,000 well-paid job opportunities. During 2024, the momentum of the City Deal continued to gather pace, and 2025 is expected to be another successful year for…

Public engagement for one of the tallest buildings in Cardiff is set to commence this month. The Custom House Street project is being developed by Watkin Jones, the UK’s leading developer and manager of residential properties for rent. The development of the long vacant brownfield site in the city centre will provide approximately 400 co-living units, typically for young people wanting a more convenient and community-focussed housing option. The proposed 33-storey building is located 300 metres east of Cardiff Central station and the Cardiff Bus interchange, and will offer high-quality studios in a modern and flexible co-living environment. The development…

A Denbighshire-based construction firm’s five-year strategic growth plan has been boosted by the expansion of its head office and renewable technologies. Wynne Construction, named one of the 50 fastest growing businesses in Wales during 2024, has carried out key improvements to its Charles House headquarters. With the 20th anniversary of its arrival in Bodelwyddan’s Kinmel Park on the horizon, the family-owned and run company has completed a second-storey extension. Bidding to futureproof the building, a new management suite has been created, featuring a high-spec meeting room and two new offices. Around 25 employees work from the North Wales base for Wynne,…

Soaring costs, the impact of changes to employer National Insurance Contributions and the urgent need for business rates reform in Wales were key issues discussed at a Welsh brewery visit by Tonia Antoniazzi MP, the Chair of the Parliamentary Beer Group, with UKHospitality Cymru. The Gower MP heard about the Gower Brewery success story and its current ambitions for further expansion, but also how rising costs were impacting on plans across the business. “We now employ 38 people in total and the employer National Insurance Contributions rise in particular will have a big impact here,” said Richard Lewis, Head of…

The British Business Bank has announced significant equity finance from the £130m Investment Fund for Wales, with a £1m investment by appointed fund managers Foresight Group into gamified cyber security learning platform SudoCyber. The investment is the first from the fund to be allocated in mid Wales and comes just over a year since the Investment Fund for Wales was launched in November 2023, by the UK government-backed British Business Bank, to boost the supply of early-stage finance to small and medium-sized businesses across Wales. SudoCyber founders Jason Davies, Marc Del-Valle and John Davies have all served in the Armed…

A HGV driver who tested positive for cocaine at the roadside was among the six drug drive arrests made by the Roads Crime Unit in the space of a few hours this week (Tuesday, January 14). The 57-year-old from Runcorn was stopped on the A55 by Llanddulas following reports from concerned members of the public regarding the manner of his driving on the A470. An officer from the Roads Crime Unit was dispatched to the area and stopped the HGV. The HGV driver was arrested and later released under investigation whilst the results of further tests are returned. Other arrests…

A new nature habit has been created by Ysgol Bro Dyfrdwy pupils to help local wildlife around Cynwyd. Pupils joined with Denbighshire County Council’s Biodiversity Team and Countryside Rangers to help plant a new hedge row and standard trees on the school grounds. Work has been ongoing across county schools in the last 12 months to help increase biodiversity and tree canopies across school grounds for supporting nature’s recovery and to provide an educational wellbeing outdoor area for youngsters. It has been funded from a UK Government grant. Planting the trees at school grounds also supports the Council’s drive to…

The list of candidates standing for election to the County Council in the Haverfordwest Prendergast ward has been published. Nominations have closed and the Statement of Persons Nominated published. Those standing for election are: Kaleb Jenkins, Liberal Democrats Mike Mathias, Conservative James Purchase, Green Party Scott Thorley, Reform Alison Tudor, Labour Alun Wills, Independent The election will be held on Tuesday, 11th February. Applications to register to vote (opens in a new tab) must reach the Electoral Registration Officer by 12 midnight on the 24th January. Applications to vote by post (opens in a new tab) or alterations to existing arrangements for postal…