Author: Rhys Gregory

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…

Next week, councillors in Blaenau Gwent and Torfaen will be asked to approve the appointment of Stephen Vickers as the permanent Joint Chief Executive for both Torfaen and Blaenau Gwent County Borough councils. Torfaen councillors will be asked to approve on Tuesday, 21st January, and Blaenau Gwent councillors on Thursday, 23rd January. The report to both councils follows a 7 month ‘discovery phase’ during which both councils agreed to share the Chief Executive role, while exploratory work took place to understand the opportunities and risks of closer working. The review supported by Local Partnerships has now concluded following engagement with…

With the port of Holyhead due to partially reopen today (16 January) the Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales Ken Skates has emphasised the Welsh Government will continue to work with all partners. Stena have announced repairs have been carried out to the port which was badly damaged by Storm Darragh in December last year meaning ferries can now sail at full capacity with the first ferry scheduled to set sail at 01:30 on 16 January from berth 5. The Welsh Government has been working closely with the Irish Government since the temporary closure of the port.   This has…

The public will have the opportunity to see and discuss the options for a replacement for the A494 River Dee Bridge crossing at an event to be held on Tuesday, 21 January at St Andrew’s Church, Garden City, The event is part of the WelTAG Stage 2 public consultation which runs until Tuesday 4 March on a shortlist of options to replace the bridge which is a vital link for cross-border traffic between North Wales and the North West of England. The public exhibition is open between 10am and 7pm on Tuesday 21 January. Stakeholders and the public will be…