Development Bank of Wales Announces a £10 Million Extension to the Green Business Loan Scheme
The Welsh Government has confirmed an increase of £10 million to the available funding for the Development Bank of Wales to help accelerate the decarbonisation efforts of Welsh businesses.
First launched in March 2023, the Green Business Loan Scheme is now being extended to £20 million with funding available until 2028. To date, over 30 Welsh businesses have benefitted from tailored support through the scheme, delivering forecasted carbon savings of more than 28,000 tonnes over the lifetime of their projects. This includes a loan of £3.2 million for Mold-based Thorncliffe Building Supplies to invest in a new wash plant and water treatment system that will reduce the company's use of landfill.
As one of the largest independent builder's merchants in North Wales, Thorncliffe Building Supplies provides an extensive range of building, timber, steel, plumbing and heating supplies, and plant hire, along with a waste management and skip hire service. With five sites across North Wales in Dyserth, Ewloe, Rhuddlan, Wrexham and Abergele, Thorncliffe is owned and managed by husband and wife duo Deborah and Tim Harper. Established in 1987, the company now employs 265.
Managing Director Tim Harper said:
'We are constantly evolving as a business to diversify and strengthen our customer offering while remaining compliant with regulatory and legislative requirements.
'Reducing waste and cutting our carbon emissions is a key priority for us hence our decision to invest in a new washing plant. This will allow us to process our construction waste and sub-soil on-site rather than use landfill. The facility will wash and sort the waste into different grades of aggregates that can then be re-sold so it's a win-win all round.'
Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, Rebecca Evans, said:
'This £10m extension to the Green Business Loan Scheme demonstrates the Welsh Government's commitment to supporting businesses on their journey to net zero. We are ensuring even more firms can access the support they need to reduce their carbon footprint while strengthening their competitiveness.
'With over 30 businesses already benefitting and forecasted carbon savings of more than 28,000 tonnes, there is clearly a strong appetite for sustainable innovation amongst Welsh enterprises who are supporting our ambition to grow the economy.'
Bethan Cousins is New Business Director for the Development Bank. She said:
'The success of the Green Business Loan Scheme is a testament to the ambition and innovation of Welsh businesses in tackling climate change.
'Thorncliffe is a great example of how the scheme is helping businesses across Wales to 'invest to save' by providing loans with discounted interest rates to make energy efficiency improvements and implement decarbonisation initiatives. This further investment from Welsh Government will ensure we continue driving meaningful change, supporting businesses of all sizes to adopt technologies that reduce emissions and strengthen energy resilience.'
With a simple application process, the Green Business Loan Scheme supports a broad range of energy efficiency and low-carbon technologies, including heating, ventilation, heat pumps, waste management solutions, and building fabric improvements. As part of the scheme, businesses can access support to engage with an energy consultant to assess needs and shape practical decarbonisation strategies.
Upfront capital repayment holidays are available for companies that have been trading in Wales for at least two years as part of an innovative package of support that is aimed at reducing operational costs, managing energy risk, and supporting businesses on their journey to net zero.
For more information and guidance, visit: Green Business Loan Scheme – Dev Bank
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Wales Online
41 minutes ago
- Wales Online
Plans for tyre plant in Swansea opposed by nearly 1,000 people set to be rejected
Plans for tyre plant in Swansea opposed by nearly 1,000 people set to be rejected A company hoped to build the new facility at an industrial park but the plans didn't go down well in the area The UK generates millions of waste tyres each year which need recycling (Image:) A permit for a planned tyre incineration plant in Swansea which nearly 1,000 people opposed is to be turned down. A company called Tyregen UK Ltd wanted to process around 7,650 tonnes of waste tyres per year at Westfield Industrial Estate, Waunarlwydd. Tyregen UK said its tyre incineration method, called pyrolysis, would separate the oil and black powder which went into their manufacture. The powder would then be used by tyre companies in new tyres. Some of the gas captured as part of the process would be reused at the plant with the remainder treated before being released into the atmosphere via a chimney stack. Planning permission is in place to process waste tyres and plastics at the site, but Tyregen UK needed an environmental permit. A total of 975 people objected to the permit application - there was one letter in support - and Swansea Council has now published a draft decision turning down the application. Never miss a Swansea story by signing up to our newsletter here Waunarlwydd councillor Wendy Lewis, who was one of the objectors, said she'd had lots of messages and was very grateful about the decision, which is subject to consultation until August 25. "It is a great relief," she said. Gowerton councillor Dai Jenkins, who lives in Waunarlwydd, was also against the permit plan. His objection said: "I realise this incinerator would be managed correctly, however, accidents happen, and if that was the case smoke would be all over Waunarlwydd and Gowerton, so on behalf of my ward residents I object to the granting of a licence." Article continues below Reacting to the draft refusal, Cllr Jenkins said he'd always believed the location of the proposed facility was wrong. "I don't know anyone in the village who is for it," he said. The council's decision said the refusal was on basis of what it felt was "insufficient technical competence" and "inadequate environmental management systems". The Local Democracy Reporting Service has contacted Tyregen UK for comment. The company has previously said that the proposed 30m by 8m facility would be enclosed within a larger industrial building except for the chimney stack. Speaking last September a Tyregen UK spokesman said: "The operation is fundamentally about recycling, and therefore preserving the valuable components of a used tyre, so we absolutely won't be burning any tyres." Article continues below The council's decision will be final within five working days of August 25 if no consultation representations are received, and 15 days or longer if representations are received. Tyregen UK can appeal to the Welsh Government planning environment and decisions Wales (PEDW) body. It has been estimated that around 50 million waste tyres need recycling every year in the UK, and many are exported overseas.
Business News Wales
2 hours ago
- Business News Wales
WRU Outlines Consultation on Future of Elite Rugby in Wales
The Welsh Rugby Union has published its promised formal consultation document into the future of elite rugby in Wales, identifying a 'proposed optimal system' which will be subject to a wide-ranging discussion, to include players, professional clubs, fans and community clubs across the country. The formal consultation, which begins on 1st September, will seek to address the key challenges facing Welsh rugby and the impact this is having on the performance of our professional and national teams. The WRU executive has considered the system changes required and various options to achieve these and has presented a proposed optimal system to the WRU Board. The Board has asked for this consultation so they can look at the evidence and views from all our stakeholders before they make a decision in October. The proposed optimal system contains five interconnected elements which are designed to address systemic transformation across Welsh elite rugby. Throughout the month, the WRU will formally consult with key stakeholders directly impacted by any potential change to the current structure. This includes the four professional men's clubs, the Professional Rugby Board (PRB) the Welsh Rugby Players Association (WRPA), players (both senior men's and women's) and the Supporters' Groups associated with the four professional sides as well as WRU member clubs and representatives of the United Rugby Championship (URC). A wide-ranging engagement programme will also run in tandem to the formal consultation to seek views from the entire rugby community from fans to partners and sponsors, related institutions and governing bodies. Speaking about the consultation, WRU CEO Abi Tierney, said: 'We are clear that the current rugby model in Wales is no longer delivering what our game needs. That's why we're inviting views on the opportunities for change we've put forward — so we can bring the One Wales Strategy to life. 'This consultation is about listening. No decisions have been made, and it's crucial that we work together. Every voice matters, including, critically, our professional clubs, and everyone must have a seat at the table to help shape the future of rugby in Wales.' As part of this process, the WRU's executive team, spearheaded by Director of Rugby and Elite Performance, Dave Reddin, has developed a proposed optimal system for the professional game. This new system is designed to build the foundations for a stronger future through systematic transformation across the game, and lead to a sustainable upturn in performance at professional and national team level in both the men's and the women's games. WRU Director of Rugby and Elite Performance, Dave Reddin said: 'This is a genuine consultation process and while we have our own ideas based on the research we have done, we know the best solutions come from listening. 'The approach we have designed is respectful, thorough, and inclusive and we encourage people to challenge our ideas and help us create something that we can all get behind.' As part of the conversation, the consultation will explore the high-performance benefits, financial sustainability, and feasibility of investing substantially in the rugby ecosystem in Wales and of the four different professional club models. As part of this, the future club model will be viewed through the lens of needing to secure the on-field success and the long-term financial sustainability of the whole game in Wales. The models being presented, are: Model A, Four Professional clubs with unequal funding Model B, Three Professional clubs with equal funding Model C, Three Professional clubs with unequal funding Model D, Two Professional clubs with equal funding The proposed optimal system seems to link best to Model D which focuses playing talent and resources into two professional clubs, each in turn running two professional teams – one men's and one women's side. The system will have the single goal of creating a 'winning-Wales' across the game. However, we recognise that there are alternatives including investing less in some of the wider systems changes which would then bring other models into focus. If the two-club scenario is chosen it would release significant investment which, together with the substantial improvement in the WRU's financial position over the last two years, would be used to enhance the existing semi-professional Super Rygbi Cymru league, narrowing the gap between Wales' leading heritage clubs and the elite professional game. Crucially, we would also invest in accelerating the growth of the women's game whilst also boosting the academy structure and player pathways feeding into the professional teams. In addition, the creation of a national campus, a central element of the proposed optimal system, would create an aspirational, world-class environment, designed for innovation and collaboration, becoming the training base for national teams, national academies and the two professional clubs. 'The national campus would be a purposeful, collaborative space, a uniquely Welsh environment that other top tier nations would find difficult to replicate, creating a sustainable, collaborative space that provides the competitive advantage needed to increase our performance levels in all aspects of the game from playing to coaching', adds Reddin. The consultation also acknowledges the importance of the community game and schools' rugby, but they are not included within the scope of this consultation, however support for education of elite players is considered as an essential part the funnel into the elite pathway. The Women's game is a major focus of the One Wales strategy with significant work already undertaken and underway. The consultation reinforces the WRU's commitment to the Women's game which would be accelerated through the recommendations made as part of previous work. Speaking about the consultation process, WRU Chair, Richard Collier-Keywood said: 'I am pleased to see that this consultation includes listening to people from all aspects of the game in Wales. Every player and fan story starts somewhere, and we have encouraged our teams to get a full range of views from grassroots through pathways, up to elite level. 'The important thing for us as a Board is that, when we are presented with an updated recommendation in October, we know we will have listened and considered all the feedback and options before making a decision. 'We have a once in a generation opportunity to get this right and create an exciting future for our game and this is a responsibility we are taking extremely seriously.' How you can get involved: The Consultation will run from the 1st to 26th September with a number of ways to get involved. The wider rugby community will be encouraged to take part online, via the One Wales strategy website where they can get access, from 20th August, to review the full proposal as well as watch an exclusive interview with Abi Tierney and Dave Reddin as they talk through the consultation process and the proposed optimal system. From 1st September an online survey will open, allowing fans to share their views directly with the WRU. View The Future of Elite rugby in Wales Consultation document here.
Powys County Times
2 hours ago
- Powys County Times
Mid Wales MP backs compensation for mis-sold car finance
A Mid Wales MP is demanding urgent compensation for mis-sold car finance customers. David Chadwick, the Welsh Liberal Democrat MP for Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe, said lenders should be held accountable and a compensation scheme established without delay. The call follows a Supreme Court ruling that could entitle consumers to payouts where large, undisclosed car finance commissions were deemed unfair. Mr Chadwick said: "This month's Supreme Court ruling is a victory for consumers, paving the way for billions of pounds in compensation to those unfairly ripped off. "For too long, lenders had been able to get away with charging eye-watering and unfair commission on car finance deals. "I hope that the government and the financial watchdog will now work together so that those affected can get the compensation they are owed as quickly as possible. "It's only fair that big finance firms make up for their actions." The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has announced a consultation on a potential compensation scheme to begin in early October. If approved, the first payments could be made in 2026. Mr Chadwick said more than 250 cases had already been identified in Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe, with further cases expected to come to light. The issue centres around 'discretionary commission arrangements,' where car dealers could secretly increase interest rates on loans. The UK's largest car finance lender, Lloyds Bank, has already set aside £1.2 billion to cover expected claims.
