Councillor concerned at wild swimming at Keeper's Pond
Keeper's Pond, above Blaenavon, is within the UNESCO recognised World Heritage site but local councillors have raised concerns over waste and whether enough is being done to remove it.
Independent councillors Janet Jones and Nick Horler, who both represent Blaenavon, asked questions over action to address fly-tipping and litter at Torfaen Borough Council's June 10 meeting.
Cllr Jones said the area, which was recognised by the United Nations body for its importance to the development of the industrial revolution, has seen an increase in leisure activities which she said can pose a threat to biodiversity.
She said: 'We have seen an increase in the popularity of leisure activities within the World Heritage site. This has led to concerns about the preservation of biodiversity on our doorstep. In particular, the amount of off-roading along the mountainside, swimming, and general gatherings at the Keeper's Pond.'
She asked if Torfaen council has a budget to 'manage and protect' its areas recognised as being of 'outstanding universal value'.
Her colleague, Cllr Horler, said fly tipping on private land is a 'blight on our heritage landscape' and asked a budget be put in place to make it easier for officers to remove fly tipping once landowners have been given notice to do so.
He also said the council should have a process to remove waste within a set time limit and for costs to be recovered from landowners.
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Council leader Anthony Hunt said he 'fully appreciates the frustration' caused by fly tipping and said the council always takes action 'as quickly as we can' to address it but said 'we do have to take care as regards the law and what we can do within those powers.'
The Labour leader also said he'd be 'happy' to involve the fire brigade in discussions around addressing fly-tipping after Cllr Horler said he was concerned it was placing an additional strain on the service.
On Keeper's Pond Cllr Hunt said it was recognised enjoyment of the 'beautiful countryside' has increased 'tensions' but said the actual pond is within Monmouthshire County Council's boundaries but he would be 'happy' to raise the issue with the council.
He said Monmouthshire County Council is partner in the World Heritage site partnership and retains responsibility for its land and assets in the protected area.
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South Wales Argus
2 days ago
- South Wales Argus
Councillor concerned at wild swimming at Keeper's Pond
Keeper's Pond, above Blaenavon, is within the UNESCO recognised World Heritage site but local councillors have raised concerns over waste and whether enough is being done to remove it. Independent councillors Janet Jones and Nick Horler, who both represent Blaenavon, asked questions over action to address fly-tipping and litter at Torfaen Borough Council's June 10 meeting. Cllr Jones said the area, which was recognised by the United Nations body for its importance to the development of the industrial revolution, has seen an increase in leisure activities which she said can pose a threat to biodiversity. She said: 'We have seen an increase in the popularity of leisure activities within the World Heritage site. This has led to concerns about the preservation of biodiversity on our doorstep. In particular, the amount of off-roading along the mountainside, swimming, and general gatherings at the Keeper's Pond.' She asked if Torfaen council has a budget to 'manage and protect' its areas recognised as being of 'outstanding universal value'. Her colleague, Cllr Horler, said fly tipping on private land is a 'blight on our heritage landscape' and asked a budget be put in place to make it easier for officers to remove fly tipping once landowners have been given notice to do so. He also said the council should have a process to remove waste within a set time limit and for costs to be recovered from landowners. READ MORE: Council leader Anthony Hunt said he 'fully appreciates the frustration' caused by fly tipping and said the council always takes action 'as quickly as we can' to address it but said 'we do have to take care as regards the law and what we can do within those powers.' The Labour leader also said he'd be 'happy' to involve the fire brigade in discussions around addressing fly-tipping after Cllr Horler said he was concerned it was placing an additional strain on the service. On Keeper's Pond Cllr Hunt said it was recognised enjoyment of the 'beautiful countryside' has increased 'tensions' but said the actual pond is within Monmouthshire County Council's boundaries but he would be 'happy' to raise the issue with the council. He said Monmouthshire County Council is partner in the World Heritage site partnership and retains responsibility for its land and assets in the protected area.
South Wales Argus
3 days ago
- South Wales Argus
Monmouthshire Council planning decisions this week
Silver birch approved for removal A dangerously leaning silver birch tree was approved for removal by a delegated officer in Monmouthshire. The tree was threatening a house, power line, and heating oil supply pipe. Usk store to undergo redevelopment The Co-op store on Bridge Street, Usk, will see a range of upgrades to its building and infrastructure. Approved plans include the installation of a new gas cooler, DA pack, and air conditioning units in the rear yard, replacing existing equipment. The timber shop fronts will be repaired and redecorated to match the current appearance. The main entrance canopy will receive new boxing at its base to address damage to the timber columns. Additional improvements include new ventilation systems, external LED lighting, and internal refurbishments such as upgraded flooring, ceilings, and fire boarding. The application was granted listed building consent on June 3. Glamping site approved in Tintern A sustainable glamping site in Tintern has been approved by planners. The seasonal development includes six bell tents, two compost toilets, and a shower block at Cross Farm, Ravensnest Wood Road. Cottage set for energy efficiency upgrades A cottage near Tintern is set for energy efficiency upgrades. Monmouthshire County Council has approved plans to retrofit The Retreat, located on Barbadoes Hill, with external wall insulation and three new Velux roof windows. The insulation will be applied to all four sides of the property and finished with a white render. The application was approved by delegated decision on June 2. Roof light given green light in Caerwent A homeowner has been granted permission to add an extra roof light to their home. Caerwent Community Council granted the applicant's request for a property on Merton Green, Caerwent, on May 29. Garden to become driveway in Chepstow A front garden is set to be converted into a driveway. Monmouthshire County Council has approved a request to replace the lawn at 23 Western Avenue in Chepstow with a hard-surfaced parking area. The proposed driveway will measure six metres by 6.5 metres. The application was approved on June 2. Forestry access track plans withdrawn Elsewhere, plans to build a forestry access track in Devauden have been withdrawn. The track was planned to support tree felling operations in Little Tredean Wood, where mature larch trees have been infected with Phytophthora ramorum. The proposal was withdrawn on June 3. Garden extension in Devauden approved Meanwhile, a bungalow's garden will be extended after planning permission was granted. The land will be incorporated into the residential garden at Pen Y Bryn Bungalow, Cobblers Hill, Devauden. Gym and home office approved in Newchurch A new gym and home office outbuilding at Pyotts Cottage, Coed Llifos Road, Newchurch, has been approved. The construction was greenlit by a delegated officer. Yew tree to be pruned to protect St Tysois Church Finally, a historic yew tree will be pruned to protect a village church. Located in the churchyard of St Tysois Church in Llansoy, near Usk, the tree will be trimmed to prevent overhanging branches from damaging the building or impeding access. Monmouthshire County Council approved the plans on June 2. The work will raise the tree's crown to two metres and clear branches within three metres of the church on its western side. The application also includes the removal of epicormic shoots from the trunk.
BBC News
4 days ago
- BBC News
The 150 page document that aims to help protect Stonehenge
The Stonehenge World Heritage Site is big - so big, it is actually split in two, with much of it around have lived and worked in the area long before they were ever declared a World Heritage Site - so when someone needs to build something, how do you make sure it will not negatively affect the much loved sites?That is where a new draft document of more than 150 A4 pages comes in. Officially labelled a "supplementary planning document", Wiltshire Council's cabinet member for environment, Paul Sample JP, called it an "important draft document that will help protect an historic and vital part of our heritage". It would act as guidance to people wanting to undertake any development - whether a small garden extension or a solar farm - and those making the final as it is only a draft at the moment, Wiltshire Council has it open for consultation and wants to hear from the public. Mr Sample JP said: "At Stonehenge and Avebury we have inherited one of the most important landscapes in the world. "It's essential that there is clear guidance so that any planning decisions affecting the World Heritage Site do not impact it adversely."It explains what needs to be taken into account and shows if there are extra assessments that need to be done to make sure a project will not impact the area negatively. There are some considerations that you would not usually expect to find in a planning document. For example, it discusses astronomy. That is because not only Stonehenge, but a few of the monuments - including Woodhenge and Durrington Walls - are shown to have alignments to solstices and lunar movements. "We know Stonehenge was used as a kind of sun calendar," explained Melanie Pomeroy-Kellinger, who is a manager for archaeology, landscape and historic environment at Wiltshire Council."We can't allow a massive development on the line of midsummer solstice for example. That would interfere with people's enjoyment and understanding of the importance of those alignments."Any development that is too tall for example, might affect the view, give off too much light pollution or reflections that could affect the sites. It also talks about views in the area and how monuments connect to each other, some very obviously, like avenues and ridges. "It's really important to think about it as ceremonial landscape," said Claire Selman, also a member of the team working with the council. "They might have been designed to be visible from one another" she added, mentioning that many also have connections to and woodland are also mentioned - some in a positive light, but it also notes the fact that some already in the area do not fit, with one in particular affecting the winter solstice. George Downs, who also works with the council, explained that while they are looking to introduce the Supplementary Planning Document, it does not mean there was nothing in place document integrates UNESCO Guidance on Heritage Impact Assessments and advice from Historic England with the National Planning Policy Framework and Local Plan requirements."There is a World Heritage Site Partnership which has had a management plan for the site which we last compiled in 2015," he said."It has an action plan which is reviewed every year."But this new document would give extra information and detail which, if adopted, will be used to ensure that any developments do not adversely impact the internationally significant monuments. The Supplementary Planning Document was created between the council, Chris Blandford Associates and has had input from the World Heritage Site can comment on the consultation online until 17 June, when there is also a recorded webinar to watch. There are also two more drop-in events to speak to people face-to-face being held at Amesbury Library on Monday 9 June and Marlborough Library on 12 June, both from 16:00 BST until 19:00 the council has been through the comments, it will consider the final version in October.
