Latest news with #DavidLeech
South Wales Argus
02-08-2025
- General
- South Wales Argus
Torfaen Council's delivery plan hits targets
A report to a recent full council meeting showed that nearly three quarters of the delivery plan targets for 2024 to 2025 were either on target or have been completed. One project, informed by last year's Play Sufficiency Assessment, has seen the council launch new sensory rooms across the borough, which have welcomed more than 50 children helping them build confidence and lifelong learning foundations. Other projects highlighted in the report include a new school for Maendy Primary pupils, a 50-place extension at Crownbridge School and 3G pitch at Ysgol Gymraeg Gwynllyw. A new specialist residential home for young people in care has also opened, with plans for two more. David Leech, the council's deputy chief executive and strategic director for adults and communities, said: "Our ambition remains to be to be an outstanding and aspirational council. For the third consecutive year, our services have met the majority of the targets set. "We have rigorous project management to ensure any targets that weren't met within the time frame continue to progress, and I'm proud of what this council and its staff have achieved." The County Plan is a five-year strategy setting out the council's long-term service goals, supported by annual delivery plans which are monitored quarterly to track progress.
South Wales Argus
12-06-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Greenmeadow Community Farm in Cwmbran close to opening
Greenmeadow Community Farm in Cwmbran has completed the installation of a ground source heat pump as part of a wider redevelopment project. This upgrade was made possible through the Welsh Government Energy Services' Local Authority Low Carbon Heat Grant, with Torfaen Council receiving £1,560,763 in funding. Sam Wright-Green, development manager at Welsh Government Energy Service, said: "Greenmeadow Farm is a fantastic example of a site suitable for ground source heat pumps. "The land surrounding the buildings acts as the source of heat, and the existing solar array on the roof provides some of the electricity needed to power the new heating system. "We are pleased to be able to support this unique site to provide a low carbon way to heat both its historic and new buildings." Work began in May 2024 and was completed in March 2025. The ground source heat pump replaces the farm's natural gas-fired boilers and is expected to deliver lifetime carbon savings of 201 tCO2e—the equivalent emissions of heating and powering 59 homes in Wales for a year. David Leech, strategic director for adults and communities at Torfaen Council, said: "Residents passing the site will have spotted the impact of the heat pump on the paddocks, but the project has been a vital part of making the farm sustainable for the long-term. "We're extremely grateful to the Welsh Government for supporting the project and alongside the new facilities on the farm, we're proud to have a transformation that has a fantastic new visitor experience and a reduced carbon footprint." The farm remains closed to visitors while extensive refurbishments are completed, including upgrades to the historic farmhouse, café, animal barn, and play facilities. It is now expected to reopen at the end of the summer.
