Latest news with #FlintshireCouncil
Leader Live
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Leader Live
300-home Ash Lane, Hawarden development backed for approval
The controversial application is for land to the west of Gladstone Way and west of Ash Lane in Hawarden. The site, which is within Flintshire's Local Development Plan (LDP) is approximately 27.33 acres (11.06 hectares) and consists of a number of agricultural fields bound by existing residential properties on its northern, eastern and western boundaries. Land beyond the site's southern boundary is open countryside currently in use for agricultural purposes. The layout of the proposed development. (Image: Planning documents) Of the 300 homes proposed - 105 would be designated afforable housing. Castle Green Homes submitted the planning application last year - and it is set to be decided on by Flintshire Council's planning committee next week. And planning officials have recommended the scheme for approval. An officer's report states: "The site is an allocated housing site in the LDP. The development is acceptable in principle and meets the requirements of the housing allocation in accordance with the LDP. "The layout, public open space provision, biodiversity enhancements and other detailed technical considerations are considered to be acceptable and in accordance with policy. As such it is recommended that the application is approved subject to the commuted sums and conditions." MORE NEWS: Both Hawarden and Queensferry community councils have objected to the scheme, and there have been 2,500 objections from local residents. The site has been subject to a "Stop the Gladstone Estate Build" campaign, fronted by Hawarden councillor, Sam Swash. There are grave concerns over the impact on flooding, the loss of green space and inadequate local infrastructure to meet the need of extra population.
Leader Live
2 days ago
- General
- Leader Live
Number of children looked after by Flintshire Council rises
The authority's social and health care overview and scrutiny committee will meet on Thursday to discuss the safeguarding adults and children's annual report. The document explains that the number of children looked after (CLA) has "previously remained relatively steady" but has been "increasing locally, regionally and nationally." It adds: " In part, the number has increased due to the number of Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC) we are asked to accommodate and support. "Currently 9.9 per cent of our CLA population are UASC." At the end of March 2025 there were 270 children being looked after by the council: 67 of whom are placed with Flintshire foster carers and 77 were living with their parents or relatives under 'connected person arrangements'. The report adds: "Flintshire children are, in the main, located with Flintshire Foster Carers or in the care of a parent or parents under placement with parents regulations. "However, independent reviewing officers (within Flintshire Council's safeguarding unit) do have cases as far as south Coast of England, north of England and Ireland and they are expected to travel to the placement address to see the child as part of the review process. MORE NEWS "This does have an impact on available resources. "Independent reviewing officers hold a number of reviews virtually or face to face meetings and travel across the UK to visit children and young people when required." Between April 1 last year and March 31 this year, 76 children left care - which can happen for a number of reasons, the report states. This can be going home to their families, becoming adopted or reaching the age of 18 when they "no longer need to be reviewed under looked after procedures." However children can receive support and services up to the age of 19 from transition services and young people can also be supported through 'pathway plans' until the age of 24 if needed.
Leader Live
3 days ago
- Business
- Leader Live
Roman artefacts found along Hynet project pipeline route
An archaeological investigation plan has been submitted to Flintshire County Council before work on the new pipeline takes place. The project involves the construction of a 26km underground pipeline from Elton, Cheshire to the Point of Ayr gas terminal in Talacre - work on which is expected to start this summer. At the Point of Ayr gas terminal, it will then transport carbon dioxide to a platform in the Douglas oil and gas field in the Irish Sea where it will be pumped into depleted oil and gas reservoirs rather than released into the atmosphere. The pipeline will capture 109 million tonnes of carbon over 25 years during phase one of operation - equivalent to taking 60.1 million cars off the road for a year. (Image: Hynet project) A Written Scheme of Investigation (WSI) has been submitted to Flintshire Council - setting out how archaeological investigation will take place along the route ahead of construction. A total of 79 targeted trial trenches were located to test - of which 45 have already been completed as part of an earlier phase. Oxford Archaeology were commissioned to undertake the trial-trench evaluation on the 26km route of new pipeline. Eight of the trenches in Cheshire West revealed a total of 13 archaeological features, alongside a small group of artefacts from just three trenches. A trench to the south of Saughall, near Chester, produced the most significant archaeological features identified by the evaluation; comprised a cobble and sandstone surface (perhaps a footing for a building)and a step-profiled ditch. Both were associated with Roman pottery, ironwork, and glass dating to the mid-second to mid-third century AD. MORE NEWS: Of the 22 trenches in Flintshire, 14 revealed archaeological features - the earliest datable feature comprised a single pit found on gently sloping ground at Pentre Halkyn, which contained Bronze Age pottery. The report states that the results of further investigation work to take place will "inform development of an appropriate mitigation strategy for any significant archaeological remains". If the evaluation reveals little of archaeological significance, then no further work may be necessary. Liverpool Bay CCS seeks approval from Flintshire Council to approve the Written Scheme of Archaeology - which is needed for work to commence.
South Wales Argus
28-05-2025
- Health
- South Wales Argus
Free period products available in public places in Wales
The products are available as part of the Welsh Government's £3.2m Period Dignity fund. The initiative is not only providing essential period products in every school and college across Wales, but it has also extended its services to more than 100 public venues including libraries, leisure centres, food banks, sports clubs, and youth hubs. Through this initiative, the Welsh Government aims to completely eradicate period poverty by 2027 and is determined that no one should miss education, work, or social activities due to lack of access to period products. Flintshire's 'Reusable Period Product Parties' have been noted as a success. The events provide free access to reusable items such as cups, pads, and period pants. Councillor Mared Eastwood, Flintshire Council's cabinet member for education, Welsh language, culture, and leisure, said: "Holding Reusable Period Product Parties across libraries and leisure centres has helped to raise awareness and educate the community on reusable products. "Switching to reusable products can support individuals in reducing their environmental impact." The Welsh Government's cabinet secretary for social justice, Jane Hutt, also expressed her enthusiasm for the programme. She said: "Period products are essential items and should be freely available to everyone who needs them. "Flintshire's approach to offering reusable products in public spaces while encouraging open conversations about periods is helping break down stigma. "I'm especially pleased to see period products becoming available during sporting activities, removing yet another barrier to participation."
Leader Live
23-05-2025
- Leader Live
Plans for 'Traveller' site in Ewloe rejected for third time
A planning application was lodged earlier this year in relation to land off Church Lane at Old Aston Hill in Ewloe. The application proposed a "change of use of land to a traveller's caravan site'". It would consist of one mobile home, one touring caravan, car parking, landscaping and associated works. Similar plans were rejected by Flintshire Council in 2022 and 2024, and the latest application has also been refused. The refusal comes amid concerns over "insufficient information" that the applicants "meet the definition of Gypsies and Travellers", and that the proposal would have an "adverse impact on the character and appearance of the open countryside" - both contrary to planning policy. MORE NEWS: A planning officer's report states: "In the opinion of the Local Planning Authority the application contains insufficient information and does not clearly demonstrate and evidence that the applicants meet the definition of Gypsies and Travellers as set out in the Housing (Wales) Act (section 108) and is contrary to the Flintshire Local Development Plan. "As a consequence of its location the proposed development will have an adverse impact on the character and appearance of the open countryside. "The proposed development fails to accord with the guidance contained within Welsh Government publication 'Designing Gypsy and Traveller Sites'."
