Latest news with #GreatCrestedNewts
South Wales Argus
02-05-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Talks over CiNER glass bottle making factory in Ebbw Vale
At a meeting of Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council's Place scrutiny committee meeting on Tuesday, April 29 councillors asked for an update on the much anticipated development, which is expected to see Turkish firm, CiNER build the facility in Ebbw Vale. This was during discussion of the Regeneration and Community Services Performance Report for 2024/2025. The firm were given planning permission by councillors to build the factory at a site on the Rassau Industrial estate back in June 2022 and concerns are raised by councillors every few months or so on the lack of tangible progress being seen with the scheme. This is because of pastprojects such as the Circuit of Wales project which was for a motor racing circuit and technology park development proposal on moorland on the outskirts of Ebbw Vale, which promised much but ultimately failed to materialise. Opposition leader Cllr Wayne Hodgins (Indepdenednt said: 'Ths big ticket question on everyone's minds at present is there any update regarding the CiNER glass factory.' Business and regeneration service manager Owen Ashton said: 'Discussions are still ongoing with CiNER and Welsh Government who are a key partner. 'There are lot of commercial aspects to this, I know there are meetings pencilled in over the next few weeks, and I can provide an update in the next round (of committee meetings).' Cllr Hodgins said: 'It's good to hear that the project at this point in time is not dead in the water, it's very reassuring for us and the wider communities of Blaenau Gwent.' In February 2024 Blaenau Gwent planners approved amendments to the planning permission for the factory. Changes to the scale, height, layout, appearance, access, and landscape of were agreed and a condition about Great Crested Newts was deleted as the amphibians are not present at the site. CiNER is currently working to build two new state-of-the-art glass factories to help increase its glass production capacity to serve the European market. The first glass plant will be situated in Lommel, Belgium which they hope to have built by 2026 – their second factory is the one earmarked for Ebbw Vale. CiNER have been asked to comment.
BBC News
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Headlines: 'Weston Pier boycott' and 'Motion closure'
Here's our daily pick of stories from across local websites in the West of England, and interesting content from social media. Our pick of local website stories There are calls to boycott Weston-super-Mare's Grand Pier after it was announced that right-wing commentator Katie Hopkins will be performing there as part of a stand-up comedy tour.A newly-qualified teenage driver was sentenced to two years' detention after killing three friends and seriously injuring two children and an adult in a "catastrophic" head on there was some good news for Swindon's conservationists after Wiltshire Wildlife Trust and a group of councillors discovered a population of rare Great Crested Newts in the town. Our top three from yesterday What to watch on social media Bristol's popular nightclub, Motion, updated its followers with the sad news that it will be closing its doors at its Avon Street site for the last time in July. Bosses have promised that this is "not the end", and that they will go out with a animal rescue charity posted on Facebook about a "horrific" incident they had to deal with. They were called after a member of the public found a dead pregnant cat's body in a bin bag in Hanham, near the Swindon Advertiser shared the wonderful moment an 11-year-old girl heard again for the first time after undergoing life-changing surgery.
BBC News
29-04-2025
- General
- BBC News
Swindon receives 50,000 newly-planted trees in five years
More than 50,000 trees have been planted across a town during the past five years, exceeding expectations and providing rewarding work for Wildlife Trust wanted to plant trees across 494 acres (200 hectares) - but 568 acres (230 hectares) have been covered, with more trees still to demand has led to trees being planted in some unused allotments which are prone to wildlife trust and Swindon Borough Council worked together on the Great Western Community Forest and Swindon Forest Meadows projects, launching Trees for Climate five years ago. 'New confidence' Karl Scaplehorn, who began volunteering with Swindon Forest Meadows, said: "I joined the wellbeing group five years ago."It's very rewarding, I've learned new skills, gained new confidence and the people are great. It's good to be out in nature. I'd recommend it." The rewards for volunteer James Pitter include a boost to his career. He graduated with a degree in wildlife biology last year and has now secured a job working on bat ecology."Employers wanted practical experience and skills," he said."I've learned new skills and got more experience. I've been involved in tree planting, I've managed people, worked on infrastructure like paths and fences and cleared habitats." Peter Field started volunteering with the project in 2020 after he retired, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said: "I was a history teacher, so I've learned a lot more about nature than I knew, and being outdoors is good my health, both my body and head."There are a lot of interesting projects, and it gives me a sense of purpose and wellbeing to come and volunteer here." Neil Pullen, Wiltshire Wildlife Trust's conservation officer, said the tree canopy in the borough has increased from 8% to 13%.The trust has also been collecting seeds from native trees in Swindon. "There are great 'cultural' trees in Swindon which we'd like to take seeds from," he added."The mulberry at the Richard Jefferies Museum, for example, or the great willow in Wroughton. If we could use the seeds from those trees here, we'd be preserving the cultural legacy as well as the genetic one."Other smaller projects have been going on, such as counting Great Crested Newts and clearing flood meadows."We have an amazing history and culture of trees and nature here in Swindon and we should shout about it and celebrate it," said Mr Pullen.
