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Wales Online
10-05-2025
- Wales Online
Anger as iconic beauty spot vanishes from pretty Welsh village
Anger as iconic beauty spot vanishes from pretty Welsh village A recent visitor was left horrified when he saw what had become of the place Llanfairtalhaiarn's idyllic 'beach' and picnic site (Image: Ian Greig/Wiki ) For generations in a quaint Conwy village, a rustic shingle "beach" was a beloved local haunt. It was a nostalgic spot where toddlers splashed around taking their first dips and children eagerly fished with nets as parents kept a watchful eye, enjoying picnics and barbecues on the riverbank. However, this week brought shock to a regular visitor, who has often taken his dogs to this cherished spot in Llanfairtalhaiarn, when he witnessed the sad transformation of this once idyllic retreat. Previously, the area boasted a serene riverside setting with tree lines gently meeting the broad shoal - a favourite launch spot for families with inflatable boats. But now, the scene is one of devastation, with the riverbank severely eroded and the 'beach' entirely vanished. Devastated by the change, semi-retired tree surgeon Len Lloyd said: "I was gutted," while pointing out that even the 4ft drop that replaced the once gentle slope deeply upset him. "Instead of a gentle slope down to the shingle, there's now a sharp 4ft drop. The beach has gone – the riverbank has been damaged so much you can see tree roots instead of shingle." Article continues below Before (left) and after photos of a riverside path by the Afon Elwy that's been severely eroded, leading to a steep drop to the river and the loss of its shoal 'beach' (Image: Vickie Rogerson ) Lloyd reminisced about the area being a top destination for family outings. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What's On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here He shared memories of his own daughter paddling there and recalled its past glory, when it drew tourists in droves during the 1950s, hailing it as 'the Switzerland of North Wales', reports North Wales Live. "You'd see cars parked up right along the riverbank and the beach was always packed with little ones. Now it's dangerous! "It looks like someone's used a mechanical digger to claw away the riverbank. It might help the river run more easily but it's destroyed this wonderful site." The picturesque spot, nestled on the banks of the Afon Elwy, is overshadowed by an ancient three-arched bridge that carries the Abergele to Llanrwst road into the heart of the village. Other local attractions include Ddôl Bach nature reserve and the towering presence of Mynydd Bodran, a spectacular viewpoint above the village. The Afon Elwy after the weir's removal in summer 2024 (Image: NRW ) However, the community's most iconic feature is the riverside 'beach', just off the A548 by School Lane - it's been the subject of countless photos and paintings of Llanfairtalhaiarn (Llanfair TH). Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has been blamed for the destruction, however they said they had not removed the beach. The environmental body has been working to improve local flood management since the village suffered two major flooding events in 2012, the second one inundating 19 homes and businesses. On social media, many locals echoed Len's sentiments. One man described the river as now being in a "terrible state", another accused NRW of "totally ruining the beauty of Llanfair TH". A local woman lamented: "I noticed the other day how lovely it used to be when I used to take my kids on the dinghy. Now the banks are so steep you can't even get down to the river. "On the other hand the good thing is that it may help stop the flooding.... but it's just not the same now." Llanfairtalhaiarn's flood defences on the Elwy proved their worth during the 2012 storms. NRW explained that the current issue originates from the removal of a weir, which if left in place could have had catastrophic consequences for the village. A spokesperson for NRW said: "We understand and appreciate the local value of this stretch of the Afon Elwy as a well-used and much-loved amenity. The failing weir in 2022 (Image: NRW ) "In summer 2024, we carried out work to remove a weir located downstream of the village. "Although this was not an NRW-owned structure, it was severely degraded, at risk of collapse, and presented a significant barrier to fish migration. "In summer 2024, we carried out work to remove a weir located downstream of the village. "Although this was not an NRW-owned structure, it was severely degraded, at risk of collapse, and presented a significant barrier to fish migration. "Information about this work was advertised and shared locally at the time. Bedcheck rock bags were installed in the river in January 2025 (Image: NRW ) "Had the weir collapsed, it would have posed an immediate safety risk to anyone nearby and could have caused uncontrolled erosion, potentially damaging local infrastructure." Following three major storms in autumn and winter 2024, unchecked rivers flows contributed to the erosion at the School Lane site. NRW officers subsequently returned to install additional "bed check" structures. Often used in river restoration projects, these are rock-filled bags that are designed to regulate water flow and sediment transport. The aim was to support the river in rebuilding its bed upstream and improve conditions for fish spawning. NRW said: "We have not removed the gravel shoal or beach at Llanfairtalhaiarn. "The Afon Elwy, like all rivers, is a dynamic, natural feature that continually changes its shape, form, and sediment deposits over time. "The changes observed at the School Lane site are consistent with previous natural shifts in the riverbed over the years. "Our officers visited the site this week and observed that the riverbed is beginning to build back up naturally, a process that will take time as gravel is built from downstream. "We will continue to work with our river geomorphologists to assess whether any further remedial work is required." Get daily breaking news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here . We occasionally treat members to special offers, promotions and ads from us and our partners. See our Privacy Notice Article continues below
Wales Online
04-05-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
Funding 'pledged' as community eyes up Anglesey beauty spot earmarked for £250m holiday complex
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A community's 14-year battle to reclaim an Anglesey beauty spot from developers could be nearing a turning point. Funding has been reportedly pledged to finance the purchase of Penrhos Coastal Park (CP) depending on insolvency outcomes and a fraud investigation by police. A Community Interest Company (CIC) is being established to formalise a possible future bid by residents in Holyhead and beyond. This will aim to 'facilitate community ownership of Penrhos for the benefit of future generations'. The CIC hopes to overturn planning consent awarded for almost 500 luxury lodges at the 200-acre site. Having acquired the coastal park in January, new owners the 79th Group talked of a £250m development starting this summer. But a City of London Police investigation was launched into the Southport-based asset management business. On February 28, the force said four people connected to the company had been arrested and bailed as part of 'Operation Mold '. This week, notice was given that eight companies associated with 79th Group had been placed into administration. They were were among a batch of 13 79th Group vehicles that had filed notice of intention to appoint an administrator. These included DJC Leisure, which at the turn of the year bought 18 parcels of Penrhos CP land from former site owner Land and Lakes. Penrhos CP supporters have also learnt that 'hundreds' of 79th Group staff have been told their jobs have gone. Sign up now for the latest news on the North Wales Live Whatsapp community Penrhos stalwart Hilary Paterson-Jones has led efforts to thwart plans for a luxury holiday complex ever since former site owner Land and Lakes announced its intentions in 2011. She said the fraud case implications for Penrhos were currently uncertain. But the new CIC – expected to be formalised this week – will explore opportunities that might arise from this uncertainty. (Image: Ian Greig/Wiki) Hilary said: 'We've already had offers of funding from numerous private sector, government and individual sources. At the moment I'm not at liberty to say who they are. The admin team will also be looking to secure additional funding from other sources, including crowdfunding initiatives, with a view to bringing Penrhos into community ownership.' Since the launch of of formal police investigation in February, the 79th Group has stopped all interest and redemption payments to loan note holders - these raised cash by offering investors high returns over a fixed period. The suspension of payments has raised liquidity concerns and has left investors frantic with worry. A collective civil recovery process is in its early stages. When the City of London Police announced its investigation, Anglesey Council expressed 'great concern' over the development. With support from local councillors, Penrhos supporters now aim to overturn planning permission controversially awarded by the council for a holiday complex in 2016. If stripped of consent, it's hoped other developers will be deterred and the site's asset value will fall. Supporters will also be assessing possibilities should DJC Leisure enter administration. Hilary set out the CIC's plans yesterday with Plaid leader Rhun ap Iorwerth, the Senedd Member for Ynys Môn. (Image: Land & Lakes) Having lost a £40,000 High Court case against the Penrhos development last year, Hilary hopes a turning point has been reached. She's been keeping a watch on the wooded site since 1969 when Anglesey Aluminium sought consent for a vast smelter on Holyhead's outskirts. She said: 'The then Welsh Office insisted that 272 acres of the 790-acre site were set aside as public amenity in perpetuity – I watched the company secretary type out the agreement. 'This became the coastal park which is home to an ancient woodland and some of the last surviving red squirrels in Wales. It was and, still is, a refuge for local people. So when the site was bought by Land and Lakes for holiday chalets, depriving the community of its legacy, it caused a huge outcry – it was among the first things I mentioned when I initially addressed the council chamber. 'Bringing the coastal park into community ownership would be a way of squaring the circle after all these years.' Get the best island stories from our Anglesey newsletter - sent every Friday At stake is more than local pride and amenity, Hilary added. In the fight against climate change, Penrhos CP is an important bulwalk against carbon emissions, she said. 'I struggle to understand why the Welsh Government is paying to plant trees in countries like Ghana when it won't safeguard ancient woodlands in Wales like the one at Penrhos. 'We are a tiny island and I fear we may as well float off into the Irish Sea for all the lack of support we get here. If the coastal park is ever lost, Holyhead will become a concrete town with barely a single tree left.' Find out what's happening near you
