Latest news with #LocalDevelopmentPlan
The National
2 days ago
- Business
- The National
Plans for AI data centre campus proposed which could create 1500 jobs
A proposal of application notice by the UK-based firm Apatura has been submitted to both Stirling Council and Falkirk Council. Apatura have proposed to create an AI data centre campus with a 300MW capacity on land next to the A9 and between Plean and Torwood, outside Stirling. Along with the AI data centre plans also outline a proposal to build a car park, roads, access, associate works along with various landscaping. READ MORE: Labour's 'cruel' asylum returns deal with France comes into force The application says that AI data centres are 'vital' to the UK's digital and economic infrastructure and help process large amounts of information by using artificial intelligence which helps power organisations like NHS online services and national security operations. Apatura said the proposed campus would represent a 'major investment' in both the local and regional economy if approved, as they estimate it would generate £2.1 billion total capital investment. The firm added that with £189 million projected for the construction spend earmarked for the local supply chain it would create around 15000 jobs across Scotland annually, with 395 of them being made locally across the four-year construction period. Plans for the centre have entered a 12-week pre-application consultation process with a public consultation meeting planned for September 3 and October 7 at Glenbervie House & Country Estate organised by Apatura. The proposed site at Old Plean comprises approximately 43.1 hectares in total and is located within the administrative area of Stirling Council and Falkirk Council. Bannockburn councillor, Alasdair Macpherson, whose ward includes the proposed site, said that it's 'vital that the community take a real interest in this consultation', saying that, if approved, the proposal could 'bring cutting edge technology and very exciting jobs to the local area.' Cllr Macpherson added: 'It's my job as local councillor to ensure that if the developers decide to submit a formal application that the proposal is compliant with the Local Development Plan, the local community extracts the maximum benefit from the development and disruption is kept to a minimum, if it was to eventually get consent'. With more than 15 years' worth of industry experience, Apatura develops and operates large-scale energy and digital infrastructure with a focus on projects that 'unlock lasting value' for local communities. The firm specialises in clean power, battery energy storage systems (BESS), and data centre–ready sites.
South Wales Argus
31-07-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Plans for 28 new small business units at Ty Du, Nelson
Developer Cyncoed Property (Cardiff) Ltd is seeking planning permission for 28 small business units to the site's south. It is hoped the project, if approved, will provide 'modern, light industrial units' for 'small-sized start-up [or] trade-counter uses', according to planning agents at Knight Frank. The Ty Du site has been earmarked for significant development in the council's Local Development Plan, and if approved the new units would follow on from the completion of other business units in 2021. Separate proposals for 169 new homes are also in the pipeline for the wider Ty Du area, and received the council's support in late 2024 – but also requires Welsh Government approval because the project is classed as a 'major' development. The new proposals for the 28 small business units would 'provide a flexible mix of employment uses so that the site can react dynamically to market demand', the agents said. The new units could also provide more than 50 jobs, according to the application form for the proposal. The application is currently out for consultation, and can be viewed on the Caerphilly County Borough Council website under reference 25/0477/FULL.
South Wales Argus
31-07-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
Rogerstone Community Council addresses 'misrepresented' dog
The council clarified that the dog involved was not a banned breed, and no control order was in place, as per the police. This was just one of several issues the council addressed at its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at Tydu Community Hall on June 4. South Wales Police officers attended the meeting to provide updates and discuss ongoing issues, including anti-social behaviour and drug-related concerns at Ty Du View, Tudor Crescent, and High Cross Open Space. There are now plans to install a gate at Tudor Crescent to deter misuse by electric bike riders, with the gate intended to be compliant with disability access standards. Other matters discussed at the AGM included the future management of community allotments. The council is moving towards a tenant-led self-management model, and a meeting with interested tenants took place before the council's July meeting to discuss the next steps. The council also expressed frustration at the ongoing delay in feedback from Newport City Council regarding the Local Development Plan (LDP). Despite submitting comments more than 18 months ago on candidate sites affecting Rogerstone, no formal response has yet been received. The council was informed that a revised timeline is pending discussions with the Welsh Government. In other planning matters, the council voted to appeal Newport's refusal of a planning application for a gazebo at the Welfare Grounds. The council will request that the application be reviewed at committee level rather than through delegated decision-making. The council also began preparations for the 2025 Remembrance Sunday events, and the annual schools competition deadline was extended to allow participation from Rogerstone Primary School. Members also discussed the continuation of the Sally Mlewa Award. In terms of governance and financial oversight, the council approved the 2024/25 annual accounts, an annual return and internal audit report, and an annual report, which is now available on the council's website. The council is also in discussions with Newport City Council to include Rogerstone's open spaces in the city's updated Public Spaces Protection Order, expected later in 2025. The council agreed to add weed control at the Scout Hut to the groundsman's routine. Co-option interviews for new councillors are planned for September following strong resident interest. The next full meeting of the council is scheduled for Wednesday, September 3, in the council chambers at Tydu Community Hall, Welfare Grounds, Tregwilym Road, Rogerstone. The meeting was chaired by Councillor Larcombe and was attended by members and local residents, many of whom observed following a pre-meeting session on the responsibilities of community councillors. The meeting provided an opportunity for residents to engage with the council and discuss issues affecting the community. The council continues to work on behalf of the residents of Rogerstone to ensure the community remains a safe and pleasant place to live.
Leader Live
25-07-2025
- Politics
- Leader Live
Ombudsman clears Wrexham councillor who challenged LDP
The independent Ombudsman has ruled that Plaid Cymru group leader Cllr Marc Jones did not breach the Code of Conduct by jointly initiating legal proceedings in Wrexham Council's name with two other members of the council. As a result, it has ruled no further action should be taken. 'The overwhelming feeling is of relief after waiting for 20 months,' said Cllr Jones. 'This feels like the end of a chapter, even if it's not the end of the entire saga surrounding the Local Development Plan (LDP). We stood up for what we believed was the right thing for Wrexham communities and the right of councillors and local democracy to be heard. 'Others didn't feel the same way and tried every way possible to silence us. Ultimately it didn't work and the courts, police and now the Ombudsman have found in our favour. 'It's time to move on and get the LDP withdrawn so that we can ensure we have a plan going forward that works for Wrexham and its communities.' That could happen next Wednesday when an extraordinary meeting of Wrexham Council has been called to debate a notice of motion asking Welsh Government to formally withdraw the LDP. Related reading: The LDP is the strategic plan that outlines where development is appropriate within Wrexham County Borough. It was considered a statutory duty for all Welsh Council's to adopt an LDP until Cllr Jones led a challenge against Wrexham's plan. The opposition to the plan stemmed from what Cllr Jones called the 'excessive allocation of housing on greenfield sites'. That challenge went all the way to the UK Supreme Court who ruled that the authority did not have to adopt the LDP. Currently planning committee can still use the LDP as a guide when deciding applications, but if withdrawn it will fall back to the outdated Unitary Development Plan. During the legal battle, a complaint was made to the Ombudsman that Cllr Jones and his supporters had breached the code of conduct for councillors by beginning legal action on the council's behalf. However, the Ombudsman accepted the explanation that Cllr Jones had taken the action to 'uphold and defend the democratic decisions of the council in April and June 2023 to reject the LDP'. It also accepted that while acting outside the council's usual legal framework could be considered bringing the council into disrepute, stating: 'the factual context of the Member's conduct and subsequent series of events provides strong mitigating factors which must be duly considered when deciding whether further action is required, in the public interest. 'I have considered that the council's statutory officers were acting in good faith and on the external legal advice received at the time, did not take steps to uphold the council/members' decisions not to adopt the draft LDP. 'However, as confirmed by the more recent Court of Appeal decision instituted by the Member, it appears that the officers' position, that the members were obliged to adopt the draft LDP, was based on an incorrect interpretation of the law. 'The crowdfunding campaign established to take further legal challenges against the adoption of the draft LDP received strong public support. Because of this, I have concluded that any impact on the public's perception of the member's conduct – and accordingly the public interest factors and considerations relevant to this complaint – significantly changed during the course of the investigation. 'For these reasons, I do not believe that any further action is required in the public interest.' Cllr Jones said the decision drew a line under the debate and added he wanted to move beyond the legal argument. 'People don't want urban sprawl,' said Cllr Jones. 'They don't want huge super-estates with no community facilities, they want improved public services, genuinely affordable homes, better transport links and the focus of any developments to be on derelict land and empty properties. 'That's the focus for me now – looking forward to improve Wrexham rather than looking back in anger.'
Leader Live
24-07-2025
- Politics
- Leader Live
Second-chance for Wrexham Planning Committee to rule on 600-home plan
The last time the application was on the agenda was two weeks ago, when the planning committee meeting collapsed after two-and-a-half minutes due to not enough members attending. After the UK Supreme Court ruling that left Wrexham's Local Development Plan (LDP) unadopted, the scheme – on land that was included in the LDP – was left in limbo. When the plans first came before the committee in 2020, councillors raised objections that the site lay outside the settlement area in the Green Barrier. Once it was included in the LDP, that objection was withdrawn as the land was formally included in the council's development plans. Related reading: Now, with moves afoot to erase the LDP entirely and an inquiry by Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW) into the development due on September 29, Wrexham Council has a second chance to determine the application and submit a formal response to the inquiry. In the report the committee will consider officers have recommended that Wrexham Council could not successfully defend an appeal if it reinstated its opposition to the development. It also advises if they go against that advice and restore their objections, the committee will need to nominate two councillors to give evidence before the inquiry. According to the report: 'Although the unadopted LDP no longer has the status of development plan, the Development Management Manual (DMM)advises that the weight to be attached to an unadopted LDP will depend on the stage it has reached. 'Local Planning Authorities need to carefully consider the underlying evidence to an unadopted LDP. 'In the event that members determine to reinstate one or more of the reasons for refusal, members will nominate up to two members of the Planning Committee to act as expert witnesses at the inquiry.'
