Latest news with #NaturalResourcesWales
South Wales Argus
2 days ago
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Newport plan to turn garage workshop into home rejected
The application, submitted by Z Ahammed, sought to repurpose the building at 3B East Market Street, Newport, retaining the garage at ground level and creating a one-bedroom flat above. However, the plans were refused by the council on July 19, 2025, due to several key concerns. The proposed dwelling was deemed to have an "overlooking and overbearing impact" on a neighbouring property on Dolphin Street. Additionally, the proposed internal space of the new flat was only 37.72 square metres, falling short of the required 45 square metres, leading to concerns about "inadequate living conditions." The absence of external amenity and clear rooflight outlooks further contributed to the refusal. The application also failed to provide a signed Section 106 agreement, despite draft terms being agreed upon. This meant the development did not meet its obligations towards affordable housing and leisure contributions, leaving it "unmitigated." Flood risk was another concern, with the site lying in both Flood Zone B and Flood Zone 3. Despite a Flood Consequences Assessment supporting the application, the council noted that Natural Resources Wales raised no objections provided mitigation measures were implemented. Highways safety was also highlighted as an issue, although the Highways Officer did not oppose the residential use if the garage was removed. No biodiversity enhancements or green infrastructure details were submitted with the application, although the council would have accepted a condition for biodiversity enhancement given the site's low ecological value. The proposal, which was seen to enhance the conservation area through reuse, ultimately did not outweigh the concerns regarding amenity. No objections or comments were received from neighbours regarding the proposal. The planning history of the site shows a previous application for conversion to a residential dwelling was refused on September 22, 2023.
Western Telegraph
2 days ago
- Business
- Western Telegraph
Farm plastics plan by NRW to cut River Cleddau pollution
Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has set up drop-off centres within the rivers Cleddau, Teifi, Tywi and Usk catchment areas where farmers can drop off silage bale wrap, clamp cover sheeting, fertiliser and feed bags, and feed buckets. The scheme is supported by Agriculture Plastics Environment, Birch Farm Plastics and Afonydd Cymru, who will provide the service at a reduced rate compared to charges for on-farm collection. NRW wants to recycle an additional 200t of farm plastics through the trial scheme. Chris Thomas, senior land management officer at Four Rivers for Life, says farm plastics have been found in the Cleddau, Teifi and Tywi rivers. 'Rivers can only fully perform this function and support farmers if they are healthy and free from pollution and plastic waste,'' he said. Don't miss our next edition of Pembrokeshire Farmer, available free inside the Western Telegraph on July 30 A report in 2023 by non-governmental organisation Wrap found that the UK has an agri-plastic recycling rate of 20-30%, which is significantly lower than other European countries, including Germany, France and Ireland who have recycling rates of 65%, 80% and 90% respectively. These countries operate drop off centres and these significantly help farmers recycle their used farm plastics. In 2024, West Wales Rivers Trust (WWRT) carried out a survey of 100 farms to review current practices on the disposal of agricultural plastics in Carmarthenshire and across Wales. The results showed that cost was one of the main barriers preventing more farmers recycling their silage plastic waste. Cheryl Birch, director at Birch Farm Plastics, which is partnering NRW in the scheme, said the company's costs can be lower when collecting from drop-off centres and those savings can therefore be passed onto farmers. One of the dedicated drop-off sites is at Crymych. More information can be found at
North Wales Live
4 days ago
- North Wales Live
'Private Property' sign shatters tranquility of beautiful Eryri lake used by generations of locals
A newly arrived family seeking a slice of heaven in North Wales have found themselves embroiled a heated access row with locals. After buying an historic cottage, reputed birthplace of 6th century poet Taliesin, they discovered the pretty lakeside location was not quite so idyllic after all. While renovating the old stone cottage overlooking Llyn Geirionydd, a popular lake in Conwy, Simon and Michelle Rothwell soon realised their 42 acres were often swarming with visitors. After despairing over illegal camping, parking and "abuse", they erected a 'Private Property' sign by the lake, a third of which they now own. The sign inflamed passions among people from nearby Trefriw and Llanrwst for whom access is considered an historic privilege after generations of use. The sign was allegedly swiftly torn down and the property vandalised. While some people are sympathetic to the family's plight, others are not. Some professed 'shock' they would no longer be able to take their children to the area. Among scores of angry comments was one from a woman who said: 'Are you honestly going to stand there with a pitchfork shouting get off my land or sit in a boat shouting get out of my water?' A local woman insisted she would not be deterred. '50 years of swimming there, as did my father before me, walking up from the village,' she wrote. 'Not going to stop now.' She claimed the lake and its curtilage had been loved by visitors for centuries – 'well before anyone could claim it was theirs'. Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now With Michelle, Simon, a former police officer from Luton, bought the property in October 2024. Later, the Times newspaper included it in a list of the 'weirdest homes sold in 2024', meaning the most distinctive. Overlooking it is the Taliesin Memorial, erected around 1850 to commemorate Taliesin Ben Beirdd (Chief of Bards), the first known poet in the Welsh language said to be a companion of King Arthur and Bran the Blessed. The couple's two-bedroom home oozed character but it was neglected: commuting from Warwick, renovations have been going on for eight months and it will be some time before they can finally move in. Online, a woman suggested the couple's quest for privacy was thankless in a tourism hotspot. 'Unfortunately unless you're planning on erecting 15ft steel fences or patrolling the shoreline 24/7 then maybe the best thing for your own mental health and happiness is to accept that it's an area that's going to have people in it,' she said. 'Otherwise you're just going to be miserable living here and life is too short and the scenery too beautiful.' Before buying the £675,000 property, they were aware the lake was a honeypot attraction – it's where Gwydyr Forest meets the lower slopes of the Carneddau mountains. Part of the site is managed by Natural Resources Wales (NRW), which operates a car park with toilets at the lake's southern end. It's a popular picnic spot. However it can get busy - watersports are popular and Geirionydd is the only lake in Eryri National Park where speedboats are permitted. Inevitably, locals gravitate to the lake's quieter, northern shores where they can escape the noise and bustle. The problems the Rothwells have experienced – littering, camping and illegal fires – are recurring issues all around the lake. A task force was even set up to tackle the concerns - ones that are familiar to anyone living near photogenic sites where swathes of visitors often inconvenience residents and create locals vs tourists tensions. The couple were unprepared for the scale of the problems, magnified by this year's good weather. Neither did they appreciate just how much local people have an affinity with the lake's atmospheric northern area – a place that once hosted the Gorsedd of Geirionyd, a 'more Welsh' version of the National Eisteddfod. Simon said: '95% of the people who come here are lovely. But we have others who say they have a right to be there, they can do what they like. 'Often the driveway is blocked by parked cars, preventing tradespeople from reaching the house. Sometimes we can't even access the house ourselves. And littering can be terrible. I've filled the car up many times with abandoned tents, discarded clothes and bottles of vodka. 'We have an agreement with a local farmer to graze his sheep – but they then get chased by dogs. Some people are so rude – a paddleboarder made our youngest son, aged six, cry when he was alone in the garden.' Complicating the situation is a public footpath that runs around the lake. Others cut through their property, to the Taliesin Memorial and linking Geirionydd with Llyn Crafant, a sister lake renowned for its scent of wild garlic. Although the footpaths are well away from the house, they bring people to the lakeside: here, the temptation is to dwell at what is undeniably a beautiful spot. 'We want to be reasonable, we really do,' said Simon. 'We understand people walk the area and want to stop to admire the lake. We have no problems with that. But if one person pitches up a tent, inevitably others will follow, and before long you have 20, 30, even 40 people camping on your land and having parties. 'It can also lead to awkward conversations. Recently we had people lighting a barbecue by the lake. When I spoke to them, they said they wouldn't be long, so I let it be. Six hours later, they were still there. 'When you approach some people and say it's private property, they say it's 'only a piece of paper' and tell me I have no right to ask them to leave. We've even had people in the back garden!' Having been driven to distraction by 'unpleasant incidents' and 'aggressive and intimidating' encounters this summer, Michelle took to Facebook explain how they were upsetting a family that was 'putting every penny we have into making our dream a reality'. Seeking to promote understanding, she shared photos of a gate and boundary wall by another Private Property sign that had been 'forcibly torn down'. A £200 Private Property sign erected by the lake was 'kicked down and stolen' within a day, she added. The police have been informed and the couple have been advised to install security cameras. It's a route they're reluctant to go down, but they may have little option. 'Perhaps we didn't appreciate just how long people have been coming up here,' said Simon. 'But it doesn't mean anyone can pitch up tents and light fires without permission. 'We want to be welcoming and we're anxious to talk to people about the issues. We absolutely want people to enjoy the area and we want to find solutions if we can. Of course it's reasonable that people can stop for a picnic near the footpath. However the feedback we've had so far suggests many people simply weren't aware the property was private.' Bizarrely, a public map of the lake published by NRW only shows two thirds of it – the map excludes the 14 acres of water now owned by the Rothwells. According to Simon, NRW told him this was at the request of a former owner worried it might attract people further up the lake. On its website, NRW does point out 'the north end of the lake is privately owned'. This brief reference may leave many lake users unaware of the limitations, especially given the lack of boundary markers at the lakeside or on the water. To get away from the crowds, plenty of people like to access the lake's northern end from its small shingle beach. To help provide clarity, some users have suggested marker buoys to delineate the lake's private area. Others say it will make little difference – people will ignore any signs anyway. 'People have used that little beach for years and years,' said one man online. 'I can guarantee you that me and my mates will still be using the little beach.' Others doubt any boundary markers could be enforced. Addressing the family, another man wrote: 'Unfortunately I don't think you have a hope in hell of stopping people – rightly or wrongly – using your end of the lake. 'You will only drive yourself mad and cause yourselves more distress if you try and make a stand, it will be like trying to hold back the incoming tide. 'Your only hope is to accept the inconvenience and enjoy the majority of the year when you will have Geirionydd to yourselves. It's a beautiful part of the world and you can't really blame anyone for wanting to enjoy a few hours in your paradise.' NRW said it has been in discussions with the Rothwells over their access problems. The environment body said it has no plans to install additional markers identifying the lake's private section. Roots of row in the staycation boom While local people claim to have enjoyed unhindered access for decades, the position changed during the pandemic. Before then, Michelle said the previous owners 'weren't around much'. But in summer 2021 a long-time visitor was asked to leave the area. Ruefully, the visitor wrote: 'For people who enjoy the area responsibly, who pick up litter and notify authorities of any issues, being asked to leave is a kick in the teeth.' A few weeks after this incident, the property's Macclesfield-based owner wrote to an outdoor education academic at Bangor University asking for help rescinding access permissions previously granted to outdoor centres, schools and colleges. At the time, she raged at the 'littering and wild defecation, wild fires and verbal abuse' the area was experiencing in the staycation boom. She wrote: 'We are now inundated with visitors to the point where we cannot enjoy the land that we own. Whilst we wish to encourage humanity to enjoy the beautiful surroundings we are very worried about the destruction of natural habitat and general trespassing.' Matters were said to have escalated. There were reported incidents according to a neighbour with run-ins between the last owners and with people using that end of the lake. He also said it made little difference. With visitor numbers still rising, he suggested the new owners 'will be fighting a losing battle'. Working with the community The destruction of property, and the 'disgusting' and 'appalling' intimidation experienced by the family, has been widely condemned by locals and other lake users. Yet few have been surprised by the anger caused by the raising of Geirionydd's drawbridge. The area, in the parish of Llanrhychwyn, is rooted in antiquity. Near the lake is grade I-listed St Rhychwyn's Church, often claimed as the oldest in Wales. Locally it's known as Llewelyn's Church, a reference to Llywelyn Fawr, Prince of Gwynedd, who had a hunting lodge in the area. It's an enchanting place but, online, one woman suggested the family picked the wrong place for their rural idyll. 'You bought a house in one of the most popular beauty spots in the area. And now you are wondering why people are not happy that you are trying to restrict access to an area that local people have used as amenity land for generations. 'I agree that vandalism is not appropriate in any situation. However, you are really not going about this in a very diplomatic way, with signs effectively saying 'get off my land'. 'No wonder people are upset. You will not win this battle, I doubt, without a lot of stress and expense.' Simon, now a businessman, said the family never intended to upset local people and are distraught by the consequences. In time, they hope to immerse themselves in the community whilst finding ways of curtailing the area's over-tourism. The Private Property sign was not meant to be provocative, he said. Instead it was merely a way of 'drawing a line' to show the family was no longer prepared to accept the disruption and abuse they were experiencing. Despite everything, Simon and his wife don't regret for a moment the decision they made to move up from the West Midlands. 'We love it here,' he said. 'It's a beautiful area and we've met some lovely people. It's not nice to hear things like we should 'go back to Warwick'. But, overall, the good far, far exceeds the bad.' NRW said it manages Llyn Geirionydd's access for swimmers and paddlers from the southern end only. A spokesperson said: 'The northern end of the lake is privately owned and we've been speaking with the property owner who's put up signs on their own property as a result of people accessing the land and parking across their gate. 'Our signs at the southern end of the lake show the areas visitors can use, including the area for water skiing by permit only, which is managed by Llyn Geirionydd Water Skiing Club. 'We don't currently have plans to change our signage or install a floating lake boundary to mark the private property at the northern end of the lake.'
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Yahoo
Mountain rescuers halt training to clear up litter
A mountain rescue team have said they were "heartbroken" to have to "down tools" to clean up rubbish including disposable barbecues during a training session at a beauty spot. Volunteers from the Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team were out in the area known as Waterfall Country in the Bannau Brycheiniog national park when they spotted litter strewn across the ground. In a post on social media, the team said they were "forced to down tools – but not for a rescue". "Our volunteers give their time to help people in need. Picking up after others shouldn't be part of the job but sadly, it's becoming more common," the volunteers said. Litter fears as TikTok sparks forest visitor surge Instagram tourists urged to respect beauty spot "In one of Wales' most beautiful areas, it was heartbreaking to see nature treated as a dumping ground. "Training was paused as our volunteers gathered as much rubbish as they could safely carry out." The team said they also found plastic bottles, crisp packets and broken glass strewn across the landscape. They warned litter "not only spoils the landscape, it's dangerous for wildlife, livestock and other visitors". They urged visitors to Bannau Brycheiniog, also known as the Brecon Beacons, to "follow the simple leave no trace principle: whatever you bring with you, take it home". The "Instagrammable" national park is visited by about four million people each year and, last summer, the authority urged tourists to research and respect the area. Keep Wales Tidy said recent figures showed fast food packaging was found on 26.4% of streets and drinks litter on 43.6%, saying this was "a clear sign that throwaway culture is taking a toll on every corner of Wales". It warned litter "continues to blight communities, threaten wildlife and damage our precious natural environment". The organisation has teamed up with content creators across Wales to help spread the message to new audiences via social media. Owen Derbyshire, Keep Wales Tidy chief executive, said it was "unacceptable that areas of such outstanding beauty are being disrespected in this way, putting wildlife, people and our fragile ecosystem at risk". He added: "We're saddened that mountain rescue volunteers had to come face to face with the growing problem of litter in one of Wales' most beautiful and fragile landscapes. "Their experience in Waterfall Country is, sadly, all too familiar." Ceredigion-based ecologist and content creator, Joe Wilkins, who does the Sandwich with a View series on Instagram, said: "As someone who loves Wales and encourages people to explore our wonderful nation responsibly, I know how vital it is that we keep these special places litter-free. "Nature in Wales is under pressure from many threats beyond our control, but taking our litter home is one simple action we can all take to help wildlife recover and thrive. "Let's make memories, not mess." 'Leave barbecues at home' Natural Resources Wales has also urged visitors to Wales' green spaces to enjoy the outdoors responsibly this summer. "To prevent wildfires from igniting, do not light campfires, discard cigarettes or leave litter in the countryside, especially glass bottles," it said. It said barbecues should be left at home in dry weather or only used in designated spaces where signs say they are allowed, before being put out and disposed of responsibly once the ashes are cold. They also urged people to stay safe around water, adding waterfalls were dangerous places to swim due to strong currents. More like this story Litter 'nightmare' as street cleanliness worst on record Man with hypothermia rescued from mountain peak Woman rescued after fall in ravine
BBC News
6 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team halts training over litter
A mountain rescue team have said they were "heartbroken" to have to "down tools" to clean up rubbish including disposable barbecues during a training session at a beauty from the Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team were out in the area known as Waterfall Country in the Bannau Brycheiniog national park when they spotted litter strewn across the a post on social media, the team said they were "forced to down tools – but not for a rescue". "Our volunteers give their time to help people in need. Picking up after others shouldn't be part of the job but sadly, it's becoming more common," the volunteers said. "In one of Wales' most beautiful areas, it was heartbreaking to see nature treated as a dumping ground."Training was paused as our volunteers gathered as much rubbish as they could safely carry out."The team said they also found plastic bottles, crisp packets and broken glass strewn across the warned litter "not only spoils the landscape, it's dangerous for wildlife, livestock and other visitors".They urged visitors to Bannau Brycheiniog, also known as the Brecon Beacons, to "follow the simple leave no trace principle: whatever you bring with you, take it home". The "Instagrammable" national park is visited by about four million people each year and, last summer, the authority urged tourists to research and respect the area. Keep Wales Tidy said recent figures showed fast food packaging was found on 26.4% of streets and drinks litter on 43.6%, saying this was "a clear sign that throwaway culture is taking a toll on every corner of Wales".It warned litter "continues to blight communities, threaten wildlife and damage our precious natural environment".The organisation has teamed up with content creators across Wales to help spread the message to new audiences via social Derbyshire, Keep Wales Tidy chief executive, said it was "unacceptable that areas of such outstanding beauty are being disrespected in this way, putting wildlife, people and our fragile ecosystem at risk".He added: "We're saddened that mountain rescue volunteers had to come face to face with the growing problem of litter in one of Wales' most beautiful and fragile landscapes. "Their experience in Waterfall Country is, sadly, all too familiar."Ceredigion-based ecologist and content creator, Joe Wilkins, who does the Sandwich with a View series on Instagram, said: "As someone who loves Wales and encourages people to explore our wonderful nation responsibly, I know how vital it is that we keep these special places litter-free. "Nature in Wales is under pressure from many threats beyond our control, but taking our litter home is one simple action we can all take to help wildlife recover and thrive. "Let's make memories, not mess." 'Leave barbecues at home' Natural Resources Wales has also urged visitors to Wales' green spaces to enjoy the outdoors responsibly this summer."To prevent wildfires from igniting, do not light campfires, discard cigarettes or leave litter in the countryside, especially glass bottles," it said. It said barbecues should be left at home in dry weather or only used in designated spaces where signs say they are allowed, before being put out and disposed of responsibly once the ashes are also urged people to stay safe around water, adding waterfalls were dangerous places to swim due to strong currents.
