Latest news with #NaturalResourcesWales'
Rhyl Journal
15-07-2025
- Rhyl Journal
Council refuses blocks caravans bid at Kinmel Bay due to flood risk
Mr C Holden had sought to amend a planning condition that currently prevents occupation of 23 static caravans between October 31 and March 1. His proposal aimed to shorten this closed period to January 8 to March 1, allowing caravans to be used for an extra nine weeks each year. But the committee upheld planning officers' recommendation to refuse the application, noting the site remains within flood-risk zones from both sea and river. Cllr Alan Hunter proposed councillors backed the plans, stating: 'I was going to speak in favour of allowing this to go through because it is right next to…well, it's all on the same site as where there are residential caravans already.' He added: 'The NRW (Natural Resources Wales) will probably oppose it every single time in that area. There are no houses. If there is a flooding issue, it is on a site that has got caravans there.' The site operates as a mixed touring and static caravan park between March and October. MORE NEWS: Young casualties rescued after 'hanging on to perch' near Rhyl Harbour Glan Clwyd nurse who was burns victim as child is now inspiring others 25 years later 'Strangers' thanked by mum for 'saving daughter's life' on Rhyl Beach Mr Holden's agent had argued that holiday patterns have changed since COVID and Brexit, with visitors now seeking short 'bolt hole' breaks throughout the year rather than traditional seasonal stays. Cllr Kay Redhead also proposed councillors backed the plans. 'My reservations are that there are residential 12-month plots on that land, and we are only looking at 23 caravans. In the height of the summer, we've got 50,000 to 60,000 extra tourists in Towyn and Kinmel Bay,' she said. 'This will be over the winter period when we don't have anywhere near that amount of people, and I know that one of the reasons is the evacuation procedure. 'But to evacuate 23 caravans in the middle of winter, I don't feel would be any extra strain on what we already have, considering we haven't got that extra 50,000 to 60,000 people in Towyn and Kimnel Bay at the time. 'The biggest threat of a flood there is from the river, which is Natural Resources Wales' land, which they have ownership of, and I do believe if they feel that is the biggest threat then they need to be doing something to mitigate that because the whole of Towyn and Kinmel Bay is at risk.' She added: 'We are having the sea defence work done, but if their argument is the river, that is their land, and they should be doing all they can to protect us. 'So I don't think the extra couple of months for 23 caravans is a massive issue in the big scheme of things, and I would second what Cllr Alan (Hunter) has said.' The site lies within the Towyn and Kinmel Bay settlement boundary, with homes to the east and commercial and agricultural buildings to the west. Kinmel Bay and Towyn Town Council had no objection to the plans, but NRW strongly advised refusal due to the site's location within Flood Zones 2 and 3, and a Tidal TAN15 Defended Zone. Consequently, planning officers advised councillors refused the application. Cllr Austin Roberts proposed the committee went with planning officers' recommendation to refuse, which was seconded by Cllr Dave Jones. Nine councillors voted in favour of refusing the application, with five opposing this and one councillor abstaining. This decision follows the refusal of a previous application on similar flood-risk grounds.
South Wales Argus
03-07-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Natural Resources Wales board member is reappointed
Deputy first minister and cabinet secretary for climate change and rural affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies, announced that Karen Balmer will return after the resignation of Kathleen Palmer. Mr Irranca-Davies said: "I am pleased to announce that I have directly appointed Karen Balmer as a temporary board member for the interim period July 1 to March 31, ahead of undertaking a full public appointment exercise." Ms Balmer will earn £350 per day for a maximum of 48 days per year, pro rata for the term of appointment. She previously served on the board from November 2015 to March 2023. Mr Irranca-Davies added: "Karen is a CIPFA qualified accountant with over 35 years' financial experience, along with extensive human resources and governance experience. "Natural Resources Wales' board has accountability for ensuring Natural Resources Wales exercises its legislative functions appropriately and effectively. "The board is also responsible to Welsh ministers for the ways in which it delivers against the ministerial remit letter. "I thank Kathleen for delivering significant contributions during her time as a Board member and for her commitment to Natural Resources Wales' work particularly in her role as chair of the board's audit, risk and assurance sub-committee."
South Wales Argus
01-07-2025
- General
- South Wales Argus
Welsh communities urged to connect with local wildlife
Wales Nature Week, taking place from July 5 to 13, is a national celebration of biodiversity, wildlife, and habitats, with a programme of events including guided walks, nature festivals, and workshops. Evelyn Gruchala, nature recovery volunteer coordinator at Swansea Council and Gower National Landscape, said: "As we face the ongoing nature and climate emergencies, there has never been a more important time to support local wildlife and safeguard the green and blue spaces that underpin ecosystem resilience and our future wellbeing." In Gwent, there is a range of activities including a swift talk and walk in Monmouth on July 3, an Alfred Russel Wallace Day in Usk on July 5, a noticing nature walk on July 7 in Pontypool Park. On July 9, there is forest therapy in Ebbw Vale, a guided insect safari in Abergavenny and a dragonfly event at Beaufort Hill Ponds & Woodlands. On July 12, Parc Bryn Bach will host a Go Wild! event, with Newport Wetlands hosting a bumblebee ID course and guided walk. The wetlands will host a dragonfly ID course and guided walk on July 13. Many activities are free and open to all ages. Sean McHugh from Natural Resources Wales' Wales Biodiversity Partnership support team said: "Wales Nature Week is a fantastic opportunity for people of all ages to get involved and make a difference for nature. "As we're in a nature and climate emergency, caring about nature has never been more important. "Nature is for everyone, so please celebrate Wales Nature Week any way you can, whether that's by attending an event, raising awareness with friends and family, or simply enjoying a summer stroll." A full list of events is available on the Biodiversity Wales website.
Wales Online
19-05-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
Why diggers and dumper trucks will move in on famous North Wales beach
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 Major works will take place on a North Wales beach as part of a multi-billion pound investment. The HyNet Carbon Dioxide Pipeline will transport carbon dioxide captured from existing industry in North Wales and North West England, as well as from new hydrogen production facilities. This will be transported to Point of Ayr gas terminal at Talacre and from there the CO2 will be piped under the sea to depleted offshore gas reservoirs in Liverpool Bay. The marine element of the project includes installation of electrical and fibre optic cables from the Mean High Water Spring (MHWS) line at Talacre to the New Douglas Offshore Platform, which will receive and distribute CO2 for storage in the storage sites. Consent for this is being sought under a Marine Licence application submitted to Natural Resources Wales' Marine Licencing Team. Following feedback received on the original Marine Licence application for the marine element of the Project, the electrical and fibre optic cables installation has necessitated a realignment to avoid impacts on vessel movements in and out of the Port of Mostyn. This will require the realignment of the cables within the foreshore area from the Horizontal Directional Drilling(HDD) Entry Pit to the HDD Exit Pit at the MHWS line, which lies outside of the planning application area approved under an existing planning permission. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox Therefore, consent for the new cable alignment is being sought from Flintshire council through the submission of a new Town and Country Planning Application (TCPA). The new alignment would be approximately 250m further east along Talacre beach. It will require major excavations for the pits and the cable route. In addition to reducing impact on vessel movements, they said the new cable alignment will have several benefits These include: • A slightly smaller footprint, due to a more direct route • Realigned cable laying, construction plant, and repositioning of the HDD Exit Pit willbe:— An additional 250m (2,300m in total) away from the Little Tern colony at GronantDunes; and— Routed through area of lower foraging distribution • More efficient, direct crossing of Talacre Beach, and Welsh Channel; Reduced disturbance to the Port of Mostyn • Faster lay operation across channel avoids complicated, time consuming, sinuous manoeuvre of the Cable Laying Vessel on anchors within the Welsh Channel • Decreased impact on channel traffic as fewer support vessel movements requireddue to the reduced complexity of anchor movements • Reduced vessel time in channel due to shorter pull operation Subject to planning permission, it is anticipated that HDD conduit construction, and cable installation, will commence in February to April 2026. The revised timing of the HDD Exit Pitworks has been scheduled for February 2026, which is outside of the Little Tern breeding season. The cable shore pull, and simultaneous lay and burial, by the cable laying vessel, are scheduled for July 2026 at the end of the Little Tern breeding season, close to their migratory departure. Excavations will be covered or securely fenced (with no potential access points beneath fencing) when the site is closed (e.g. overnight) to prevent entrapment of animals. The public will be informed of the nature, timing and duration of particular construction activities and the duration of the construction works by newsletters and liaison with the Construction Contractor. Temporary screens will be erected around the boundary of the proposed development to reduce visual impacts to sensitive receptors and protect pedestrians from any dust generated. Works adjacent to Point of Ayr Holiday Park and Haven Presthaven Holiday Park, where practicable, have been programmed outside of the peak holiday seasons. The intertidal works are envisaged to take up to eight weeks. This is expected to be separated into two different periods. One will be for the Gronant dunes HDD works (estimated at around 4 weeks), and another for the cable pulls (estimated at around 4 weeks), during which certain locations will be closed off entirely to the public. Temporary diversions will be arranged across the dunes during this period for pedestrian use. Join the North Wales Live WhatsApp community group where you can get the latest stories delivered straight to your phone
North Wales Live
19-05-2025
- Business
- North Wales Live
Why diggers and dumper trucks will move in on famous North Wales beach
Major works will take place on a North Wales beach as part of a multi-billion pound investment. The HyNet Carbon Dioxide Pipeline will transport carbon dioxide captured from existing industry in North Wales and North West England, as well as from new hydrogen production facilities. This will be transported to Point of Ayr gas terminal at Talacre and from there the CO2 will be piped under the sea to depleted offshore gas reservoirs in Liverpool Bay. The marine element of the project includes installation of electrical and fibre optic cables from the Mean High Water Spring (MHWS) line at Talacre to the New Douglas Offshore Platform, which will receive and distribute CO2 for storage in the storage sites. Consent for this is being sought under a Marine Licence application submitted to Natural Resources Wales' Marine Licencing Team. Following feedback received on the original Marine Licence application for the marine element of the Project, the electrical and fibre optic cables installation has necessitated a realignment to avoid impacts on vessel movements in and out of the Port of Mostyn. This will require the realignment of the cables within the foreshore area from the Horizontal Directional Drilling(HDD) Entry Pit to the HDD Exit Pit at the MHWS line, which lies outside of the planning application area approved under an existing planning permission. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox Therefore, consent for the new cable alignment is being sought from Flintshire council through the submission of a new Town and Country Planning Application (TCPA). The new alignment would be approximately 250m further east along Talacre beach. It will require major excavations for the pits and the cable route. In addition to reducing impact on vessel movements, they said the new cable alignment will have several benefits These include: • A slightly smaller footprint, due to a more direct route • Realigned cable laying, construction plant, and repositioning of the HDD Exit Pit willbe:— An additional 250m (2,300m in total) away from the Little Tern colony at GronantDunes; and— Routed through area of lower foraging distribution • More efficient, direct crossing of Talacre Beach, and Welsh Channel; Reduced disturbance to the Port of Mostyn • Faster lay operation across channel avoids complicated, time consuming, sinuous manoeuvre of the Cable Laying Vessel on anchors within the Welsh Channel • Decreased impact on channel traffic as fewer support vessel movements requireddue to the reduced complexity of anchor movements • Reduced vessel time in channel due to shorter pull operation Subject to planning permission, it is anticipated that HDD conduit construction, and cable installation, will commence in February to April 2026. The revised timing of the HDD Exit Pitworks has been scheduled for February 2026, which is outside of the Little Tern breeding season. The cable shore pull, and simultaneous lay and burial, by the cable laying vessel, are scheduled for July 2026 at the end of the Little Tern breeding season, close to their migratory departure. Excavations will be covered or securely fenced (with no potential access points beneath fencing) when the site is closed (e.g. overnight) to prevent entrapment of animals. The public will be informed of the nature, timing and duration of particular construction activities and the duration of the construction works by newsletters and liaison with the Construction Contractor. Temporary screens will be erected around the boundary of the proposed development to reduce visual impacts to sensitive receptors and protect pedestrians from any dust generated. Works adjacent to Point of Ayr Holiday Park and Haven Presthaven Holiday Park, where practicable, have been programmed outside of the peak holiday seasons. The intertidal works are envisaged to take up to eight weeks. This is expected to be separated into two different periods. One will be for the Gronant dunes HDD works (estimated at around 4 weeks), and another for the cable pulls (estimated at around 4 weeks), during which certain locations will be closed off entirely to the public. Temporary diversions will be arranged across the dunes during this period for pedestrian use.
