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Powys County Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Powys County Times
NRW plans CCTV cameras at former Ynyslas visitor centre
A scheme for a new CCTV system at the beach car parking area of a now-closed visitor centre has been lodged with planners. In an application to Ceredigion County Council, Natural Resources Wales is seeking permission to install the pole and associated cameras at the Natural Resources Wales Ynyslas Offices near Borth. In its application, NRW states: 'This is a project to install a new CCTV system on land owned and managed by Natural Resources Wales (NRW) near the Ynyslas office building located on the coastline between Borth and the Dyfi Estuary. 'It is to provide CCTV coverage of the beach front and parking area. It includes all ancillary works, such as mast with foundations and cabling running from the existing office building to the proposed mast on the beach.' It adds: 'The proposed scheme will provide security for the beach car park and adjacent areas at Ynyslas, particularly when the area is unmanned by NRW staff, permitting the facility to remain in use and continue to allow public access to an important natural area. 'The scheme has been designed taking a step-wise approach to impacts on habitats and species, and takes a low impact approach using existing infrastructure to minimise any impacts on the existing habitats and species of the site, which are of high ecological value. 'There will be no habitat loss as a result of the scheme, and so there will be no loss of ecological value as a result of the scheme as proposed. Ecological enhancement will be provided through the creation of new habitat features, mostly to the building, but these will be light touch reflecting the already well-established high value habitats. NRW was recently granted permission to site ANPR car parking cameras at the now-closed Bwlch Nant yr Arian visitor centre despite a plea from campaigners battling the closure of centres in the county. The Bwlch Nant Yr Arian Visitor Centre, near Ponterwyd, Aberystwyth, closed at the end of March, along with other Natural Resources Wales-run centres at Ynyslas and Coed y Brenin. Concerns were raised in a letter of objection by Helen Heron, of Save Our Centre Campaign Group, Ynyslas, comparing the situation there with Bwlch Nant yr Arian, urging the council to refuse the scheme. That application was conditionally approved, and the new scheme for Ynyslas will be considered at a later date.
Powys County Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Powys County Times
Nant yr Arian parking cameras bid on Powys border approved
Car parking cameras are to be installed at a former visitor centre near the Powys border despite pleas from campaigners battling to save it. The Bwlch Nant Yr Arian Visitor Centre, near Ponterwyd, Aberystwyth closed at the end of March, along with other Natural Resources Wales-run centres at Ynyslas and Coed y Brenin. At the time, Elsie Grace, NRW's head of sustainable commercial development, said: 'We understand how important our sites are to local communities and visitors and we know the decision to stop providing catering and retail services is disappointing to many people. 'Our board made the decision in response to the extremely tight funding situation we and other public bodies face. 'We will look for partners, both community groups and businesses, to register an interest in providing these services moving forward and will provide more information on how to submit expressions of interest ahead of the launch of any tender exercise. 'In the meantime, all our paths, trails, car park, play area and toilet facilities will remain open and we will continue to maintain our sites to ensure public access continues.' An application was recently submitted to Ceredigion County Council by NRW to install Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras at Bwlch Nant yr Arian. A supporting statement says: 'There is already a pay and display machine at the car park, and it is intended that the ANPR will replace this. The camera will be mounted on a pole, which is 4m above ground and finished in galvanised steel. Power will be taken from the existing Pay and Display machine.' Concerns were raised in a letter of objection by Helen Heron, of Save Our Centre Campaign Group, Ynyslas, comparing the situation there with Bwlch Nant yr Arian, urging the council to refuse the scheme. Helen, a former warden at Ynyslas, said parking money at the three sites was previously used to cover the cost of seasonal staff and maintenance but would now go 'straight into private pockets'. An officer report recommending approval said: 'An objection to the proposal was received by the Save Our Centre Campaign Group. Although [the council] appreciate the concerns, unfortunately the points raised in the objection letter are not planning matters, therefore they cannot be taken into account when determining this application.' It finished: 'The instalment of ANPR cameras will allow for better parking management and enforcement compared to the existing pay and display machine.'
Powys County Times
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- Powys County Times
Car park cameras plan for former NRW visitor centre
Car parking cameras could be installed at the now-closed Bwlch Nant yr Arian visitor centre under plans lodged this month. The Bwlch Nant Yr Arian Visitor Centre, near Ponterwyd between Aberystwyth and Llanidloes, closed at the end of March along with other Natural Resources Wales-run centres at Ynyslas and Coed y Brenin. At the time, Elsie Grace, NRW's Head of Sustainable Commercial Development, said: 'We understand how important our sites are to local communities and visitors and we know the decision to stop providing catering and retail services is disappointing to many people. 'Our board made the decision in response to the extremely tight funding situation we and other public bodies face. 'We will look for partners, both community groups and businesses, to register an interest in providing these services moving forward and will provide more information on how to submit expressions of interest ahead of the launch of any tender exercise. 'In the meantime, all our paths, trails, car park, play area and toilet facilities will remain open and we will continue to maintain our sites to ensure public access continues.' An application has now been submitted to Ceredigion County Council by NRW to install Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras at Bwlch Nant yr Arian. A supporting statement says: 'There is already a pay and display machine at the car park, and it is intended that the ANPR will replace this. "The camera will be mounted on a pole, which is 4m above ground and finished in galvanised steel. Power will be taken from the existing Pay and Display machine.' The application will be considered by county planners at a later date.
