Latest news with #NewportCityHomes
South Wales Argus
a day ago
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Lovell celebrates Volunteers' Week with recent work
Lovell, a provider of partnership housing, took part in the awareness campaign, which has been running for over 40 years and highlights the diversity and unity of volunteer work across the UK. One of Lovell's recent initiatives was at the Ringland Regeneration project in Newport, where 19 people from Lovell and its project partner, Hedyn, participated in a community litter-picking session. This marked the third session since work began on the site last year. The Ringland regeneration project is a large-scale transformation programme being delivered by Lovell for Hedyn (formerly Newport City Homes), breathing new life into the Ringland area of Newport. The £47 million project will provide 158 new homes, and the Ringland shopping centre will be relocated. In another initiative, Lovell employees participated in a record-breaking river clean-up effort in Pontypridd. The Taff Tidy project aimed to break the previous world record of 329 volunteers for the largest mass river clean-up. The project saw volunteers at nine different locations along the River Taff simultaneously clearing the river. Lovell's social value manager, Meriel Gough, marketing and business development co-ordinator Noorhan Griffiths, bid co-ordinator Tom McDonald, and build manager Paul Phillips joined the effort. The Lovell employees devoted four hours to enhancing the local area, contributing to a total of 1,327 volunteers who decisively broke the previous record. Gemma Clissett, regional partnerships director at Lovell, said: "At Lovell, giving back to the communities we build in is a crucial part of our core values. "We are very proud of the volunteering work we do, and all the other community work we carry out with schools, colleges, and other local organisations. "We look forward to offering our help and support to more of them going forward."
South Wales Argus
12-05-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Strong reaction to Newport City Homes and Melin merger
Announced on April 3, the new organisation will oversee more than 15,000 properties across five local authority areas, including Blaenau Gwent, Monmouthshire, Newport, Powys, and Torfaen. The two associations say their aim is to build "connected communities where everyone can live well". However, the response from the community has been far from universally positive. Many readers expressed scepticism and concern about the merger. One resident said: "This merger will be a disaster for Melin. "Melin have a good reputation... A few weeks ago I was shown some of the material that is being used for a report into the allocations process at Newport City Homes, which focuses on the reasons some applicants are being rejected." Paul Phoenix questioned the logic behind the merger, writing: "I'm not the brightest spark in the box but how the hell does one housing association with not enough houses merging with another housing association with not enough housing create extra houses." Some residents expressed hope for improvement. Sabina Islam wrote: "Let's hope their communication between departments gets better." Others highlighted concerns over housing allocation and shortages. Joel Guest said: "Expect even more shortages now that the local authority has branded the city a 'City of Sanctuary' without even consulting the ratepayers." Kath Whatley added: "I was told last week that Newport City homes have properties in their stock pile that don't go on to the bidding system." Steve Gosling said the merger would be "not fit for purpose" and likely a "disaster". Despite the negative feedback, Hedyn's management say their name, meaning "seed" in Welsh, was chosen after consultation with over 900 residents, partners, and colleagues, aiming to symbolise growth and positive change. Whether that vision will be realised remains to be seen.
South Wales Argus
08-05-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Newport affordable homes plan approved despite parking fears
The city council's planning committee has given its unanimous approval to plans to redevelop the land, off Kelvedon Street, for residential use. Neighbours had complained about the potential impact on parking, but planning officers said the expected demand for visitor spaces could be accommodated on surrounding streets. Formerly the home of a commercial printing business, the now-vacant site has 'significant potential to bring urban redevelopment' to the area, senior planning officer Joanne Davidson told the committee on Wednesday. The 22 one-bed and eight two-bed apartments, if completed, would be contained in a single building up to 10.6 metres in height, and each home would have its own balcony. The properties would reportedly be managed by Newport City Homes – which has recently merged with fellow housing association Melin Homes to form a new organisation, Hedyn. Ms Davidson said the initial proposal placed the apartments closer to Witham Street, but was moved further away from existing homes on council officers' advice. She told the committee the proposal for the site 'is welcomed, is positive… and the residential development is considered appropriate'. But during a public consultation period, the council received 33 objections from nearby residents, who said the area suffered 'constant parking problems' and feared the new apartments would 'generate significant additional traffic in an area already burdened by high vehicle usage'. They also raised concerns about the new homes potentially overlooking their properties, pressure on local services, and flood risk. The proposals include six visitor parking spaces – and a council report suggested additional visitor parking 'can be accommodated on-street at various times'. However, one objector to the application claimed that suggestion 'surely must be a joke'. Speaking at the meeting, Ms Davidson said planners 'understand parking is in high demand' at some times of day, but 'in parking terms the proposal is acceptable' and the site is in a highly sustainable location. Committee chairman Cllr Mark Spencer added there were 'ample parking spaces around the area'. Ms Davidson also said the new homes would be 'well in excess of' minimum distances from existing homes, and the building's ground floor level would be raised using retaining walls to mitigate any flood risks. Natural Resources Wales had judged any risks of flooding 'can be managed', she added. Cllr Gavin Horton, who also represents the Victoria ward where the new homes have been proposed, said the decision to move the proposed apartments further away from existing homes was 'sensible', adding he 'can't see anything wrong with' the redevelopment. Cllr John Reynolds noted the residents' many concerns, but said Newport had a 'desperate need for social housing' which 'far outweighs these issues'. The committee granted planning permission, subject to conditions and a Section 106 agreement covering potential developer contributions to affordable housing, education and leisure services.
Daily Mirror
03-05-2025
- Climate
- Daily Mirror
Gardeners 'banned' from mowing lawns until date in July after expert's warning
Gardeners across the UK have been urged not to mow their lawns until a particular date in July at the earliest as bees, butterflies and other insects need long grass to survive and thrive The warm start to May has had many a green-thumbed Brit tempting to take control of their untamed lawns, as there have been many good mowing days. However, experts are flipping the script and advising gardeners to resist trimming those grassy lawns until at least June. Support for this unorthodox gardening tactic comes from none other than Sir David Attenborough himself, who has urged the nation to put off lawn mowing during the summer months - a plea that's won the backing of wildlife specialists. The reasoning behind this advice is quite compelling. Insects such as bees, butterflies, and even wasps rely on our untamed lawns - complete with daisies, weeds and wildflowers - as vital spots for breeding, pollinating, and overall ecosystem health maintenance during this critical seasonal phase. Mowing your lawn too soon could spell doom for these crucial creatures by disrupting their life cycles, which in turn poses a grave risk to an ecosystem that's already under significant threat, reports the Express. It's a stark reminder: The demise of these insects would have catastrophic repercussions for all of us in the long term. Plantlife, a UK-based conservation charity, has stark figures to share: "We've lost approximately 97 per cent of flower-rich meadows since the 1930s and with them gone are vital food needed by pollinators, like bees and butterflies." However, there is hope in the humble lawn: "But your lawn can help. A healthy lawn with some long grass and wildflowers benefits wildlife, tackles pollution and can even lock away carbon below ground. "With over 20 million gardens in the UK, even the smallest grassy patches add up to a significant proportion of our land which, if managed properly, can deliver enormous gains for nature, communities and the climate." Sir David Attenborough highlighted the importance of preserving traditional hay meadows in the UK during the BBC's Wild Isles nature documentary. He stated: "Nowhere here is richer in wildflowers and insect pollinators than our traditional hay meadows. Sadly, in the last 60 years, we've lost 97% of this precious habitat." However, he noted that adopting nature-friendly farming practices can help restore these meadows, providing a haven for wildlife. Sir David emphasized the significance of timing, suggesting that delaying mowing until mid-July allows birds and insects to complete their breeding cycles and flowers to set their seeds. While Monty Don recommends June 21, Sir David advocates for mid-July, specifically July 15. The longer the delay, the better it is for the environment. Last year, in support of this initiative, several groups and authorities across the UK pledged to participate in No Mow May 2024. Newport City Homes said at the time: "This year, Newport City Homes will be taking part in Plantlife's bee-friendly campaign, No Mow May. "The campaign encourages individuals, social landlords and stakeholders to help bees, butterflies, and other wildlife by letting wildflowers grow on lawns and green spaces throughout May instead of mowing them." NHS Grampian in Scotland also expressed their commitment, stating: "Let it grow, let it grow! We're taking part in No Mow May again this year, with many patches of our estate across NHS Grampian already left to grow wild. "Not only does this allow all those essential pollinators to get to work and in turn support our food industry but it enriches the soil (and the 'beasties') underneath, and helps to clean the air."
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Yahoo
Home boarded up and residents thrown out after alleged anti-social behaviour and drug dealing
A property has been boarded up following reports of anti-social behaviour and alleged drug dealing. Gwent Police responded to residents' concerns by securing a closure order on the property in Pardoe-Thomas Close in Pill, Newport. The occupants of the property have been ordered to leave and find alternative accommodation. On Thursday Newport Magistrates' Court granted the closure order for a period of three months. During the period of this order, which expires on Tuesday, May 20, anyone who attempts to enter this address will be committing a criminal offence and could be arrested. Read the biggest stories in Wales first by signing up to our daily newsletter here. PC Claire Drayton, the crime and disorder reduction officer at the neighbourhood policing team in Pill, said: 'We had calls from the community regarding anti-social behaviour (ASB) linked to this address in Pill and we also carried out a drug warrant. This closure order is a direct result of our officers responding to concerns from residents about the behaviour at this property. Newport City Homes has been very supportive. "We recognise that ASB can have a detrimental impact within our communities and we take concerns about illegal drugs very seriously. We hope this order reassures residents that we are listening to you and demonstrates our commitment to tackling anti-social behaviour and safeguarding our communities.' Get daily breaking news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here. We occasionally treat members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. See our Privacy Notice.
