Latest news with #NewportCouncil
BBC News
18 hours ago
- Business
- BBC News
Newport: Quarter of Welsh city to be covered by 'urban forest'
A quarter of a Welsh city will be covered by tree canopies within 10 years due to a new plan to boost its "urban forest". Almost 30,000 trees will be planted in Newport to supplement about 250,000 existing trees. Wales was the first country in the world to measure its urban tree council hopes these trees and others planted by private developers and landowners will take canopy cover in Newport - which at 18% had the highest proportion of any Welsh city in 2016 - to 25%. Joanne Gossage, service manager for environment and leisure at Newport council said the city had "green oasis" said: "We feel that Newport is a very green city and we don't think it's too far of a stretch to get to that 25%."People's perception of an urban forest is something dark, perhaps menacing and dingy. It's not. It's about trees making attractive frameworks in limited open space, it can be in a street, creating a good shady habitat above people's heads."The economic benefit of planting green infrastructure has a direct link to people wanting to be in a place - to live, for recreation or to visit." Using nationwide aerial photography, canopy spread in Wales was mapped across towns and cities, with the results published in 2016. Natural Resources Wales found Newport had 18% canopy cover, compared with 17.4% in both Swansea and Wrexham, and 15.4% in Cardiff. Newport alone estimates its current urban forest is worth £2.2m a year to the city and stores 76,000 tonnes of council said it would grow trees on its own land, but hoped private developers and landowners would do the same to add to the city's canopy cover. Newport resident Daniel Key, 37, said "it would be lush" to have a quarter of the city covered by canopies. He said: "It's a really built up city, quite run down at the moment, with a lot of boarded up houses and businesses gone, it's very much a car city, it would be nice to have more trees, for cleaner air."As long as they're thinking about jobs as well, locally, I'll be all for it." Some of the most important green infrastructure are street trees, which Ms Gossage said acted like a "green lung above people's heads".More than a third of all the trees in the city are in residential areas, with the most common species being Leyland cypress, birch and Gossage said increasing canopy cover would have a cooling effect, help prevent flooding, improve biodiversity and help people's health and said: "We are making this happen with very small resources internally."We are not having a big ask on the council's budge because we are being inventive and adventurous, looking for money outside of our own budget."
South Wales Argus
17-05-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Roundabout concerns discussed at Llanwern council meeting
This was one of the key local matters addressed at the Llanwern Community Council meeting, which took place on Monday, April 28, at Llanwern Village Hall. The roundabout is part of the ongoing Redrow development on Station Road, which has faced delays due to the installation of an electric substation. Work is expected to be completed within two months. Another issue discussed at the meeting was the confusing pedestrian markings at the Redrow development. In addition to these concerns, it was announced that a new litter bin has been installed near the ponds on Spine Road. It was also confirmed that the show homes in the development will remain, although some plants may become available for residents. At the meeting, PCSOs also noted an increase in off-road biking incidents with the arrival of warmer weather. Newport Council has increased its efforts to tackle this issue by using drones and physical barriers, which have resulted in recent bike seizures. Patrols will also be keeping an eye on the Llanwern Golf Club car park following concerns raised by the community. Updates were also given regarding Glan Llyn. Speed monitoring efforts are ongoing, and there has been a call for clearer 20mph speed reminders. The flooding of the playing area remains a problem and is under observation. In the realm of planning developments, the council reviewed various ongoing and pending applications concerning residential, commercial, and infrastructure developments, including the primary school, local retail units, and green space enhancements. Two applications were recently approved for an electric substation and site security enhancements, while a proposal for a home extension was refused. Lastly, the council approved the 2024/2025 accounting statements and the Annual Governance Statement. The internal audit is scheduled, and new PAYE direct debit arrangements have been authorised in line with updated national insurance requirements. Preliminary plans for the Village Hall car park have been submitted to Newport City Council. Trustees will continue to cover annual utility costs, with a review planned for December. The next council meeting, including the Annual General Meeting, will be held on Tuesday, May 27, both in person at the Village Hall and remotely.
BBC News
15-05-2025
- BBC News
Two arrests over video of Newport schoolboy attack
Two arrests have been made after a video was uploaded to social media showing a schoolboy being assaulted in Police said it was made aware of the video on Wednesday evening, which showed a Lliswerry High School pupil being assaulted by a group of children as he was held by a Chief Constable Vicki Townsend said those arrested were in custody and the person identified in the video was receiving support. The school said it was aware of the "serious incident" and it would ensure a full investigation was carried out in cooperation with the police and Newport council. Gwent Police also confirmed officers were aware of a separate allegation of assault involving a different child from earlier in the day and that investigation was also added: "We understand the worry and concern that incidents of this nature can cause, and would like to thank the community for the information they've given us up to now."
South Wales Argus
09-05-2025
- General
- South Wales Argus
80 years of VE Day honoured in Newport's Edward German Crescent
80 years since Victory in Europe Day was honoured at an event put on by Newport Council and the Royal British Legion. This year's VE Day was particularly significant as it marks 80 years since Nazi Germany's unconditional surrender against allied forces in 1945. The event put on yesterday (May 8) was held at Queen Elizabeth II Playing Field in Edward German Crescent. Many members of the public and armed forces personnel showed up to pay respect and acknowledge the end of war in Europe. Lord Lieutenant of Gwent Robert Aitken 68 at the VE Day event in Edward German Crescent (Image: NQ) Speaking of the event Lord Lieutenant of Gwent Robert Aitken 68 said: "It's fabulous that Newport is doing this, it's very important for us all to remember the sacrifices that were made by people 80 plus years ago meant for us all. "It's terribly important that we remember the service that is given by our men and women that is given in the armed forces." Standard Bearers Anne-Marie Cobley 52 and Graham Smith 81 stood with Lord Lieutenant of Gwent Robert Aitken 68 (Image: NQ) 81-year-old Graham Smith Standard Bearer for The Royal Welsh Newport regiment was able to recall what post war life was like for people in Gwent. He said: "Well obviously we are very proud to be here as coming from my age as it is we remember the tail end of the war. "I remember the hard living the battle books and having to live on what we were allowed to purchase. So, we remember all that. "More so, we remember family members that went away and never came home. There were a lot of people in Newport that in my family and other people at the time that suited up and never came home. "Coming here is just our tribute to them to say thank you for putting your lives on the line and defending us and letting us have the life we've got today.' Newport Male Voice Choir at the VE Day event in Edward German Crescent (Image: NQ) A range of entertainment was provided. Wartime songs such as Vera Lyne's 'We'll Meet Again' and 'White Cliffs of Dover' were played. Newport Male Voice Choir also put on a selection of Welsh and war themed hymns. Choir Master Marc Main 61 said: 'We are very proud to support the event a lot of us are ex forces. I'm ex RAF myself." The lit beacon paying tribute to 80 years of VE Day (Image: NQ) The main event however was a national beacon lighting that took place at 9:30pm and was held at VE Day events across the country. The significant moment was followed by a moments silence to reflect then the Welsh National Anthem. Standard Bearers Anne-Marie Cobley 52 and Graham Smith 81 in front of the lit beacon (Image: NQ) John Griffths MS for Newport East Said: 'Everybody's so conscious of the need to remember the sacrifices that were made during the second world war, so we can have the way of life that we hold so precious today." "I think today the world can be such a dangerous place and there are so many wars so today that crucial message of peace is a big part of this."
South Wales Argus
04-05-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Railway Tandoori, Newport, receives five-star rating
Railway Tandoori, located on Mill Street in Newport, was inspected on April 2, 2025, and deemed to be of a high standard by a food safety officer from Newport Council, after had recently been confirmed as being under new management. The takeaway, which serves Indian cuisine, was rated "good" across all areas inspected, including hygienic food handling, cleanliness, and the condition of the facilities and building, and the management of food safety. This is a significant improvement from the inspection in March 2024, when the takeaway received a score of one out of five. The food safety officer found the hygienic handling of food, which includes preparation, cooking, re-heating, cooling, and storage, to be of a good standard. The cleanliness and condition of the facilities and building, including the layout, ventilation, hand washing facilities, and pest control, were also found to be in good condition. Finally, the management of food safety, which refers to the system of checks in place to ensure that food sold or served is safe to eat, was considered to be good. This includes evidence that staff know about food safety and the food safety officer's confidence that standards will be maintained in future. The Food Hygiene Rating Act 2013, which became law in Wales on March 4, 2013, requires all businesses selling food in Wales to display hygiene ratings in a prominent place and to provide the information verbally if requested over the phone. Inspections are carried out by local authority officers, and ratings are updated on the FSA website. Businesses have the right to appeal against ratings. Each inspection is carried out under three categories: hygienic food handling, cleanliness and condition of facilities and building, and the management of food safety.
