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Wales Online
6 days ago
- Business
- Wales Online
Beauty spot overwhelmed with volunteers after fallout from holiday park firm's administration
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 Local residents have offered to help with the maintenance of an Anglesey beauty spot now that its owners have entered administration. Campaigners were worried the picturesque Penrhos Coastal Park could deteriorate but volunteers have flooded in from nearby Holyhead. The overwhelming response followed the loss of a contractor that had managed the picturesque site for 25 years. Kehoe Countryside, from Talybont in Gwynedd, was told its services were no longer needed by DJC Leisure, a 79th Group subsidiary that, in January, acquired 18 parcels of Penrhos CP land from former site owner Land and Lakes. On May 2 the Southport-based company was placed in administration. In an online message to the Penrhos supporters, Kehoe Countryside claimed it was owed more than £23,000 and its Penrhos wardens hadn't been paid. Since 2011, the 200-acre coastal park has been at the centre of a bitter planning dispute after consent was awarded for almost 500 luxury lodges, bars and a 'tropical swimming pool'. DJC Leisure had announced a £250 million development starting this summer but the company's collapse into administration, allied to a police investigation, has placed the park's future in limbo. Get the best island stories from our Anglesey newsletter - sent every Friday Keen to ensure the park's bins were emptied, a plea was issued for local volunteers. 'I had private messages through the night, it was incredible,' said Penrhos stalwart Hilary Paterson-Jones. 'As well as offers to help with the bins, people said they would bring ride-on mowers to cut the grass. Others volunteered to maintain fencing on the park. They will have to do at their own risk as they won't be covered by insurance.' Since then, joint administrators for DJC Leisure have funded the re-employment of a single warden to empty bins and open the park toilets - but not to man the entrance gates, which will stay open around the clock. To support his efforts, 90 locals got together last weekend to stage a community litter pick in the park's woodland and on its beach. The news came amid delayed plans to launch a Community Interest Company (CIC). Now set to be constituted tomorrow (Thursday, May 29) with seven local directors, this will explore opportunities that may arise from the collapse of DJC Leisure. Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now (Image: Google) Ultimately, this could even culminate in a community bid to buy the land to ensure its original remit is not diminished. 'That is our dream,' said Hilary Paterson-Jones. 'Much depends on the outcome of criminal cases – we've been told this could take up to a year or even longer. "The CIC will enable us to start formal fundraising with the ultimate ambition of purchasing the park. Were that to happen, I honestly believe things will have turned full circle: when the park first opened, it was the local community that made it into what it is today.' As rescinding planning consent is unlikely, the new CIC will be examining other avenues to block attempts to build a holiday complex on the site. It will also explore alternative revenue opportunities amid concerns that the loss of a treasure amenity will go hand in hand with the destruction of woodland that's a refuge for red squirrels. Fundraising efforts are set for a boost when the inaugural Penrhos Fun Day is staged on Sunday, June 15, 9am-5am. Held on a field next to Penrhos Beach, bouncy castles and children's games are among a host of activities planned, along with stalls and a raffle. Entry is free. Save Penrhos campaigners have already met the joint administrators and have asked for a meeting with Anglesey Council. Its chief executive, Dylan J Williams isn't publicly commenting on the case while 'the ownership and future of the Penrhos site remain unclear'. In late February, the City of London Police announced it had launched a fraud investigation into the 79th Group, a holding company that raised cash by offering investors high returns over a fixed period. Four people connected to the company were arrested and bailed as part of 'Operation Mold '. A collective civil recovery process has since been launched on behalf of worried investors. The company has denied any wrongdoing. Speaking to the Liverpool Echo, former employees said they were promised wages after being being informed of redundancies in early April. However eight companies linked to the 79th Group filed for administration the day before they were due to be paid, leaving them without money owed. The joint administrators have since engaged an ERA specialist to handle employee claims. In an earlier statement to the Echo, following news of the fraud inquiry, a spokesperson for the 79th Group said: 'The Seventy Ninth Group categorically denies any wrongdoing following claims recently made public by the City of London police. 'Since the events of last week, we have been working diligently with our legal advisers to address the claims made as part of the investigation, while also providing information to business partners and other stakeholders. 'The company has also appointed independent forensic accountants to conduct a comprehensive review of the business. The Seventy Ninth Group remains committed to servicing its clients in the UK and across the globe.' Find out what's happening near you
North Wales Live
6 days ago
- Business
- North Wales Live
Beauty spot overwhelmed with volunteers after fallout from holiday park firm's administration
Local residents have offered to help with the maintenance of an Anglesey beauty spot now that its owners have entered administration. Campaigners were worried the picturesque Penrhos Coastal Park could deteriorate but volunteers have flooded in from nearby Holyhead. The overwhelming response followed the loss of a contractor that had managed the picturesque site for 25 years. Kehoe Countryside, from Talybont in Gwynedd, was told its services were no longer needed by DJC Leisure, a 79th Group subsidiary that, in January, acquired 18 parcels of Penrhos CP land from former site owner Land and Lakes. On May 2 the Southport-based company was placed in administration. In an online message to the Penrhos supporters, Kehoe Countryside claimed it was owed more than £23,000 and its Penrhos wardens hadn't been paid. Since 2011, the 200-acre coastal park has been at the centre of a bitter planning dispute after consent was awarded for almost 500 luxury lodges, bars and a 'tropical swimming pool'. DJC Leisure had announced a £250 million development starting this summer but the company's collapse into administration, allied to a police investigation, has placed the park's future in limbo. Get the best island stories from our Anglesey newsletter - sent every Friday Keen to ensure the park's bins were emptied, a plea was issued for local volunteers. 'I had private messages through the night, it was incredible,' said Penrhos stalwart Hilary Paterson-Jones. 'As well as offers to help with the bins, people said they would bring ride-on mowers to cut the grass. Others volunteered to maintain fencing on the park. They will have to do at their own risk as they won't be covered by insurance.' Since then, joint administrators for DJC Leisure have funded the re-employment of a single warden to empty bins and open the park toilets - but not to man the entrance gates, which will stay open around the clock. To support his efforts, 90 locals got together last weekend to stage a community litter pick in the park's woodland and on its beach. The news came amid delayed plans to launch a Community Interest Company (CIC). Now set to be constituted tomorrow (Thursday, May 29) with seven local directors, this will explore opportunities that may arise from the collapse of DJC Leisure. Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now Ultimately, this could even culminate in a community bid to buy the land to ensure its original remit is not diminished. 'That is our dream,' said Hilary Paterson-Jones. 'Much depends on the outcome of criminal cases – we've been told this could take up to a year or even longer. "The CIC will enable us to start formal fundraising with the ultimate ambition of purchasing the park. Were that to happen, I honestly believe things will have turned full circle: when the park first opened, it was the local community that made it into what it is today.' As rescinding planning consent is unlikely, the new CIC will be examining other avenues to block attempts to build a holiday complex on the site. It will also explore alternative revenue opportunities amid concerns that the loss of a treasure amenity will go hand in hand with the destruction of woodland that's a refuge for red squirrels. Fundraising efforts are set for a boost when the inaugural Penrhos Fun Day is staged on Sunday, June 15, 9am-5am. Held on a field next to Penrhos Beach, bouncy castles and children's games are among a host of activities planned, along with stalls and a raffle. Entry is free. Save Penrhos campaigners have already met the joint administrators and have asked for a meeting with Anglesey Council. Its chief executive, Dylan J Williams isn't publicly commenting on the case while 'the ownership and future of the Penrhos site remain unclear'. In late February, the City of London Police announced it had launched a fraud investigation into the 79th Group, a holding company that raised cash by offering investors high returns over a fixed period. Four people connected to the company were arrested and bailed as part of 'Operation Mold '. A collective civil recovery process has since been launched on behalf of worried investors. The company has denied any wrongdoing. Speaking to the Liverpool Echo, former employees said they were promised wages after being being informed of redundancies in early April. However eight companies linked to the 79th Group filed for administration the day before they were due to be paid, leaving them without money owed. The joint administrators have since engaged an ERA specialist to handle employee claims. In an earlier statement to the Echo, following news of the fraud inquiry, a spokesperson for the 79th Group said: 'The Seventy Ninth Group categorically denies any wrongdoing following claims recently made public by the City of London police. 'Since the events of last week, we have been working diligently with our legal advisers to address the claims made as part of the investigation, while also providing information to business partners and other stakeholders. 'The company has also appointed independent forensic accountants to conduct a comprehensive review of the business. The Seventy Ninth Group remains committed to servicing its clients in the UK and across the globe.'
Wales Online
04-05-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
Funding 'pledged' as community eyes up Anglesey beauty spot earmarked for £250m holiday complex
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 A community's 14-year battle to reclaim an Anglesey beauty spot from developers could be nearing a turning point. Funding has been reportedly pledged to finance the purchase of Penrhos Coastal Park (CP) depending on insolvency outcomes and a fraud investigation by police. A Community Interest Company (CIC) is being established to formalise a possible future bid by residents in Holyhead and beyond. This will aim to 'facilitate community ownership of Penrhos for the benefit of future generations'. The CIC hopes to overturn planning consent awarded for almost 500 luxury lodges at the 200-acre site. Having acquired the coastal park in January, new owners the 79th Group talked of a £250m development starting this summer. But a City of London Police investigation was launched into the Southport-based asset management business. On February 28, the force said four people connected to the company had been arrested and bailed as part of 'Operation Mold '. This week, notice was given that eight companies associated with 79th Group had been placed into administration. They were were among a batch of 13 79th Group vehicles that had filed notice of intention to appoint an administrator. These included DJC Leisure, which at the turn of the year bought 18 parcels of Penrhos CP land from former site owner Land and Lakes. Penrhos CP supporters have also learnt that 'hundreds' of 79th Group staff have been told their jobs have gone. Sign up now for the latest news on the North Wales Live Whatsapp community Penrhos stalwart Hilary Paterson-Jones has led efforts to thwart plans for a luxury holiday complex ever since former site owner Land and Lakes announced its intentions in 2011. She said the fraud case implications for Penrhos were currently uncertain. But the new CIC – expected to be formalised this week – will explore opportunities that might arise from this uncertainty. (Image: Ian Greig/Wiki) Hilary said: 'We've already had offers of funding from numerous private sector, government and individual sources. At the moment I'm not at liberty to say who they are. The admin team will also be looking to secure additional funding from other sources, including crowdfunding initiatives, with a view to bringing Penrhos into community ownership.' Since the launch of of formal police investigation in February, the 79th Group has stopped all interest and redemption payments to loan note holders - these raised cash by offering investors high returns over a fixed period. The suspension of payments has raised liquidity concerns and has left investors frantic with worry. A collective civil recovery process is in its early stages. When the City of London Police announced its investigation, Anglesey Council expressed 'great concern' over the development. With support from local councillors, Penrhos supporters now aim to overturn planning permission controversially awarded by the council for a holiday complex in 2016. If stripped of consent, it's hoped other developers will be deterred and the site's asset value will fall. Supporters will also be assessing possibilities should DJC Leisure enter administration. Hilary set out the CIC's plans yesterday with Plaid leader Rhun ap Iorwerth, the Senedd Member for Ynys Môn. (Image: Land & Lakes) Having lost a £40,000 High Court case against the Penrhos development last year, Hilary hopes a turning point has been reached. She's been keeping a watch on the wooded site since 1969 when Anglesey Aluminium sought consent for a vast smelter on Holyhead's outskirts. She said: 'The then Welsh Office insisted that 272 acres of the 790-acre site were set aside as public amenity in perpetuity – I watched the company secretary type out the agreement. 'This became the coastal park which is home to an ancient woodland and some of the last surviving red squirrels in Wales. It was and, still is, a refuge for local people. So when the site was bought by Land and Lakes for holiday chalets, depriving the community of its legacy, it caused a huge outcry – it was among the first things I mentioned when I initially addressed the council chamber. 'Bringing the coastal park into community ownership would be a way of squaring the circle after all these years.' Get the best island stories from our Anglesey newsletter - sent every Friday At stake is more than local pride and amenity, Hilary added. In the fight against climate change, Penrhos CP is an important bulwalk against carbon emissions, she said. 'I struggle to understand why the Welsh Government is paying to plant trees in countries like Ghana when it won't safeguard ancient woodlands in Wales like the one at Penrhos. 'We are a tiny island and I fear we may as well float off into the Irish Sea for all the lack of support we get here. If the coastal park is ever lost, Holyhead will become a concrete town with barely a single tree left.' Find out what's happening near you
North Wales Live
04-05-2025
- Business
- North Wales Live
Funding 'pledged' as community eyes up Anglesey beauty spot earmarked for £250m holiday complex
A community's 14-year battle to reclaim an Anglesey beauty spot from developers could be nearing a turning point. Funding has been reportedly pledged to finance the purchase of Penrhos Coastal Park (CP) depending on insolvency outcomes and a fraud investigation by police. A Community Interest Company (CIC) is being established to formalise a possible future bid by residents in Holyhead and beyond. This will aim to 'facilitate community ownership of Penrhos for the benefit of future generations'. The CIC hopes to overturn planning consent awarded for almost 500 luxury lodges at the 200-acre site. Having acquired the coastal park in January, new owners the 79th Group talked of a £250m development starting this summer. But a City of London Police investigation was launched into the Southport-based asset management business. On February 28, the force said four people connected to the company had been arrested and bailed as part of 'Operation Mold '. This week, notice was given that eight companies associated with 79th Group had been placed into administration. They were were among a batch of 13 79th Group vehicles that had filed notice of intention to appoint an administrator. These included DJC Leisure, which at the turn of the year bought 18 parcels of Penrhos CP land from former site owner Land and Lakes. Penrhos CP supporters have also learnt that 'hundreds' of 79th Group staff have been told their jobs have gone. Penrhos stalwart Hilary Paterson-Jones has led efforts to thwart plans for a luxury holiday complex ever since former site owner Land and Lakes announced its intentions in 2011. She said the fraud case implications for Penrhos were currently uncertain. But the new CIC – expected to be formalised this week – will explore opportunities that might arise from this uncertainty. Hilary said: 'We've already had offers of funding from numerous private sector, government and individual sources. At the moment I'm not at liberty to say who they are. The admin team will also be looking to secure additional funding from other sources, including crowdfunding initiatives, with a view to bringing Penrhos into community ownership.' Since the launch of of formal police investigation in February, the 79th Group has stopped all interest and redemption payments to loan note holders - these raised cash by offering investors high returns over a fixed period. The suspension of payments has raised liquidity concerns and has left investors frantic with worry. A collective civil recovery process is in its early stages. When the City of London Police announced its investigation, Anglesey Council expressed 'great concern' over the development. With support from local councillors, Penrhos supporters now aim to overturn planning permission controversially awarded by the council for a holiday complex in 2016. If stripped of consent, it's hoped other developers will be deterred and the site's asset value will fall. Supporters will also be assessing possibilities should DJC Leisure enter administration. Hilary set out the CIC's plans yesterday with Plaid leader Rhun ap Iorwerth, the Senedd Member for Ynys Môn. Having lost a £40,000 High Court case against the Penrhos development last year, Hilary hopes a turning point has been reached. She's been keeping a watch on the wooded site since 1969 when Anglesey Aluminium sought consent for a vast smelter on Holyhead's outskirts. She said: 'The then Welsh Office insisted that 272 acres of the 790-acre site were set aside as public amenity in perpetuity – I watched the company secretary type out the agreement. 'This became the coastal park which is home to an ancient woodland and some of the last surviving red squirrels in Wales. It was and, still is, a refuge for local people. So when the site was bought by Land and Lakes for holiday chalets, depriving the community of its legacy, it caused a huge outcry – it was among the first things I mentioned when I initially addressed the council chamber. 'Bringing the coastal park into community ownership would be a way of squaring the circle after all these years.' Get the best island stories from our Anglesey newsletter - sent every Friday At stake is more than local pride and amenity, Hilary added. In the fight against climate change, Penrhos CP is an important bulwalk against carbon emissions, she said. 'I struggle to understand why the Welsh Government is paying to plant trees in countries like Ghana when it won't safeguard ancient woodlands in Wales like the one at Penrhos. 'We are a tiny island and I fear we may as well float off into the Irish Sea for all the lack of support we get here. If the coastal park is ever lost, Holyhead will become a concrete town with barely a single tree left.'
