Latest news with #ofOutstandingNaturalBeauty
South Wales Argus
a day ago
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Plans to convert part of Newport shop into flats submitted
The proposal involves transforming the lower ground and first floors of the building at 12 Commercial Road, Newport, into two flats. The applicant, Mr Brooks, aims to enlarge the existing lower ground floor flat and create a new flat on the first floor. Currently, the lower ground floor is used partly for retail storage, with the ground floor space serving as a shop. The proposal includes reconfiguring these spaces to accommodate the new flats. Rear access to the site is available from Ruperra Lane. The planning statement submitted with the application states that the development is considered acceptable as it supports efficient land use and sustainability goals. The site is within the defined urban settlement boundary and is near public transport links. No external changes to the building are proposed, and the design is said to respect the local context and distinctiveness. The planning statement asserts that the development will have no adverse impact on neighbour amenity, supported by Local Development Plan (LDP) policies. No off-street parking is provided in the proposal. However, this is justified based on the site's location within walking distance of local amenities and public transport, aligning with national sustainability policies. The site is in Flood Zone 3. Still, the planning statement notes that all proposed residential units are at or above ground floor level, ensuring refuge above potential flood levels, according to Natural Resources Wales (NRW) data. The application was submitted by LRJ Planning Ltd on behalf of Mr Brooks. The planning statement concludes by asserting full compliance with national and local planning policies, requesting that permission be granted based on the policy alignment and sustainability of the scheme. The building is not within any designated areas such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs), National Parks, or local landscape areas, and there are no designated heritage assets nearby. A decision on the application has not yet been made. The planning application can be viewed on the Newport City Council website, searching for application number 25/0381.
North Wales Chronicle
4 days ago
- General
- North Wales Chronicle
Anglesey: Bid for 'ancillary annexe' in Moelfre approved
Anglesey Council's planning committee approved plans for an ancillary annexe to The Old Crown building in Moelfre during a meeting on Wednesday, June 4. The application, lodged by Kiran Purewal, was brought to the committee at the request of the local member Cllr Margaret Murley Roberts. It was felt the development would have a 'negative visual impact' on the picturesque area. Plan for the existing dwelling was a two-storey terraced property within the development boundary of Moelfre in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Planning officer Rhys Jones said the proposal consisted of erecting an ancillary annexe to its rear. MORE NEWS: Incredible photos as imposing 55-metre-long ship with six decks docks in Caernarfon Anglesey man had sex with woman in public toilet and threatened to kill her partner Drink-driving Gwynedd trainee GP allowed back to work after suspension It was situated in an elevated position at the top of the site adjacent to Lon Ty Powdr overlooking the Moelfre coast. Planners considered it met policy, as it was a smaller, improved proposal to that of a previous, larger application which had permission on the site, and they recommended it be approved. A report said the application had resulted in 32 letters being received. The objections 'were all similar in relation to what concerned the local people of Moelfre,' it had noted. They included the 'negative visual impact on the landscape, traffic and parking, drainage, second homes/holiday let uncertainty, and structurally a weak foundation base'. They had 'emphasised' how erecting a new building would 'significantly impact the overall panorama and aesthetics of the landscape' and 'destroy the character and quality of the village scene presenting an overbearing and visually intrusive element'. Objectors added: 'The design would be unsympathetic and harmful to the appearance and character of the village.' They also felt the design and scale of the annexe would be 'out of keeping' with the main dwelling and surrounding properties. Concerns that the annexe 'should not be sold separately to the main dwelling' and that 'second homes and holiday lets are a big issue in Moelfre,' had also been noted. Cllr Euryn Morris read out Cllr Murley-Roberts' comments, on behalf of the community council. He also spoke for himself, and Cllr Ieuan Williams. Among comments raised, it was felt the annexe would 'change the image of the village'. He said the Old Crown Building was 'an iconic building' which featured on postcards and pictures and they were 'ignoring the importance of historical buildings' which 'could have a detrimental effect on the area'. The impact on neighbours was also highlighted, and the effect of a concrete lorry accessing the property, via a 'horse and cart' road. There was also a query over the need for an annexe. 'The last thing Moelfre needs is more holiday lets,' he said. The planning officer said permission existed already for an annexe and the principal of development had been 'safeguarded'. It was smaller than what was already permitted, and the plan was considered an 'improvement,' of modern build, with 'smart windows'. He agreed it was 'a picturesque area' and important to protect, but reiterated planning permission already existed. Lon Pwdwr was narrow, but no issues were raised by highways, and until the council adopted Article 4, its potential future use as holiday accommodation was not material to the application. An Article 4 Direction is a planning tool which can remove or restrict permitted development rights on houses. It has recently been adopted by Cyngor Gwynedd, to control the use of houses as second homes and holiday lets. Councillor Robin Williams noted that Cllr Murley-Roberts had called the matter in after community council concerns, but queried why there was no response received. He urged all community councils to raise issues if they had them. Describing the plan as 'the lesser of two evils' he added: 'I can't see any reason to refuse this, due to the existing planning permission from 2013.' He added that he 'respected' comments raised. 'Without the fall back situation of the permission, it would be different,' he added. Following a vote, the application was passed.
Wales Online
09-05-2025
- Wales Online
Future of famous North Wales holiday camp could soon be decided
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 Liverpool Council is to formally begin the process of settling the future of a much-loved outdoor centre in North Wales. Originally a site for evacuee children from Liverpool during World War Two, Colomendy, in Loggerheads, near Mold, became a pilgrimage shared by Scousers and North Walians alike on a regular basis. After the war the site was transferred to Liverpool Council, with a covenant which retained its use for the benefit of the city's children. After seven decades providing educational away days for young people, it was confirmed in March the site would close with immediate effect. In January Kingswood Colomendy Ltd, the site's tenant, and its parent company, Inspiring Learning Ltd, both ceased trading and administrators were appointed. The city council issued a 30 year lease for the site in 2007. Now the local authority is to formally begin the process of securing the long-term future of the location in north east Wales. Administrators appointed to the business have confirmed the lease will be returned to Liverpool Council in a process known as disclaiming. Join the North Wales Live WhatsApp community group where you can get the latest stories delivered straight to your phone This will be signed off when cabinet members meet at Liverpool Town Hall next month. The Local Democracy Reporting Service [LDRS] understands that since March, the keys have been handed over to the city on an informal basis. An official options appraisal will now begin for the land. Representatives on both sides of the border have told the LDRS previously how they hope the site can be revived for the benefit of young people in Merseyside and North Wales. Carolyn Thomas, North Wales MS, was previously chair of the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Natural Beauty (AONB) partnership – where Colomendy is located – and said a future could be found for the site that would benefit all parties. She said: "Colomendy lies within the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, hopefully soon to be re-designated as a national park. It is situated next to Loggerheads country park, a tourism hot spot and has been used for generations from Merseyside. "I often meet families at Loggerheads who are reminiscing, bringing their children and grandchildren, to relive and share their experiences. It has an employment and economic benefit to the local economy and has farms. "It would be great to maintain it as an outdoor education facility but there are also other ideas. I would encourage local authorities to engage with Liverpool Council now the lease for the site has been returned." Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox The LDRS understands it would be the preferred option of Liverpool Council for an outdoor education firm to take on the lease. It is expected the full appraisal and handing over of terms to a preferred bidder could take up to 12 months.
BBC News
23-04-2025
- General
- BBC News
Demolition of Victorian bridge in Essex set to be approved
Plans to demolish a bridge built in 1897 and replace it with a modern one are set to be Bridge, on the Essex-Suffolk border, was closed to cars and pedestrians in June 2023 as the structure was say there is not enough evidence to show the bridge cannot be County Council said a replacement would be similar to the existing structure and planning officers have advised councillors to approve the plan. Boxted Bridge was built four years before the end of Queen Victoria's reign by the Hadleigh-born builder George Double, who was the foreman on the Cleopatra's Needle project in steel girder structure, next to a rural road junction, took two-way traffic over the River Stour until its closure in 2023. The council said an inspection in 2018 found the bridge was "dangerously weak" due to corrosion of the beams underneath the added that vehicles such as refuse lorries and fire engines could not safely manoeuvre at the junction, and there had been a number of vehicle strikes at the bridge and on nearby private to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the authority plans to demolish the bridge and replace it with a wider structure. 'Enormous' Campaigners claim the council has not shown that demolition is de Jasay, from the Save Our Bridge campaign, said: "It's about its setting and how it fits in the landscape."It's next to a Grade II-listed house, an old cottage. It sits beautifully into that, and it works. There is no need for this enormous bridge."Colchester City Council has objected to the plan, saying the "increasingly muscular form and upgrading of the associated carriageway on the approaches will harm the designation" as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). The countryside charity, the CPRE, said: "We believe that a repair to the current structure is a better way to provide environmental protection to the area and its heritage than a total, expanded rebuild."A statement submitted with the planning application asserted that "the proposed design avoids any long term harm by taking cues from the existing bridge and the provision of reclaimed materials where possible, thus conserving the natural beauty of the National Landscape."Planning officers have advised councillors to approve the plan at their meeting on Friday. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Newly discovered Comet C/2025 F2 (SWAN) captured in stunning photo blazing across UK skies
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. The newly discovered comet, now designated Comet C/2025 F2 (SWAN) is making a striking debut in the early morning skies — and astrophotographer Josh Dury had front-row seats to capture it this morning. "Amazing to witness such a newly discovered comet just several hours after its official designation," Dury told Dury captured Comet C/2025 F2 (SWAN) soaring over the Mendip Hills, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), Somerset, U.K. at approximately 4:50 a.m. local time. Equipment used: Sony A7S II Sigma 150-600mm sport at 369mm focal length "Comets are a great celestial attraction — as these are opportunities to capture dirty snowballs; the oldest objects from the far edges of our solar system," Dury told "Each takes on unique characters of their own in appearance and color, providing signals from the early formation of our place in the universe." Related: New comet SWAN25F is turning heads — and telescopes — toward the morning sky The comet was discovered in late March by Australian amateur astronomer Michael Mattiazzo, using imagery from the SWAN instrument aboard the sun-watching SOHO spacecraft, which maps hydrogen in the solar wind. Enough observational data has now been collected and the discovery confirmed by the International Astronomical Union's Minor Planet Center, it is now designated Comet C/2025 F2 (SWAN). Related stories: — Solar eclipse shines over Stonehenge in stunning photo from Astrophotographer Josh Dury — Astrophotographer captures 'rare' planetary parade as 7 planets align in the night sky (photo) — Photographer captures rare Comet G3 ATLAS from UK in dramatic 'once-in-a-lifetime' image If you're hoping to catch a glimpse of the comet yourself, you'll need to act quickly. It will remain visible until around April 14, after which it moves into the constellation Andromeda and becomes lost in the twilight as it approaches the sun. The comet reaches perihelion — its closest point to the sun — on May 1, after which it will become visible from the southern hemisphere. "With weather and moon prospects, this was our best chance to observe from the UK," Dury said.
