Latest from Wales Online
Wales Online
10 minutes ago
- Automotive
- Wales Online
People are furious about an old cottage being turned into new homes
People are furious about an old cottage being turned into new homes People fear pedestrians will be at risk Hillcroft is on a narrow lane called Heol y Cawl in Dinas Powys, which residents say presents a traffic risk (Image: Google Street View ) Residents say lives will be put at risk by an old cottage on a town's small lane being turned into three homes. A number of people living near Hillcroft in Heol y Cawl in Dinas Powys, raised objections to the scheme, arguing the road is too narrow and that having more vehicles use it could pose a risk to pedestrians. Vale of Glamorgan council's planning committee narrowly voted in favour of turning into three separate homes. In a meeting on Thursday, July 10, council planners said they were satisfied with the proposal in front of them, with one official saying the lane was "lightly" impacted by traffic and a planning consultant on behalf of the applicants saying there was no record of any accidents having taken place there. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here . One resident, Hannah Reeves, said: "A lot of cars come to visit Heol y Cawl. They don't dare come down [it] because it's too dangerous. "There's an access at the top, there's an access at the bottom, but there's also a very dangerous access right in the middle of the hill and I watch people all the time trying to come in and out of that small access. "There's a wall right opposite and they take ages... and if anyone drives up the hill and a car comes downhill... one car has to go back down to Mill Road on a very steep bend and it could be a fatal accident there." Article continues below Mill Road is one of the main roads in and out of Dinas Powys and joins with Pen y Turnpike Road. Speaking on behalf of the applicant, planning consultant Powys Jones said he understood residents' concerns about road safety in relation to the scheme, which will have seven car parking spaces but said: "We have looked at the road safety statistics and the highway officers agree there is no record whatsoever of any accidents over the last 20 years in this street and the reason for that is stating the obvious. "Even though it's used by pedestrians, the street is narrow therefore speeds are low. Drivers take care." Some members of the planning committee, like Cllr Marianne Cowpe, later argued that many accidents were not recorded and that the data might not be a fair reflection of the safety of the lane. Referring to a site visit conducted by members of the committee before the meeting, Cllr Carys Stallard said she and other councillors were advised not to drive up Heol y Cawl. Another resident, George Eralil, said: "If planning permission is agreed.. this is going to impose significant construction challenges. You cannot get a truck with any sort of material on that street. "There is a dangerous hill. it's a bend. "I do not want my five-year-old daughter to be in any danger. There's been two insurance write-offs recently on that street because of vehicles being scraped." Planning committee member, Cllr Stallard, also criticised the affordability of the future homes, adding that they would be sold for about half a million pounds each. One of her committee colleagues, Cllr Nic Hodges, criticised the development on similar lines, pointing out the lack of a financial contribution by the developer for affordable housing. Financial agreements, called section 106 agreements, are usually made between developers and councils when a new scheme is approved. They are often used to mitigate a potential impact that the project may have or they are used to secure funding for improvements to infrastructure and housing in the local area. According to a council report, an independent review of the development found that getting the applicants to make a section 106 contribution would make the Hillcroft scheme unviable. Hillcroft, which is described by Vale of Glamorgan Council as being an early nineteenth century cottage, is also part of the Dinas Powys conservation area. Concerns were raised by objectors about the potential heritage impact developing the building might have. Council planning officer, Stephen Butler, said a lean-to on the building was initially going to be demolished - a proposal opposed by the council. However, this is now being retained as part of the latest plans and Mr Butler went on to add that the council's heritage planning officer was satisfied the scheme did not cause any harm. Mr Powys said the extensions that would be built to the rear of the building would not have any significant impact on the area because they would not be visible to passers-by. The vote on approving the planning application was tied, with seven planning committee members voting in favour, seven voting against and two abstaining. Article continues below Plans were approved after the committee chair, Cllr Neil Thomas, broke the deadlock using his casting vote.
Wales Online
17 minutes ago
- Politics
- Wales Online
Former Conservative MP left wife 'utterly destroyed' after harassment campaign
Former Conservative MP left wife 'utterly destroyed' after harassment campaign Katie Wallis, formerly Jamie Wallis MP, admitted harassing her former wife Former Conservative MP Katie Wallis arriving at Cardiff Magistrates Court ahead of sentencing (Image: WALES NEWS SERVICE ) The ex-wife of a former Conservative MP has told a court how she was left "destroyed" by the harassment she was subjected to over a period of time. Katie Wallis, 41, from Butetown in Cardiff, was Conservative MP for Bridgend between 2019 to 2024, became the first openly transgender MP in the House of Commons in 2022. Appearing before Cardiff Magistrates' Court on Monday, Wallis, who was previously known as Jamie, was sentenced for harassing her ex-wife, Rebecca Wallis. The court heard the former MP sent messages accusing Ms Wallis of being "mean" to them, demanding to know about their new partner, saying she was "c*ck hunting," and calling her a "c***" and a "f****** bitch". On February 25, using an unknown number, the former MP demanded £350,000 be put into their bank account within 15 minutes. Don't miss a court report by signing up to our crime newsletter here In a separate message, Wallis referred to her ex-wife and father as "prejudiced f******" adding they hope they "never have a happy moment again". The couple split in 2020, with the divorce finalised in 2024. In a victim impact statement, which was read to the court, Ms Lovell said: "This is the hardest thing I have written, for so long I have had to fight against the tide of Jamie's behaviour, publicly and privately." Article continues below She added: "The woman I used to be is destroyed. I will never understand what I have done to deserve the hurt I have endured." Ms Lovell described the last six months as "utterly devastating" and said she was living her life as an "overstimulated adult, constantly in fight or flight". She said she feared Wallis turning up at her home, leading her to have CCTV installed. Wallis, who was wearing a black dress, looked down as the statement was read to the court. Ex-MP Jamie Wallis, now Katie Wallis, arriving for a previous court hearing (Image: WALES NEWS SERVICE ) Narita Bahra KC, appearing for the defence, said Wallis uses female pronouns, referring to Jamie as her "deadname". She argued it was "disappointing" the case had come to court, criticising South Wales Police and the Crown Prosecution Service for not dealing with the issue outside the court. Ms Bahra argued it was "unequivocal" that Wallis had been suffering from mental health difficulties at the time of the offending, partly brought on by their transitioning. She also said Wallis was suffering from PTSD, a depressive disorder and an adjustment disorder. Article continues below District Judge Rhys Williams handed Wallis a 12-month community order to be carried out over 12 days and a fine worth £1,264. Wallis, who pleaded guilty to leaving the messages at a hearing in June, initially denied the charges, but changed her plea when allegations of having driven by her ex-wife's home were removed from the charge.
Wales Online
24 minutes ago
- General
- Wales Online
Gardeners in Wales with lavender told 'now is perfect time' to carry out key task
Gardeners in Wales with lavender told 'now is perfect time' to carry out key task Lavender plants are great for attracting wildlife to the garden and they smell lovely too. But in order to keep them thriving, you need to carry out a key task in July Gardeners in Wales with lavender have been told 'now is the perfect time' to carry out a key task (Image: Kathrin Ziegler via Getty Images ) If you're lucky enough to have a lavender plant gracing your garden, you'll be well aware of their allure. The vibrant purple blooms not only exude a delightful fragrance but also attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, making your garden a preferred spot for these creatures. However, to ensure your lavender flourishes, proper care is essential. Michael the Mediterranean Gardener, a TikTok user, recently highlighted an important task for lavender owners to undertake in July, which he describes as the 'perfect time'. This task is propagation through cuttings, and it's surprisingly straightforward, reports the Express. How to take lavender cuttings In his video, Michael demonstrated exactly how to take cuttings from your lavender plant so you can start to grow them this way in preparation for next year. Kneeling beside his lavender, he explained: "What we're looking for in a candidate for a cutting is a nice, straight, healthy stem that doesn't have any flower buds. We're looking for something that is just starting to harden off." He then identified a suitable part of the plant without buds, noting: "If we look down, we can see the change in colour moving from green just going into that slightly woodier colour." Article continues below Taking lavender cuttings is so simple (Image: Getty ) He cautioned against cutting too far down the stem, as this would be ineffective. Next, he advised removing all leaves from the stem, leaving only two or three 'at the very top'. Afterwards, at the base of the stem where the leaf nodes are, make a clean cut with a sharp knife. Article continues below How to propagate lavender Now you've got your cutting, it's time to propagate. Take a small tub and fill it with soil. Position the stem cutting between the soil and the edge of the pot. Continue this process with the number of cuttings you have. Michael advised: "Mediterranean herbs don't want to be too wet, so you want to spray this maybe once or twice a day, that's more than enough." Place the plant in a 'sheltered but sunny' location, and when new leaves begin to sprout, it's time to transfer them to a bigger pot.
Wales Online
25 minutes ago
- Business
- Wales Online
First look at top Cardiff restaurant Silures' second venue at luxury coastal hotel
First look at top Cardiff restaurant Silures' second venue at luxury coastal hotel Here's a first look at how the beloved Penarth hotel has been revamped with the addition of their new restaurant Silures. Silures will offer European cuisine (Image: A&M Hospitality Group ) Harry Styles, Daniel Craig and David Hasselhoff, what do these three names have in common? They've all stayed in the former Holm House in Penarth, a luxury boutique hotel on the seafront that's now reopening as a restaurant from the team behind popular Cardiff venue, Silures. Situated on Marine Parade and offering extensive views of the Bristol Channel, the hotel - which closed in March 2024 due to rising costs and changing market conditions post-pandemic - has since been revamped, refurbished. With modernised self check-in rooms which look over the ocean and a brand new restaurant which serves European cuisine and has an extensive drinks menu. Silures at Holm House will be the second venue for the group that recently opened in the Welsh capital. For the latest restaurant news and reviews, sign up to our food and drink newsletter here . The gardens look like something straight out of a movie. (Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne ) Their first restaurant on Wellfield Road, Roath was a huge success, becoming Cardiff's top booked restaurant of 2024 according to The Fork. The initiative comes from Cardiff-based A&M Hospitality Group, established by Andrei Maxim and Daf Andrews, who've worked in London restaurants like the Savoy Grill, Galvin Bar & Grill and The Coral Room. The new location will feature a 50-seater main dining area, a bar for 25 people and a private dining room catering to 22. (Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne ) Article continues below Explaining why they have decided to open a new restaurant there, Daf Andrews said: "Penarth felt like the natural next step - a vibrant town with a strong sense of community and an appetite for quality hospitality. "Holm House is a beautiful building, and the rooms, spa and garden offer something truly special. The private dining space and outdoor areas give us more flexibility to host everything from intimate dinners to events and celebrations, while staying true to the Silures experience." The restaurant and gardens overlook the sea, with views of the Bristol Channel. (Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne ) The new location will feature a 50-seater main dining area, a bar for 25 people, a private dining room catering to 22, and an outdoor terrace that can accommodate 50 seated or 100 standing guests. Acknowledged as a "country treasure" within Penarth's conservation area appraisal, Holm House was first built as a private dwelling in the 1920s, the Holm House was turned into a boutique hotel in 2004. The restaurant's filled with green and gold accents that are complimented by the foliage additions. (Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne ) Celebrated for its spa treatments, rooms with ocean views and refined gardens, it has hosted numerous celebrities, and you can see why. The private garden has lots of comfy corners and seating, all with Bristol Channel views that makes it hard to imagine you are on the outskirts of Cardiff. A location for a lunchtime meal, a date night or some drinks at the bar. (Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne ) The new restaurant's menu will sport affordable deals including set menu, specials nights such as Welly (Beef Wellington) Wednesday and Thermidor Thursdays. Article continues below Silures Penarth is now open after launching on Friday, July 11.
Wales Online
25 minutes ago
- General
- Wales Online
The Summer Health Plan Your Dog Didn't Know They Needed
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