Environment body’s u-turn on Circuit of Wales development
Natural Resources Wales (NRW), the Welsh Government’s environmental advisory body, has done a u-turn on the ‘Circuit of Wales’ motor-racing centre at Ebbw Vale. NRW is no longer asking the government to call in the application which was granted outline consent by Blaenau Gwent Council last month. The development is on common land and abuts…
Read MoreMinisters are considering call-in for ‘Circuit of Wales’ development
The Welsh Government has issued a direction to prevent Blaenau Gwent Council from giving planning permission to the ‘Circuit of Wales’ motor-racing centre, while ministers decide whether to call the matter in. The council granted outline consent to the Heads of the Valleys Development Company last month. We were among the objectors who wrote to…
Read More
Our challenge to Wales’s new environmental body
We have welcomed the new environmental body, Natural Resources Wales (NRW), which comes into existence today (1 April) and we have set it a number of challenges. The common land of Wales is immensely important for its natural beauty, wildlife habitats, archaeology, culture and opportunities for informal recreation. Eight per cent of Wales is common…
Read More
‘Heavenly’ Carmarthenshire commons at risk from wind-development
We have objected to two applications from RES UK & Ireland Ltd for wind turbines and associated works on common land in Carmarthenshire. RES wants to erect 21 wind turbines, 15 of them on common land, with met masts, access tracks, hardstanding, highway widening and fencing. The commons are Mynydd Llanllwni Common and Mynydd Llanfighangel…
Read MoreSwansea Council to decide fate of Mynydd y Gwair Common
We have renewed our call to Swansea Council to reject the application for 16 wind turbines on Mynydd y Gwair common. The planning committee is to determine the application from RWE npower tomorrow (7 February). We objected strongly to the application because it will destroy the magnificent stretch of unspoilt common land, eight miles north…
Read MoreDevelopment proposed on Llanberis common
We have joined the protestors again a proposed pump-storage power-station at Glynrhonwy quarries above Llanberis, Gwynedd, because the works will encroach on common land and be an eyesore in a popular area on the edge of the Snowdonia National Park. We have put in an objection to Gwynedd County Council and called on the council…
Read MoreWe oppose plans to dig up Swansea’s pearl of a common
We have objected strongly to plans by Carrington Moore Estates, in which the former Welsh rugby captain Andy Moore has an interest, to dig up Picket Mead Common at Newton, Swansea. The developers want to bury underground services (electricity, gas, water, telecoms and drainage) and lay grasscrete on the common, in connection with their planning…
Read MoreDismay at threat to mid-Wales beauty spot
We are dismayed that parts of the beautiful Eppynt Commons in Powys are advertised for sale ‘with some potential for wind-farm development’. The commons form part of an extensive ridge of high ground to the north of the Brecon Beacons National Park, south of Builth Wells. More than 2,500 acres, comprising four commons with over…
Read More
Brutal turbines of Mynydd y Gwair common
We have objected strongly to a planning application from RWE npower to site 16 wind turbines, with tracks and infrastructure, on Mynydd y Gwair common, a majestic hillside eight miles north of Swansea. There have been a number of turbine applications here in the past to which the society has objected. This is registered common…
Read MoreChippenham Mead village green saved from development
The Welsh Government has not given consent for an application from Monmouth Sports Club to erect a large covered shelter on Chippenham Mead village green, Monmouth, in connection with the sporting activities there.. The club applied to the Welsh Government for permission to construct the works on the village green having obtained planning permission. Mr…
Read More