Latest news with #BrilliantBasicsFund
South Wales Argus
3 days ago
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Linda Vista Gardens to benefit from new investment
Linda Vista Gardens in Abergavenny will see a series of improvements funded by the Welsh Government's Brilliant Basics Fund, which aims to upgrade infrastructure at key visitor destinations. Work will include improved access, new interpretation panels, and the installation of solar panels on the café to support greener energy use. Cllr Catrin Maby, Monmouthshire County Council's cabinet member for climate change and the environment, said: "Linda Vista Gardens is already a wonderful place to visit, both for Abergavenny residents and those travelling to the town. "This funding will allow us to further improve a popular attraction, making it accessible for even more visitors. "The addition of solar panels will also make the café more sustainable in terms of its energy use." Additional plans include reinstating views across Castle Meadows and towards the Blorenge, as well as installing a café screen showing live wildlife camera feeds. Monmouthshire County Council thanked Abergavenny Town Council for providing vital match funding to support the project. The total budget for the improvements is around £100,000. Residents will be kept informed of the work through public notices, and project teams will aim to keep disruption to a minimum.
Business News Wales
3 days ago
- Business
- Business News Wales
Monmouthshire Council Receives Funding to Improve Linda Vista Gardens
Monmouthshire County Council has received funding from the Welsh Government to make improvements to Linda Vista Gardens in Abergavenny. The funding has been secured as part of the Brilliant Basics Fund – set up to deliver improvements in basic infrastructure at tourism destinations. Funded projects include: Access improvements Installation of solar panels to the café Work to reinstate some of the vistas across Castle Meadows and to the Blorenge Installation of a screen in the café showing live feed from wildlife cameras New interpretation panels providing information about the gardens Notices will be posted to inform residents about upcoming works, and the council said that project staff will strive to minimise disruption as much as possible. The council said it would like to thank Abergavenny Town Council for supporting the work by providing match funding required for the application. The total budget including match is around £100,000. Monmouthshire County Council Cabinet Member for Climate Change and the Environment, Cllr Catrin Maby, said: 'Linda Vista Gardens is already a wonderful place to visit, both for Abergavenny residents and those travelling to the town. 'This funding will allow us to further improve a popular attraction, making it accessible for even more visitors. 'The addition of solar panels will also make the café more sustainable in terms of its energy use.'
South Wales Argus
12-05-2025
- South Wales Argus
Hafren Forest: Powys Council hopes for TikTok solution
A surge in tourists at one of Wales' most beautiful forests which is famed for its "world best" riverside boardwalk has led to concerns from locals that the area cannot cope with the sudden influx. TikTok, Instagram and Facebook videos of Hafren Forest, near Llanidloes have been watched millions of times, with one video gaining at least 1.8 million views, which has prompted a rush of visitors to the cherished local beauty spot. The Welsh Government's environment agency Natural Resources Wales, which owns and manages the forest, has kept the once-hidden gem from its social media and declined filming requests to discourage the hordes of walkers. A line of cars parked along the road near Rhyd y Benwch car park at Hafren Forest. (Image: Anwen Parry) Powys County Council was asked by local councillor Glyn Preston about what steps were being taken to reduce congestion, fly tipping, dog mess and improving road infrastructure. Powys County Council has now issued its response, saying it appreciated the "patience and understanding" of the local community as they work towards a solution that "benefits both visitors and residents". One of the improvements so far have been signage directing traffic along the "more acceptable" Staylittle route to reduce the impact on the Old Hall route. The council said it takes a "zero-tolerance approach to fly tipping" and anyone caught will be investigated and, if possible, prosecuted if there is sufficient and reliable evidence. Dog poo bags have been left on the side of footpaths at Hafren Forest. (Image: Anwen Parry) However, the council said cleaning up dog mess dumped at the forest is not the responsibility of Environmental Health. "Whilst we do welcome visitors to Powys and the economic benefits they bring to the local area, we need to ensure this is appropriately managed to provide a good experience for visitors and minimise the impacts on local residents," the council said. "We are aware that this sudden and unexpected increase in visitors has caused an unusual peak in traffic, affecting access and parking at this tourist attraction. "This issue is not solely the responsibility of the local authority. As cabinet member, I will be raising this matter with other partner agencies and stakeholders to consider a multi-agency approach for the most appropriate resolution." (Image: NQ) Natural Resources Wales has applied for planning permission to re-design and upgrade the existing Hafren Forest car park at Rhyd y Benwch, Old Hall to create extra "higher quality" parking spaces. Powys County Council said its exploring ways to support the wider Natural Resources Wales investment in developing the visitor infrastructure at Hafren Forest. However, the most suitable capital investment fund for site-based tourism infrastructure improvements that the council can access, the Brilliant Basics Fund, will not reopen for new application until spring 2027.
Powys County Times
11-05-2025
- Powys County Times
Hafren Forest: Powys Council hopes for TikTok solution
Powys County Council says it is working towards a solution to the "significant" rise in visitors at Hafren Forest which has resulted from social media. A surge in tourists at one of Wales' most beautiful forests which is famed for its "world best" riverside boardwalk has led to concerns from locals that the area cannot cope with the sudden influx. TikTok, Instagram and Facebook videos of Hafren Forest, near Llanidloes have been watched millions of times, with one video gaining at least 1.8 million views, which has prompted a rush of visitors to the cherished local beauty spot. The Welsh Government's environment agency Natural Resources Wales, which owns and manages the forest, has kept the once-hidden gem from its social media and declined filming requests to discourage the hordes of walkers. Powys County Council was asked by local councillor Glyn Preston about what steps were being taken to reduce congestion, fly tipping, dog mess and improving road infrastructure. Powys County Council has now issued its response, saying it appreciated the "patience and understanding" of the local community as they work towards a solution that "benefits both visitors and residents". One of the improvements so far have been signage directing traffic along the "more acceptable" Staylittle route to reduce the impact on the Old Hall route. The council said it takes a "zero-tolerance approach to fly tipping" and anyone caught will be investigated and, if possible, prosecuted if there is sufficient and reliable evidence. However, the council said cleaning up dog mess dumped at the forest is not the responsibility of Environmental Health. "Whilst we do welcome visitors to Powys and the economic benefits they bring to the local area, we need to ensure this is appropriately managed to provide a good experience for visitors and minimise the impacts on local residents," the council said. "We are aware that this sudden and unexpected increase in visitors has caused an unusual peak in traffic, affecting access and parking at this tourist attraction. "This issue is not solely the responsibility of the local authority. As cabinet member, I will be raising this matter with other partner agencies and stakeholders to consider a multi-agency approach for the most appropriate resolution." Natural Resources Wales has applied for planning permission to re-design and upgrade the existing Hafren Forest car park at Rhyd y Benwch, Old Hall to create extra "higher quality" parking spaces. Powys County Council said its exploring ways to support the wider Natural Resources Wales investment in developing the visitor infrastructure at Hafren Forest. However, the most suitable capital investment fund for site-based tourism infrastructure improvements that the council can access, the Brilliant Basics Fund, will not reopen for new application until spring 2027.
