Latest news with #CastleGreenHomes
Rhyl Journal
14-06-2025
- Health
- Rhyl Journal
Cancer survivors urge men to get checked amid charity hike
Castle Green Homes, based in St Asaph, North Wales, has chosen Prostate Cancer UK as one of the beneficiaries of its latest fundraiser—a Three Peaks Challenge—after two of its employees, David Ralph and Alan Wilson, were diagnosed with prostate cancer. The challenge, taking place on June 26, will raise money for Prostate Cancer UK, mental health charity Chasing the Stigma, and Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue. Mr Ralph, a development engineer from Chester, experienced difficulty passing urine for 12 months before seeking medical advice. He said: "I'd often take several minutes to commence or choosing to wait for a cubicle to save the embarrassment of standing at a urinal for several minutes with nothing moving. "After managing my condition for a while, I arranged for a PSA check and physical examination in July 2024. "I wish I'd acted sooner on my symptoms. "I now tell all male friends and acquaintances to get checked out. "There's often misconceived stigma for a guy to get checked out—but ultimately a five-minute doctor's visit can really make a difference." An MRI and biopsy revealed prostate cancer in September 2024, with a Gleason score of (3+4)=7. Mr Ralph chose to undergo a radical prostatectomy in January 2025. He said: "I considered this to be a better option to prevent future spread outside of the prostate. "It is possible to live a full normal life without a prostate." Post-surgery tests confirmed the cancer was contained and had not spread. Mr Ralph now has regular blood tests as part of his aftercare. He said: "Men often don't talk about their health or like me, leave it a little while until they do something about it. "The cancer may have been there for several years but without the initial PSA check that can be arranged with your GP, the results would not have been known that triggered the treatment. "My message is simple—please get yourself checked out with a PSA test from your GP." Alan Wilson, a construction director from Moreton in Wirral, was also diagnosed with prostate cancer last year and opted for a prostatectomy. Mr Wilson said: "Such a simple PSA test could possibly save someone's life. "People need to insist on the blood test." Both men will support their colleagues as they take on the Three Peaks Challenge later this month.
North Wales Chronicle
12-06-2025
- General
- North Wales Chronicle
Three Peaks Challenge team help stranded hikers on Snowdon
The Castle Green Homes team, who were preparing for the Three Peaks Challenge to raise funds for Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue, encountered three stranded walkers during their descent. The challenge, set to take place on June 26, will also support Chasing the Stigma and Prostate Cancer UK. Richard Williams, operations director at Castle Green Homes, said: "We'd passed three young women not far from the top and had walked about two and a half miles down when we looked back and couldn't see any torches or anyone coming down after us. "We made a decision as a group to turn back and find them. "They had no torches, one of them had a twisted ankle, they were lost, didn't have any water and didn't know what to do. "We took our time walking them back down and to help make them feel comfortable with us we phoned my wife. "I would be devastated to think something had happened to my daughter and no one helped them. "God knows what would have happened – they could have taken a wrong path over the edge." Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue, one of the challenge's chosen charities, is familiar with such incidents. The team of around 50 unpaid volunteers responded to 178 requests for help last year—almost one every other day. Chris Lloyd, press officer for Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue, said: "We all go out to enjoy the great outdoors not intending to have an accident. "But accidents can happen to anyone. "It is important to reduce the risk of such an incident by proper preparation and knowing what to do in such an event. "First, try and resolve the situation by yourself. "Lost? "Try retracing steps to a known point. "Stuck on steep ground? "Shout, there may be someone close by who can help. "Injured? "Treat using your first aid kit. "The person may well be able to walk off without needing rescue. "However, if out of your comfort zone, dial 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. "The team leader may well be able to locate your mobile telephone and to direct you to the correct path. "It is easier for team members to assist able-bodied casualties rather than let them continue to have an accident and injury." Mr Lloyd also advised on essential preparations for mountain walks. READ MORE: European surgeons visit Ysbyty Gwynedd to learn robotic knee surgery techniques He said: "Check the local weather forecast before you go out, and make sure that you have adequate clothing and spare clothing too, including waterproofs. "Mountain weather can change very quickly. "Know where you're going, make sure you have the right equipment and that the whole party have the right skills. "Being able to navigate is important. "Take a torch – don't use the one on your phone as it uses the battery and then you won't be able to call the rescue out." To support the team's Three Peaks Challenge, visit
Leader Live
09-06-2025
- Business
- Leader Live
Planning committee urged to reject 300-home Hawarden plan
Flintshire People's Voice councillor Sam Swash - who represents the Hawarden Mancot ward - has supported residents' campaigning against plans to develop on agricultural land at Ash Lane off Gladstone Way for six years. With Flintshire County Council planning officers recommending approval of the scheme this week, Cllr Swash has asked councillors to back Hawarden residents who have opposed the plans since they were first proposed. "This is the most unpopular housing development in Flintshire's history," said Cllr Swash. "It has led to the largest petition ever submitted to Flintshire County Council, hundreds of placards being erected across the local community and the most objections to a single planning application in the county's recent history." Read more: 300-home Ash Lane, Hawarden development backed for approval Opposition to developing the land began in 2019 when the agricultural fields between Gladstone Way, Ash Lane and Park Avenue on the Hawarden/Mancot border were first included in Flintshire's Local Development Plan. Opponents quickly formed an action group - Stop the Gladstone Estate Development - and a Facebook page to oppose the plans. The land - now owned by Castle Green Homes - continued to be earmarked for development in the county's 2015 Local Development Plan. In March last year the application was submitted to Flintshire County Council's planning department to build 300 homes - including 104 affordable homes - on the site. Of 697 neighbours notified of the plans during consultation, 684 objected to the plans. There were also objections from Hawarden Community Council and Queensferry Community Council with regard the impact on flood risk on the proposed site and the surrounding areas and the pressure the development would place on local services, while Clwyd Badger Group were concerned about the impact on badgers active near the site. Nevertheless officers have recommended approval of the scheme, subject to a Section 106 order which would see Hawarden Village School receive just over £625,000 to make improvements to serve the new estate while Hawarden High School would receive almost £950,000. Cllr Swash believes the weight of local opposition means councillors on Flintshire's Planning Committee should refuse the application when it is considered on Wednesday at Flintshire Council's Ty Dewi Sant headquarters. "For those councillors with a vote on Wednesday, there is no more hiding behind the Local Development Plan," he said. "They must now judge this site on its own merits, or lack of them. "The choice facing them is a simple one - they can vote to stand with the people they're elected to represent, or they can vote to approve a demonstrably reckless plan for the benefit of private housing developers. "The Hawarden community has been completely united in its opposition to these plans for years, and with good reason. This is the council's final opportunity to restore our community's trust in local democracy, by listening to the overwhelming views of the people this development will impact on a daily basis."
Leader Live
08-06-2025
- Business
- Leader Live
Oakenholt 121 affordable homes plan backed for approval
Castle Green Homes is seeking permission to build 121 designated affordable homes on land at Quarry Farm and Leadbrook Drive in Oakenholt, near Flint. The site, which sits outside of Flintshire's Local Development Plan (LDP), is approximately 12 acres (4.87 hectares) and is currently used for agricultural purposes, surrounded by existing residential properties on its northern, eastern and western boundaries. Land beyond the site's southern boundary is open countryside currently in use for agricultural purposes. The layout of the proposed development. (Image: Planning documents) The development would comprise a range of two-storey one-to-four-bedroom properties and include a variety of flats, terraced and semi-detached properties. Flintshire Council has received a total of 55 objections from local residents - who raise concerns over the fact the site lies outside of the LDP, potential impact on flooding, increased traffic, loss of open countryside and overdevelopment. Nevertheless, planning officials have recommended the scheme by approved by Flintshire Council's planning committee at its meeting on Wednesday (June 11). MORE NEWS: A planning officer's report states: "The proposed development will provide 121 dwellings of which 100 per cent will be affordable housing. The scheme provides a logical extension to Flint, a Tier 1 Main Service Centre and is acceptable in principle having regards to being an affordable housing exceptions site in accordance with the LDP. "The development will assist in meeting the identified affordable housing need for the settlement, the layout, public open space provision, biodiversity enhancements and other detailed technical considerations are considered to be acceptable and in accordance with policy. "As such it is recommended that the application is approved."
Leader Live
06-06-2025
- Politics
- Leader Live
300-home Ash Lane, Hawarden development backed for approval
The controversial application is for land to the west of Gladstone Way and west of Ash Lane in Hawarden. The site, which is within Flintshire's Local Development Plan (LDP) is approximately 27.33 acres (11.06 hectares) and consists of a number of agricultural fields bound by existing residential properties on its northern, eastern and western boundaries. Land beyond the site's southern boundary is open countryside currently in use for agricultural purposes. The layout of the proposed development. (Image: Planning documents) Of the 300 homes proposed - 105 would be designated afforable housing. Castle Green Homes submitted the planning application last year - and it is set to be decided on by Flintshire Council's planning committee next week. And planning officials have recommended the scheme for approval. An officer's report states: "The site is an allocated housing site in the LDP. The development is acceptable in principle and meets the requirements of the housing allocation in accordance with the LDP. "The layout, public open space provision, biodiversity enhancements and other detailed technical considerations are considered to be acceptable and in accordance with policy. As such it is recommended that the application is approved subject to the commuted sums and conditions." MORE NEWS: Both Hawarden and Queensferry community councils have objected to the scheme, and there have been 2,500 objections from local residents. The site has been subject to a "Stop the Gladstone Estate Build" campaign, fronted by Hawarden councillor, Sam Swash. There are grave concerns over the impact on flooding, the loss of green space and inadequate local infrastructure to meet the need of extra population.
