Latest news with #FlintshireCouncil
Leader Live
a day ago
- Business
- Leader Live
Timescale for work on Hynet carbon capture pipeline
The project involves the construction of a 26km underground pipeline from Elton, Cheshire to the Point of Ayr gas terminal in Talacre - work on which is expected to start this summer. At the Point of Ayr gas terminal, it will then transport carbon dioxide to a platform in the Douglas oil and gas field in the Irish Sea where it will be pumped into depleted oil and gas reservoirs rather than released into the atmosphere. The pipeline, which will run through Deeside, will capture 109 million tonnes of carbon over 25 years during phase one of operation - equivalent to taking 60.1 million cars off the road for a year. A map of the Hynet project. (Image: Hynet project) Construction work on the project is split into three stages - with stage one described as the "enabling phase" to allow the access and egress, temporary construction compounds to store plant, material and equipment as well as temporary works areas to be constructed. Planning documents submitted to Flintshire Council state that access roads will need constructing or upgrading temporarily or permanently along with new "bellmouths, fencing and utility connections". Work on stage one is planned to start next month and will last around 10 months. Stage two is the "special crossings" part of the project - referring to a section of the pipeline route designed to cross over or under obstacles such as rivers, roads, railways, or other infrastructure. Installation methods include horizontal drilling, micro tunnelling, auger boring and pipe jacking. Work on stage two is set to start this August and will last 17 months. Stage three will involve the construction of the main pipeline itself. Before the installation of the pipe begins a temporary right of way access will be constructed to allow for the movement of plant and equipment along the pipeline route. The right of way access requires the clearing of vegetation and grading of soil to enable an unfettered and level surface. The working area is secured with a fence line and access to the working area is via designated highway access points. Once the route is prepared, the next step of is the pipe stringing. This process involves the laying out of pipe sections and joining of the pipe lengths together by welding. All the welds will be tested and certified in situ before an approved coating is applied on-site to protect the welds from corrosion. MORE NEWS: An open cut trench is excavated for the installation of the pipeline. The trenches are excavated to a designed depth allowing for adequate amount of cover when the pipe is buried. These depths will vary along the route. Once the pipe section has been lowered into place, a backfill of pipeline surround will be placed to a level above the pipeline using either imported clean sand or, where suitable, graded subsoils excavated from the trench. This intimate pipeline surround will be free of stones, rocks, foreign material and vegetation to prevent damage to the coating. Work on stage three is set to start in January 2026 and will last approximately 12 months.
Leader Live
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
Full weekend of Giddo's Gift fundraising this month
Giddo's Gift was founded in memory of Jordan 'Giddo' Giddins, a courageous young man from Flint who sadly lost his battle with Ewings Sarcoma in 2017, aged just 18. His mum, Mandy Giddins BEM, and sister, Beth Giddins, set up the charity to continue his legacy of helping other young people facing cancer. The charity provides financial support and gift donations to young people aged 13 to 24 who are undergoing treatment for cancer, aiming to bring comfort, relief, and a sense of normality during an incredibly challenging time. To mark Giddo's birthday, the charity is kicking off the weekend with a daring charity abseil down St Asaph Cathedral on Saturday, June 28. A team of 24 fundraisers - including BEM recipient Mandy, charity trustees, ambassadors, and long-time supporters - are taking part in the emotional challenge. Participants are travelling from as far afield as Yorkshire, with Melanie Buckley, vice-chair of Flintshire Council and former Mayor of Flint, also among those descending the 62m drop. Jordan Giddins (Image: Giddo's Gift) More than £1,500 has already been raised ahead of the event, and the chosen location holds deep significance for the Giddins family. Mandy said: 'Jordan spent a lot of time having treatment at Glan Clwyd Hospital, just minutes from St Asaph, so we passed the cathedral hundreds of times. "Celebrating this day will never be the same without Jord but we remember his legacy and kindness, and the gift he was to us. When the vicar offered us this date, we just knew it was from Jordan. He wants us to do this.' The weekend of events begins on Friday, June 27 with the annual Go Blue for Jord day. Schools, businesses and members of the community will don blue - Jordan's favourite colour and the colour of his beloved Manchester City FC - to raise awareness and funds for the charity that carries his name. Mandy said: 'Year on year, the support we've received from the community is just incredible. But year on year, more young people are being referred to our charity – we can't stop now. Read more "We ask that you wear blue on the Friday to remember our hero, and donate what you can so we can continue bringing joy and hope to others in a similar situation to what Jord went through.' The commemorations close with Giddo's Football Tournament on Sunday, June 29 at Deeside Leisure Centre from 2-6pm. Teams are still welcome to sign up for the friendly competition by emailing hello@ Mandy added: 'This whole weekend is about celebrating who Jord was - his strength, his love of people, and his passion for life. He brought so many people together, and that's exactly what we'll be doing all weekend. "It means the world to know we're still making a difference in his name.'
Leader Live
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Leader Live
Councillor to continue fight against Hawarden 300 homes
Last week, Flintshire Council's planning committee voted in favour of Castle Green Home's Ash Lane development - located between Hawarden and Mancot. The proposal has been fiercely contested by local councillors and residents - and subject to a "Stop the Gladstone Estate Build" campaign, fronted by Hawarden councillor, Sam Swash. The council received 2,500 objections from local residents ahead of the planning meeting. The land had been ear-marked for development in Flintshire's Local Development Plan (LDP) - despite grave concerns over the potential impact on flooding in the already badly hit Sandycroft area, and on the strain placed on local infrastructure. Following the meeting, Cllr Swash has voiced his anger at the decision - and vowed to continue the fight against the development. He said: "This is, without a doubt, a major setback – but it isn't the end of the road. "I've fought this proposal from the very beginning, and I've always said: I won't stop fighting until there are bricks in the ground. I am not giving up. "Not when our doctors are already at more than double the safe number of patients. Not when residents in Lower Mancot and Sandycroft are being flooded again and again. Not when traffic chaos outside our schools is putting children's safety at risk." The layout of the Ash Lane development. (Image: Planning documents) MORE NEWS: An online petition set up by a local resident calling for the decision to be overturned has already gathered over 1,000 signatures. It states: "The decision not only threatens to exacerbate traffic hazards but also increases the flood potential of the area. The residents of Sandycroft, and Sandycroft Primary School are particularly at risk of flooding. "The Ash Lane agricultural fields are the natural boundary between the villages of Hawarden and Mancot. Building these houses will destroy the historical identities for both villages. Eliminating this green space will have severe consequences for local residents already wary of environmental threats. "Moreover, the addition of 300 new houses will place an incredible strain on essential public services which are already stretched beyond their limits. "The demand for GP appointments, NHS dental services, and local school places will surge, negatively impacting the quality of life for all residents. It's crucial to assess whether our current infrastructure can cope with this potential increase, a concern many local residents share." Cllr Swash added: "There are still barriers for the developer to overcome. If they think we're going to roll over while they ride roughshod over our community's views, they're in for a surprise. "To everyone who has supported the campaign – who emailed, submitted objections, attended meetings, or put up placards – thank you. I know many of you will feel as angry and distraught as I do. "But this fight isn't over. The next steps in our campaign are already being drawn up – and your support will remain absolutely vital. So, watch this space."
Leader Live
10-06-2025
- Automotive
- Leader Live
Temporary lights and full closure set for A541 Pontblyddyn
The lights are in place on the A541 Wrexham Road in Pontblyddyn, near the former Druid Inn pub. The two-way lights are in conjucture with work being undertaken by the Hafren Dyfrdwy water company and are set to be in place until June 14. Where the temporary lights are in place and the road closure will be in effect. (Image: roadworks page) On Saturday, June 21, the road will be subject of a full closure in the same area as Flintshire Council undertakes work on trees next to the road. Signs on the road are warning motorists that the closure is this Thursday. However, Flintshire Council has said this is an error - and that the road is set to close on June 21.
Leader Live
10-06-2025
- Business
- Leader Live
Former Spectrum Garden Centre in Cefn-Y-Bedd is demolished
The Spectrum Garden Centre in Cefn-Y-Bedd was previously a hit among locals and visitors. But, having laid derelict for a number of years, the site has recently been branded an 'eyesore' by councillors. In October 2023, Flintshire Council's planning committee gave the green light to proposals for a mix of flats and houses at the site. That was for the development of 20 one-bedroom cottage flats, seven three-bedroom houses and three two-bedroom houses. Not much has happened since, but an updated planning application was posted to Flintshire Council's website just last week. Before and after (top courtesy of Google Streetview, bottom Newsquest) of Spectrum Garden Centre in 2009 and in present day. (Image: Google Streetview/Newsquest) Dated as approved on June 3, it states that Hughes O'Hanlon Architects are now carrying out work on site. The site comprises a range of derelict buildings of cement block construction. The Leader took a trip there last week to find that the old buildings had been demolished. Current work being carried out, according to the new planning application, involves 'construction phase lighting'. Wrexham based architectural practice Hughes O'Hanlon were appointed by GK Construction for the delivery of the social residential development for North Wales Housing Association. According to their website, they state: "Totalling 30no dwellings including one-bed apartments, two and three-bedroom houses the scheme re-purposes the site of the former Spectrum Garden Centre in Cefn Y Bedd, Flintshire. "Responsible for the technical delivery of the project, we undertook an early compliance check against Welsh Design Quality Requirements and Lifetime Homes standards. TOP STORIES "A timber-framed, fabric-first approach to sustainable design also includes air source heat pumps, solar photo-voltaic panels and rainwater harvesting. "Located adjacent to the River Cegidog, particular attention has been paid to the potential for flooding with floor levels set accordingly and with a flood basin provided within the site." Principal contractor for the project GK Construction Ltd say work could be completed by May of next year.
