Latest news with #PaulGriffiths
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Improvement for 'miserable' children's play park approved
A COUNCIL will use its share of a £5 million Welsh Government fund for play areas to improve two parks in Chepstow. Monmouthshire County Council has £128,619 from the fund for works which must be completed by the end of March 2026 and will be used for improvements at the Burntbarn Road, or Western Avenue, play area beside Chepstow Rugby Club and Bulwark Park, also known as Piggy Hill. The council's deputy leader, Chepstow Castle and Larkfield councillor, Paul Griffiths said he welcomed the decision and described Piggy Hill as a 'miserable park'. The Labour councillor said the Western Avenue play ares is 'very well used' including by younger siblings of those training at the 'very successful' rugby club but said the standard of the park and its equipment has 'been an embarrassment'. Read more Claim homeless hostel will attract every 'Tom, Dick, Harry, Mary and Jane' Council with £1.4m surplus 'too quick' to make social services cuts Call to extend support for people struggling with mental health and other problems He said he has never known Piggy Hill to be referred to as Bulwark Park but said 'It is a miserable park.' Cllr Griffiths suggested the rugby club, and St Mary's Roman Catholic Primary, which is opposite, Piggy Hill Park be included in consultations on developing and improving the play areas. He also suggested the council should consider if other smaller play areas, many on housing estates, around Chepstow 'could be better used for other local amenities.' Conservative opposition leader, Mitchell Troy and Trellech councillor, Richard John said the funding is 'great news' for those living near the two parks but said: 'Clearly the sum doesn't touch the sides of what is actually needed to bring play areas in Monmouthshire up to a decent standard.' He said the council should hold an audit of play areas in rural areas as some villages are 'equally as deserving' of improvements to their play areas. Angela Sandles, the cabinet member responsible, said all the county's play areas were included in an assessment including those that town and community councils and housing associations are responsible for. But she said the decision to invest in the two play areas was made because they are classified as NEAPs or Neighbourhood Equipped Areas for Play which cater for a wider age group of children. The council will also use other funding for improvements to the skate park near to Piggy Hill.
South Wales Argus
6 days ago
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
Improvements to Chepstow play parks approved by councillors
Monmouthshire County Council has £128,619 from the fund for works which must be completed by the end of March 2026 and will be used for improvements at the Burntbarn Road, or Western Avenue, play area beside Chepstow Rugby Club and Bulwark Park, also known as Piggy Hill. The council's deputy leader, Chepstow Castle and Larkfield councillor, Paul Griffiths said he welcomed the decision and described Piggy Hill as a 'miserable park'. The Labour councillor said the Western Avenue play ares is 'very well used' including by younger siblings of those training at the 'very successful' rugby club but said the standard of the park and its equipment has 'been an embarrassment'. He said he has never known Piggy Hill to be referred to as Bulwark Park but said 'It is a miserable park.' Cllr Griffiths suggested the rugby club, and St Mary's Roman Catholic Primary, which is opposite, Piggy Hill Park be included in consultations on developing and improving the play areas. He also suggested the council should consider if other smaller play areas, many on housing estates, around Chepstow 'could be better used for other local amenities.' Conservative opposition leader, Mitchell Troy and Trellech councillor, Richard John said the funding is 'great news' for those living near the two parks but said: 'Clearly the sum doesn't touch the sides of what is actually needed to bring play areas in Monmouthshire up to a decent standard.' He said the council should hold an audit of play areas in rural areas as some villages are 'equally as deserving' of improvements to their play areas. Angela Sandles, the cabinet member responsible, said all the county's play areas were included in an assessment including those that town and community councils and housing associations are responsible for. But she said the decision to invest in the two play areas was made because they are classified as NEAPs or Neighbourhood Equipped Areas for Play which cater for a wider age group of children. The council will also use other funding for improvements to the skate park near to Piggy Hill.
South Wales Argus
15-07-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Plans to tackle roundabout congestion highlighted at meeting
The Monmouthshire MP met Welsh Government transport minister Ken Skates, Monmouthshire County Council deputy leader and cabinet member for planning and economic development Cllr Paul Griffiths, and representatives from Transport for Wales to find out more about progress on tackling congestion around High Beech roundabout in Chepstow. The group visited the site to understand the latest developments and discuss next steps. The group heard that Transport for Wales was developing a new traffic model to test a range of solutions for easing the long-standing congestion problem. This is hoped to be ready by October, with a workshop planned for the end of July to begin exploring realistic options. It was acknowledged that the issue extends beyond the roundabout and will require a regional approach. In the meantime, several short-term improvements are being considered – including improved traffic light controls, yellow box junctions, and potential lane realignment. Ms Fookes said: 'I know from my recent Monmouthshire-wide survey that congestion around High Beech Roundabout is one of the biggest frustrations for local residents. We've had studies and assessments over the years, but what we need now is action."
South Wales Argus
14-07-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Chepstow railway station refurb needs £1.4m from council
The UK Government has already agreed to make £5.2m available for an overhaul of Chepstow railway station, and other public transport improvements in the town, though that will not include accessibility improvements despite there being no disabled access to the westbound platform. Monmouthshire County Council is being asked to provide 'match funding' of 30 per cent towards the scheme. Councillors were told last month plans for the revamp of the station were being developed and at their July meeting they will be asked to agree to press ahead with the project and enter into an agreement with the UK Government. They will also be asked to underwrite capital match funding of £1,407,692 to be drawn down between the financial years 2025/26 and 2028/29 , however the council aims to use its 'best endeavours' to find alternative funding to avoid having to dip into its capital budget. The council will also be asked to delegate to its chief infrastructure officer responsibility for developing the project, in consultation with the cabinet member, and through engagement with local councillors, Chepstow Town Council and community stakeholders. Council deputy leader, and Chepstow Castle and Larkfield member, Paul Griffiths told the June meeting he 'unfortunately' couldn't give a commitment the lack of disabled access would be addressed as that is the responsibility of Network Rail and it was unlikely to have plans in place during the timframe the council willl have to spend the funding from Westminster. A report for the council's Thursday, July 17 meeting states: 'The proposals will not result directly in the provision of an accessible footbridge; however, we will continue to support Network Rail and other stakeholders in lobbying for the construction of this much needed footbridge.' It outlines the planned improvements as refurbishment of the station building to include public toilets, which the council will maintain, and potentially a waiting room and the purchase of third party land to create a park and ride facility. The original proposal was to replace car parking at the station forecourt to provide two bus stops and a turning circle, creating a bus / rail interchange. Those plans have now been revised due to opposition to the loss of parking spaces which the council has said could have deterred commuters from using the station. Other plans include new bus stops at Moor Street, Mount Pleasant, and Welsh Street and a new pedestrian crossing between the A48 and Tesco and a bus only access to Chepstow Community Hospital, though these are subject to a review. READ MORE: Autumn Statement: Funding announced for Monmouthshire Further consultation on new cycling and footpaths is also taking place. The proposals were first submitted for UK Government support, from its Levelling Up Fund, in July 2022 which was rejected in January the following year however the £5.2m for creating the bus turning was announced by then Chancellor Jeremy Hunt in November, 2023. The report states: 'Without any prior contact with the Council, the then Chancellor announced in the Autumn Budget of 2023 that funding of £5,227,320 had been allocated to enable the project to be implemented.'
BBC News
09-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Milton Keynes cinema The Point to be demolished for new flats
The UK's first multiplex cinema will be demolished after developers won an appeal to proceed with previously rejected plans to build flats on the opened in Milton Keynes in 1985, The Point was closed after showing its last film in glass pyramid structure, which was once the tallest building in the city, with 487 flats across four buildings up to 21 storeys following a planning appeal, inspector Paul Griffiths ruled the proposal can go ahead, including the recladding of an existing multi-storey car park, a bar, sports facilities, and a new cinema on the roof. The council had listed seven reasons for refusal, but discussions before and during the inquiry reduced that number to of the complaints was that the building did not deliver an acceptable level of affordable housing, but the claimant agreed to pay £690,009 towards the provision of affordable housing elsewhere in Milton two remaining concerns were related to The Point's status as a non-designated heritage asset and the potential effect on the nearby Grade II listed shopping the inspector noted the old cinema had "a special place in the memory of the people of Milton Keynes", he concluded it "has clearly outlived its purpose, and there are no realistic prospects for its effective re-use."The inspector ruled any impact on the shopping centre would be minimal. Discussions took place during the inquiry about how to include a "nod or reference back" to The Point in the new development. The inspector's view was that retaining physical parts of the existing building would be "all too predictable and indeed tokenistic".Instead, he preferred a more "subtle and considered response", such as adding red lighting to the top of the buildings to evoke memories of The a statement, Galliard Homes said it was delighted with the appeal continued: "Our plans will transform this prominent site, which has been vacant for nearly 20 years, into a dynamic mixed-use destination."At the heart of the proposals is a commitment to celebrating the legacy of The Point."Milton Keynes Council has been approached for comment. Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
