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Powys County Times
19-07-2025
- Business
- Powys County Times
Rhayader camping pods finally approved by Powys Council
PLANS for tourist accommodation just south of Rhayader have been given the go-ahead by Powys councillors. The application was in front of councillors at a meeting of Powys County Council's planning, taxi licensing and rights of way scrutiny committee on Thursday, July 17 as one of the applicants is Angela Davies, the Liberal Democrat councillor for Rhayader. Cllr Davies and her husband Tony Davies lodged the application for four pods in a field at Cae Henfron off the A470 in March 2021. The pods will each have one bedroom, and the proposal includes access and associated works which is partly retrospective. Car parking spaces for each pod are also included. Dealing with the application has been a slow process due 'interim' phosphate standards placed on river Special Areas for Conservation (SACs) in Wales since 2021. Any proposed development within the SAC catchments that might increase the phosphate levels in a river, potentially increasing pollution, needs to be screened. The River Wye flows nearby meaning the application - like some others in the county - has been blocked by these interim standards which have now been updated by Welsh Government environment body Natural Resources Wales. Cllr Davies is a member of the planning committee but left while the application was discussed. Planning officer Rhian Griffiths said: 'The proposal complies with guidance regarding phosphorus impact on the River Wye.' Ms Griffiths recommended that councillors approve the application. Committee solicitor Rachel Mole said: 'Due to the nature of the applicant in this matter the protocol dictates that the file is reviewed to make sure it is processed correctly, and I can confirm that is the case." Cllr Elwyn Vaughan (Plaid Cymru) pointed out that NRW had opposed the 'principle' of the scheme during the consultation process due to how the applicants intend to deal with foul drainage from the site. Cllr Vaughan asked: 'They are opposed, but you think it's okay?' Ms Griffiths answered: 'They (NRW) raised concerns over the method of foul drainage – their comments on the application suggest it should be connecting to the main sewer that runs in Rhayader rather than having a private system. 'But they acknowledge themselves that the development is over 150 metres away from that sewer and their guidance is that it's generally feasible to connect at a distance of 30 metres per unit.' The calculation means that for four units the maximum distance should be 120 metres. 'So, it's in excess of their own guidance,' explained Ms Griffiths. Cllr Huw Williams (Labour) said that he was willing to propose the committee accept the officer's recommendation and approve the scheme. His proposal was seconded by Cllr Ed Jones (Powys Independents) and the committee then went to a vote,
Powys County Times
15-07-2025
- Business
- Powys County Times
Planned Powys holiday pods finally set for decision
PLANS for tourist accommodation near Rhayader are set for a decision more than four years after the application was first lodged. Tony Davies and his wife Angela submitted the proposal in March 2021 for four holiday pods in a field at Cae Henfron off the A470. The pods will all have one bedroom, and the part-retrospective proposal includes an access road and associated works. The plans are coming before the council's planning, taxi licensing and rights of way committee on Thursday, July 17, because Mrs Davies is now a senior Powys councillor. The Liberal Democrat was elected to represent Rhayader at the 2022 local election, and is herself a member of the planning committee. The application was discussed by Nantmel Community Council in April 2021 when no objections were raised, but new interim phosphate standards for Special Areas for Conservation (SACs) in Wales since in 2021 have stalled progress. Any planned development in the SAC catchments that might increase phosphate levels within the catchment must be screened. The River Wye flows nearby meaning the application has been caught up by the interim standards. Senior planning officer Rhian Griffiths said. 'This guidance has now changed, and the application has been considered against the most up-to-date guidance. 'The application is made part-retrospectively, as the access track and ground levelling works have been undertaken. 'The Powys Local Development Plan (LDP) recognises the high-quality beauty and variety of the Powys landscape, which creates an area of great attractiveness and potential for high value tourism. 'The LDP further notes that tourism is one of the county's main employment sectors. 'It is an important component of the rural economy and can help to provide new jobs and it is therefore desirable to support appropriate tourism related developments in principle, whilst sustaining the outstanding natural beauty." Another issue with the application is that it will mean a loss of agricultural land, and national policy in Wales is geared towards preserving the best land. The patch at Rhayader is considered "moderate". Ms Griffiths said: 'Given the classification of the application site, the location of the proposed development is considered appropriate as development will not be undertaken on the most versatile land. 'On balance it is considered that the proposal complies with relevant planning policies, and the recommendation is therefore one of consent subject to conditions.'
New Indian Express
28-06-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Delhi schools told to form special cells for out-of-school children
NEW DELHI: In a major move to address the rising number of out-of-school children in Delhi, the city government has directed all schools under the Department of Education (DoE), Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), Delhi Cantonment Board (DCB), and New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) to establish Special Admission Cells (SACs). These dedicated cells will focus on enrolling children who have never been to school, including those with disabilities and those who dropped out due to socio-economic reasons. Education officials have described the initiative as a 'targeted rescue mission for education' aimed at reintegrating vulnerable students into the formal education system. The SACs will be responsible for not only admitting these children but also for ensuring they remain in school, track their attendance, and support their academic progress. Each SAC will be composed of the school's head, the admission in-charge, a vocational guidance counselor or an expert with similar skills, and the Cluster Resource Centre Coordinator (CRCC), who will provide data on out-of-school children (OoSC). The goal is to simplify admission procedures, counsel parents and children, and address any barriers preventing enrollment. 'The idea is to not just admit them, but to track their attendance, support their learning, and ensure they don't fall through the cracks again,' said a senior education department official. Key responsibilities of the SACs will include time-bound admissions, tracking academic performance and attendance, and ensuring the retention of enrolled children. The cells will also meet regularly to assess the progress of out-of-school children, update data with the UDISE Plus system, and identify and address dropout cases by providing targeted support to students and their families. Additionally, SACs will provide a bi-weekly report to the headquarters on the status of admissions, attendance, textbooks, uniforms, assessment, and plans for mainstreaming these children into the formal education system. Government estimates suggest that hundreds of children in Delhi remain outside the education system due to work, migration, or a lack of awareness about their educational rights.
Agriland
21-05-2025
- General
- Agriland
Call for support for farmers after land destroyed by gorse fires
A Fine Gael senator has raised incidents of gorse fires in Roscommon in the Seanad this week and has called for support for those who have suffered financial losses. Senator Gareth Scahill from the Roscommon-Galway constituency raised the matter following a weekend of wild fires around the Gortaganny area of west Roscommon. Fire crews from Roscommon, with support from fire crews in neighbouring Mayo and an air support helicopter, tackled the blaze for 36 hours in the townlands of Gortaganny, Granlahan, and surrounding areas. It is believed thousands of hectares of forestry and bog have been destroyed as a result. Roscommon County Council posted a message warning the public to be careful as the fire spread. 'We urge members of the public to exercise extreme caution following an extensive fire outbreak in the west Roscommon area at the weekend,' the council stated. Image: Roscommon County Council X 'Residents in the area please close windows and doors to avoid smoke. Avoid affected areas to allow emergency services continue their work.' Speaking in the Seanad, Senator Scahill said: 'I'd like to compliment the local fire service for their response, the support of the fire services from neighbouring counties, the air support for the helicopters providing water and for getting the actual fire under control over 36 hours. 'There are a number of landowners down there now who have lost significantly in relation to forestry and in relation to pension opportunities that they had; some farmers up to 100,000 [euro] in damages. 'On Friday last, the Cahir Gortaganny area was one of the new walks accepted onto the national Walks Scheme that was part of a national announcement and over the weekend that special area of conservation [SPC] was significantly damaged during the spread of these wild gorse fires,' he added. The senator stressed that he would like the heritage minister, Christopher O'Sullivan to adress the Seanad about supporting the landowners in the special areas of conservation. He outlined that community groups in the area have worked voluntarily for years to develop and maintain the SPCs and to have all that work destroyed over last weekend has been devastating. Responding in the Seanad on behalf of the government, Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach, Seán Kyne said: 'I would like to commend all the fire fighters and first responders in relation to those fires and show solidarity and sympathy to those who have lost property and have had damages enacted to their property. 'I'll certainly request a debate with the minister on that and obviously it's disappointing to see damage as well to SACs and areas of conservation.' Other gorse fires Meanwhile, emergency teams have also been tackling gorse fires in Co. Wexford over the past few days. Fire damage at Tara Hill, Gorey. Image source: Neighbouring farmer, Padraig Doyle, chair Wexford ICMSA There has been significant damage to forestry near Gorey in about three or four separate areas, according to a spokesperson for the county council. Fire crews stood down from the fire around Tara Hill about about 9:00a.m yesterday (Tuesday, May 20) with road crews also standing down. Coillte staff remained at the scene checking hotspots and managing small rekindling with beaters. A very large water tanker and a bulldozer also remained on site yesterday. The fire service in Gorey and Bunclody resumed normal operations again yesterday once the gorse fire was under control. Tara Hill, Gorey. Image source: Padraig Doyle The council has said that the attendance of Coillte and the Air Corps helicopter 'greatly helped with the incident, reaching isolated difficult to access and dangerously steep terrain'.
