WREXHAM’S chief planning officer has said he will take into account Wrexham fans’ wishes to protect The Racecourse ground from being developed on in years to come.
Reds’ supporters have launched a petition to secure the future of the stadium by having it recognised in the council’s forthcoming local development plan (LDP) as an area protected and reserved for leisure facilities.
The emerging LDP will eventually replace the current Wrexham unitary development plan (UDP) and will be the key framework for future development in the county borough up to 2021.
Wrexham Council’s chief planning officer Lawrence Isted says that, although the final decision will be taken by councillors, he will bring the plea to the attention of the planning policy panel, who are responsible for overseeing the preparation of the LDP.
In his response he says: “At the moment the LDP (local development plan) policies have not been drafted so I will certainly take your suggested course of action into account when doing so.
“I cannot at this time say whether The Racecourse ground justifies a specific policy or designation in the LDP or whether it should be covered by general policies for the protection of community facilities.
However, I fully appreciate the importance of the issues that you have raised and I will bring them to the attention of the planning policy panel.
“It will be for the elected members who serve on the panel to recommend how The Racecourse ground should be dealt with in the LDP, although the final decision on the content of the deposit LDP will rest with the council’s executive board.”
He adds: “Please rest assured that I and members of the council fully appreciate the strong feelings among many people in Wrexham regarding the future of The Racecourse stadium and the role which it plays as a venue for sporting and cultural events in North Wales and that we will give the matter careful consideration in the deliberations on the local development plan.
“You will also be aware that in the recent past the council has approved planning applications for the redevelopment of land to the south of the ground with the express intention of helping secure its continued operation and the construction of a replacement stand.”
The petition already has well over 1,000 signatures.
You can be signed by logging on to www.petitiononline.com/LDPWFC21/petition.html.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Swine flu fears rocket throughout Flintshire
THE number of people visiting their doctor with fears over swine flu in Flintshire has rocketed by more than 140 times in a month, the Leader can reveal.
The figures come amid speculation that schools could be forced to remain closed after the summer holidays, although at the moment that is being viewed as a ‘last resort’ in the county.
Figures released by the National Public Health Service (NPHS) for Wales show that an average of 145 people in Flintshire have consulted their GP about the virus in the past week, compared to just one at the end of the first week in June.
Dr Roland Salmon, director of NPHS Wales’ Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre, said: “The rise in numbers of people contacting their GP with flu like symptoms illustrates the spread of the disease across Wales.
“Not everyone however, who has contacted their GP with flu like symptoms will have swine flu and not everyone with swine flu contacts their GP.”
NPHS Wales is monitoring the number of flu consultations being carried out by GPs.Government ministers are also being asked to consider keeping schools closed for an extra month after the summer holidays, in order to buy more time for a vaccine to be developed.
A Flintshire Council spokesman said the authority would be following government advice in the autumn.
But Cllr Nigel Steele-Mortimer, the council’s executive member for education, said: “If we were advised to keep schools closed on medical grounds, then that is something we would have to consider, as a last resort.
“I would be very reluctant to interfere with children’s education.
"From what I have heard about the situation so far, I would be inclined to carry on as normal.”
People who think they may have swine flu are being advised not to visit their GP surgery or hospital, but to check their symptoms using the swine flu information line, on 0800 1513513.
The figures come amid speculation that schools could be forced to remain closed after the summer holidays, although at the moment that is being viewed as a ‘last resort’ in the county.
Figures released by the National Public Health Service (NPHS) for Wales show that an average of 145 people in Flintshire have consulted their GP about the virus in the past week, compared to just one at the end of the first week in June.
Dr Roland Salmon, director of NPHS Wales’ Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre, said: “The rise in numbers of people contacting their GP with flu like symptoms illustrates the spread of the disease across Wales.
“Not everyone however, who has contacted their GP with flu like symptoms will have swine flu and not everyone with swine flu contacts their GP.”
NPHS Wales is monitoring the number of flu consultations being carried out by GPs.Government ministers are also being asked to consider keeping schools closed for an extra month after the summer holidays, in order to buy more time for a vaccine to be developed.
A Flintshire Council spokesman said the authority would be following government advice in the autumn.
But Cllr Nigel Steele-Mortimer, the council’s executive member for education, said: “If we were advised to keep schools closed on medical grounds, then that is something we would have to consider, as a last resort.
“I would be very reluctant to interfere with children’s education.
"From what I have heard about the situation so far, I would be inclined to carry on as normal.”
People who think they may have swine flu are being advised not to visit their GP surgery or hospital, but to check their symptoms using the swine flu information line, on 0800 1513513.
Enya’s garden is set to bloom with Flintshire housing developer
A PRIMARY school pupil’s garden design has bloomed into life at a Flintshire housing development.
Ten-year-old Enya Hughes’s garden design was picked by housebuilder Morris, from a creative selection of entries from pupils at Bryn Coch County Primary School.
Enya was given the chance to see her colourful paper sketch transformed into a reality at the firm’s new housing development, Soughton Park.
As part of her prize, the youngster was also presented with a family ticket for Chester Zoo and a grow-your-own sunflower by Morris sales advisor, Margie Speakman.
Runners-up Demi-Lee Davies and Sarah Atkinson, both 10, also received grow-your-own sunflower kits.
Bryn Coch teacher, Rachel Potter said: “The children have started to take an interest in the local area and are thinking about what outdoor activities are important to families.
“We’re always encouraging the children to be creative and get involved in outdoor projects and this competition was a great opportunity to do both.”
Ten-year-old Enya Hughes’s garden design was picked by housebuilder Morris, from a creative selection of entries from pupils at Bryn Coch County Primary School.
Enya was given the chance to see her colourful paper sketch transformed into a reality at the firm’s new housing development, Soughton Park.
As part of her prize, the youngster was also presented with a family ticket for Chester Zoo and a grow-your-own sunflower by Morris sales advisor, Margie Speakman.
Runners-up Demi-Lee Davies and Sarah Atkinson, both 10, also received grow-your-own sunflower kits.
Bryn Coch teacher, Rachel Potter said: “The children have started to take an interest in the local area and are thinking about what outdoor activities are important to families.
“We’re always encouraging the children to be creative and get involved in outdoor projects and this competition was a great opportunity to do both.”
Chester City manager Wadsworth battling to keep Blues on track
By Dennis Wall
MICK WADSWORTH today admitted he felt frustrated by the problems his club were facing just two weeks before the Blues’ opening fixture at Grays Athletic.
Wadsworth is continuing to work hard behind the scenes to prepare his squad for the new season, despite being prevented by the Football Association from playing pre-season friendlies.
The FA insist that the club are not currently affiliated and have ruled that the Blues cannot play any matches until Chester provide the necessary paperwork required to obtain a licence.
Chester have so far had to cancel pre-season friendlies against Marine and Liverpool, and this weekend’s scheduled match at AFC Telford.
And City are now facing a race against time to salvage next week’s scheduled home friendly against newly-promoted Premiership club, Burnley.
Wadsworth said: “We’re in a tough situation at the moment and I’ve never experienced a pre-season like this.
"It is difficult trying to prepare for the start of a season without being able to play pre-season friendlies, but we’ll fight on.
“I’m not worried about the players because I know that we’ll be ready for the opening fixture against Grays Athletic on August 8.
It’s just a little frustrating that we can’t play any friendly matches.
“I’ve no idea whether we will be playing Burnley next week because of the situation that we’re in. We can’t give Burnley any guarantees at the moment.
“I know Burnley boss, Owen Coyle, very well and I’m hoping we can fulfil the fixture.
“It would be nice to try and get a few pre-season matches played before the season starts, but many league teams will be wanting to keep the week before the season starts clear of any games.”
Wadsworth is keen to see his players focusing on getting themselves ready for the opening Blue Square Premier Division fixture.
But former Bradford City centre back, Mark Bower, who had been on trial with the Blues, has now decided to accept a two-year deal at League Two club, Darlington.
And Wadsworth is now eager to see his squad in a competitive pre-season match in order to assess the possibility of making further signings.
He said: “Striker Glynn Hurst is currently on trial with us and he has been working really hard with the squad I have assembled.
“I was hoping to see Glynn in action for us at the weekend at Marine, but that match had to be called off because of the administrative issue with the FA.
“I’m sure Glynn can do a job for us at Chester because he’s an experienced forward who has always had an eye for goal wherever he has played.
“But I now want to see how he looks in a match alongside other strikers like Gregg Blundell, Lloyd Ellams, and Fabian Yantorno.”
Richie Partridge has signed for MK Dons after a successful trial with the League One side.
MICK WADSWORTH today admitted he felt frustrated by the problems his club were facing just two weeks before the Blues’ opening fixture at Grays Athletic.
Wadsworth is continuing to work hard behind the scenes to prepare his squad for the new season, despite being prevented by the Football Association from playing pre-season friendlies.
The FA insist that the club are not currently affiliated and have ruled that the Blues cannot play any matches until Chester provide the necessary paperwork required to obtain a licence.
Chester have so far had to cancel pre-season friendlies against Marine and Liverpool, and this weekend’s scheduled match at AFC Telford.
And City are now facing a race against time to salvage next week’s scheduled home friendly against newly-promoted Premiership club, Burnley.
Wadsworth said: “We’re in a tough situation at the moment and I’ve never experienced a pre-season like this.
"It is difficult trying to prepare for the start of a season without being able to play pre-season friendlies, but we’ll fight on.
“I’m not worried about the players because I know that we’ll be ready for the opening fixture against Grays Athletic on August 8.
It’s just a little frustrating that we can’t play any friendly matches.
“I’ve no idea whether we will be playing Burnley next week because of the situation that we’re in. We can’t give Burnley any guarantees at the moment.
“I know Burnley boss, Owen Coyle, very well and I’m hoping we can fulfil the fixture.
“It would be nice to try and get a few pre-season matches played before the season starts, but many league teams will be wanting to keep the week before the season starts clear of any games.”
Wadsworth is keen to see his players focusing on getting themselves ready for the opening Blue Square Premier Division fixture.
But former Bradford City centre back, Mark Bower, who had been on trial with the Blues, has now decided to accept a two-year deal at League Two club, Darlington.
And Wadsworth is now eager to see his squad in a competitive pre-season match in order to assess the possibility of making further signings.
He said: “Striker Glynn Hurst is currently on trial with us and he has been working really hard with the squad I have assembled.
“I was hoping to see Glynn in action for us at the weekend at Marine, but that match had to be called off because of the administrative issue with the FA.
“I’m sure Glynn can do a job for us at Chester because he’s an experienced forward who has always had an eye for goal wherever he has played.
“But I now want to see how he looks in a match alongside other strikers like Gregg Blundell, Lloyd Ellams, and Fabian Yantorno.”
Richie Partridge has signed for MK Dons after a successful trial with the League One side.
Last chance to oppose controversial Flintshire development plans
A SIX-WEEK public consultation is being billed as the last chance for residents to oppose a controversial planning blueprint.
Flintshire’s unitary development plan (UDP) governs all major developments in the county until 2015.
Negotiations over the UDP have dragged on for six years, and more than 15,000 representations were made during a year-long public inquiry.
At a recent special meeting at County Hall, councillors approved a final report.Deirdre Burrows, Welsh Assembly Government planning inspector, had proposed a series of changes.
She recommended “deleting” at least part of seven sites from the UDP that had previously been earmarked for housing.
These were Alyn Park off Denbigh Road, Mold which is the home of Mold Alex FC, the former cricket pitch in Carmel, Lower Ash Farm in Mancot, land north of Issa Farm in Mynydd Isa, Cae Isa in New Brighton, Ysgol Talfryn in Brynford and the council depot in Dobshill.At the same time, she recommended a number of sites be “allocated” in the plan and earmarked for housing.
These were land west of Ash Lane in Mancot, the Broughton Shopping Park compound site, Overlea Drive in Hawarden and Rose Lane, Mynydd Isa.
A six-week consultation period on the final proposed changes is due to start in September.Hawarden’s Clive Carver was one of several councillors who reluctantly voted to approve the final UDP report while objecting to specific developments in their ward.
Argoed Cllr Hilary McGuill re-iterated her claim that the Rose Lane site was unsuitable for housing, while Caergwrle Cllr Stella Jones said it was unfair that a petition signed by many people only counted as one objection.
Planning officer Andy Roberts said representations were judged on quality, rather than quantity.
Cllr Carver, who lives on Overlea Drive, is against the Hawarden site being earmarked for housing.
He said: “I suppose this is effectively the last chance for changes and objections.“The problem is, we have to find new and compelling evidence.”
Flintshire’s unitary development plan (UDP) governs all major developments in the county until 2015.
Negotiations over the UDP have dragged on for six years, and more than 15,000 representations were made during a year-long public inquiry.
At a recent special meeting at County Hall, councillors approved a final report.Deirdre Burrows, Welsh Assembly Government planning inspector, had proposed a series of changes.
She recommended “deleting” at least part of seven sites from the UDP that had previously been earmarked for housing.
These were Alyn Park off Denbigh Road, Mold which is the home of Mold Alex FC, the former cricket pitch in Carmel, Lower Ash Farm in Mancot, land north of Issa Farm in Mynydd Isa, Cae Isa in New Brighton, Ysgol Talfryn in Brynford and the council depot in Dobshill.At the same time, she recommended a number of sites be “allocated” in the plan and earmarked for housing.
These were land west of Ash Lane in Mancot, the Broughton Shopping Park compound site, Overlea Drive in Hawarden and Rose Lane, Mynydd Isa.
A six-week consultation period on the final proposed changes is due to start in September.Hawarden’s Clive Carver was one of several councillors who reluctantly voted to approve the final UDP report while objecting to specific developments in their ward.
Argoed Cllr Hilary McGuill re-iterated her claim that the Rose Lane site was unsuitable for housing, while Caergwrle Cllr Stella Jones said it was unfair that a petition signed by many people only counted as one objection.
Planning officer Andy Roberts said representations were judged on quality, rather than quantity.
Cllr Carver, who lives on Overlea Drive, is against the Hawarden site being earmarked for housing.
He said: “I suppose this is effectively the last chance for changes and objections.“The problem is, we have to find new and compelling evidence.”
Motorcyclist injured in A548 lorry crash
A MOTORCYCLIST was rushed to hospital after a collision with a lorry in Deeside.
Emergency crews were called to the accident scene on the A548 Shotwick Road at around lunchtime yesterday.
One lane was closed on Shotwick Road, while paramedics treated the motorcyclist.
The man, believed to be in his forties, was later taken to the Countess of Chester hospital for urgent medical treatment.
A spokesman from Welsh Ambulance Service said the motorcyclist suffered an ankle injury to his left foot as a result of the accident.
Emergency crews were called to the accident scene on the A548 Shotwick Road at around lunchtime yesterday.
One lane was closed on Shotwick Road, while paramedics treated the motorcyclist.
The man, believed to be in his forties, was later taken to the Countess of Chester hospital for urgent medical treatment.
A spokesman from Welsh Ambulance Service said the motorcyclist suffered an ankle injury to his left foot as a result of the accident.
Fury as taxpayers foot the bill for huge clean-up at illegal travellers’ camp in Flintshire
By Kate Forrester
FURIOUS community leaders say taxpayers will have to foot the bill for the “horrendous mess” left on an industrial estate by travellers.
Flint councillors Ian Roberts and Alex Aldridge say they are appalled at the amount of rubbish that was discarded on Castle Park Industrial Estate, where travellers set up camp last week.
The caravans were set up near the newly-established Dee cycle path, at the back of the park, for several days and Flintshire Council was forced to apply for a court order to move the travellers on.
Cllr Aldridge said: “They have left now, but the mess that has been left behind was absolutely horrendous.
“We are often told we have a moral duty to help travellers, but my moral duty is to the taxpayers of Flintshire, the people I represent and the Flintshire Council workers have had to clear up the mess.
“Millions of pounds has been spent on Castle Park and the footpath along the River Dee next to it, to turn it into a nice place for residents to walk and enjoy the scenery.
“For this amount of mess to be dumped not 300 yards from the public walkway is absolutely disgraceful.”
Cllr Roberts said: “I find it absolutely astonishing that these people can leave a site in such a disgusting, unsanitary condition.
“It shows complete contempt for the local community.“There are old matresses left behind and nappies and used toilet paper in trees.
“It has been dumped on the bank leading down towards the river and if it floods, I’m sure the Environment Agency will be very concerned.”
The pair are now calling on Flintshire Council to prosecute those responsible for leaving the rubbish.
He added: “I am delighted with the response from council workers in clearing up the site, but there are laws in place in this county, set by Flintshire Council, on flytipping.
“No taxpayer would be able to dump their rubbish somewhere without being fined, rightfully so.
“The council must seek to prosecute the people responsible for the mess on Castle Park. If we turn a blind eye to this, then the law is unfair.”
The surface debris has been removed, and Andy Macbeth, Flintshire Council’s environmental services manager, said a clean-up operation is currently under way, but it is too early to estimate the cost of it.
He added: “Sandstone blocks are set to be installed on the site to make it more secure.”
FURIOUS community leaders say taxpayers will have to foot the bill for the “horrendous mess” left on an industrial estate by travellers.
Flint councillors Ian Roberts and Alex Aldridge say they are appalled at the amount of rubbish that was discarded on Castle Park Industrial Estate, where travellers set up camp last week.
The caravans were set up near the newly-established Dee cycle path, at the back of the park, for several days and Flintshire Council was forced to apply for a court order to move the travellers on.
Cllr Aldridge said: “They have left now, but the mess that has been left behind was absolutely horrendous.
“We are often told we have a moral duty to help travellers, but my moral duty is to the taxpayers of Flintshire, the people I represent and the Flintshire Council workers have had to clear up the mess.
“Millions of pounds has been spent on Castle Park and the footpath along the River Dee next to it, to turn it into a nice place for residents to walk and enjoy the scenery.
“For this amount of mess to be dumped not 300 yards from the public walkway is absolutely disgraceful.”
Cllr Roberts said: “I find it absolutely astonishing that these people can leave a site in such a disgusting, unsanitary condition.
“It shows complete contempt for the local community.“There are old matresses left behind and nappies and used toilet paper in trees.
“It has been dumped on the bank leading down towards the river and if it floods, I’m sure the Environment Agency will be very concerned.”
The pair are now calling on Flintshire Council to prosecute those responsible for leaving the rubbish.
He added: “I am delighted with the response from council workers in clearing up the site, but there are laws in place in this county, set by Flintshire Council, on flytipping.
“No taxpayer would be able to dump their rubbish somewhere without being fined, rightfully so.
“The council must seek to prosecute the people responsible for the mess on Castle Park. If we turn a blind eye to this, then the law is unfair.”
The surface debris has been removed, and Andy Macbeth, Flintshire Council’s environmental services manager, said a clean-up operation is currently under way, but it is too early to estimate the cost of it.
He added: “Sandstone blocks are set to be installed on the site to make it more secure.”
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