North Wales News

[Hugo]

Former sub-postmaster Alan Bates gets married on Richard Branson’s private island



https://www.itv.com/news/2024-09-08/sir-alan-bates-gets-married-on-richard-bransons-private-island

[Hugo]

Decision due on selling mansion to secret bidder

Details of the bidder were being kept secret before the meeting, and the decision will be taken behind closed doors.

But people living in the area have expressed their concern at the way the national park authority is handling the sale.

They are also worried that if Plas Tan y Bwlch is sold to a private company, then that would mean people would not be able to access the 59 acres of ancient woodland which surrounds the house and is classified as a site of special scientific interest.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cq6rey9vzdeo

[Hugo]

Sale of £1.2m mansion postponed after backlash


https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cq6rey9vzdeo

[SteveH]

Great news for NW, but am I wrong to be disappointment, that it is a foreign investment?

A £1bn development of a former paper mill could "completely transform recycling levels in the UK", its owner has claimed.

Up to 2,000 contractors are working to transform Shotton Mill in Flintshire into one of the UK's largest cardboard and tissue production facilities, which it is hoped will start operating next year.

Turkish firm Eren Holding said its new plant would be the most advanced of its kind in Europe and it marked part of the "renaissance of north Wales".

The UK government described it as a "massive vote of confidence in the Welsh economy", while the Welsh government said it was "excellent news" for Deeside and beyond.

cont https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3rl8e7er4po

[SteveH]

Airbus has secured a new multi-billion pound planes deal. Cebu Pacific of the Philippines has placed a firm order for 70 A321neo.

The wings for the planes will be made at Airbus Broughton. Cebu Pacific currently operates 61 A320 Family aircraft on its extensive regional network. In addition it flies nine A330 widebodies on high density routes in the region, as well as to destinations in the Middle East...https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/airbus-secures-multi-billion-pound-30053769


Kellogg's to create Europe’s largest cereal factory in Wrexham with 130 new jobs
The company's £75m investment is its biggest in the UK for more than three decades
cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/kelloggs-create-europes-largest-cereal-30058700

[Hugo]

Storm Lilian damaged Conwy  harbour will cost £500,000 to repair
Conwy's harbour was badly damaged but asking the council to fix it may be a 'futile gesture'

Bookmark

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/storm-lilian-damaged-north-wales-30074893

[SteveH]

A55 truck facility proposal after last stop turned into Brexit customs post
The logistics hub would provide vital facilities near Holyhead port

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/a55-truck-facility-proposal-after-30093753

[Hugo]

Huge new nature reserve yards from A55 will be missing one key facility
The 70-acre reserve will have 22 ponds, a 16ft 'viewing mound' and one half will be kept 'wild' and inaccessible
A large nature reserve with 22 ponds, woodlands and a 16ft “viewing mound” is to be created just yards from the A55. Denbighshire Council is pushing ahead with its plans for a 70-acre reserve that will be partly open to the public.



https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/huge-new-nature-reserve-yards-30106494

[SteveH]

Famous Eryri attraction to close until 2026 for massive £21m revamp
The National Slate Museum in Llanberis will shut in November

A major Eryri attraction will close next month for over a year for a major redevelopment. The National Slate Museum in Llanberis will shut in November and won't reopen until 2026.

The redevelopment will breathe new life into the much-loved museum transforming it into a "world-class" visitor attraction at the heart of The Slate Landscape of Northwest Wales - a UNESCO World Heritage site.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/famous-eryri-attraction-close-until-30164834

[Hugo]

Conwy second home and empty home owners to be hit with 150% council tax premium
The rise will come into effect next April
Owners of second homes and empty homes will be charged a 150% council tax premium from 1 April 2025 in Conwy. At a council meeting this week, councillors voted in favour of the increase, as well as opting to charge owners a 200% Council Tax Premium for properties that have been empty for up to five years or less

https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/conwy-second-home-empty-home-30176435

[SteveH]

The UK is to announce five new freeports and a new investment zone in the Budget next week as part of a bid to boost economic growth.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said it is part of a plan to help create thousands of jobs and more trade in the UK.

Speaking to the BBC, Sir Keir said freeports - low tax zones - were "working well" despite criticism that they do not increase overall jobs numbers.

But he said "they could work better" with more involvement from local businesses and politicians.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0j8w73pdn8o

[SteveH]

An ADVENTURE firm offering sled dog treks through the Alwen Forest has warned rising costs may force it to close.

Mynydd Sleddog Adventures has 20 working Siberian Huskies and provides experiences for people to ride on a dry sled through the Conwy woodland or, for the bold, to pilot their own husky sled.

In addition to being a visitor attraction, it offers specialist programmes for Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) and adult mental health services specifically designed to help those with complex needs engage with their environment. 

cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/24680114.conwy-sleddog-adventure-firm-may-forced-close/?ref=rss&IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

A ferry service which had planned to begin operating between Bangor and Belfast in 2024, is now set to launch late next year.
The proposed sailings from the two cities are set to utilise a zero carbon emissions ferry powered by a state-of-the-art electric propulsion system developed by Artemis Technologies.

A pilot scheme of the service, which is set to be operated by Condor Ferries, from Bangor Marina to Belfast's Titanic Quarter was expected to begin operating by 2024................. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5y9y79vvdpo?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589


UPDATE
No new freeports in Budget after 'comms cock-up'
The chancellor will not unveil new freeports in the Budget on Wednesday, despite a government announcement on Friday saying she would.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c74887vj8p4o

[Hugo]

https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/uks-biggest-lions-hidden-away-30287609

[Hugo]

UK's biggest lions hidden away by A55 continue to inflame passions in North Wales
They're huge and imposing but they're largely tucked out of sight
I was timed out on my previous post but the link is shown below again.    I remember seeing these impressive Lions when I traveled by rail in the past and it was before the A55 was built above the rail tunnel.   I think that there is a technical issue with the statues and that they may not be relocated



https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/uks-biggest-lions-hidden-away-30287609