Monmouthshire GreenWeb

A report to be considered by an MCC committee next week – https://democracy.monmouthshire.gov.uk/documents/s18562/Reusable%20recycling%20bags%20and%20food%20bags%20-%20RH%20-%20Dec18%20v.2%20FINAL.pdf – recommends that the present orange and purple single-use recycling bags be replaced by reusable bags similar to those used for garden waste. The advantages of this are considered to outweigh the prospect of emptied bags in the street until collected by householders. Food waste is currently collected in compostable starch bags that are, surprisingly, sent for energy-from-waste incineration by the company processing the waste. The starch bags are not suitable for anaerobic digestion and they prefer plastic bags that would be cheaper for the council to supply and also allow householders to reuse bags that have contained bread, frozen vegetables, etc. The council is already committed to collecting glass separately and to separating paper, metal and plastics at the kerbside when loading the collection vehicles.

Blaenau Gwent Council is in ‘early discussions with interested parties’ over a proposal for a technology-based employment hub at Ebbw Vale which could include a test circuit. The site was formerly earmarked for the controversial but aborted Circuit of Wales (CoW) project at Rassau. Recently the council revealed that it has applied to renew the planning permission for the key elements of the CoW scheme “in order that any potential development opportunities can be explored fully”. According to the Western Mail the new plans, by ‘two of Wales’s leading financial figures’, for the 320-hectare site would involve a motor racing circuit as well as state-of-the-art testing facilities for the automotive industry. The cost could be £150m and they are looking for part-funding from the Cardiff City Region Deal for what could be a £150 million initiative.

While MPs of both main parties are calling for Welsh Government to make an early decision on the M4 relief road, campaigners against the road are urged to email AMs who will debate the matter in early December before Carwyn Jones is expected to make a decision before he leaves office on 11 December.  Friends of the Earth plan an Assembly demonstration for 12.30pm on 4 December.

Editor’s Comment:

Many Welsh planning authorities have found that they are failing to meet the Government’s expectation that they have a five-year supply of available housing land, despite adequate unused allocations in Local Development Plans. This year the Government allowed councils to disregard the ‘considerable weight’ to be attached to this consideration when dealing with applications for unallocated sites – especially helpful where the LDP revision process is underway, as in Monmouthshire. In September the county council decided that ‘appropriate weight’ should be given to this consideration, and defined a list of ‘ground rules’ to be satisfied.

Since the beginning of August Monmouthshire CC has approved in outline or detail land for about 600 homes, 240 of which have been on unallocated land. Over 100 of the latter at Raglan were considered to satisfy the new policy despite strong counter-arguments. The county must now have a five-year supply, provided that developments proceed to detailed approval quickly. There are more applications on unallocated land to be decided, but we must hope that any substantial releases are only made via the LDP revision that will have to provide for our needs up to 2033. No doubt that will also prove controversial but at least it will be the outcome of a careful process with which all can engage.

GAVO are holding a Big Lottery Funding Surgery (Awards for All and People and Places programmes) at Bulwark Community Centre, Chepstow, on Tuesday, 13 November (10.00am – 4.00pm).  Booking required by 8 November – contact joanne.gillard@gavowales.org.uk.