The Welsh Government has begun consulting on secondary legislation relating to new development management provisions in the Planning (Wales) Bill currently awaiting Royal Assent – http://gov.wales/consultations/planning/secondary-legislation-for-development-management/?lang=en. Among the matters are pre-application fees. Consultation closes on 11 September.
Gwent Recorders’ Field Day is at Twmbarlwm on the Caerphilly/Torfaen border – a SINC with great views and only 100 records. Saturday, 22 August (10.00-4.00) – booking essential via info@sewbrec.org.uk or 029 20 641110.
Here is a petition in support of onshore wind turbines: http://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/overturn-the-removal-of-onshore-wind-subsidies.
Following a call for evidence in 2014, the Welsh Government now wants your views on how energy efficiency in Wales might be improved – http://gov.wales/consultations/environmentandcountryside/the-development-of-an-energy-efficiency-strategy-for-wales/?lang=en. In his introduction Carl Sargeant says ‘To protect the long-term well-being of our citizens, we need to take action now to improve the energy efficiency of our homes, our businesses and our public sector. The energy system in Wales is on the threshold of considerable change with new energy, technology and low carbon transition opportunities. Ensuring that our buildings are energy efficient will be the bedrock of this transition.’ How does the consultation measure up to this? It ends on 9 September.
If you support the Pope’s encyclical you might like to sign this petition to No 10 urging David Cameron to take a lead with world leaders – http://www.cafod.org.uk/Campaign/One-Climate-One-World/climate-petition.
It is time to encourage nominations for GAVO’s 2015 Monmouthshire Volunteer Achievement Awards. There is an Environment category (sponsored by GreenWeb in our more prosperous days) as well as others for Young Volunteers and Trustees, so please consider proposing someone who deserves a big ‘Thank You’ in this way. Details at www.gavowales.org.uk/volunteers-monmouthshire. Nominations required by Friday, 3 July.
Due to this extensive cycling event there will be road closures in Monmouthshire on Sunday, 14 June:
Usk Road (Caerleon-Usk) – 7.30am – 15.30pm
A472 (Usk – Little Mill) – 7.45am – 15.30pm
A4042 (Little Mill – Llanellen) – 8.00am – 16.40pm
B4269 (Llanellen – Llanfoist) – 8.00am – 17.00pm
B4246 (Llanfoist – Blaenavon) – 8.00am – 17.00pm
If you have any queries about the closures please call the Velothon hotline 0292 144 4880 or email route@velothonwales.co.uk
Engineers from the A465 dualling project will explain their innovative techniques and what they are doing to minimise environmental damage at an Abergavenny Civic Society meeting in the Methodist Church Hall, Castle Street at 7.30pm on Monday, 8 June (£2 for non-members).
SEWBReC (info@sewbrec.org.uk) would like to hear of nest sites of swifts, those screaming parties of birds that swirl above our urban areas in summer, but a species which is declining and vulnerable to building developments.
Watch out for People’s Health Trust funding for small very local projects, which could have an environmental element, coming to our area. You can join the mailing list at http://www.peopleshealthtrust.org.uk/news/news-stories/active-communities-tell-us-your-great-ideas.