It is reported in today’s Western Mail that Monmouthshire and Blaenau Gwent councils are being asked to help underwrite the £357m investment in Ebbw Vale’s controversial Circuit of Wales.  The two council areas are considered to be those ‘which stand to gain the most from the economic impact’ from the project.  The latest proposal is also understood to seek a 50% guarantee from Welsh Government.

The Campaign for National Parks survey on the future of the Parks, at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/cnp80yrs, ends at 5pm on Friday, 29 April.

The Big Lottery Fund is holding a briefing events on its second Community Asset Transfer programme at the All Nations Centre, Cardiff on 10 May and at the MRC Centre, Llandrindod Wells on 11 May.  Contact cat@biglotteryfund.org.uk a.s.a.p. for information and to book a place.

Monmouthshire County Council’s Sustainable Development Policy can be read at http://democracy.monmouthshire.gov.uk/documents/s4474/Sustainable%20Development%20Policy%20Final.pdf.  This concise policy revision, yet to be agreed by the full Council, is the council’s response to its duties under the Well-being of Future Generations Act (Wales) 2015.  It aims for a clear and consistent understanding of sustainable development across the authority.

The Gwent Wildlife Trust, opponents of the M4 relief road and facing the compulsory purchase of part of their Magor Marsh nature reserve, are holding a drop-in session about the impacts of the scheme at the Magor Marsh Education centre on Tuesday, 26 April (4.00-7.00pm).

The Royal Town Planning Institute in Wales has launched a competition to find Wales’ Best Place. Unlike competitions that are usually won by somewhere naturally beautiful like Rhossili Bay, the emphasis is more on special places which we cherish because they have been protected, carefully planned or improved. Your best place could be a natural landscape, a historic town, perhaps a national park. It might be a vibrant and diverse community you are especially proud of, a special place within a city, a stunning cultural quarter or a neighbourhood. You could nominate an area that has undergone significant regeneration and has been transformed by that process.  Details at www.rtpi.org.uk/walesbestplace; closing date 10 June.

The Welsh Government’s Wales Rural Network News for April (shortly expected to be available at http://gov.wales/topics/environmentcountryside/farmingandcountryside/cap/wales-rural-network/newsletter/?lang=en) has reminders of current grant schemes closing for expressions of interest, including the Sustainable Management Scheme (natural resources) (7 May).  It may be worth registering to receive the newsletter as an email.

The April Newsletter at http://www.renewwales.org.uk/news-and-events/ includes details of the new ‘Shine a Light?’ film about locally owned RE schemes, and opportunities to invest in such schemes.

GrowWild are giving away free wildflower seeds again to community groups this year.  To apply for some, see https://www.growwilduk.com/

The petition in support of the Wye Valley Shared Use Path has been running has amassed 3759 signatures so far, and the support for the revised project has enabled the formation of A-B Connecting Communities to receive funding as a not for profit organisation via Lloyds Bank in Chepstow.  They now need £15,000 to undertake the planning application process – for specialist advice, surveys, etc – and supporters can donate at www.wyecycle.co.uk/donate.  They would also like to reach 5000 petition signatures at https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/restoring-the-disused-railway-line-from-chepstow-to-tintern-for-a-shared-use-path.