Monmouthshire CC are consulting on draft Supplementary Planning Guidance on Sustainable Tourism Accommodation, and Rural Conversions to a Residential or Tourism Use – http://www.monmouthshire.gov.uk/planning-policy/current-consultations. Responses are required by 13 July.

Severn Wye Energy Agency are advertising two jobs – a 30 hrs/week Project Manager starting at about £26k pro rata based in Llandrindod Wells, Gloucester or at home (key words: Biogas, Anaerobic Digestion, Biomass, Biochar, Project Management, Environmental, Sustainability, Charity) and a full-time Project Worker at £17-25k based at Gloucester (key words: Advice, Customer Care, Social Enterprise, Charity, Environmental Sustainability Social Welfare, Energy Efficiency, Affordable Warmth, Fuel Poverty)

Full Job Descriptions and application forms available on www.severnwye.org.uk or by request to: Sandra Bradley 01452 835 060, recruitment@severnwye.org.uk. Closing date 15 June, interviews 11/12 July.

Welsh Government is consulting on a proposal that, to reduce flood and pollution risk, local authorities should become responsible for ensuring that all new developments have a sustainable surface water drainage system (SuDS) that meets mandatory standards.  Details at https://consultations.gov.wales/consultations/implementation-sustainable-drainage-systems-new-developments. Consultation closes 11 August.

Welsh Government also intends to revise its planning policy so that within designated areas new developments will have to ensure solutions that address and mitigate the noise from nearby music venues.

The Wye Valley AONB’s Sustainable Development Fund is again open to projects supporting innovative and sustainable projects involving local communities within and adjacent to the Welsh section of the AONB.  Details at http://wyevalleyaonb.org.uk/index.php/grants/grants/ – applications deadline Thursday, 22 June.

Natural Resources Wales, the Welsh Government’s own advisers on the environment, has told the M4 Relief Road inquiry that the Welsh Government has not demonstrated that the project would comply with its statutory duty to promote sustainable development.  While accepting that new reens to replace those lost are satisfactorily designed, the NRW witness said that replicating the complex ecology of the SSSIs would be challenging.  NRW has also questioned the proposals to manage tidal flood risk over the lifetime of the road, a time of climate change.

Transition Monmouth has refreshed https://transitionmonmouth.org and would like comments.

Hustings arranged by Friends of the Earth for Friday, 2 June (7.30pm) at Bridges Community Centre may have a more environmental focus.  Questions beforehand to haydn@hotmail.com.

The Welsh Government has announced that it is considering legal changes to the landscape protection regimes of National Parks and AONBs.  This may mean departing from the current one-size-fits-all system to being more guided by community-led place planning that reflects local needs.

The Independent Review of Designated Landscapes in Wales, commissioned by the Welsh Government, reported in the summer of 2015. This report made many recommendations covering proposals and observations on purposes, principles, vision, governance models, planning and funding. Following this report, a Future Landscapes Wales Working Group, chaired by Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas AM, was established. Their purpose was to explore the Marsden recommendations and the case for change and to report their findings. The Working Group involved representatives of the national parks, AONBs, interest groups and businesses. Their ‘Future Landscapes: Delivering for Wales’ report has now been published – http://gov.wales/topics/environmentcountryside/consmanagement/review-designated-landscapes-wales/?lang=en.

Conservation groups are already criticising the report for its lack of clarity and for neglecting the primary conservation purpose of these designations. While there is reference to controversial topics such as tourism and renewable energy, the report is more concerned with matters such as governance, collaboration, monitoring change, sustainable land management and drawing on good practice.

20 May is World Bee Awareness Day, and in celebration Bees for Development are organising the second Monmouthshire Bee Festival. Events include the World’s First Bee Joke competition.  Come and meet bee organisations in Monmouth’s Nelson Garden.