In order to reduce flood risk and improve water quality, Welsh Government regulations now require all development of more than one dwelling or with a construction area of more than 100 sq metres to use a sustainable drainage system.  SuDs aim to manage rainfall in a natural way using the landscape and vegetation to control the flow and volume of surface water. See: https://www.ciria.org/Resources/Free_publications/SuDS_manual_C753.aspx

An application has been made for a 49.9MW solar park on 247 acres of grazing land at Longlands Farm, Redwick, enough to power 15,000 homes. NCC ref 18/1253, to be determined by the Planning Inspectorate.

The Gwent Ornithological Society will be welcoming two well-known television personalities at forthcoming events:

Mike Dilger will be talking about his life as a wildlife presenter at Goytre Village Hall (NP4 0AW) at 7.30 on Saturday, 2 February (£2 entry); Iolo Williams will be giving a talk on ‘the Wildlife of Wales’ at Woodland Road Sports and Social Centre, Cwmbran (NP44 2DZ) at 7.30 on Monday, 25 March (pre-book £10/£5 tickets – see www.gwentbirds.org.uk)