THE latest community news from Dyffryn Ardudwy

Community council

A RECENT meeting of the council opened with the minutes of the meeting held on 5 June addressed and found to be correct.

The following planning applications were discussed and supported.

Enlargement of existing dormer window, removal of two chimneys and installation of external cladding at Awelfryn (NP5/58/520B).

Erection of a single-storey back and side extension and erection of front porch at Dolafon (NP5/58/182A).

Change of use of existing camping field from 30 tents to 15 tents and children’s play area, including installation of play equipment, at Islawffordd Caravan Park, Talybont (NP5/58/22M).

The clerk reported that she had received an email from Geraint Lewis with regard to the proposed development of the car park, stating that the planning application had been refused by an officer from the national park without holding any talks or consulting with him regarding the application.

He also stated that the council now had now two options: to resubmit the application and get a local member who sits on the park authority to call the application in; or take the application to an appeal.

It was agreed to ask Mr Lewis to resubmit the application on behalf of the council.

An email was received from Gwynedd Council’s education department including a timetable regarding an application to change the age range of the local primary school in order to enable them to accept children from the age of three years and up.

It was agreed to contact the highways department to draw their attention to the need to cut back the trees on Bennar Road.

The 30mph speed limit signs are currently obscured by the overgrown trees and councillors fear this is leading to vehicles unwittingly speeding.

Councillors agreed to ask the highways department to cut along the side of the road from Bro Enddwyn junction towards Ystumgwern junction.

Concern was raised that jet skies are coming too close to some swimmers down in Barmouth Bay. It was agreed that the clerk would contact the maritime officer.

It was agreed to contact the footpaths officer to ask for better signage along the coastal path from Sebonig towards Tyddyn Mawr.

Labour Party

AT their meeting on Tuesday, members of Ardudwy Branch Labour Party discussed concerns raised by local residents about declining services in the area.

Treasurer Peter Leyden pointed out that by the autumn there would be no banks between Barmouth and Blaenau, and only three post offices. Concern was also raised about a similar lack of petrol stations, all of which impact on locals and visitors alike.

Welcoming more positive news, members were delighted with the promise of a shuttle bus between lower and upper Harlech.

A discussion then followed on recent decisions made by the UK Government regarding power production in Wales.

There was huge disappointment at the refusal to back exciting new tidal power advances in Wales and horror at a return to the use of nuclear power.

All members present were opposed to the siting of a new reactor at Trawsfynydd, feeling that Wales should be leading the way forward on clean, renewable energies, exploiting the huge resources of water, tide, wind and sun at our fingertips to bring 21st century jobs to the area.

It was strongly felt that these clean energies would potentially create far more work for locals than nuclear plants with owners from abroad.

The branch will be urging the Welsh Assembly to push forward with exploring tidal power schemes and encouraging smaller hydro power plants.

Visitor John Whitehead said that the hydro power plants in Gwynedd were quietly outliving the old nuclear reactors, still producing homegrown energy.

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