Twm Owen

Paul and Nat Garratt have submitted amendments to their planning application for the Whistle Inn near Blaenavon. The revised proposal seeks permission to retain 10 shepherd huts already operating on the site, reduce the number of touring caravan spaces, and retain or modify the access road, caravan plots, playground and surrounding fencing. The site also serves as the terminus of the Blaenavon Heritage Railway. Torfaen County Borough Council is considering the changes, with public comments due by August 26.

Torfaen Gymnastics Academy is seeking planning permission to move from the Polo Grounds Industrial Estate in New Inn to vacant units at Usk Vale Park near Pontypool. The 750-square-metre facility would enable the family-run club to nearly double capacity from around 150 to up to 300 children and young people, while improving training and safety. The expansion is expected to create two full-time jobs and support a youth leadership programme. The academy argues that sufficient employment space would remain locally despite the proposed change from industrial, storage or office use to leisure use. Plans include 21 parking spaces and specified weekday, preschool and Saturday opening hours, with public comments invited before the council makes a decision.

A 29-home development on the former Lidl site in Cwmbran has secured planning approval and a Section 106 legal agreement involving Torfaen County Borough Council, Hale Group and Lidl. Although the application proposed 100% affordable housing, the agreement requires only nine homes to remain affordable: six for social rent and three at 50% below market rent. Monmouthshire Housing Association is seeking funding to convert additional homes to affordable housing. The agreement also includes about £78,000 for Croesyceiliog Comprehensive School and funding for an improved crossing, with demolition expected to begin within six to eight weeks.

Eden Project co-founder Gaynor Coley will meet the Pontypool Taskforce on August 24 to discuss whether renewed government emphasis on devolution and economic growth could support investment in Xanadoo, a proposed hands-on museum-style attraction. Coley and business partner Susan Hill are considering sites across Torfaen, Blaenau Gwent and Swansea, including the former British Nylon Spinners factory at Mamhilad. The project could attract hundreds of thousands of visitors annually, generate significant revenue and create around 250 full-time jobs, while supporting tourism and career opportunities for young people. Coley said a mixed-use redevelopment at Mamhilad, incorporating the listed factory, housing and a school, could still be possible if government support can be secured.

Adam Challenger has applied to Torfaen County Borough Council to retain a detached garage and part of a summerhouse, also described as a garden room, at Sunnyside Bungalow on Crumlin Road in Old Furnace, Pontypool. Work began without planning permission and remains incomplete. The proposal includes changes to the garage roof, a new fence to prevent access, retaining walls and other external works. The supporting statement argues that the structures are appropriately designed for the site’s sloping terrain and will not harm neighbours’ privacy or amenity. Residents can comment on the application until Monday, August 24.

A planning application proposes dividing the former Farmfoods premises at 14 Crane Street, Pontypool, into three retail units, while converting the first floor into five flats. The proposal also includes a courtyard, new windows, and cycle and bin storage. Salinder Singh of Six Star Construction Ltd submitted the application, which is being assessed by Torfaen County Borough Council; public comments were invited until September 1. The redevelopment comes amid concern over declining town-centre footfall following the announced closure of Peacocks and the loss of other national retailers.

Cefn Henllan Bungalow in Llanhennock, Monmouthshire, was originally required to be demolished after a replacement home was occupied in 2015. Monmouthshire County Council attempted enforcement action against owner Mark Hazell in February, but abandoned it after determining that the enforcement period had expired. The council subsequently confirmed the bungalow was immune from enforcement and approved a certificate of lawful development after evidence showed it had remained in continuous use as a main residence for at least 10 years.

Torfaen County Borough Council has agreed to fund employee costs for three years while transferring some staff to the Blaenavon-based Garnsychan Partnership under TUPE protections. The charity and social enterprise works to improve physical and mental wellbeing, encourage healthy behaviours and address poverty. The council will also transfer an annual grant, but its financial value has not been disclosed under a local government information exemption.

Monmouthshire County Council granted retrospective planning permission for a nearly seven-metre timber fence beside Forge Road in Tintern. Landowner Dominic Tye installed it to prevent intruders and tourism-related damage to the 460-year-old Lower or Abbey Wireworks, Britain’s first water-powered wire-drawing works. Cadw had already approved scheduled monument consent, while the Wye Valley National Landscape officer accepted the fence as a practical immediate solution despite preferring stone walls and hedgerows. Highways objections were withdrawn after legal advice, although the council may remove the fence if it becomes a safety hazard or obstruction.

Plans have been submitted for two steel containers at Garnteg Primary School in Garndiffaith, Pontypool, to house a pay-as-you-feel Big Bocs Bwyd foodbank. The Wales-wide initiative aims to tackle food poverty and food waste while reducing the stigma associated with food support. The project would provide healthy-food access and involve pupils and parents in food literacy, meal planning, cooking, growing and volunteering. Torfaen County Borough Council supports the proposal, which is currently being considered by the council's planning department. The development would remove some wildflower habitat, but new planting and a bug hotel are planned as mitigation.

Torfaen County Borough Council has criticised the Welsh Government for not directing additional funds toward Additional Learning Needs provision, despite increased funding becoming available following new spending in England. Deputy leader Richard Clark said Torfaen had added £300,000 to its own ALN budget and called for a fair share of the additional resources. Council leader Anthony Hunt said the pressure was already embedded in school budgets, while education director Andrew Powles outlined plans to expand provision within Torfaen and keep more pupils in local mainstream settings. The dispute contributed to the Senedd’s failure to approve Welsh Government spending plans, including a proposed £120 million for ALN over three years.

Peacocks’ planned August closure in Pontypool has raised concerns among local traders, who fear the loss of a major visitor draw will further reduce town-centre footfall. Businesses including The Craft Cabin, Danny Home and market stalls report weak trading and worry that vacant units and the earlier relocation of Tesco have already damaged the area. Torfaen Borough Council says it is supporting regeneration through property refurbishment, new facilities and potential market improvements. Despite the setbacks, some traders, including the owners of Xolo Mexican Food, remain optimistic that new businesses and a more diverse market can attract visitors.

A young businesswoman has applied for planning permission to open a mobile coffee trailer on a former railway line in Talywain, aiming to serve walkers, dog owners and local tradespeople. The proposal outlines limited operating hours and minimal noise, traffic and waste impact, with plans to make the trailer dog‑friendly. Approval from Torfaen County Borough Council will allow a search for a suitable trailer, with opening dependent on how quickly one can be secured.

Gwent Police plans to meet with all five local authorities in the region to develop a more consistent approach to unauthorised traveller encampments following recent incidents in Monmouthshire and Newport. Local councillors and community representatives raised concerns over disruptions, costs of site restoration and perceptions of insufficient police response. Monmouthshire County Council is assessing both short-term and long-term access control measures while acknowledging the wider shortage of authorised transit sites across Wales. Police and council leaders will strengthen collaboration, hold seminars for councillors and improve engagement with the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller community.

Bob Blacker of Reform UK won the New Inn Upper by‑election for Pontypool Community Council with 238 votes, ahead of Labour and the Conservatives. He plans to focus on issues raised by residents, including dog fouling, speeding and litter. His win preserves Reform UK’s three council seats, with Labour holding a majority. Turnout was 21.84 percent.

Councillors examined complaints about crime and anti‑social behaviour near the newly opened Severn View homeless hostel in Chepstow, where residents had previously opposed the conversion of a former care home. Housing manager Ian Bakewell said incidents stemmed partly from the hostel’s increased visibility compared to earlier bed‑and‑breakfast accommodation and noted that responsibility for policing rests with law enforcement. The council highlighted ongoing collaboration with police, 24‑hour security at the site, and measures to monitor and reduce complaints, which have fallen since a spike toward Christmas. Officials also outlined efforts to strengthen support for residents, including past skills‑based projects and plans for further community‑oriented initiatives.

Torfaen Borough Council confirmed that Sainsbury’s plans to install solar panels on its Cwmbran store roof meet all policy requirements and can proceed without a full planning application. The certificate of lawful development was approved after the proposal demonstrated compliance with height and placement rules for flat-roof solar installations.

Travellers who had moved from Caldicot Leisure Centre’s playing fields to the grounds of Caldicot Castle left the site shortly before preparations for the Dubs at the Castle VW festival were due to begin. Their earlier presence had forced the local school to cancel its sports day, and after leaving the castle they moved on to Newport, temporarily impacting Albion Rovers FC’s grounds. A local councillor welcomed the festival proceeding as planned but raised concerns about the continued lack of authorised traveller sites. Monmouthshire County Council is assessing clean‑up and repair costs for both affected locations.

Torfaen County Borough Council rejected a planning application to retain decking and a children’s play area at the Castell y Bwch Inn in Henllys, citing harm to the Green Wedge and Special Landscape Area. Landlord Gary Bulmer argued the structures are vital for the pub’s viability and disputed claims of visual intrusion. A petition supporting the facilities gathered more than 3,000 signatures, while a planning report stated the decking is not crucial to the business and negatively affects the landscape. Bulmer is considering an appeal but hopes discussions with the council may lead to reduced visual impact options.

A proposal to convert the ground floor of a former chapel in Usk into a Montessori-style nursery was rejected by Monmouthshire County Council due to concerns about parking, traffic safety, and noise affecting residents living above. Although planning officers recommended approval and environmental health officials found noise mitigation adequate, councillors cited the difficult junction, lack of staff parking, and potential vehicle increases as key issues. The committee voted 10–6 to defer the application for formal refusal on highway safety and loss‑of‑amenity grounds.

A planning application from Luxury Leisure proposes converting a former Santander branch in Cwmbran Shopping Centre into a 24‑hour low‑stake adult gaming centre under the Admiral brand. The firm cites existing leisure uses, high footfall and previous approvals for similar venues as justification. The centre would be staffed at all times, limited to adults, compliant with responsible gaming standards and alcohol‑free. Torfaen Borough Council is reviewing the proposal, with public comments accepted until July 22.

A by-election is being held for the New Inn Upper seat on Pontypool Community Council after former councillor Stephen Senior resigned following his election to the Senedd as a Reform UK member. Candidates for the July 16 vote include Conservative student Chase Blount, Reform candidate and former housing officer Bob Blacker, and Labour’s Dave Cornish. The campaign highlights recent party defections from the Conservatives to Reform and differing views among candidates on local representation and party loyalty.

Public services in Gwent plan to invest more than £1.2 million in Amazon-provided AI programmes through Shared Resource Services, which supports local councils and police technology systems. The procurement will establish a secure AI management hub and a digital front‑door system to manage public queries, replacing the current use of unregulated free AI tools. Monmouthshire County Council has already committed nearly £600,000 to related AI services, and the first year of the partnership is projected to cost £318,000 per participating organisation.

Nineteen of Monmouthshire’s 34 schools entered the financial year with a combined deficit of £6.88 million as rising demand for additional learning needs support drives overspending. Council finance chief Jonathan Davies warned school deficits present the authority’s greatest financial risk despite the council ending the year with an overall surplus. King Henry VIII School and the county’s pupil referral unit recorded the largest deficits, influenced by increased numbers of pupils requiring specialist support, particularly since the pandemic. Education director Will McLean highlighted growing mental health and anxiety-related school absences and earlier risks of exclusion as key pressures. While the Welsh Government has provided new funding in other areas, councils say ALN support remains underfunded.

Monmouthshire County Council confirmed that planned expansion work for Ysgol Gymraeg Trefynwy cannot proceed at the Overmonnow Primary School site due to challenges discovered there. Funding initially allocated for the project remains in the capital budget but cannot be used as intended. The council is now working with the Welsh Government to determine future support for the Welsh-medium school, with any new plans requiring a fresh capital bid. Councillors sought clarification on whether the funds remain available as the council reassesses options for the school’s long‑term location.

Torfaen County Borough Council lent £15 million to councils in West Dunbartonshire, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, and Blackpool while also borrowing from other local authorities to manage cash flow and maintain professional investment status. Interest received totalled £1.434 million, reflecting lower rates than the previous year. The council continues to rely on internal borrowing to avoid higher external lending costs, reducing its external debt to £123.4 million by the end of 2025–26. It remained within its authorised debt limits, with most long‑term liabilities held through UK Government PWLB loans.