Pause in demolition of Queen’s Buildings in Rhyl

Demolition works on the Queen’s Buildings in Rhyl are currently on hold whilst the contractors work with structural engineers to determine how to ensure the safe demolition of the remaining buildings.

The Council appointed contractors Wye Valley Demolition in January and since then the demolition work has been progressing well with just over half of the work completed. So far 57 -61 Queens Street, the former Savoy Hotel, Bistro and the garages have been demolished and the next planned stages include the Market Hall, the former Fusion night club, Queens Hotel and other associated buildings.

The Queen’s Buildings is a key catalyst project within the councils wider Rhyl Regeneration programme which is part funded by Welsh Governments Transforming Towns programme.

Cllr Hugh Evans OBE, Leader of the Council and Lead Member for the Economy, said: “The demolition is progressing well with more than half the buildings on site now demolished. This short pause in the demolition is to ensure public safety and the safety of operatives within the Queens Theatre and arcade who are currently removing the asbestos that was discovered within those buildings.

‘It is great to see such a large scale project progressing in Rhyl and the new market hall and event space planned for the site will play a vital role in revitalising Rhyl town centre and wider Denbighshire economy.”

‘The project is already providing career opportunities for people within the community. So far four, six month apprenticeships have been secured as part of the demolition contract, along with additional work experience placements for local people via the Council’s Working Denbighshire project.”

Artist’s impressions of the planned mixed use scheme for the site, which includes residential apartments and more commercial space as well as the market hall and event space, have recently been installed around the site to show people about the ambitious plans to redevelop the site.

For the most up to date information about projects involved in the Rhyl regeneration programme, please visit www.denbighshire.gov.uk/rhyl-regeneration.

All photo credits: Bryn at BCPHOTOWALES

Rare flower blooms thanks to wildflower project

A project committed to enhancing Denbighshire’s biodiversity is breathing new life into a decling flower.

Last year the Council identified 21 sites including highway verges, footpath edges, cycleways and amenity grasslands, to be managed to create wildflower meadows.

Now as part of the Council’s ongoing commitment to enhancing biodiversity across the county, there are nearly 60 sites included into its Wildflower Project. This equates to 30 football pitches worth of Denbighshire grassland managed as native wildflower meadows.

This week the officers leading the project have recorded a nationally declining species on the Prestatyn Beach Road West site.

The plant is called Hound’s Tongue (Cynoglossum officinale) and was previously only recorded in Denbighshire 18 times within the last 116 years.

Also on a site near Stryd y Brython site, officers have found a common spotted orchid which has been added to the growing list of wildflowers supported by the project.

“All of the sites are managed in line with Plantlife’s Managing Grassland Road Verges guidelines which sees the grass cutting at these sites prohibited between March and August each year, giving wildflowers enough time to grow, flower, and set seed.

“We used a cut and collect regime to reduce soil fertility and provide the wildflowers with the best conditions possible. It is great to see the wildflower project really helping biodiversity bloom in Denbighshire, especially with the news of the rare species found in Prestatyn.”

To find out more about the wildflower meadows across Denbighshire visit the link below

https://www.denbighshire.gov.uk/en/environmental-health/climate-and-ecological-change/wildflower-meadow-project.aspx

Extra CCTV at Botanical Gardens

Additional CCTV equipment is now live at Rhyl’s Botanical Gardens following recent reports of anti-social behaviour in the area.

The Council has already taken measures to improve security on site to stamp out anti-social behaviour at the gardens.

The Council commissioned the service of a local security company to patrol the area and lock the gates at 9pm, reopening at 8am the following morning.

To support the continuing work to halt anti-social behaviour at the gardens, the existing CCTV system has received an upgrade which is fully operational.

Councillor Tony Thomas, Lead Member for Housing and Communities, said: “We are pleased to confirm that nine additional CCTV security cameras have now been installed in the Botanical Gardens Park in Rhyl. In addition to this the council have commissioned a security company to open and close the park gates which has been very well received by the local community with their engaging and helpful approach.

“We hope that these measures will resolve the anti-social behaviour problems we have been experiencing in the park recently. The additional cameras will provide greater coverage of the park including coverage of areas previously not accessible by the existing cameras.”

Councillor Mark Young, Lead Member for Planning, Public Protection and Safer Communities, added: “The council will continue to work with North Wales Police and the Friends of the Botanical Gardens volunteer group to tackle the issue of anti-social behaviour in the park.”

“We and the Police will have access to the cameras and will be monitoring the system should any issues occur in the future”

Report illegal sale of underage products to Crimestoppers

Residents and businesses across Wales who think that someone has purchased or sold age restricted products to an underaged person can now report is anonymously to Crimestoppers.

Trading Standards Wales and the charity Crimestoppers have joined forces to provide a service that enables members of the public to anonymously provide valuable information to help keep communities safe and healthy.

It is the latest issue that the two organisations are working on to encourage members of the public to provide information on concerns they might have, 100% anonymously.

Aged restricted products include:

• Alcohol
• Tobacco products including cigarettes, tobacco, cigarette papers and cigars
• E-cigarettes
• Fireworks
• Knives, knife blades, open edged razor blades, axes
• Glue, aerosols, domestic cleaning fluids, dry cleaning fluids, paint strippers and thinners

Helen Picton, Chair of Trading Standards Wales, said: "We're delighted to be working with Crimestoppers and giving members of the public a way to report these crimes anonymously.

"Aged restricted products have a minimum age of purchase as they are considered to be harmful to children and teenagers.

"Not only is the sale of these products a crime, but they also harm the welfare of our children and disrupts communities."

If you think that someone has purchased or sold age restricted products to an underaged person then report it to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit http://crimestoppers-uk.org and tell them what you know. Your information can help keep communities across Wales safe.