Council engages with Rhyl businesses on major regeneration projects

Following Cabinet approval by Denbighshire County Council, work on UK Government–funded Local Regeneration projects in Rhyl town centre will progress to the pre-construction phase, with a programme of engagement activities set to begin with local businesses and residents.

Council officers and project teams have begun meeting with businesses based in Rhyl town centre to discuss the proposed regeneration scheme in greater detail as design work continues to develop.

Engagement will focus on key operational considerations, including deliveries, access and waste management, with the aim of minimising disruption and carefully managing impacts throughout the construction phase. Feedback from businesses and residents will help inform detailed planning and ensure that day-to-day operations are taken into account.

The regeneration projects aim to transform the area surrounding Rhyl’s Clock Tower into a more pedestrian-friendly space. Plans also include comprehensive repaving across the town centre, the introduction of additional seating, and enhanced green infrastructure to create a more welcoming, accessible and attractive environment for residents, visitors and businesses.

Tony Ward, Corporate Director for Economy and Environment at Denbighshire County Council said:

“These projects form part of wider regeneration work being undertaken in Rhyl which has already seen the delivery of coastal defences, an improved and more accessible promenade, a new fully accessible children’s play park, as well as the opening of Queen’s Market. The next phase of works forms part of the vision of reconnecting Rhyl town centre with the promenade and the beach.

“Projects such as these aim to generate renewed energy and confidence in Rhyl and are a catalyst for change. We really appreciate the patience of residents and businesses while these changes take place, and we hope that everyone can see the positive impact this work is having on the town.”

Famous bird colony ready to receive arrivals

A colony protecting an under-threat bird is standing by to accept this year’s arrivals from Africa.

Denbighshire Countryside Services , the North Wales Little Tern Group and other volunteers have finished the setting up of the Gronant Dunes Little Terns Colony.

The famous site has welcomed the birds all the way from the west coast of Africa for over two decade and is now ready to support the animals and also help educate interested visitors to the area.

The groups looking after the colony have put up a 3.5km perimeter fence and also three kilometres of electric fence along the beach area to protect the birds from ground predation. Both fences will be taken down at the end of the season to ensure a no trace policy on the area which is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

Once again, the Tern Shack Visitors Centre and nearby hide are ready to help people watch the colony from a safe distance.

In 2025 the colony saw 95 breeding pairs recorded and a total of 103 fledglings at the site. The colony average of 1.08 fledglings per breeding pair.

Little Tern Wardens also worked last year with the British Trust for Ornithology to ring several of the birds to keep track of them in the future. They helped ring 59 chicks with British Trust for Ornithology (metal rings, and a further nine were also ringed with colour rings.

Senior Countryside Ranger Jim Kilpatrick said: “The team here at Gronant has already seen signs of these fantastic birds arriving and we are ready to protect and support them throughout this breeding season. None of what we do here would be possible without also the support of all the brilliant volunteers who help us look after the Little Terns.

He added: “Our wardens are now operating at the colony from the visitors’ centre. As well as protecting the birds they  will be available to talk to visitors to the site and also collect information about this year’s colony.”

Emlyn Jones, Denbighshire County Council's Head of Planning, Public Protection and Countryside Services, said: “For over two decades Countryside teams alongside volunteers have worked extremely hard to protect this site to make the colony a real area of importance for protecting future populations of the Little Terns. Everyone involved with looking after the Little Terns  can be immensely proud of what they do to maintain this bustling colony on Gronant Dunes.”

Latest Riverside Park developments completed

Work to help improve and develop health and wellbeing along Llangollen’s Riverside Park has been completed.

Funded by Shared Prosperity Transitional Year Funding the work was coordinated by Denbighshire County Council’s Streetscene department.

This latest development of the area follows previous work by other council teams at the park over the last few years which has seen initiatives such as 9-hole bespoke mini golf and play equipment added to the site.

Streetscene has carried out this latest phase of work to further enhance the park for local residents and visitors to enjoy.

The development has seen the replacement of an existing ramp from Aldi Car Park to the Skatepark/MUGA area to improve the accessibility of this area for wheelchair users and others with greater accessibility needs, and the installation of two further ramped paths to help improve accessibility around the park.

Work has also seen fencing added next to the old children’s play area to better secure this section, and an additional access gate was installed on the river side of the park.

The project has added an outdoor gym to the site which has seven items of equipment to enable users to exercise with a view over the river. In addition to this, two accessible picnic benches have been installed in this area with concrete bases to enable easy access by wheelchair.

Paul Jackson, Head of Highways & Environmental Services, said: “We are really pleased to complete this work at Llangollen’s Riverside Park thanks to the funding Streetscene has been able to access.

“This latest development will further enhance other areas that have already been improved at Riverside Park to increase the profile of this important part of the town for both the enjoyment of residents and those visiting Llangollen."

Social care recruitment open day to be held in Rhyl

Denbighshire County Council’s social care team are inviting those who are interested in a career in social care to a recruitment open day, which will be held in Hafan Deg Day Care Centre in Rhyl.

The session will run from 10am-1pm on the 11^th of May and is open for drop-ins between these times.

The Council’s social care team will be on hand to answer any questions regarding a career in the sector and are available to chat about the roles that are currently open. They can also share details around the benefits of working for the Council.

The team will also be able to provide assistance with completing application forms for the available roles.

Ann Lloyd, Head of Adult Social Care & Homelessness Service said:

“We are excited to be hosting another recruitment drop-in session for those who have an interest in a career in social care. Our team always enjoy meeting those who share the same passion about social care as they do and will be able to discuss the careers available in the sector. 

We are looking for enthusiastic and caring people who feel that they can make a real difference to people’s lives.

Whether you are taking your first career steps, or looking for a new challenge, we would like to meet you."

To book a place please contact socialcarejobs@denbighshire.gov.uk.

Bodelwyddan pupils build hope for nature

Bodelwyddan primary school pupils have dug deep to create a new nature habitat on their school grounds.

Ysgol Y Faenol pupils recently linked up with Denbighshire County Council’s Biodiversity team to create a wildflower meadow at the school.

The children have already extended a helping hand for nature at the school this year by planting over 1,000 trees on the school grounds.

They also helped build a living willow dome on site which provides a sustainable structure resource for further green woodworking activities with the students and habitat for insects and birds and a natural area to promote learning about nature for the school.

Now rolling up their sleeves, pupils helped plant over 100 wildflowers to create the new meadow to support pollinators and provide another outdoor education area to learn about nature at the school. Species planted included field scabious, red campion, selfheal, oxeye daisy, cat's-ear, wild carrot, bird's-foot trefoil and knapweed,

The plants came both from the Council’s tree nursery at St Asaph and the Woodland Skills Centre at Bodfari.

Biodiversity Officer, Ellie Wainwright, said: “We enjoyed being back at Ysgol y Faenol following working with the pupils to plant all the trees and the fun we had with them creating the willow dome. They and the staff are really passionate about supporting nature and this latest project to create the meadow will help create a fantastic habitat for all animals and plants around the school grounds.

Emlyn Jones, Denbighshire County Council’s Head of Planning, Public Protection and Countryside Services, said: It’s brilliant that these children have had the opportunity to learn about all the benefits creating a  wildflower meadow can deliver through our Biodiversity team and well done to them all for digging deep to help plant such an important asset for supporting their local nature.”

Rhyl secondary pupils extend support for local nature

Secondary school pupils have helped extend a helping hand for nature on their school ground.

Christ the Word pupils recently joined with staff from Denbighshire County Council’s Biodiversity team to help enhance a wildflower meadow that was created last April.

The work follows recent development of hedgerow and woodland areas at the school with the support of pupils. 260 metres of hedgerow and 14 standard trees were planted to help increase biodiversity and the tree canopy at the school to support nature’s recovery and provide an educational wellbeing outdoor area for youngsters.

Pupils and Biodiversity officers worked together to add 200 plants to the meadow which will help provide a great food source for pollinators such as bees.

Species planted included: oxeye daisy, self-heal, red campion, field scabious, fox glove, wild carrot, meadow buttercup, cat’s-ear, and knapweed.

The plants that have boosted help for nature around the school came both from the Council’s tree nursery at St Asaph and the Woodland Skills Centre at Bodfari.

Biodiversity Officer, Ellie Wainwright, said: “It was great to return to Christ the Word as the children and staff are so enthusiastic for supporting the local nature around their school grounds. Increasing the diversity of wildflowers in this meadow will enhance the support this meadow gives, providing a sanctuary for local wildlife to thrive and survive in. Developing the meadow will also give current and future pupils a fantastic place to study nature on the doorstep of their own school.”

Emlyn Jones, Denbighshire County Council’s Head of Planning, Public Protection and Countryside Services, said: It’s great that these children have had the opportunity to learn about all the benefits a wildflower meadow can bring through our Biodiversity team and well done to them all for rolling up their sleeves to help develop and improve such an important asset for supporting their local nature.”

Youngsters encouraged to snap meadow moments

Denbighshire’s school pupils are encouraged once again to take part in a competition to capture photos of the county’s wildflower meadows near them.

This week the Council has relaunched for 2026 the Schools Wildflower Meadow Photography Competition as the season this year begins to bloom.

Back in 2019, Denbighshire County Council declared a climate and nature emergency with the aim to tackle climate change and biodiversity loss.

One of the first actions was to start managing some of the Council’s grassland for wildflower meadow creation across the county. The aim of the project is to restore and increase the amount of habitat available throughout the county for pollinators and wildlife.

This project also brings many benefits or ‘ecosystem services’ to residents in the county, such as reduced flooding, improved air quality, and air cooling.

Youngsters are encouraged to take time to explore and notice what they find interesting about their chosen wildflower meadow, school meadow or community nature reserve site and capture it with a photograph and some chosen words. The Council’s meadows can be spotted thanks to a bee friendly logo on each site or using the online mapping available on the council’s website (via the competition details).

Photos can be of the whole site or of a tiny part such as an insect, flower or grass species, it’s up to the photographer to pick their favoured subject to make the best photograph. Each entrant needs to write something about their photo or find a quote that compliments the photo.

Winning entries will be printed up to A2 size and put on the walls outside the council chamber in Russell House, Rhyl .

Winners will receive a selection of environmental books for their school, and a smaller version of the image will be available for the winner to put up at home or school. This year the school with the most entries will also win a selection of books. All winners will receive a visit from our Council Chair and colleagues to present the books and prints.

Emlyn Jones, Denbighshire County Council's Head of Planning, Public Protection and Countryside Services, said:  “We know our pupils have a fantastic understanding of how climate change is impacting their lives through meeting and chatting to them. They all have brilliant ideas and carry out a lot of good work themselves. Many pupils have helped us in creating wildflower meadows across Denbighshire.

“We want to open the floor to them to see how they view meadow life through the lens by taking part in this competition and we are looking forward to seeing the results.”

For more information on how to enter the competition please visit this link

The competition is open until 14 August 2026.

Pupils extend support for nature at school grounds

Primary school pupils have created a new habitat area at their school to extend a helping hand to local nature.

Forty Ysgol Llanfair DC pupils, from year three, four, five and six, recently rolled up their sleeves to create a new wildflower meadow at the school.

The new development follows work at the school by pupils, Denbighshire County Council’s Biodiversity team and North Wales Wildlife Trust (NWWT) that saw around 90 metres of mainly hornbeam hedge planted on site to help benefit of the UK's largest finch, the Hawfinch.

A small woodland was also planted on the site, alongside 12 fruit trees and a small coppice coop. Altogether, this work created habitats containing 624 new trees around its grounds.

Ysgol Llanfair DC’s new wildflower meadow has been created using the whole green area around the school carpark.

Pupils with the help of the Council’s Biodiversity team planted 300 plants which will help provide a source of food for insects such as bees. These included field scabious, red campion, selfheal, Oxeye daisy, Cat's-ear, wild carrot, bird's-foot trefoil, foxglove, knapweed, meadow buttercup and meadow vetchling.

The plants came both from the Council’s tree nursery at St Asaph and the Woodland Skills Centre at Bodfari.

Biodiversity Officer, Ellie Wainwright, said: “It was great to be back at Ysgol Llanfair DC as the pupils and staff are so passionate about supporting local nature. The enthusiasm of the pupils to create this new wildflower meadow was brilliant and thanks to their hard work this habitat along with the woodland and hedge areas we created before will really provide a sanctuary for nature here that the children can also learn from.”

Headteacher, Geraint Rowe, said: "The partnership that the school has developed with the Biodiversity Team at Denbighshire is one which is enriching the habitats of the school grounds along with giving the children great active opportunities to have a positive impact on enhancing the biodiversity and nature. This along with other partnerships will create a legacy for the environment and pupils appreciation on how they can make a difference. We will look forward to seeing the flowers bloom."

Emlyn Jones, Denbighshire County Council’s Head of Planning, Public Protection and Countryside Services, said: It’s great that these children have had the opportunity to learn about all the benefits a wildflower meadow can bring through our Biodiversity team and well done to them all for rolling up their sleeves to help plant such an important asset for supporting their local nature.

Innovative work to enhance Denbighshire Digital connectivity

Innovative plans are in motion to enhance mobile network coverage across Denbighshire.

Denbighshire County Council’s Information and Communications Technology (ICT) team are working on a project to utilise local authority assets to help boost mobile network reach around the county.

The Open Access Agreement work will allow the Council to make selected assets, mostly street lighting columns, available for the installation of small-cell mobile technology to enhance coverage.

ICT officers recently presented this work to the Council’s Democratic Services Committee.

The small cells assist with increasing capacity without major infrastructure needed. Once installed they have the capacity to improve digital connectivity for residents and businesses, offering more reliable access to the internet.

Following signing of an agreement, a mobile network operator will determine if locating their small cells on council assets would support boosting their network.

The Council would retain full control over which of its assets may be used for small‑cell deployment to make sure installation meets all technical, safety and operational standards.

Any development of the small cell technology is cost neutral to the Council, mobile network operators will pay an agreed annual fee for the location of the small cells on assets.

Each Open Access Agreement will operate for a 15‑year initial term, providing stability for operators considering investment while offering long‑term clarity for the Council. Operators would be responsible for all costs associated with surveys, power supply, installation, maintenance and the eventual removal of equipment. They will be also required to hold appropriate insurance, including public and employer liability cover, and to indemnify the Council against any damage or loss arising from their equipment or activities.

Helen Vaughan-Evans, Head of Corporate Support Service: Performance, Digital & Assets, said:  “This innovative work really has the potential to support our residents and businesses across Denbighshire. By allowing this technology onto our assets we can help boost digital connectivity for all which is so critical to the way we now live.

“Installing small cell technology into our towns has the benefits of helping existing businesses connect better and also encouraging more business investment in the area. Where operators choose to deploy equipment on rural assets, this infrastructure can also help improve connectivity for residents who have historically experienced more limited access helping to progress a minimum digital living standard across our County.”

Prestatyn playground to undergo upgrade

Work has begun on the upgrade of Sea Road Playground, Prestatyn.

Denbighshire County Council’s Streetscene department is managing the project after securing funds from the Welsh Government All Wales Play Opportunities Grant.

The upgrade of the Sea Road, Prestatyn site has been prioritised due to concerns raised in respect of the surfacing and also the age and condition of the play equipment.

This period of work will aim to replace the entirety of the rubber safety surfacing, whilst also providing an opportunity for the introduction of new more modern accessible play equipment. The contract for this work has been awarded to Proludic.

Paul Jackson, Head of Highways & Environmental Services, said:  “Following completion, this upgrade will provide children with more modern facilities at this location, whilst also accommodating more inclusive and accessible equipment for youngsters with additional needs.”