Latest news with #NeathPortTalbotCouncil
Wales Online
7 hours ago
- Business
- Wales Online
Backlash from thousands who want parking fees scrapped at popular Welsh beach
Backlash from thousands who want parking fees scrapped at popular Welsh beach The council say the charges help to maintain an important public space Aberavon seafront had parking charges introduced earlier this year (Image: Neath Port Talbot Council ) Members of Neath Port Talbot Council are set to discuss options for parking in Aberavon later this month after calls from residents to reinstate free parking along the beachfront. The move came after a public backlash when the local authority introduced parking charges at The Princess Margaret Way laybys along the beachfront in April. This led to the creation of a petition with thousands of signatures from locals which they said was launched in order to fight the decision and "make the beach more accessible" for residents and tourists. Others added that frustrations were caused for some users due to the lack of cash payment options in the area, with payment accessed through an app or phone-based systems. Discussions on the issue will now come at council scrutiny session on June 27, where members will hear of proposals to introduce new short-stay parking tariffs at four nearby off-street car parks from April 1, 2026. These will include Bay View, Ocean Way, Scarlet Avenue and Victoria Road car parks with proposed tariffs of £1 for one hour and £2 for two hours in order to "support short-stay visitors to the seafront allowing them to pay with cash using the existing pay and display machines." It was however noted that payments made at these car parks would not be transferable to the laybys, with the possibility of installing cash payment machines there not deemed as feasible due to the cost of installing them. Article continues below A council spokesperson said: "We've listened to the concerns raised since the introduction of charges and are proposing changes that aim to make parking at the seafront more accessible and easier to use. "Whether you're visiting for a quick walk or a full day out, we want to make parking as simple and flexible as possible—while helping to maintain one of our county borough's most important public spaces." The council says it will also ask for permission from the Welsh Government to install clearer signage along The Princess Margaret Way to improve information about payment options. However, speaking after the announcement of the proposals, which came ahead of a scheduled public meeting, Councillor Sean Pursey of Sandfields East said he felt they did nothing to address most of the issues raised. He said: "The local councillors for Sandfields have been raising their concerns with the charges since 2023. Despite this and several petitions with thousands of signatures, the proposals went ahead. "Many of the concerns raised in 2023 have come to bear since - the charges are having an impact on both the health and well-being of residents in Neath Port Talbot, and the businesses on the seafront - that impact is not worth the revenue that is being raised. "The councils proposed changes to the other car park tariffs do nothing to address most of these issues and won't be implemented until next year in any case. "It is disappointing that the council has come forward with these proposed changes before hearing the feedback in the public meeting from residents and businesses. "We hope that following the meeting the leader and cabinet member reflect on the genuine concerns that will be expressed and scrap the lay-by charges." Article continues below
Wales Online
2 days ago
- Business
- Wales Online
Council slams 'misconceived' PIP cuts that will see thousands lose out
Council slams 'misconceived' PIP cuts that will see thousands lose out Members said they could have a disproportionate impact on Wales, particularly in deprived areas Civic Square in Port Talbot (Image: Lewis Smith ) Neath Port Talbot Council has backed a motion raising concerns and opposition to proposed reforms to the benefits system put forward by the UK Government. The benefit changes could see the tightening of qualification rules for Personal Independence Payments which the local authority feels could have a "detrimental impact" on the most vulnerable in its communities. The discussions came at a full council meeting in June of 2025, where members said moves to cut welfare could have a disproportionate impact on Wales, particularly in deprived areas such as Neath Port Talbot, Merthyr Tydfil and Blaenau Gwent. Speaking at the meeting, the leader of the council Steve Hunt said he would now write to both the Welsh and UK Government to ask that they "reassess the Welfare Reform Act and conduct a comprehensive review of the proposed changes with a focus on understanding their implications on vulnerable populations, especially in Wales." He said: "Whilst its intention is to streamline welfare offering and address physical consideration, an unintended consequence is the potential for increasing hardship amongst the most disadvantaged members of society. "These effects may undermine the social safety net essential for ensuring a minimum standard of living, particularly for individuals who are unable to support themselves due to various socio-economic or health-related challenges." Article continues below Get daily breaking news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here . We occasionally treat members to special offers, promotions and ads from us and our partners. See our Privacy Notice Deputy leader, councillor Alun Llewelyn of Cwmllynfell and Ystalyfera, seconded the motion adding that a re- assessment and review were urgently needed. He said: "It is clear that this legislation is misconceived. "As the motion states, the intention may be to streamline welfare, but its unintended consequence will be to plunge hundreds of thousands of people in Wales deeper into poverty, and a re- assessment and review are urgently needed." Councillor Sonia Reynolds of the Neath Port Talbot Labour group said they had written to the Prime Minister to ask him to reconsider his stance on welfare benefits cuts and look for alternative solutions. She added that the impact of reductions could be particularly severe in places like Neath Port Talbot, citing figures from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation which suggested 24% of people in Wales currently live in poverty. Article continues below The motion was later approved unanimously by members, with an amendment that would also see the authority formally respond to the UK Governments Pathways to Work green paper which is open for consultation until June 30, 2025. This consultation discusses proposals to reform health and disability benefits and employment support, with a focus on getting more people into work.
Business News Wales
11-06-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
Green Light for New Aberavon Aldi and Starbucks Development
Proposals for a new Aldi food store and Starbucks coffee shop on vacant land known locally as Burrows Yard in Aberavon, Port Talbot, have been approved. Members of Neath Port Talbot Council's Planning Committee gave the go ahead for the development earlier this month. It will involve 141 parking spaces, a number of bicycle parking hoops and 18 Electric Vehicle (EV) charging points. The Starbucks outlet will come with an associated drive-thru facility. The planning permission also covers landscaping and drainage works and access onto the adjacent Afan Way and Water Street. The new development will also mean Active Travel benefits for Water Street. There will be a new pedestrian / cycle route from Water Street (3.5m wide) and a widened footway along Water Street's southern flank (3.2m wide). Cllr Jeremy Hurley, Neath Port Talbot Council's Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Economic Growth, said: 'This proposal will result in the redevelopment of what has been derelict, unsightly, underused and vacant land. 'The project will contribute to creating a more viable 'destination' for shoppers both travelling to Port Talbot via car or using active travel.' A planning officers' report said: 'It is considered the proposal represents an appropriate form of development that integrates well within the surrounding urban context, with no adverse impacts upon visual amenity, residential amenity, flood risk or drainage, land contamination, highway or pedestrian safety nor biodiversity.' Public consultation led to 317 representations of support with just three objections. The planning committee was told the development fits in with Future Wales: The National Plan 2040 which is the national development framework, setting the direction for development in Wales to 2040. The development plan sets out a strategy for addressing key national priorities through the planning system, including sustaining and developing a vibrant economy, achieving decarbonisation and climate resilience, developing strong ecosystems and improving the health and wellbeing of communities.
Wales Online
10-06-2025
- Wales Online
Man responded to Facebook post and it ended up costing him more than £1,200
Man responded to Facebook post and it ended up costing him more than £1,200 James Joyce claimed he 'did everything by the book' - but it turned out to be untrue A man has been ordered to pay a total of £1,274 after taking away waste despite not having a licence to do so (Image: Neath Port Talbot Council ) A man has been ordered to pay more than £1,200 after responding to a Facebook post asking someone to remove waste even though he was not licensed to do so. Unknown to James Joyce, 45, of Llangyfelach Road, Swansea, the Facebook post was part of Operation Walt - a joint "test purchase" operation to combat unlicensed waste carriers by Neath Port Talbot Council with partners South Wales Police. After Joyce responded to the social media post, he removed the waste advertised for £40 from Lonlas Village Workshops in October of last year. He assured a member of staff he spoke to at the workshops "he did everything by the book". Don't miss a court report by signing up to our crime newsletter here . After driving away with the waste, Joyce was stopped and spoken to by waste enforcement officers. A check confirmed that he did not have a licence to transport waste so he was issued an Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) for the offence. As payment was not received, a reminder letter was sent to Joyce who made no contact with waste enforcement officers and as such a final reminder letter was sent out via first class post in November last year. Article continues below Later, after the FPN was not still not paid he was prosecuted for carrying controlled waste, contrary to s1(5) of the Control of Pollution (amendment) Act 1989. At Swansea Magistrates Court on Thursday, May 29, Joyce pleaded guilty to the offence and was fined £615, ordered to pay costs of £413 and given a £246 victim surcharge - a total of £1,274. Councillor Scott Jones, Neath Port Talbot Council's cabinet member for streetscene, said: "The cheap and unlawful removal of waste by unlicensed persons, has an effect on the local economy in that it presents unfair competition to legitimate businesses and this case shows the council and its partners will use every power available to them to bring to justice anyone who moves waste without the proper licence being in place."
Wales Online
10-06-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
New Aldi and Starbucks to be built on empty land in Welsh town
New Aldi and Starbucks to be built on empty land in Welsh town It is hoped the project will contribute to creating a more viable 'destination' for shoppers An artist's impression of a new Aldi food store and Starbucks coffee shop will be built on vacant land in Aberavon (Image: Neath Port Talbot Council ) A new Aldi food store and Starbucks coffee shop will be built on vacant land in Aberavon. The new outlets are earmarked for land known locally as Burrows Yard. It comes as Neath Port Talbot Council's planning committee officially gave the go-ahead for the development earlier this month. It will involve 141 parking spaces, a number of bicycle parking hoops and 18 electric vehicle (EV) charging points. The Starbucks outlet will have a drive-thru, and planning permission also covers landscaping and drainage works and access onto the adjacent Afan Way and Water Street. The new development will also create active travel benefits for Water Street, with the introduction of a new pedestrian/ cycle route from Water Street (3.5m wide) and a widened footway along Water Street's southern flank (3.2m wide). Stay informed on everything Neath Port Talbot by signing up to our newsletter here . Neath Port Talbot Council's cabinet member for climate change and economic growth, councillor Jeremy Hurley, said: 'This proposal will result in the redevelopment of what has been derelict, unsightly, underused and vacant land. 'The project will contribute to creating a more viable 'destination' for shoppers both travelling to Port Talbot via car or using active travel.' Article continues below A planning officers' report said: 'It is considered the proposal represents an appropriate form of development that integrates well within the surrounding urban context, with no adverse impacts upon visual amenity, residential amenity, flood risk or drainage, land contamination, highway or pedestrian safety nor biodiversity.' Public consultation led to 317 representations of support with just three objections. The planning committee was told the development fits in with Future Wales: The National Plan 2040 which is the national development framework, setting the direction for development in Wales to 2040. Article continues below The development plan sets out a strategy for addressing key national priorities through the planning system, including sustaining and developing a vibrant economy, achieving decarbonisation and climate resilience, developing strong ecosystems and improving the health and wellbeing of our communities.
