Nicholas Thomas - Local Democracy Reporting Service, Author at Caerphilly Observer

Contentious quarry expansion approved after more than 100 objections

Contentious plans to extend a quarry in Gelligaer have won approval despite objections from more than 100 nearby residents.

Cllr Dimitri Batrouni promised a “bread and butter budget” for 2025/26 that he said would focus on “the issues people see in their day-to-day lives”.

Councillors have dismissed a call to prop up the at-risk Cefn Fforest leisure centre using cash held in reserves.

Progress in meeting climate targets must not give rise to complacency, the deputy leader of Caerphilly County Borough Council has warned.

Decision-makers have had to go back to the drawing board after the High Court quashed the local authority’s previous attempt to shut the site.

Planning officers have approved the ongoing refurbishment of the former Irish Club in Newport’s Commercial Road.

Amar Khehra, who runs the ‘8 Til Late’ general store on Bedwas Road, has applied to sell alcohol for longer each day.

Newport City Council anticipates losing a lucrative income stream next year when its landfill site shuts down.

The High Court has twice quashed the council’s previous attempts to shut the site, most recently in January 2025.

Newport Council officers have recommended planning permission be granted, despite objections from 22 neighbours and two ward councillors.