An area of land used as playing fields in Trethomas has been granted ‘Village Green’ status by councillors.
The land is close to the former Bedwas Colliery site, which has been earmarked for development in Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Local Development Plan (LDP).
Cllr Ron Davies, cabinet member for regeneration and the ward member for Bedwas, Trethomas and Machen, said: “This is fantastic news for the local community. The allocation of this site as a Village Green will ensure that residents can enjoy the benefit of a protected area of community land that is safe from future development.”
The council has recently reported that drainage work on the former colliery site is progressing well.
The work is needed because of erosion on the steep hilltop slopes.
Cllr Davies added: “The need for this continual programme of works underlines how important it is that this costly, unsightly and dangerous legacy is properly dealt with.”
This scheme has been funded by a Welsh Assembly Government Land Reclamation Grant.
Good news indeed, this is a pleasant green area that deserves to be protected for the enjoyment of future generations. Well done to campaigners in Bedwas and Trethomas. I also hope that the tips are made safe and converted into a leisure area, rather than, yet another, housing site.
I read recently that there are 26,000 houses in S. Wales that have lain empty for 6 months or more. My own experience ( I am a Domestic Energy Inspector) bears this out. There are several houses close by to where I live which have been empty for years, one has been unoccupied for 9 years now.
If the Assembly wants to pass new laws one which compels owners to rent or sell empty homes, within a year of them becoming vacant, would be more welcome than ill thought out rules on sprinklers.