Penrhos Coastal Park Threatened by Speculators

by Mrs H Paterson-Jones
(Wales)

Penrhos Nature Park at Holyhead is threatened by development company Land & Lakes, who wish to fence off a large part of it and turn it into a gated Holiday

Park and Leisure Complex.

This will entail significant development and construction works including the destruction of large chunks of established woodland, the habitat of a huge range of flora and fauna.

The development will also entail fencing-off large areas, permanently denying access to the general public to a facility that they have walked, roamed, explored and enjoyed at their leisure for generations.

Whilst it is accepted by most people that Anglesey's tourist industry needs to be developed in order to help support the area economically, the part of the development proposed for the Penrhos Nature Park and associated woodlands should not be placed in that location but re-sited elsewhere on the island where it will not have the same devastating impact.

WHAT IT IS and WHY IT IS IMPORTANT

Penrhos Country Park (also known as Penrhos Coastal Park/ Penrhos Nature Reserve, map reference SH2781) is a 200 acre country park near Holyhead on the Island of Anglesey.

It is adjacent to the A55, on the Anglesey Coastal Path and also adjoins Beddmanarch Bay. It has been open for public use and enjoyment for over 40 years and is a very popular place for visits from locals and tourists alike.

The park, in

an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) forms part of the Anglesey Coastal Path Network and the National Cycle Track Routes 5 & 8.

Parts of the wooded areas were created in the early 1800s with 15,000 broad-leaved trees. It has many rare plants that should be protected. It boasts a stunning coastline along with woodland paths meandering past pools and follies.

It is home to a huge variety of flora & fauna ranging from humble fungi, through badgers, bats and foxes, to domestic & migratory birds including divers, grebes, sea ducks, gulls, terns, auks, a large cormorant colony, pipits, warblers, chats and buntings.

Rarities have included Red-necked Phalarope, Mediterranean and Glaucous gulls, Golden Oriole; Black Redstart, and Yellow Browed Warbler.The List goes on.

The area has been part of an AONB since 1967 with the sandbanks and mudflats of the Beddmanarch Bay being part of the Beddmanarch & Cymyran Site of Special Scientific Interest(SSSI).

In 2009 Anglesey gained Global and European Geopark status because of its unique geology while the Gorsedd-y-Penrhyn headland within the park being designated as a Regionally Important Geological and Geomorphological Site (UKRIGS)

If we lose Penrhos Nature Reserve it would be Travesty.....for our future generations.....on Anglesey, in Wales and the rest of Britain.

Please stand up to the developers!

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Comments for Penrhos Coastal Park Threatened by Speculators

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Mar 10, 2021
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a great shame NEW
by: j c

I walk my dog in penrhos a few times every week and its a great place to walk, you can get cover from the wind on rough days.walking in a woodland is benefical to a persons health because chemicals that trees omit have proven positive effects on a persons health.It sickens me that penrhos was not
purchased by maybe the county council or national or woodland trust,basically an organisation that could have kept it as it is for local people and anybody else on planet earth to enjoy.Its too late now because land and lakes will turn half of it into concrete and tarmac and all the noise and upheavel of construction works will probably scare most of the wildlife off.Then all the water sports will scare off all the wading birds and we will feel like outcasts fenced off.It might be good that a handfull of people get a job,but not so good for the thousands of people that can no longer exercise there.

Dec 14, 2015
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Speculators
by: Anonymous

I really like it.I was checking constantly this blog and I'm impressed!
What a really awesome post this is. Truly, one of the best posts I've ever witnessed to see in my whole life. Wow, just keep it up.

Oct 26, 2015
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Enjoyed
by: Anonymous

I actually enjoyed your post. The way you delivered your view/opinion, was very insightful. Your contribution to this community will be very fruitful to us.

Mar 16, 2015
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reply
by: Zella

I am very sad to hear this news. Penrhos Nature Park is one of the most beautiful nature parks that I have seen in my journey life. I could not imagine this park with barriers. It looks more beautiful only due to its specialty without any barriers.

Nov 06, 2014
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Free Worms
by: Anonymous

Seems strange that
cheese has worms
so small you can not see
so when you eat
that cheddar tonight
multiple wrigglers come free

Nov 06, 2014
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That young Poet's alter ego
by: Anonymous

ZOOM!
ZOOM ZOOM!
ARGGHHH!
MY LEGS!
ARGH
THE FISH ARE TAKING OVER THE WORLD AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAFGE DFG WEUGFHFTJ SDHRGGNGVV
CHEEEEESE!

That Poet

Nov 06, 2014
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Milkmen
by: Anonymous

Princess Reggie is amazing.
Cheese.

Oct 02, 2014
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A Young Poet's struggle to get to the Top
by: Supercallifragilisticexpiallydocious

Oh what a whine,
My life has no wine.
If a bat did not have eyes,
Then a sack could not fly.

What are we doing here?
I standing having a fear.
I sing in a way which is not real,
And however far you go... I am a seal.

What do you mean? I have legs,
Yes, and I also collects clothes pegs.
If I were to succeed, see only this,
I have cheese!

Sep 18, 2014
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I Like Cheese
by: Anonymous

Cheese is yummy

Nov 06, 2013
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Still at it
by: Anonymous

Why did two of the Councillors on the planning committee not declare their prejudicial interests in the Land and Lakes application today.

Have they still not learned their lessons?

Had they declared their prejudicial interests and taken no part in the discussion and voting their on, the out come my have been very different.

Oct 18, 2013
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I have faith that the rejection of the planning application will stand
by: Anonymous

...> Penrhos Nature reserve is without question an important local and recreational asset and is a high amenity of wildlife value. The development, which has been discredited would have resulted in the ruination of the AONB. We must maintain the integrity and accessability of the AONB

The plan did not embody the aspirations of the community as evidenced by the petitions and letters written.

The Ynys Mon Local Plan is integral to the Isle of Anglesey County Council (IOACC) legitimacy being that planning applications are decided in line with Ynys Mon Local plan the applicant, Land and Lakes ltd was bound to fail.

->Mr Sidi could not guarantee the minimal of jobs. And made it clear the 2 other area where dependant on wylfa b which hasn’t even been finalised he also confirmed he has no written agreement to house the workers in these 2 areas.
He was unable to articulate his vision and throughout the meeting the entire land and lakes plans for the development were shown to be all smoke and mirrors.

->The community feels relieved that it has been rejected. The planning committee with its robust questioning revealed that pseudo economics accompanied the application. Conjecture and supposition was routinely used to qualify findings.
Failure to preserve it for future generations would have been devastating to the natural heritage of Holy island given it has been used for 40 years and crucially signifies a spacial signal of inclusion.

I have faith that the rejection of the planning application will stand because Mr Sidis defence of the application is vacuous and its foundations are built on false promise.
Liza Jones
'savepenrhos'

Oct 18, 2013
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Old shell site
by: Alan

Why damage an already established park and woodland area, if the trust responsible for the old shell site in Amlwch pulled their fingers out, and realise that this old brownfeild site has huge potential for this type of development, am I the only one who can see this, they are(the trust) always been waiting on the golden egg for this site, but has not come for nearly 30 years, time to act and bring it here, dont damage penrhos, improve the old shell site!, and although i am from amlwch, please dont take my comment as a "give Amlwch the work" it would be to the benefit for the whole Island, and as far as the wylfa accomodation goes, its nearerm with very little urban areas, in between,
thanks for the oppertunity to comment

Oct 18, 2013
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build lodges but
by: Andy

Penrhos is a beautiful location and we have had many wonderful days out over there on Anglesey. Very sad to hear about latest developments at the council.

why dont they reduce the number of lodges proposed and say they will not use them for workers at Wylfa B?

Many people tell me the island has the skills needed for building work and for those specialists who do need to come here (minority), they can be accommodated in private B&B's at various locations across Anglesey. If you build a camp for temporarsy workers, it can have some negative outcomes for the local community.

Oct 17, 2013
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Please save this park
by: Anonymous

We have been visitors to Anglesey for almost 40 years We look forward to coming back to Penrhos Coastal Park two or three times a year. There have been many changes there over the years but the proposed development is going too far. Many visitors must feel the same and we hope that we do contribute something to Anglesey each time we come here. Future generations need this area for recreation and general enjoyment. Save this for your children and their children - please!

Jan 27, 2013
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Preserve our reserve!
by: Anonymous

As an enthusiastic member of Holyhead community I am saddened to hear the proposals for the land and lake projects! The nature reserve is one of the best things about Holyhead. It is a beautiful area of countryside unmarred by industry! It should stay that way!

Jan 25, 2013
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This has to be stopped
by: Liz Thomas

I agree totally with all the comments agaist this development.

The place is a RESERVE! That means it should be reserved and not destroyed. There is already cabin development in Rhoscolyn -- these types of development are seasonal and do not provide steady employment for local people.

They employ students in the summer months. Not much goes on in the winter, how many people want to holiday in cold, windy, wet, Anglesey winters.,

Please sign the petitions and write the letters. We must do all we can to stop this.

Jan 25, 2013
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Disgust at Proposals for Penrhos
by: James Owen Snr

There is plenty of land to Develop on without taking away the pleasures that countless locals and Visitors have and hope to have for generations,i cringe at the thoughts of you (moderated ****) people(moderated*****)that dare to suggest this developement at Penrhos.I wonder how you can sleep at night.

Sep 24, 2012
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Disgrace
by: Andy Williams

This is an absolute disgrace.

Once complete all it will provide in the main will be seasonal, part-time, low skill, low pay jobs.

That is Rio Tinto's bequeathment to Holyhead - sing for your jobs, we're off, laughing, with lots of money and we are going to trash your park before we go. Cheers and doubles all round.

Anyone who thinks that this is the answer to Holyhead's problems is an idiot.

Every single holiday site across North Wales imports large chunks of it's workforce seasonally, from out-of-area agencies,(usually Merseyside/Gtr Manchester) on 10 month contracts, living on-site.

As a rule they even stick to under-21's so that they can pay the lower rate of minimum wage.

Exactly the same will happen here and if you do not resist this you deserve the contempt which both Land & Lakes and your own politicians are showing you.

Peasants ye are and peasants ye shall remain.

Sep 23, 2012
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Chalets at Penrhos
by: Stewart

Maybe you should let this go ahead, becasue they will bring jobs with them, build the chalets then look after them, shops and so on. just an idea

Sep 23, 2012
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££££ the root of all evil!!!!
by: Anonymous

Oh yes!!! Land&Lakes buy this Land...Wylfa B goes on the back burner.....No chalets are built Penrhos is flattened...No Reserve...No Trees...No wildlife.....Nothing!!!!!!!........................ Land gets re-sold....other developers move in...and a PRISON gets built on Penrhos..................THE END

Aug 15, 2012
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Penrhos should be Promoted More NOT taken from us!!
by: Hilary Paterson-Jones

Seems strange to me that the Council at Holyhead (who we have NOT voted in by the way!!!) have not used Penrhos Nature Reserve to it's full Potential and advertised it strongly with the Welsh tourist board.

Cllr Trevor Lloyd Hughes is the 'Portfolio Holder for Tourism and is responsible for promoting the whole of the Island of Anglesey.

Then can I ask you, Cllr Trevor Lloyd Hughes.......why is it that Penrhos has and is never promoted??? It is surely a Jewel in the crown and should be rightly advertised as such!..

Look online or on any up to date brochure you will see, The South Stack...The Mountain, The Country Park and The new Coastal Paths.....NO Penrhos Coastal Park!!!

Ah!!just thinking, is the reason possibly that the Council do NOT own Penrhos Nature Reserve and wont be pocketing a penny from it's beautiful natural resources.........or making any money from parking there, like they now do at The Holyhead Breakwater Country Park after the installation of the new Parking meter!!!Perhaps??? Perhaps NOT????

Over 100,000+ people use Penrhos Nature Reserve every year. The Council should be listening to and engaging with the public (not hiding away and not answering their constituents, as they are presently doing)over their concerns about these ridiculous plans that Land & Lakes have for this (AONB) Area of Outstanding Beauty..

I am sure this accolade was not given lightly in 1967...but it seems to me in 2012 it can be snuffed out as quick as a candle when it comes down to large sums of cash.....

We are being constantly bombarded by the Government about how much they care about Ecology and Biodiversity, what devastating harm these kind of plans will have on the natural resources of our planet and for the future generations. Nature that cannot be repaired will be lost forever.

And it all comes down to GREED!!!!! How very sad....how very sad for our children How very sad for all the future children who will be left without common greens, without wooded areas, to play safely and to enjoy like we have done. Will THEY thank you!! I think not, for what you do today will be a legacy either way for their future........

Jun 21, 2012
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Save it
by: E Jones

I really don't have much to add to the already valid reasons given already. Yes we need jobs here in Holyhead badly. We need good quality work that will encourage our young to stay here and not seasonal minimum wage employment that this "venture" will bring. All the felling of trees and levelling of the land and building will go to outside contractors- those who will give the cheapest quote. Just look at the new pathway that has been laid in the last few weeks! Who got that contract? A Pwlleli firm! So much for local. Not forgetting that "local" actually means a 90 minutes travel distance! As it has been said, will anyone want to stay there will the noise from alpoco? Not forgetting a biomass will be operational soon-what smells noise will drift over? I cannot believe anyone- no matter how well heeled they are, would invest in a luxury cabin opposite an aluminium powder plant and biomass plant,can you? Holyhead has put up with years of pollution from that ugly big chimney , be gracious and allow them to keep the gift you gave them whilst they were useful to you AAM!!!

Jun 11, 2012
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Please save Penrhos
by: Laura

I've said it before and will say it again; Rio Tinto bought up swathes of green belt land in the late 1960's to develop Anglesey Aluminium by compulsory purchase. The concession or sweetener for the local people was meant to be the retention of the Penrhos land as it was. So... Penrhos was the concession for the development of Anglesey Aluminium and now, the concession is to be developed. How the can they be allowed to get away with that? The council churns out the mantra 'it'll bring jobs to the Island'. I'm not against employment opportunities for Anglesey but I think it is convenient and totally shortsighted of them. It will chip away yet another piece off the face of Holy Island in the name of Anglesey. The whole Island is beautiful and has potential for another holiday development, though not everywhere is a nature reserve, holds AONB and SSSI status. So again, why here?

Jun 11, 2012
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Are you serious?
by: Anonymous

I cannot believe anyone would support a horrendous idea like this. Why destroy all the living things there to produce an artificial, barren void.I'm wondering why Land and lakes thought that tearing out the trees and making it ugly will entice people to buy a cabin there? I doubt anyone would want to buy or even stay for a holiday there with the shocking noise emanating from Alpoco. Also is the new Biomass going to be silent when in production? Do we know much about how this will operate once in production? It makes no sense at all to put cabins there!! This enchanting woodlands along with its beautiful surrounding coastline brings in tourism. Why can't money be put into Penrhos as it is the Dingle in Llangefni and allow everyone to enjoy Penrhos and not those who can afford a cabin there?

Jun 10, 2012
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Against the Development
by: Johanna McNicholl

Yes, Holyhead is in desperate need of good quality employment and development, but I do not believe building a holiday park at Penrhos is the way to do it.
First of all because of the disruption to and destruction of wildlife that will occur, reversing efforts made over recent years to safeguard, protect and encourage both flora and fauna. It will never recover.
Secondly because if the development goes ahead, what will happen to the current suppliers of holiday accommodation in the area? I know tourism is very important for the island's economy, but is there really enough to support the current guest houses, hotels and self-catering places AND a big new hotel at Newry AND 500 cabins at Penrhos? It will be the small local guest houses that will suffer.
Thirdly, I do not believe the figures put forward by Land and Lakes about the number and type of jobs that will be created. These new jobs will not be the skilled, well paid careers needed to replace AA and Wylfa. They will be minimum wage, part-time and seasonal.
Yes, put some money into Penrhos, develop it and make it work for us, but NOT as a 500 cabin holiday camp.

Jun 10, 2012
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penrhos reserve.
by: Anonymous

salt island has been taken over by containers, charge for parking down breakwater park,newry beach taken over by development and penrhos reserve bulldozed and replaced by chalets. and the town center is falling apart..holyhead mountain!!might as well stick cable cars there just for the finishing touch.

Jun 10, 2012
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Save Penrhos
by: Sara Wollaston

I dont have a problem with the development, I just dont want to see Penrhos destroyed to make way for it. It is a place that is special to so many people in so many ways. It is not a piece of scrubby land that no one cares about. It is a NATURE reserve and has been looked after and cared for, for decades. It is a beautiful place that should continue to be preserved. There is so much unused and unimportant land that this development could be built on so please just leave Penrhos nature park alone.

Jun 10, 2012
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Protest Details
by: Anonymous

www.savepenrhos.co.uk

details of on-line petition, e-mail addresses of local politicians etc

Jun 04, 2012
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Development on Anglesy
by: Tara Martin

I am all for anything that will bring jobs and prosperity to Anglesey. It is sorely needed, whether it is in Holyhead harbour, Penrhos coastal park or Cemlyn.
I will be directly affected if plans go ahead with Holyhead harbour as at present my house has uninterrupted views overlooking the breakwater, Skerries, Carmel Head and Holyhead Mountain. However I cannot ignore the fact that Anglesey needs development if it is not to become a place only for people to retire to or spend bank holidays at.If we all hang on to our NIMBY attitudes Anglesey will only become more of a backwater where the only hope for young people is to move somewhere else.

Jun 03, 2012
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where's the councillor?
by: Jim

when you really need them, where are they? thye will want our vote next year-knocking our doors saying how good they do .

ask your councilor does he support the developer or the local people.

Jun 02, 2012
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This must be stopped
by: Liz Thomas

This really has to be stopped. I have already signed two online petitions and will happily sign more if I can.

The Penrhos Coastal Park is very special to me. It was my childhood playground in the days before Anglesey Aluminium (I actually grew up where AA stands today) and my father was largely instrumental in the setting up of the Coastal Park when AA took over the Penhros Estate.

I have very strong feelings about this -- it's a wonderful place and so very important for local people to be able to enjoy.

Jun 01, 2012
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more development
by: Anonymous

disaster!! just read yesterday Holyhead harbour going to be built with big marina.

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