Often proposed projects or planning applications offer both advantages and disadvantages that have to be carefully weighed. Politicians tend to sit on the fence in such cases. Ynys Môn Labour Party decided to consult our members on the Lein Amlwch/Lôn Las Môn and Penrhos Coastal Park issues. A clear majority favoured supporting the multiuse path from Gaerwen to Amlwch and the efforts to preserve public access throughout Penrhos Coastal Park.
In the case of the Lein Amlwch/Lôn Las Môn debate, there is no doubt that reinstatement of the rail link from Amlwch to the North Wales Coast line at Gaerwen would be excellent. The problem is that the cost would be extremely high, making it very unlikely that this will happen even if funding for a feasibility study is granted (having been rejected the first time). After two decades of waiting, our members felt that it is time to accept this fact and move on.
The proposed multi-use path, which would cater for cyclists, walkers, riders and wheelchair users, offers a number of benefits. It would provide exercise options for residents of all ages and abilities. It would offer a safe and healthy travel route for residents of Amlwch, Llanerchymedd, Llangefni and Gaerwen to access employment and education. It would also help stimulate green tourism and local businesses such as cafes and cycle hire.
Similarly, the proposed Penrhos Coastal Park holiday village development offers some job creation but at the expense of permanent loss of public access to most of the only large area of woodland near Holyhead – an area which has in effect been a nature reserve enjoyed by local people for almost 50 years.
Our members decided that the ideal outcome is retention of full public access with management of the site by the community group. Planning consent was granted in 2016, but a key reason for approval was the provision of temporary accommodation for nuclear workers at Wylfa Newydd. Circumstances have obviously changed, and the application needs to be revisited if at all possible. Relocation of the holiday village to Cae Glas might be an option, and this should be explored.
Our full policy statements on these and other issues can be found at: https://www.sam4ynysmon.org.uk/llafur-ynys-mon-labour-manifesto-for-mon-2021-2/