Rhydymwyn Valley
Environment Food and Rural Affairs

David Hanson (Delyn, Labour)

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she has received from organisations on the future of the Rhydymwyn Valley site since 1 January 2011.

Richard Benyon (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Natural Environment and Fisheries), Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Newbury, Conservative)

DEFRA has received no formal written representations on the future of the Rhydymwyn site since 1 January 2011.

DEFRA has received and responded to various correspondence since 1 January 2011 relating to operational issues on site. Within this dialogue, groups have set out their aspirations in respect of their specific relationship with the site. Views expressed generally seek to promote nature conservation or the history of the site. Views have also been expressed against any intensification of use for any purpose.

The general correspondence includes the following topics—the site access policy, access to the tunnels, an All Ability Bike scheme, correspondence with the Community Council, maintenance of the buildings, management of controlled plants, the Historic Building survey and filming on site.

Officials from the Department also met with a number of stakeholders in February 2011 to discuss their concerns and encouraged the groups to co-operate and form a consensus view between the groups to inform a way forward acceptable to all.