tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7220847853817260213.post5754006817516364563..comments2007-02-19T11:50:06.177ZEuphoria Sailing Ltdnoreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7220847853817260213.post-4925940218731946782007-02-18T01:19:00.000Z2007-02-18T01:19:00.000ZDear First Minister,<BR/><BR/>I am greatly concerned at the apparent erosion of sand in the above area.<BR/>It is essential that you instigate a full and thorough research programme to establish exactly what is happening as it appears that short term gain will be outweighed by a medium and long term negative effect upon the sands around the Gower peninsula and consequently tourism which as you well know is vital to the economy of the area.<BR/>I urge you to act quickly.<BR/>Yours sincerely,<BR/> <BR/>John B. Loftus.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7220847853817260213.post-37322056036668735952007-02-15T17:02:00.000Z2007-02-15T17:02:00.000ZCopied From the South Wales Evening Post<BR/><BR/>AM attacks delay over sand ruling <BR/>chris peregrine <BR/>chris.peregrine@swwmedia.co.uk <BR/>SWANSEA-BASED AM Alun Cairns has accused the Assembly of dragging its feet in concluding the Gower sand dredging inquiry because of May's elections. <BR/><BR/>He is unhappy about a five-month delay in resolving the Llanelli Sand Dredging Company application. <BR/><BR/>It wants consent to extract 300,000 tonnes per annum for 15 years. <BR/><BR/>An inquiry into the Helwick Bank issue was held last summer, with the Assembly inspector's report sent to Environment Minister Carwyn Jones on September 7. <BR/><BR/>And Mr Cairns, who represents South Wales West, said the time for action was now. <BR/><BR/>"Five months down the line we are still none the wiser," he said. "Carwyn Jones has yet to give his decision, nor has he made the report public. <BR/><BR/>"This is yet another example of the Labour Assembly Government delaying an important decision for fear of losing votes in the election. <BR/><BR/>"Wales deserves a braver government capable of taking important decisions to protect vital resources such as our coastline. <BR/><BR/>"Dredging on the Helwick Bank is destroying our beaches and will damage the tourist-based sectors of our economy." <BR/><BR/>Swansea Council has also come out against the application, making its position clear in a statement to the inquiry. <BR/><BR/>"The council recognises the genuine public interest in this case and people's understandable concerns, and is acting in the best interest of the local people," it said. <BR/><BR/>An Assembly Government spokeswoman insisted it would not be rushed. <BR/><BR/>"We are aware of the intense interest in the Government's view," she said. "However, it is important to reach the right decision, not necessarily the quickest one. <BR/><BR/>"The issues are complex and a Government view will be issued at the earliest opportunity consistent with thorough consideration of all the issues. <BR/><BR/>"No dredging has taken place at Helwick Bank since October 2005."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com