CLA Rural Business Challenge Award 2009
2009-08-11

The runners up in the CLA Wales Rural Business Challenge Award 2009 will be presented with a certificate and prize money at the Anglesey Show on Tuesday 11 August.

Cartio Mon Karting was opened by Martin and Eirian Williams at Bryngoleu, Bodedern, Holyhead, just three years ago. The venue provides an outdoor all weather karting centre and is designed to entertain everyone from all sectors of life and from three years old to OAP!

The couple who have two sons, both karting enthusiasts, developed the 400 metre purpose designed kart track from a green field site on their farm. They are currently building a new facility centre and are part of a Tir Gofal scheme, Farm Woodland scheme and Better Woodlands for Wales scheme as part of their efforts to improve the natural environment on the farm and around the track.

CLA North Wales Chairman Antony Griffith will present them with their prize at the
CLA Pavilion on the showground. The award is sponsored by Carter Jonas, Property Consultants, HSBC Agricultural Banking, Saffery Champness, Accountants and Swayne Johnson Solicitors.

Meanwhile CLA North Wales Assistant Director, Dawn Harding Maddocks, says the enterprise is a fine example of rural diversification and is urging local authorities to take a more pro-active view of farming initiatives.

She says much of the current Tan 6 consultation on planning for sustainable rural communities reflects CLA thinking. And the organisation welcomes the Welsh Assembly Government’s refreshing new approach to planning in the countryside.

She says it appears to be a Win Win situation, but cautioned that the devil would be in the detail. It was imperative that planning authorities and national parks take note of the national guidance.

The new measures will enable a much more flexible and practical approach to planning in the countryside and would allow businesses to flourish. It would also accommodate housing need, whether it was a young member of the family setting up home, parents retiring, or workers needing accommodation.

She added: “We are particularly pleased that the Tan 6 provides a sensible framework for business and farming families to plan for the future. The definition of a tied home has been widened to include rural workers and there is also a safety clause in that houses no longer needed by the family will be kept available to meet the needs of other rural enterprises in the locality.

“They will have to be sold or let on a register of affordable accommodation. We are also pleased with the recommendation that planning authorities will be urged to consider an application, irrespective of whether the farm is served by public transport. “They should consider the nature and scale of the activity and whether it would be appropriate and take proper account of the need for improvement to local highways.”

CLA Wales will be monitoring local planning authorities to ensure that they properly implement the Tan 6 once the draft consultation is approved.

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