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Become a member today Homes could be built on the current site of Risca’s Lidl supermarket if the German retailer moves to a new location in the town Early proposals include plans for up to 42 new homes and a “flexible” mix of shops offices or restaurants in Commercial Street Planning advisors at CarneySweeney have unveiled plans which show Lidl could move to a new site around 500 metres to the south-east CarneySweeney said the redevelopment will bring “much-needed” homes to Risca in a “sustainable” brownfield location A new store will also “significantly increase” the offer for Lidl customers and create jobs The project is at the early stages and members of the public are currently invited to take part in a pre-application consultation on the proposals HTC Architects describe creating a “vibrant sustainable community” development comprising new homes and commercial buildings The residential properties will include a mix of one- and two-bedroom houses and apartments to “appeal to a variety of demographics from young professionals to families” While the homes will mainly be located away from the main road those properties above the high-street commercial units will be “set back… to create privacy” those retail premises “will play a crucial role in regenerating the area by transforming the site into a hub for activity” the commercial units are proposed to be classed at shops and food and drink premises such as restaurants or cafes it will progress in a “phased manner” incorporating the proposed relocation of Lidl supermarket more modern store which in turn will enhance the area with improved customer offerings” The pre-application consultation on the proposed redevelopment of the existing Lidl store site is currently under way and runs until Monday March 31 To view the proposals in more detail, and to have your say, visit the CarneySweeney website for more information at https://www.carneysweeney.co.uk/consultations/redevelopment-of-the-lidl-store-site-for-mixed-use-residential-led-development-commercial-street-risca-1.html  Support quality, independent, local journalism…that mattersFrom just £1 a month you can help fund our work – and use our website without adverts.Become a member today The list of banks set to run out of Risca’s new banking hub has been announced with five major providers each allocated one day a week The hub will run out of the former Barclays branch on Tredegar Street which has announced which banks will be set up in the space The hub will consist of a counter service operated by Post Office employees where customers of any bank can withdraw and deposit cash make bill payments and carry out regular banking transactions There will also be private spaces where customers can speak to staff from their own bank for more complicated matters on set days MP for Newport West and Islwyn said: “I’ve visited local banking and Post Office branches in Newport West and Islwyn this summer and I know how essential their financial services are “In my experience I’ve found too many people miss out because of where they live I also know not everyone is comfortable conducting their business online and there should be a suitable face-to-face alternative “That’s why I’m so pleased to welcome this banking hub in Risca which should bring power back to the community and allow people to handle their finances closer to home.” An opening date for the hub is yet to be announced Plaid Cymru Senedd Member for South Wales East called on the Welsh Government to do more to get banking hubs set-up across Wales Described as a “crisis” by Ms Jewell she spoke about an “absence of any bank branches or hubs” in Bargoed which has left many residents with “no easy way of getting hold of money” Two people have been arrested following a police chase which ended in Risca on Monday morning (February 17) officers spotted a vehicle travelling on Risca Road until the suspect was stopped and arrested on Maryland Road A 32-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving was also arrested on suspicion of being carried in a vehicle without the owner’s consent Work on the new 3G pitch at Risca Leisure Centre is due to begin next week Caerphilly County Borough Council has announced The Welsh Government-funded project is set to cost £1million Risca Hockey Club have previously criticised the plans arguing that the new surface would have been unsuitable for hockey – forcing the club to move The new all-weather pitch however will be suitable for both football and rugby said: “This investment in Risca School and leisure centre reflects our commitment to improving access to high-quality sports facilities for our residents “The new 3G pitch will be a valuable asset for schools providing an inclusive and sustainable space for physical activity and engagement it will support our wider efforts to promote healthy lifestyles and community wellbeing and reaffirms our commitment to delivering the ambitions set out in the Sport and Active Recreation Strategy 2019-29.” with the pitch closing to the public on Sunday For further details about the project, contact Risca Leisure Centre on 01633 600940 or email lcrisca@caerphilly.gov.uk A body found in the River Ebbw has been identified as that of 58-year-old Michael Lloyd Mr Lloyd was reported missing after he didn’t return to his home in Risca after going for a walk with Gwent Police confirming the identification on Friday December 27 Gwent Police said: “The body of a man was found in the River Ebbw on Saturday 14 December following open water and riverbank searches conducted as part of a missing persons enquiries “Formal identification has taken place and the man was identified as Michael Lloyd “His family have been informed and our thoughts are with them at this difficult time.” Treowen Stars find themselves 15 points clear at the top of the Ardal South East following a nervy 2-1 victory over local rivals Risca United The league leaders need just four more points to land the title and gain promotion to the Cymru South Become a member to unlock this exclusive article and more Our journalism needs the support of our readers to survive - just £1 month makes a huge difference Use the arrows next to the amount to select your contribution A 58-year-old man has been reported missing Michael Lloyd did not return home from his daily walk on Tuesday November 26 The walking route he normally takes is around the River Ebbw and he is believed to have walked along Risca Road towards Rivermead Way and the surrounding area Mr Lloyd is said to have been wearing a green waterproof jacket He is described as being around 5ft10in tall and of medium build Gwent Police officers and the National Police Air Service are carrying out searches in the area Anyone with information on Mr Lloyd’s whereabouts can contact Gwent Police on 101 Police have also urged Mr Lloyd to contact them Two men have been arrested after class A and B drugs were seized during police raids Officers searched a property on Commercial Street A property in the Ringland area of Newport was also searched as part of the operation were arrested on suspicion of possessing class A and B drugs with intent to supply said: “Our neighbourhood policing teams across Newport and the Caerphilly borough joined forces to carry out two warrants seize drugs and cash and safeguard our communities.” “I want to reassure you that we’re continuing to do all we can to tackle drug offences in your area and hope these searches highlight that we will act on any information you have.” A mother and daughter from Risca who netted an estimated £115,000 while operating an illegal dog business have appeared in court Deborah Jane Edwards and Lydia Perkins appeared at Newport Magistrates’ Court last month after being prosecuted by Caerphilly County Borough Council’ s Trading Standards admitted charges under the Animal Boarding Establishments Act 1963 Edwards also admitted offences under the Fraud Act 2006 for net telling customers she was operating an unlicensed ‘doggie daycare’ ordered to pay an £80 victim surcharge and £2,000 in prosecution costs by magistrates on April 1 Her mother is due to be sentenced at Newport Crown Court on April 27 Caerphilly Council’s Trading Standards received a tip-off about the business and started an investigation Council officers and Gwent Police executed warrants in October 2024 at two premises in Risca suspected of being used for unlicensed dog boarding A total of 28 dogs were found at a commercial premises being used as a ‘doggy daycare’ which were overcrowded and did not meet the standard required of a licenced premises The court heard the women had been aware of the legal requirements but continued to trade without a licence between January 2023 and October 2024 evidence found that large numbers of dogs were being boarded by the defendants sometimes in the region of between 20 to 30 dogs at one time Pet owners were told that Trading Standards and council licensing were involved with the business – giving the impression it was legit A conservative estimate of the turnover made by the unlicensed business was calculated by the council and was found to be more than £115,000 must be inspected and approved by the local authority to ensure they provide a safe and appropriate environment that meets the required standards “Animal welfare is a priority in Caerphilly it is vitally important that businesses are licensed to protect members of the public and their pets and that the public ensure that the person they are leaving their dog with is suitably licensed “Unlicensed boarding establishments are not regulated and ultimately take away from legitimately licensed premises There are no guarantees that the business is able to meet the needs of our pets or have the required knowledge and training in relation to the animals they look after They often prioritise profit over the safety