More time to clear car boot site

DUFFY has criticised Netflix’s decision to host a film which she claims glamorises “the brutal reality of sex trafficking, kidnapping and rape”.

The Nefyn singer, 36, said earlier this year that she had been drugged at a restaurant on her birthday before being held captive in her own home and taken to a foreign country.

In a letter to the streaming giant’s chief executive, Reed Hastings, Duffy said the company’s decision to feature the film 365 Days was “irresponsible”.

Directed by Barbara Bialowas and Tomasz Mandes, the Polish drama follows the imprisonment of a young Warsaw woman by a Sicilian man, and has been likened to 50 Shades Of Grey.

Duffy wrote: “365 Days glamorises the brutal reality of sex trafficking, kidnapping and rape. This should not be anyone’s idea of entertainment, nor should it be described as such, or be commercialised in this manner. “I write these words (ones I cannot believe I am writing in 2020, with so much hope and progress gained in recent years), as an estimated 25 million people are currently trafficked around the world, not to mention the untold amounts of people uncounted.”

AN Anglesey councillor has been given more time to clear a site converted into a car boot sale without planning permission.

Cllr Eric Wyn Jones was alleged to have allowed the work at a field he owns on the outskirts of Llanfairpwll known as Cae Prytherch.

This prompted an Anglesey Council investigation which resulted in an enforcement notice compelling Cllr Jones, who sits on the authority’s planning committee, to convert the land to its original state including removal of all portable cabins, floodlights and toilets stored there.

But, having been given just three months to comply with the order, an appeal has seen the planning inspectorate fall on the side of Cllr Jones after he asked for more time to clear the site.

Inspectors agreed with Cllr Jones that three months was not enough time and six months was more appropriate - still short of the nine months he requested.

Cllr Jones listed ownership of Cae Prytherch on his register of interests and was also named as the appellant.

The appeal attracted several letters of objection from local residents, however.

In a letter, Cllr Meirion Jones said that he’d been “very disappointed” with the actions of Cllr Jones, adding: “The changes to the land are unsightly and have disturbed the amenities and enjoyment of many people unnecessarily.

“Many people, including neighbours, local residents and wider constituents have complained about the changes and are looking forward to the land returning to its original condition.”

But the report, compiled by inspector Declan K Beggan, noted Cllr Jones’ claims he had to identify a location for the hard surface material to be disposed to, and the drainage condition of the land means any work could only be undertaken during the summer months.

Adding concerns over reseeding if the works had to take place over the winter, Mr Beggan concluded that Coronavirus was also a factor in the availability of contractors.

“In this instance, I must balance the council’s reason for issuing the notice against the burden placed on the appellant,” he said.

Cllr Jones now has to carry out the work by December 22, 2020.