RESIDENTS near a smelly landfill site are still up in arms over the continued environmental and health impacts of the site.

Since its purchase by David Neal in 2022, Withyhedge Landfill has transformed from a waste disposal site into a source of noxious gases, significantly impacting the surrounding communities.

The crisis reached a peak in October 2023, when the landfill reportedly turned into a “toxic gas factory,” following an incident where harmful gases began to emanate freely from the site. Despite repeated complaints and incident reports filed by residents, the Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has yet to take effective action.

In November 2023, David Neal publicly declared his intent to be a “good neighbour.” However, locals have experienced the opposite. They report a relentless increase in waste trucks and the illegal dumping of 44,000 tonnes of non-conforming waste. Complaints include severe odours, burning eyes, headaches, breathing difficulties, and heightened anxiety, all linked to the toxic emissions from the landfill.

Residents feel abandoned by NRW, whose enforcement actions have been described as ineffective. Over the past ten months, thousands of incident reports have been submitted, documenting the unbearable conditions and pleading for intervention. Yet, NRW’s response has been negligible, leading to growing frustration and anger among the affected communities.

A critical analysis of NRW’s “Enforcement and Sanctions Policy” reveals a systemic failure to prioritise public health over economic growth. According to the policy, enforcement actions are supposed to be proportionate and aimed at preventing harm. However, residents argue that the lengthy assessment processes and reluctance to apply sanctions have only allowed the problem to worsen.

On 15 May 2024, it was reported that Dauson Environmental Group’s Withyhedge landfill faces action from both NRW and Pembrokeshire County Council after continued odour complaints. Following the expiry of a February NRW enforcement notice, Pembrokeshire has received legal advice recommending a claim for ‘public nuisance at common law.’ The council is currently studying a response from Dauson, owner of operator Resources Management Limited (RML), before deciding on an injunction.

NRW’s notice had given 5 April as a deadline for Withyhedge to comply, but a council report stated that “the malodour” had persisted. RML was due to complete planned works “in alignment with the deadline of the current notice,” but said it was unable to provide updates until NRW had completed its assessment.

NRW has since issued a second enforcement notice, requiring further actions by 14 May. It will assess whether these have been carried out this week, noting that the operator’s decision to cease accepting waste from 14 May “in no way impacts the deadlines set in the notice.” NRW officers on-site and in local communities will study odour emissions and conduct a full-site inspection to assess compliance with the permit. NRW’s head of south-west operations, Huwel Manley, acknowledged the investigation could take some time, understanding the “strength of feeling and growing impatience among people living and working in the surrounding communities.”

The group also remains embroiled in political controversy regarding a £200,000 donation made to First Minister Vaughan Gething for his successful Labour leadership campaign. An unsuccessful Senedd motion, proposed by Conservatives, called on Gething to appoint an independent investigation into conflicts of interest. Conservative Andrew RT Davies highlighted that Dauson director David Neal’s criminal convictions for environmental infringements were “a matter of record.”

Davies noted that the campaign donations had broken no rules but the perception of such “substantial moneys” entering a leadership campaign had caused “considerable disquiet.” Neal stated that Dauson supported Gething’s campaign as part of its commitment to investing in the future of the country, maintaining that donations were detailed in the company’s financial reports. Neal asserted, “Regardless of the support the Dauson Environmental Group has provided Vaughan Gething, we have not engaged with him or his ministerial department regarding any of our business plans or applications, and we would not expect him to have any involvement or influence in decisions on these matters.”

Labour’s Parliamentary candidate Henry Tufnell was in Crundale last month, two days after NRW’s enforcement deadline, where the foul odour was still present. He reported that residents were “incredibly angry” and told him that they had simply given up reporting the odour issues to NRW because it was not making any difference in resolving the problem. The NRW website indicated that as of last week they were assessing compliance on the landfill site.

Henry Tufnell said: “I have written directly to NRW, calling them to action. It is deeply concerning that the stink from the Withyhedge landfill site is still blighting the lives of so many Pembrokeshire residents after the recent enforcement deadline from NRW has passed.

“The time for half measures is over – NRW must take immediate and decisive action.”

Local residents are demanding more stringent enforcement and accountability from NRW and the Welsh Government. They argue that the current system allows companies like David Neal’s to operate with impunity, jeopardising public health and environmental safety.

“We deserve more than this,” stated one local resident. “We will not accept the status quo created by NRW.”

As the situation escalates, the affected communities continue to call for immediate and decisive action to halt the pollution and restore their right to a safe and healthy environment.

The ongoing crisis at Withyhedge Landfill highlights significant flaws in regulatory policies that prioritise economic growth over environmental protection. With growing public outcry and mounting health concerns, it remains to be seen whether NRW and the Welsh Government will step up to address these urgent issues and protect the wellbeing of Pembrokeshire residents.

FREEMENS WAY in Haverfordwest was closed briefly on Saturday (Jun 15) after members of the pubic became concerned for the welfare of a person on the bridge above.

Dyfed-Powys Police after they received a call expressing a concern for the welfare of a person on the bridge at around 3.55pm.

Police confirmed to The Pembrokeshire Herald that they closed Freemen’s Way for around 20 minutes before it was reopened.

A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police said: “Police received a call for a concern for the welfare of an individual at approx. 3.55pm Saturday June 15, on the bridge at Freemans Way.

“The road was closed for approx. 20 minutes before being re-opened. The individual was left in the care of family.”

ON TUESDAY (Jun 18), the funeral of former St Davids Lifeboat crew member Jeffrey Thompson was held at Seion Baptist Chapel, New Street, St Davids. Jeffrey passed away on 2nd June at Withybush Hospital, leaving behind his wife, Nina. He was a cherished father, grandfather, brother, family member, and friend.

Jeffrey began his service at St Davids RNLI lifeboat station in 1975, initially as a member of the shore crew for 11 years. In 1986, he joined the all-weather lifeboat crew. By 1995, he had risen to the position of deputy second coxswain, a role he held until his retirement in 2002.

The crew at St Davids RNLI expressed their sorrow at Jeffrey’s passing, stating, “St Davids RNLI is saddened to learn of the recent death of former crew member Jeffrey Thompson. He gave an incredible 27 years of service. We send Jeff’s family our condolences at this sad time.”

Former St Davids Lifeboat coxswain, Dai Chant, paid tribute, saying, “Jeff was one of my top crew members and a man you could rely on in bad weather shouts. May he rest in peace.”

Will Chant, the current coxswain and son of Dai Chant, shared his memories: “When I started in 1996, Jeff was a fantastic crew member to have as a mentor. He was humble, always gave you his time, and was steadfast in the most demanding of situations. A calm but assured figure on the crew, brilliant on the deck, and a great rope worker. If the lifeboat needed to tow a vessel, he was the man to operate the deck. He made rope mats for the lifeboat station and even repaired a flagpole using his rope whipping skills. A keen countryman, he would fish the local waters on his boat and also shoot for game birds. Jeff worked in the merchant navy and for Stena Europe for many years.”

Jeffrey’s former neighbour, Paul Sage, who grew up alongside him in Heol Dewi, St Davids, fondly remembered a time in the 60s when Jeffrey brought a monkey home from his time at sea. “He spent most of his life at sea in the Merchant Navy. He loved being outdoors, shooting, and fishing,” Paul said. “He was a hell of a character, always leg-pulling and joking. A lovely character.”

Jeffrey’s funeral took place at 11.30 am today. Donations, if desired, can be made to the Paul Sartori Foundation via WG Bernard Matthias & Daughter, 62 New Street, St Davids, SA62 6SU.