Crime

Controversial Parc Prison expansion approved despite safety and traffic fears

Published

4 months ago

November 17, 2025

Hundreds of extra inmates and 160 new staff planned for troubled Bridgend jail

CONTROVERSIAL plans to expand the troubled Parc Prison – which houses many inmates from Pembrokeshire – have been approved by Bridgend County Borough Council, despite strong opposition from residents living near the privately-run facility.

The proposal, approved by councillors in November, will see a new “K-shaped” house-block constructed on the south-west of the site to accommodate an additional 345 inmates. The development will also require 160 extra staff, significantly increasing daily traffic movements on surrounding roads.

HMP Parc, located in Coity, Bridgend, opened in 1997 and is operated by G4S. The category B prison already holds 1,670 inmates and employs 676 staff, and has faced long-standing criticism over safety, drug use, violence, and management practices.

Major redevelopment at the site

The application was submitted by Galliford Try Construction Ltd on behalf of the Ministry of Justice. In addition to the new accommodation block and associated boundary wall changes, the scheme includes:

A replacement kitchen and dining block
A new gym
A new multi-faith building
A new education block
A redesigned visitor and staff entrance
Additional car parking and site infrastructure

A planning report presented to councillors said the expansion forms part of a UK-wide programme to increase prison capacity, adding: “It is expected that this proposal will future-proof HMP Parc for the foreseeable future.”

Strong objections from local residents

The application received a significant number of objections from residents in Coity and the wider area. Concerns included:

Increased traffic and congestion, particularly along Heol Spencer
Noise disturbance from the expanded facility
Ongoing safety worries following multiple reports of drones being flown over the prison
Individuals allegedly “loitering” in nearby streets looking for access routes into the prison grounds

Residents also raised broader concerns about the prison’s troubled reputation and the impact of further expansion on the community.

Councillors raise concerns over access and safety

At the planning meeting, Cllr Amanda Williams said people in Coity understood that expansion was inevitable but argued that the community needed meaningful mitigation measures, particularly around traffic management and safe walking routes for visitors.

Cllrs Ian Williams and Simon Griffiths echoed these concerns, highlighting the dangers for pedestrians who currently have to cross a busy dual carriageway to access public transport near the Sainsbury’s supermarket.

Highways officers told the meeting that many issues raised were “pre-existing” and could not be considered in relation to the new application. They added that developing a pedestrian route from the Sainsbury’s bus stops would be difficult because the land is privately owned.

However, officers recommended approval, noting that the applicant had agreed to a “reasonable contribution” towards traffic mitigation and that the urgent need to increase capacity outweighed the negative impacts.

Mitigation measures promised

A representative for the applicant said noise and drone-related issues would be mitigated by installing new windows and enhanced surveillance technology. Conditions would also require additional tree planting to screen nearby homes from the expanded site.

They added that the project would create “substantial economic benefits”, including around 160 new, well-paid jobs for the Bridgend area.

By Lewis Smith – Local Democracy Reporter

Crime

Man sentenced for stalking Milford Haven woman

Published

13 hours ago

March 15, 2026

Court Reporter

Restraining order imposed by Haverfordwest magistrates

A MAN has been sentenced after admitting stalking a woman in Milford Haven.

Andrew Richards, 39, of High Street, Neyland, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court for sentence on Monday (Mar 9).

Richards had previously pleaded guilty to stalking without fear, alarm or distress, contrary to section 2A(1) and (4) of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.

The court heard that between December 2, 2025 and February 15, 2026, he pursued a course of conduct which amounted to the stalking of a woman and which he knew, or ought to have known, amounted to harassment.

Magistrates imposed a community order running until September 8, 2027.

As part of the order, Richards must undertake alcohol treatment for nine months under the direction of the probation service.

He must also complete up to twenty days of rehabilitation activity as directed by probation.

Richards was ordered to pay a £120 fine, £500 compensation to the victim, £85 prosecution costs and a £114 surcharge.

The court made a restraining order lasting until September 8, 2027.

Under the order, Richards must not contact the victim directly or indirectly and must not post, or cause to be posted, any material on social media or the internet referring to her directly or indirectly.

The court heard a victim personal statement from the complainant, which was read to the court by the prosecutor.

The case was prosecuted by Dennis Davies, with Richards represented by Mike Kelleher.

The hearing was before magistrates Mrs J Morris, Mr C Pattison and Mr J Steadman.

Crime

Man, 80, sentenced for stalking after campaign of unwanted emails and posters

Published

13 hours ago

March 15, 2026

Court Reporter

Restraining order imposed after Haverfordwest case

A MAN has been sentenced for stalking after admitting a campaign of unwanted contact and harassment in Haverfordwest.

Michael Lockheart, 80, of Daisy Lane, Haverfordwest, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court for sentence on Monday (Mar 9).

The court had previously heard that between July 27 and September 10, 2025, Lockheart pursued a course of conduct which amounted to stalking.

The offence involved sending numerous unwanted emails after being told to stop making contact, putting up defamatory posters in public places, and sending malicious correspondence to the complainant’s GP and local authority.

Lockheart had entered a guilty plea to stalking without fear, alarm or distress, contrary to section 2A(1) and (4) of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997, on January 27, 2026.

Magistrates imposed a community order running until March 8, 2028.

As part of that order, Lockheart must undergo non-residential mental health treatment for 12 months under Dr Cormac Duffy, as directed by probation.

He must also complete up to 25 days of rehabilitation activity.

Lockheart was ordered to pay £1,000 compensation, a £600 fine, £85 costs and a £114 surcharge.

The court also made a restraining order lasting until March 8, 2028.

Under that order, he must not seek, approach or communicate with the complainant by any means, directly or indirectly. He must not knowingly enter any address where she is living, and must not post, or cause to be posted, any material online or on social media referring to her directly or by implication.

A victim personal statement was read to the court by the prosecutor.

The case was heard by Mrs J Morris, Mr C Pattison and Mr J Steadman.