News

Calls for sea defences for flood-hit village turned down

Published

2 years ago

February 21, 2024

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A COUNCILLOR’S call to be able to speak on a potentially much-cheaper alternative to a bypass for the flood-hit village of Newgale has been turned down.

At the standards committee meeting, of February 19, Solva County Councillor – and local businessman – Mark Carter asked for urgent dispensation to be able to speak, but not vote on matters connected with long-term plans for a Newgale road diversion scheme.

Mr Carter has previously spoken as a local businessman and resident rather than as a county councillor.

Newgale was hit hard by flooding following storms in early 2014 storms, and later by Storm Dennis in 2020.

In 2014 it even saw a visit by the-then Prime Minister David Cameron, as part of a tour of the UK to “learn lessons” following storms and flooding that year.

The main A487 road was closed for about 14 days after waves breached pebble defences that year, and a Richards Bros bus was stranded in floodwater after it was hit by a high wave, leading to the rescue of around 10 passengers.

In 2018, Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet backed a recommendation, long-term, for an inland highway link for the A487.

Bus stranded in Newgale after storm Pic: Y Tanaka/Herald)

In his call for dispensation, Mr Carter said: “Following an incident with a bus being hit by a freak wave in February 2014, a study was launched into a long-term solution to the threat of the sea defences at Newgale being breached and the connectivity to Solva and beyond alternative roads were considered and a preferred plan was formulated.

“Large sums of money, probably £2m have been spent investigating an alternative but since 2014 there have been no serious incidences,” Mr Carter, who runs business Gengard Ltd from the village, said.

“Up to now, I have commented in relation to the Newgale scheme purely in my capacity as a business owner, but it is clear that no other residents of Newgale and further out want to change the fabric of Newgale and let it go back to wild.

“Two things have happened recently to change my perspective. Firstly, Pembrokeshire County Council has decided that should a new road be built, the old road would be removed straight away, not in some years to follow as previously planned. This changes the outlook for the village in a far more imminent way should the road scheme go ahead.”

“Secondly a group has been formed with access to a civil engineer and they are submitting a planning application to realign the pebbles in a way that will provide protection to the road and last 50 to 80 years at a cost of approximately £150,000, compared to the estimates of £30m by Atkins and PCC.”

Stand Up for Newgale (STUN) recently submitted an application – currently being validated by Pembrokeshire Coast National Park officers – to relocate a 570m section of the shingle bank 10m seaward to protect the local businesses and the A487.

Mr Carter added: “The group wants me to be involved as the county councillor in negotiations with PCC to get the authority to consider this alternative scheme. It is they that have elected me and as property owners there is an impact, possibly not financial, on us all.

“To be clear, if the new road went ahead and the original road closed, the village would be split in two and Gengard would probably adapt its business.”

Committee members turned down Mr Carter’s request, with four in favour of refusal, and two abstentions.

Areas of concern raised included a potential public perception that Mr Carter’s views on the subject could be viewed as biased given his business interests, adding that, as local member, he would still have the opportunity to make any representations to national park planners.

Local Government

Oil spill update issued for Pembroke stream and Castle Pond

Published

18 seconds ago

March 30, 2026

Tom Sinclair

COUNCILLOR Jonathan Grimes, representing Pembroke St Mary South and Monkton, has issued an update following concerns over an oil spill affecting a stream on The Commons and Castle Pond in Pembroke.

Speaking after discussions with Natural Resources Wales, Cllr Grimes confirmed that response teams have been on site throughout the day working to contain the pollution and identify its source.

According to the latest update:

• The pollution has begun to subside, with the oil slick now breaking up
• Monitoring will continue over the weekend and into next week
• Forecast rain is expected to help disperse the remaining contamination
• The substance is believed to be domestic heating oil (kerosene), pending confirmation
• Investigators believe they have identified the source area and are taking steps to prevent further incidents

Cllr Grimes said he would continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.

The incident has sparked concern among residents, particularly over the potential impact on wildlife and the environment. Some have called for further action, including opening the sea gate to help flush the affected water.

Local Government

Work begins on major housing and care scheme in Haverfordwest

Published

7 minutes ago

March 30, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A MULTI-MILLION pound housing and care development in Haverfordwest has officially moved into the construction phase, with groundworks now underway at the Tŷ Haverfordia site.

Contractor Wynne Construction has begun work on the scheme at the former Haverfordia House site, marking the milestone with a turf-cutting ceremony attended by project partners and local representatives.

The development will provide 26 sheltered apartments for people aged over fifty-five, alongside a purpose-built twelve-bed reablement centre aimed at supporting residents returning home from hospital and regaining independence.

The project is being delivered in partnership with Pembrokeshire County Council and is expected to play an important role in easing pressure on local health and social care services.

Developers say they will work closely with local suppliers and businesses during the build to maximise benefits to the regional economy.

Measures have also been put in place to minimise disruption during construction, including maintaining pedestrian access and ensuring parking arrangements remain in place for nearby facilities.

Once complete, the scheme is expected to provide modern, high-quality accommodation tailored to the needs of older residents, while helping to free up hospital capacity across west Wales.

Farming

Agrisgôp helps Welsh farming families tackle succession challenges

Published

12 minutes ago

March 30, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A PROGRAMME designed to support farming families in planning for the future is helping to break down one of agriculture’s most sensitive issues – succession.

Farm inheritance and succession planning returned to the spotlight in 2024 following UK Government reforms to inheritance tax (IHT), prompting renewed concern across the industry.

In response, Agrisgôp leader Elaine Rees Jones brought together farming families in the Welshpool area to take part in a structured programme aimed at addressing the issue head-on.

Agrisgôp, a fully funded management development initiative, encourages farmers to work collaboratively, building confidence and business skills through action learning.

Two distinct groups emerged: one made up of parents seeking to plan the future of their farms, and another of younger family members exploring how to take on responsibility and transfer knowledge from the previous generation.

A key theme identified early on was the importance of communication between generations.

Elaine said: “The meetings have offered the opportunity to gain professional and peer advice, time away from the farm to assess situations, and a safe, confidential space for discussion.

“Group members have shared concerns and apprehensions while getting to grips with the scale of the challenge, and have begun to develop action plans.

“The honesty and openness shown has been incredibly humbling.”

For many participants, the programme has provided the confidence to begin formal discussions with professional advisers.

One farming couple, currently working through the process of passing assets to their two sons, said the experience had been invaluable.

“It has made us tackle things properly. We had already started looking at succession before the Rachel Reeves budget, so this wasn’t a knee-jerk reaction.

“It’s a complicated process with no easy answers, and every farm is different. But Agrisgôp has helped us go into meetings with solicitors and accountants informed, rather than just accepting advice blindly.”

Another participant described succession planning as “mind-blowing” before joining the group, adding that expert input had highlighted the importance of early preparation.

The programme included a recent panel session in Welshpool, where professionals returned to answer questions from participants, alongside one-to-one sessions to clarify individual plans.

Specialist advice was provided on legal, financial, and land valuation matters, with a clear message emerging on the importance of having a valid will in place.

Angharad Hird, of Lanyon Bowdler Solicitors, warned that failing to make a will can have serious consequences, highlighting a case where a young farmer died unexpectedly. Under intestacy rules, his estate was divided between his wife and children in a way that may not have reflected the family’s wishes.

Financial planning was also a major focus. From April 2027, unused pension funds will be included within estates for IHT purposes, potentially attracting tax of up to 40%.

Emma Hall, a chartered financial planner, said some clients are already restructuring their finances to mitigate future liabilities, including placing assets into trusts or converting pension funds into income-generating annuities.

Land and property valuation was another key consideration. Richard Corbett, of Roger Parry & Partners, stressed that valuations must reflect current market conditions at the time of assessment, while also taking into account factors such as shared ownership or rights of way.

Accountant Sion Roberts highlighted the importance of setting emotion aside when making decisions.

“There is no one-size-fits-all solution,” he said. “Each farm is different, so it’s vital to understand your priorities and get the right advice.”

The issue of care fees and asset transfers was also raised, with warnings about the risks of deliberately reducing assets to avoid future costs.

Alongside Agrisgôp, Farming Connect’s Succession Pathway offers structured support for families navigating the process. This includes business reviews, facilitated family meetings, bespoke planning, and access to specialist legal services.

Organisers say early planning is crucial to securing both family relationships and the long-term future of farm businesses.

Farmers interested in accessing support can contact Farming Connect on 03456 000 813 or visit their website for further information.