News

Park acts to ‘safeguard Pembrokeshire’s landscapes from unregulated camping’

Published

1 year ago

December 11, 2024

THE PEMBROKESHIRE COAST NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY has approved plans to introduce an Article 4(1) Direction to remove permitted development rights for 28-day camping, caravan and mobile home sites within the National Park.

The Park said that the decision, made at a meeting on Wednesday (Dec 11), marks a significant step in managing the impact of unregulated temporary camping on the National Park’s protected landscapes and ecosystems.

The new measures follow a public consultation exercise, which revealed strong support for increased controls.

The Park said that their consultation had highlighted concerns about visual impacts on the landscape, risks to biodiversity, and pressures on local infrastructure. Many respondents, particularly local residents, raised issues such as noise, traffic congestion, and other disturbances affecting those living near temporary camping and caravan sites.

Introducing the Article 4 Direction will allow the Authority to require planning permission for temporary 28-day camping, caravan and mobile home sites, ensuring that their location and operation are carefully managed to protect the National Park’s unique environment.

The Article 4 Direction, which will take effect on Wednesday 1 January 2026, will include a transition period to allow landowners and site operators sufficient time to understand the new requirements and submit planning applications. Planning applications for these sites will not incur fees, and the Authority will aim to prioritise applications to minimise delays. Existing sites that have planning permission or those sites that operate under an exempted organisation certificate will not be affected by the Article 4 Direction.

A six-week public consultation on the Article 4 Direction will run from Friday 10 January to Friday 21 February 2025, providing an opportunity for individuals and organisations to share their views on the proposed measures.

The proposal has drawn criticism from various quarters, particularly among local farmers and the National Farmers’ Union (NFU), who argue that such restrictions could have a detrimental impact on the local economy. Many landowners in Pembrokeshire have come to rely on the income generated from seasonal camping to support their primary agricultural activities, especially in the face of economic challenges and rising costs.

Local farmer Rhys Jones expressed his concerns about the potential loss of income. “For many of us, these 28-day campsites are a lifeline. The extra income helps keep our farms afloat, especially during difficult years. If we have to go through the planning process, it’s going to add time, cost, and uncertainty,” he said.

The contrast with regulations in England, where the permitted development period has been extended to 60 days, further complicates the issue. Critics argue that the proposed changes in Pembrokeshire could put Welsh landowners at a competitive disadvantage compared to their English counterparts.

Environmental concerns have also been voiced by local residents. John Davies, a resident of St Davids, stated, “The National Park is a unique landscape that needs to be protected. Allowing these campsites to pop up without oversight could lead to irreversible damage.”

In addition to the Article 4 Direction, the Authority will engage with exempted organisations to develop a voluntary Code of Conduct. This initiative will help ensure that exempted sites continue to operate responsibly and in accordance with local and national policies, fostering a collaborative approach to safeguarding the National Park.

Further details on the consultation can be found at www.pembrokeshirecoast.wales/public-consultations.

Crime

Man charged with strangulation and assault offences after October incident

Published

9 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

A MAN recorded in court as having no fixed abode has appeared before magistrates charged with intentional strangulation and two further assault offences.

Michael Sudbury, 50, whose address was not read out in court, but in Herald records is Glan Hafan, Llangwm, appeared before the bench facing multiple charges.

The charges relate to an incident on 22 October 2025 and include:

Intentional strangulation, contrary to section 75A of the Serious Crime Act 2015
Common assault
Assault by beating

No further details of the alleged incident were opened in court, and no plea was entered at this stage.

Sudbury was remanded on conditional bail, with the case listed to return to magistrates later this month.

Crime

Haverfordwest man sent to Crown Court on multiple serious charges

Published

10 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

Defendant remanded in custody

A HAVERFORDWEST man has been sent to Swansea Crown Court to stand trial on a series of A 49-year-old Haverfordwest resident has been committed to Swansea Crown Court to face trial on multiple serious charges deemed too grave for magistrates to handle.

David Guy, of Market Street, Haverfordwest, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates facing a series of allegations stemming from a single case. The charges, which were not detailed in open court, include:

Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
A second count of assault
Criminal damage
An additional allegation of interpersonal violence
A public order offence

Magistrates declined jurisdiction, determining that the matters exceeded their sentencing powers, and sent the case in its entirety to Swansea Crown Court.

Guy was remanded in custody pending his next appearance. The court register notes: “Sent to Crown Court for trial in custody – next hearing at Swansea Crown Court.”

A date for the initial Crown Court hearing will be set administratively. Guy will remain in custody until then.

The Pembrokeshire Herald will provide further updates as the case progresses in the Crown Court.

Crime

Castlemartin man back before magistrates over multiple alleged assaults

Published

10 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

Defendant remanded on conditional bail ahead of further hearing

A CASTLEMARTIN man has appeared repeatedly before magistrates this month over a string A 40-year-old man from Castlemartin has made repeated appearances before magistrates this month in connection with a series of serious alleged offences, including assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH), intentional non-fatal strangulation, common assault, and criminal damage.

Anthony Alcock, of Pwll Street, Castlemartin, is facing six linked charges stemming from incidents said to have occurred earlier this year. These appear to relate to the same complainant in what is understood to be a single ongoing domestic abuse prosecution.

During recent administrative hearings at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court, Alcock did not enter pleas while matters of bail and case management were addressed.

Charges Include:

Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
Intentional non-fatal strangulation
Common assault on a woman
Criminal damage in a domestic context
Additional assault allegations involving the same complainant
Breach of bail conditions

Alcock was initially granted conditional bail but was subsequently brought before the court on two occasions for alleged breaches. On those instances, magistrates remanded him in custody ahead of further hearings. He was later re-granted conditional bail, subject to strict conditions such as no contact with the complainant and exclusion from specified locations.

Magistrates have now declined jurisdiction, ruling that the case—particularly the more serious charges involving non-fatal strangulation—is too grave for summary trial. It has been committed to Swansea Crown Court for plea, trial, or sentencing.

No detailed evidence has been presented in open court at this preliminary stage. Alcock remains on conditional bail pending his next appearance at the Crown Court.