Politics

Westminster power grab ‘an affront to devolution’

Published

10 months ago

February 5, 2025

SENEDD Members criticised a “power grab” from Westminster, describing plans for UK ministers to make laws in areas already devolved to Wales as an “affront”.

The legislation committee raised concerns about the UK Government’s data use and access bill which would give UK ministers regulation-making powers in devolved areas.

Labour’s Alun Davies said the bill, which aims to make better use of data, would repeal regulations in Wales and impose English ones uniformly across both.

The former minister warned: “If UK ministers believe that they should have the right to take decisions and exercise regulation-making powers without the consent of Welsh ministers – that’s a very, very significant affront to the settlement.”

He explained the bill provides powers for UK ministers to act “only in consultation” with the Welsh Government, adding: “Consultation, as we know, means nothing in reality.”

Mr Davies said: “A bill like this tells you all you need to know about the inadequacies of the settlement but I’m genuinely bewildered by the Welsh Government’s approach.”

During a committee meeting on February 3, he suggested the Welsh Government was “piggybacking” on a UK bill and losing its powers as a consequence.

“That seems to me a real dereliction of responsibility,” he said.

Mr Davies asked: “Why on earth … what was the policy objective … that you’re just going to accept the imposition of this in some ways from the UK Government?”

Rebecca Evans, the Welsh Government’s economy secretary, responded: “These are the key issues we’re in discussion with the UK Government on now.”

Calling for the Welsh Government to legislate in its own right, Mr Davies said: “It just seems to me that we are creating another muddle on the border, another muddle of powers.”

Ms Evans, who came into post in September, replied: “I don’t sense that this is an area where something’s being done to us, it’s an area where we’re collaborating.”

Rebecca Evans, cabinet secretary for economy, energy and planning

Pointing to the Welsh Government’s “consent not consultation” principles on UK legislation in devolved areas, she told the committee most of the bill’s provisions are non-devolved.

Mr Davies, a backbencher since being sacked by Mark Drakeford in 2018, said: “We’ve got a new UK Government that made all sorts of assurances prior to the general election about extending the powers of the Senedd … devolving different matters … treating Wales fairly.

“We haven’t seen many of those delivered so far.”

The Plaid Cymru-turned-Labour politician contrasted this with powers being “taken away” from Wales to be exercised by the UK Government.

Warning Welsh ministers could be overruled on devolved matters under the bill, he said: “This scenario is not something I’m at all comfortable with. I wasn’t comfortable when the Conservatives were suggesting it, I’m not comfortable when Labour is suggesting it.”

Former Plaid Cymru leader Adam Price echoed his concerns, asking: “Are we on a slippery slope here, where England and Wales is once again coming through as a concept constitutionally to areas that we thought we had devolved long ago?”

He pressed the minister on whether she is in favour of the Senedd consenting to the bill, with Ms Evans saying she could not give a recommendation until talks with UK ministers end.

Seeming to prefer to seek compromise rather than set redlines, she described the issues as nuanced with a difference in view between the Welsh and UK Governments.

Labour’s Mike Hedges, who chairs the committee, asked why all the constitutional concerns have not been addressed since the change in UK Government more than six months ago.

Ms Evans said some of the concerns with the predecessor data protection and digital information bill have been addressed by the new UK Government.

But she told the committee: “It does remain the case that there are still some ongoing issues that we are in discussion with the UK Government on.”

Ms Evans added: “It’s not the subject matter that we have concerns about, it’s more about those ongoing discussions on constitutional points.”

Senedd Members will vote on the bill under the legislative consent motion, or LCM, process.

While the Sewel convention states the UK Parliament would “not normally” legislate on devolved matters without such consent, it is not legally binding.

Business

Computer gaming lounge plans for Tenby cinema submitted

Published

4 hours ago

December 15, 2025

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

FORMAL plans to turn Tenby’s former Poundland and Royal Playhouse cinema to a retro computer gaming lounge have been submitted to the national park.

Following a takeover by investment firm Gordon Brothers, Poundland shut 57 stores earlier this year, including Tenby’s branch on White Lion Street.

In an application to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Matthew Mileson of Newport-based MB Games Ltd, seeks permission for a change of use of the former Gatehouse (Playhouse) Cinema, most recently used as a Poundland store to a retro gaming lounge.

This follows a recently submitted application for a ‘CONTINUE? Retro Gaming Lounge’ sign on the front of the former cinema, ahead of the wider scheme for a retro gaming facility at the former cinema site, which has a Grade-II-listed front façade.

A supporting statement for the change of use scheme through agent Asbri Planning Ltd says: “The proposed retro gaming lounge will be inviting to all ages, including families, groups and individuals with no age restriction. The applicant has several similar premises across other parts of the UK and operates under a successful business model.

“This includes a fee being payable to enter the premises which thereby grants access to unlimited game time to all consoles/arcade machines. There will be no slot or coin-based reward games, so the proposal would not be considered/classed as gambling. The site will provide snacks and drinks (including alcohol) which will be canned/bottled drinks.

“The sale of such drinks would be ancillary to the overall function of the premises, and a separate alcohol licence will be submitted, accordingly.”

It adds: “The development would provide a much-welcomed addition to White Lion Rd which will improve the vitality and viability of the immediate area by promoting greater levels of footfall within the area and introduce greater variety to the shopping frontage at this location.”

It proposes opening hours of 10-10, Sunday to Thursday, and to 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

The application, and the related signage scheme, will be considered by park planners at a later date.

Prior to being a Poundland, the site was the Royal Playhouse, which had its final curtain in early 2011 after running for nearly a century.

The cinema had been doing poor business after the opening of a multiplex in Carmarthen; in late 2010 the opening night of the-then latest Harry Potter blockbuster only attracted an audience of 12 people.

Business

Cosheston Garden Centre expansion approved by planners

Published

2 days ago

December 13, 2025

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

PLANS to upgrade a garden centre on the main road to Pembroke Dock have been given the go-ahead.

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, submitted through agent Hayston Developments & Planning Ltd, Mr and Mrs Wainwright sought permission for upgrade of a garden centre with a relocated garden centre sales area, additional parking and the creation of ornamental pond and wildlife enhancement area (partly in retrospect) at Cosheston Garden Centre, Slade Cross, Cosheston.

The application was a resubmission of a previously refused scheme, with the retrospective aspects of the works starting in late 2023.

The site has a long planning history, and started life as a market garden and turkey farm in the 1980s, and then a number of applications for new development.

A supporting statement says the previously-refused application included setting aside a significant part of the proposed new building for general retail sales as a linked farm shop and local food store/deli in addition to a coffee bar.

It was refused on the grounds of “the proposal was deemed to be contrary to retail policies and the likely impact of that use on the vitality and viability of nearby centres,” the statement said, adding: “Secondly, in noting that vehicular access was off the A 477 (T) the Welsh Government raised an objection on the grounds that insufficient transport information had been submitted in respect of traffic generation and highway safety.”

It said the new scheme seeks to address those issues; the development largely the same with the proposed new garden centre building now only proposed to accommodate a relocated garden centre display sales area rather than a new retail sales area with other goods, but retaining a small ancillary coffee bar area.

“Additional information, in the form of an independent and comprehensive Transport Statement, has now been submitted to address the objection raised by the Welsh Government in respect of highway safety,” the statement said.

It conceded: “It is acknowledged that both the creation of the ornamental pond and ‘overspill’ parking area do not have the benefit of planning permission and therefore these aspects of the application are ‘in retrospect’ and seeks their retention.”

It finished: “Essentially, this proposal seeks to upgrade existing facilities and offer to the general public. It includes the ‘relocation’ of a previously existing retail display area which had been ‘lost’ to the ornamental pond/amenity area and to provide this use within the proposed new building and moves away from the previously proposed ‘farm shop’ idea which we thought had merit.

“This revised proposal therefore involves an ‘upgrading’ rather than an ‘expansion’ of the existing garden centre use.”

An officer report recommending approval said that, while the scheme would still be in the countryside rather than within a settlement boundary, the range of goods sold would be “typical of the type of goods sold in a garden centre and which could be sold elsewhere within the garden centre itself,” adding: “Unlike the recent planning application refused permission it is not intended to sell delicatessen goods, dried food, fruit and vegetables, pet products and gifts.”

It added that a transport statement provided had been reviewed by the Welsh Government, which did not object on highway grounds subject to conditions on any decision notice relating to visibility splays and parking facilities.

The application was conditionally approved.

Business

Tenby Poundland site could become retro gaming lounge

Published

3 days ago

December 12, 2025

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

TENBY’S former Poundland and Royal Playhouse cinema could become a retro computer gaming lounge, plans submitted to the national park hope.

Following a takeover by investment firm Gordon Brothers, Poundland shut 57 stores earlier this year, including Tenby.

Prior to being a Poundland, the site was the Royal Playhouse, which had its final curtain in early 2011 after running for nearly a century.

In an application to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Matthew Mileson of Newport-based MB Games Ltd, seeks permission for a ‘CONTINUE? Retro Gaming Lounge’ sign on the front of the former Gatehouse (Playhouse) Cinema, White Lion Street, most recently used as a Poundland store.

The signage plans form part of a wider scheme for a retro gaming facility at the former cinema site, which has a Grade-II-listed front facade, a supporting statement through agent Asbri Planning Ltd says.

“The subject site is located within the settlement of Tenby along White Lion St. The site was formerly the Gatehouse Cinema and currently operates as a Poundland discount store, which closed on October 18.”

It adds: “This application forms part of a wider scheme for the change of use to the former Gatehouse Cinema. Advertisement consent is sought for a non-illuminated aluminium composite folded panel that will be bolted onto the front façade of the proposed building, in replacement of the existing signage (Poundland).”

It stresses: “It is considered that the proposed advertisement will not have a detrimental impact on the quality of the environment, along with being within a proportionate scale of the building. It is considered that the proposed signage will reflect site function.

“Furthermore, due to the sympathetic scale and design of the sign itself, it is considered that the proposal will not result in any adverse visual amenity impacts.

“The proposal is reduced in sized compared to the existing Poundland advertisement. The sign will not be illuminated. Given the above it is considered that such proportionate signate in association with the proposed retro gaming lounge is acceptable and does not adversely affect visual amenity.”

An application for a retro gaming lounge by MB Games Ltd was recently given the go-ahead in Swansea.