News

Broke local authority drops legal action against Withyhedge Landfill

Published

1 year ago

February 11, 2025

Decision made due to financial constraints

CASH-STRAPPED Pembrokeshire County Council has announced it will not proceed with legal action against the operators of Withyhedge Landfill, citing financial considerations.

In October last year, the council sought an interim injunction against Resource Management Ltd (RML), the company managing the site, following months of complaints from residents about foul odours and potentially harmful gases. The case was presented before a circuit judge, who acknowledged the landfill was causing a nuisance but ruled that the council had taken the incorrect legal approach by failing to first serve a notice under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

Despite legal counsel recommending an appeal, the council has opted against further legal proceedings due to the associated costs and what it describes as a “marked improvement” in conditions at the site.

A spokesperson for Pembrokeshire County Council said: “While we strongly believe that the court’s decision was wrong, the authority is in a difficult position when considering the costs of appealing and the financial outlays already incurred. This includes independent air quality monitoring and the significant officer time spent addressing this issue.”

The council also stated that its legal efforts had influenced the pace of remedial work undertaken by RML, which had been issued enforcement notices by Natural Resources Wales (NRW) to address the odour concerns.

Local campaigners ‘extremely disappointed’

Residents have expressed frustration at the council’s decision, with Colin Barnett, of the campaign group Stop The Stink, describing it as “extremely disappointing.”

“There’s been no attempt to put any sanction on this company whatsoever,” said Mr Barnett. “Now they’ve [the council] dumped it and left us high and dry. Our only future route is to take legal action ourselves against the company and possibly against public services for failing to protect our statutory rights.”

The campaign group is now considering launching its own legal challenge against RML and local authorities.

The Withyhedge Landfill site, located near Haverfordwest, has long been a source of controversy, with residents likening the odours to a “stink bomb on steroids.” The council maintains that the situation has significantly improved following enforcement action by NRW, but local campaigners remain unconvinced and are calling for stricter accountability measures.

Crime

Broad Haven man remanded in custody over sexual harm prevention order breach

Published

19 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Court Reporter

Defendant admitted using Xbox without informing police as required under court order

ANTHONY COOMBES, aged 26, of Sand Banks, Broad Haven, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Mar 20) charged with breaching a sexual harm prevention order.

The court heard that between February 26 and March 19, 2026, at Haverfordwest, Coombes repeatedly breached the order by using an Xbox device without informing police within three days, as required.

The offences relate to a sexual harm prevention order imposed at Swansea Crown Court on October 20, 2021.

Coombes indicated guilty pleas to the offences at the first hearing.

Magistrates committed the case to Swansea Crown Court for sentence.

He was remanded in custody ahead of the next hearing, which is due to take place at 9:00am on Friday, April 3, at Swansea Crown Court.

The court refused bail on the grounds that he was likely to offend, citing the nature and seriousness of the offences and his previous record and character.

A pre-sentence report was ordered.

News

Man arrested after suspected drugs-related death in Haverfordwest

Published

19 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Police say death not suspicious as 46-year-old arrested over alleged Class A drug supply

A MAN has died following a medical emergency at a property in Haverfordwest, police have confirmed.

Emergency services were called at 3:18pm on Wednesday (March 18) after a report of a medical incident.

A man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the man’s next of kin have been informed and are being supported by officers.

The death is not being treated as suspicious at this time.

However, police confirmed that a man, aged 46, was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.

He has since been released under investigation while enquiries continue.

No further details about the deceased have been formally released.

Crime

Illegal dog breeders ordered to pay over £129,000 after council probe

Published

20 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

FOUR people from Mynyddygarreg, Kidwelly, have been ordered to pay more than £129,000 following a successful prosecution for illegal dog breeding.

At Swansea Crown Court on Tuesday (Mar 10), before His Honour Judge Thomas KC, Stacey May June Edwards, Peter John Edwards, Sian Eleri Thomas and David Malcolm James Thomas, all of Sea Breeze, Mynyddygarreg, pleaded guilty to offences under the Breeding of Dogs (Wales) Regulations 2014.

The court imposed confiscation orders totalling £129,873.41 under the Proceeds of Crime Act across the four defendants. They were also ordered to pay £8,000 in costs, while each defendant received a £2,000 fine.

The investigation began in April 2021 after Carmarthenshire County Council’s Animal Health team received an enquiry from Peter Edwards about obtaining a dog breeding licence. Although licensing guidance was provided and a partial application was submitted in February 2022, this was later withdrawn.

In March 2024, the council received a complaint that puppies were being advertised for sale without the required licence. Officers subsequently contacted online advertising platforms and issued data requests to assess the scale of activity.

Analysis of records from Pets4Homes, Freeads and Gumtree revealed multiple litters being advertised by members of the same household.

Correspondence under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act confirmed that up to 25 dogs were kept at the property, including between 16 and 19 breeding females.

While some defendants claimed joint ownership of the dogs, others attempted to minimise their involvement.

The Herald understands that numerous puppy advertisements were posted between July 2020 and April 2025, demonstrating a sustained pattern of unlicensed breeding.

Carmarthenshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Decarbonisation and Sustainability, Cllr Aled Vaughan Owen, said: “This case demonstrates the council’s firm stance against unlicensed and illegal dog breeding.

“These regulations are in place to protect animal welfare and ensure that breeding activities are subject to proper oversight. The scale of activity uncovered at this property was entirely unacceptable, and we welcome the court’s decision to issue significant confiscation orders under POCA.”

He added: “We urge anyone with concerns about illegal dog breeding to report it. Our Animal Health officers will continue to investigate thoroughly and take action against those who disregard the law.”

Residents are reminded that anyone breeding and selling dogs must comply with licensing regulations designed to protect both animal welfare and consumers.