News

Festival organisers warn of exodus over camping restrictions

Published

10 months ago

February 11, 2025

FESTIVAL organisers in Pembrokeshire have warned they could be forced to move their events to England in 2026 due to new rules restricting temporary campsites.

The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority has backed plans to require landowners to apply for planning permission for pop-up campsites, which can currently operate for up to 28 days a year without formal approval.

Festival faces uncertain future

Amber Lort-Phillips, organiser of The Big Retreat wellbeing festival in Lawrenny, said the new rules threaten the event, which brings an estimated £1 million to the local economy.

“It’s essential. We couldn’t run without our permitted development because it’s how we run our campsite,” she said.

“The impact is we might have to move it. It’s our home for The Big Retreat and it’s not fair. We are potentially having to look at other sites and move the festival outside of Wales.”

She criticised the National Park Authority’s approach, claiming there was “no real evidence” for imposing blanket restrictions and no guarantee that temporary sites would be granted planning permission.

***Amber Lort-Phillips, organiser of The Big Retreat***

Park Authority defends move

The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park is the only national park in Wales seeking to impose stricter campsite controls, with Snowdonia and the Brecon Beacons making no changes to the 28-day rule.

The Authority insists the changes will “create a level playing field” between pop-up and permanent sites, arguing that unregulated camping is causing environmental harm and enforcement challenges.

Chief executive Tegryn Jones said temporary campsites accounted for 12% of the Authority’s enforcement workload and had led to a “stream of complaints.”

“There is currently no control over temporary campsites,” he said. “We are seeking to take a small measure to even the playing field.”

Concerns over consultation

However, critics argue that the consultation process was inadequate. The Authority received 120 responses, equivalent to just 0.5% of the National Park’s 23,000-strong population.

Dai Williams, who has operated Clifftops Camping near Druidston since 2021, said the new restrictions could “shut down” businesses.

“These plans are a knee-jerk reaction to the post-Covid surge in visitors,” he said. “We provide extra income for farmers and accommodation for tourists, but the Park Authority seems intent on making it impossible.”

Music festival also at risk

Joe Worley, organiser of Westival, a music festival in Manorbier that attracts 2,500 visitors each year, said he had not been directly consulted and was shocked by the plans.

“The [2026] event wouldn’t be able to go ahead without the campsite,” he said. “If we couldn’t get planning permission for that particular field, we’d have to find a new site. It feels quite damaging to a lot of businesses.”

The measures have won support from Ben Carden of the Woodlands Champions Club, which runs 16 sites in Pembrokeshire.

“Quite often, there are serious implications with pop-up campsites,” he said. “There can be noise nuisance for local residents. I attended one pop-up campsite that had over 200 pitches with just three toilets and one washbasin. There needs to be a standard of camping.”

Next steps

A further consultation will run until 21 February, with a final decision expected in the spring. If approved, the restrictions will come into force on 1 January 2026.

With festival organisers warning they may be forced to leave Wales, the debate over the future of pop-up campsites looks set to continue.

Crime

Man charged with strangulation and assault offences after October incident

Published

11 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

11 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

11 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.