Politics

‘End this horrendous cruelty now’: Senedd calls for greyhound racing ban

Published

1 year ago

February 18, 2025

SENEDD Members reiterated cross-party calls for a ban on greyhound racing due to “horrendous cruelty” at the last remaining track in Wales.

Carolyn Thomas told the Senedd the future of greyhound racing has been high on the agenda since a 2022 petition calling for a ban was signed by more than 35,000 people.

Ms Thomas said the Hope Rescue charity founded by Vanessa Waddon, who submitted the petition, has first-hand experience of horrendous cruelty at the Valley Greyhound Stadium.

She warned that dogs have lost their lives and regularly suffered life-changing injuries at the greyhound racing track in Ystrad Mynach.

Ms Thomas said: “Hope Rescue started when Vanessa found Last Hope back in 2004, a greyhound from the Valley track found shot with a captive bolt gun, with its ears hacked off.

“This was so he could not be identified by his tattoos. At the time, his tail was still wagging.”

Ms Thomas, who chairs the Senedd cross-party group on animal welfare as well as the petitions committee, thanked the “Cut the Chase” coalition of campaigning charities.

She pointed out that two-thirds of respondents to a Welsh Government consultation were in favour of a phased or imminent ban on greyhound racing.

Ms Thomas said: “We must not ignore the significant majority of people who acknowledge that the welfare of racing dogs must come before entertainment.”

The former councillor, who represents North Wales, raised concerns about the frequency of race meetings increasing from one to three times a week between 2023 and 2024.

She said: “604 dogs have raced at the track during this period, of those 140 have been involved in incidents and injuries – that’s nearly a quarter of them.”

Leading a debate on February 12, Ms Thomas told the Senedd that 389 dogs involved in racing on British tracks died in 2023, a 44% increase on the previous year.

Warning that rescue centres are struggling, she pointed to statistics showing 2,500 retired dogs were residing in trainers’ kennels while waiting to be rehomed in July 2024.

The Labour politician stressed: “Greyhound racing is a cruel, unsustainable, out-of-date industry which we must resign to the past.”

Urging Welsh ministers to bring in a ban before next year’s election, she said: “The longer we wait to act, the more dogs will be injured or sadly lose their life at the Valleys track.”

She pointed to plans for a ban in New Zealand, where the industry is worth £73m a year and employs 1,000 people, due to injuries and the deaths of dogs.

Jane Dodds with Arthur, her late adopted greyhound

Welsh Lib Dem leader Jane Dodds, whose first rescue greyhound called Arthur died in 2023, said she suffered online abuse following a previous debate on calls for a ban.

“He was only with us for three years because of the injuries and trauma he’d experienced,” she said, adding: “I hope we get this ban because in my head it’ll be Arthur’s law.”

Plaid Cymru’s Luke Fletcher warned it remained unclear whether the Welsh Government would heed calls for a ban following a long consultation process.

The Conservatives’ Altaf Hussain said: “I wholeheartedly agree that we need to end the cruelty that is greyhound racing and we need to end it today.”

Joyce Watson pointed out that the UK is one of only four countries in the world – alongside Australia, Ireland and the US – “refusing” to ban greyhound racing.

Mick Antoniw, a fellow Labour backbencher, said: “The reality of greyhound racing is that the industry cannot exist without systematic animal cruelty.”

Huw Irranca-Davies, the Deputy First Minister who is responsible for animal welfare policy, acknowledged the strength of feeling across the debating chamber or Siambr.

Huw Irranca-Davies, Deputy First Minister and secretary for climate change and rural affairs

He said: “I recognise that this is a complex and emotional issue and I want to ensure ongoing improvement to wellbeing and that’s why I am considering issues around licensing and a ban as part of the consultation.

“Although there are strong feelings on this in the consultation and a high level of support for considering a gradual ban, we also ask for evidence to confirm such views. We have taken time to review this additional evidence.”

Mr Irranca-Davies told Senedd Members that the next steps will be shared in the spring as part of the development of a wider national model for the regulation of animal welfare.

Following the debate, the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB) disputed some Senedd Members’ comments.

Raising 2023 data, which was independently verified by law firm Barnes Roffe, GBGB emphasised that the track fatality rate remained consistent with previous year’s at 0.03%.

A spokesperson said this was half the level in 2018, with 109 greyhounds being put to sleep at licensed stadia on veterinary advice.

They clarified that the figure of 389 greyhounds dying in 2023, which was referenced by Ms Thomas, included those put to sleep on veterinary advice for reasons unrelated to racing.

GBGB criticised the “misleading” depiction of the consultation, pointing out that 40% of responses backing a ban were duplicates from the League Against Cruel Sports.

Addressing claims of cruelty, GBGB said: “Ms Thomas’ only evidence behind this claim was a reference to a welfare incident witnessed by Hope Rescue more than 20 years ago, long before the track was licensed.

“It is wholly inaccurate to suggest this experience in any way reflects the welfare standards in place at the Valley in the present day, especially as it is now a GBGB-regulated track.”

Valley Greyhounds achieved its GBGB licence in 2023 after investing more than £2m in bringing the track up to the regulator’s standards.

The spokesperson said: “This included upgrades to the kennelling facilities, the sight lines at the bends, the track surface and the veterinary facilities at the track.

“The track must also have a veterinary surgeon on site for all racing and trialling who thoroughly checks each greyhound before, during and after each race.”

Community

Coastal path section hit by weekend landslide has now reopened

Published

10 hours ago

July 14, 2026

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A SECTION of a south Pembrokeshire seaside coastal path, closed once again after a landslide at the weekend, has now reopened.

After a landslide on July 12, Dyfed-Powys Police reported delays on the footpath between Coppet Hall and Wiseman’s Bridge, advising people to use alternative routes where possible or allow extra time for their journey.

The section of the south Pembrokeshire beach-side coastal path has been closed several times since late 2023 after it experienced ‘substantial rock falls’.

The footpath was last closed in January 2025, following a number of landslips in the space of one week.

The path, known as the Tramway, which connects Wiseman’s Bridge to Coppet Hall in Saundersfoot is a popular and accessible stretch of the Wales Coast Path.

Following Sunday’s rock fall, Pembrokeshire County Council has said: “The footpath between Coppet Hall and Wiseman’s Bridge has re-opened following a rock fall at the weekend.

“The rock fall has been assessed as localised and from a low level. The path has therefore re-opened and work to remove the fallen material will be carried out in due course.”

The path was previously closed after it experienced ‘substantial rock falls’ in late 2023 and early 2024, with substantial investment made by the council to reopen the route.

In January 2025 a further fall happened towards the western end of the Wisemans Bridge to Coppet Hall cycleway, between the Coppet Hall and Wisemans Bridge tunnels, affecting access between Wisemans Bridge and Coppet Hall beach.

Costs of the works for the multiple incidents had, back in March 2025, amounted to nearly £700,000.

During 2024’s works, local councillor Chris Williams hit out at “selfish” path users putting others at risk by repeatedly cutting open safety barriers and fencing while the repair works were being undertaken.

Education

New classroom for Pembrokeshire Ysgol Brynconin school backed

Published

11 hours ago

July 14, 2026

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A CALL to replace a Pembrokeshire village school classroom that had reached the end of its life with a modern facility has been given the go-ahead by county planners.

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, the local authority itself, through agent Williams-Architects Ltd, sought permission for the erection of a new modular classroom building at the site of Llandissilio’s Ysgol Brynconin Welsh Medium 3-11 school, along with the demolition of the existing modular classroom building.

A supporting statement said: “In addition to the main school building, some classroom and library facilities are located in a prefabricated hut within the school grounds constructed under the historical HORSA programme.

“Despite various upgrades over its lifespan including insulation and new windows, the building is no longer fit for purpose, and a replacement is required to ensure the school can continue to provide its pupils with modern, suitably equipped and compliant facilities that enable high quality education.”

HORSA buildings were originally designed as temporary structures, typically constructed using prefabricated concrete, timber, and steel to facilitate rapid assembly.

Although intended for short-term use, many HORSA buildings have remained in operation for decades. Over time, these structures have surpassed their intended lifespan, leading to significant structural issues, such as weakened frames, deteriorating roofs and external facades.

The statement added: “The primary use of the replacement building will remain as currently; it will include a single classroom alongside a multifunctional space which will be used as a library, staff and group room as required. It will also include an additional toilet, new accessible toilet, a cleaners’ store and formal classroom storage.

“The intention of the proposed building is to replace an existing classroom facility which is no longer fit for purpose, and whilst a simple replacement will significantly improve the day-to-day experience of the staff and pupils who currently use this building.”

An officer report recommending approval said that, while the proposed replacement building would not result in any greater impact on the visual amenity in terms of its design, scale and overall appearance, the proposal includes the demolition of an existing building which could have an impact on the local amenity during the demolition process.

It said that, since local concerns were raised, a Demolition and Construction statement has set out the proposed demolition methodology and construction process, including details of the sequence of works, hours, and anticipated timeframe, and it is considered that the proposed demolition and construction “will have no significant detrimental impact upon the locality amenity”.

The application was conditionally approved.

Back in July 2025, members of the council’s Cabinet backed approval for a new modular building at Ysgol Brynconin, members hearing that “the external structure has rapidly declined, with the render board failing and allowing water ingress into the areas of external wall insulation”.

Business

Former St Davids GP surgery to holiday let and home conversion conditionally approved

Published

11 hours ago

July 14, 2026

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

PLANS to convert a former GP surgery in Pembrokeshire’s only city to a home and to build a holiday let in its grounds have been given the go-ahead by the national park.

In an application to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Alice and Danjal Joensen, through agent Oochitecture, sought permission for a change of use of the ground floor of the former GP surgery, Eryl Mor, 36, New Street, St Davids, merging with an existing first-floor apartment to create a larger single dwelling house, along with the creation of an attached short-term holiday let.

The GP surgery is currently vacant, following its closure in October 2024 after new partners could not be secured.

A supporting statement says, prior to being a GP surgery, the two-storey element was a single dwelling house.

It adds: “The house would consist of an open plan kitchen-living space to the ground floor, along with a study, lounge and utility room. The first floor includes four double bedrooms with ensuite and main bathroom.

“The new unit of accommodation would form a holiday-let with two double bedrooms, shower room, and an open plan kitchen-living space.

“The GP surgery is currently vacant, following its closure in October 2024 after new partners could not be secured, therefore the proposed change of use will provide a viable long-term future use for the property.”

It said minimal external alterations are proposed to the property with existing entrances utilised for both the main house and holiday-let, adding: “The existing concrete ramp to the front elevation will be retained with proposed works including extending the upper level and steps to provide a connection to the front door, allowing for accessible entrance to the property.

“There will be no changes to vehicular or pedestrian access, with the site continuing to be accessed via the existing entrance from New Street. Parking will be provided for the main house and holiday-let on the existing tarmac driveway off New Street.”

An officer report recommending approval said the application included a unilateral undertaking agreement for a contribution towards off-site affordable housing.

Of the loss of the surgery itself, it said: “Given that the loss of the surgery was a high-level decision made by the Health Board, it is not considered that the current proposal would have a detrimental impact upon the community.”

The application was conditionally approved by Park planners, conditions including the affordable housing contribution.