News

Derelict farm building set to become home for ill pensioners

Published

1 year ago

February 25, 2025

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

PLANS to convert a redundant 19th century north Pembrokeshire farm building to a three-bedroom home to provide improved accommodation for two pensioners with serious health conditions have been approved.

In an application before Pembrokeshire County Council planners, Tom Scanlon of Nantybwlch, Hermon, near Glogue, sought permission to concert the redundant outbuilding on site, the building last used in 2022.

Nantybwlch, a smallholding of eight acres with a farmhouse and large steel building and small stable enclosure, is located off the main Crymych to Hermon Road via a long driveway.

Nantybwlch is first identified on the tithe map dated 1844 as a house owned by Dan Evans and occupied by Walter Hannah. The farmstead then appears clearer on the 1st edition OS map dated 1888, reports for planners said.

In a statement calling for approval of the scheme, Mr Scanlon said: “Our reasons for wanting to convert the building is mainly as follows:- We have lived at Nantybwlch for 35 years. We are both pensioners with serious health conditions. As such at some point in the future we may need a carer to reside with or near us so the extra accommodation would be essential.

“Also, our present accommodation has no bathroom upstairs and the stairs is proving very difficult and dangerous for both of us. Looking forward, the proposed building proposal will have all the amenities on the ground floor which will be vital for us in the near future.”

An officer report recommending approval said: “It is considered that the proposal demonstrates that a residential use could be accommodated within the existing building without extensive alteration, expansion or rebuilding of the building that would affect the character of the area or its setting.

“There is external amenity spaces proposed, it is considered that this would not harm the landscaping setting or the character of the building.”

It added: “In terms of design, the plans were amended during the course of the application to overcome concerns that the proposal would negatively impact the agricultural character of the building. It is considered with the amendments to the design and use of external material finishes, that the proposal would ensure that the renovations and conversion works would largely retain the existing appearance and character of the outbuilding and pay due regard to the protection of the agricultural character of the historic outbuilding.”

The application was conditionally approved.

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.