A CALL to keep a Pembrokeshire dog training school which has won medals for Wales in international dog agility events has been approved by county planners.

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, Kerry Hunt, through agent GMW Design, sought permission to retain a dog training school at Treforfol, Barham Road, Trecwn.

A supporting statement through Johnston Planning, said: “Valley Dog Training is an award-winning enterprise that has operated from the site since around 2022. The nature of the use is considered to be compatible in policy terms with the host building and appropriate to the wider locality in terms of its wider impact

“The application relates specifically to the large barn with the two smaller structures directly to the east. The main barn houses a dog agility school (Valley Dog Training) and as such is the main focus of the application whilst the two smaller building provide storage facilities in connection with the business.

“Valley Dog Training is run by Harriet Hunt, the applicant’s daughter, who resides at Treforfal. The business which provides dog agility training has run out of the barns for some three years and essentially grew out of a personal pastime pursued by Ms Hunt for over 10 years.”

It added: “The business has proved highly popular and successful. Ms Hunt with her dog Gracie maintains a highly successful competition record having represented Wales and Team GB (both individually and as part of a team) a number of times.

“Amongst their achievements are representing Wales four times at the world agility open championships in the Netherlands whilst in 2022 Harriet and Gracie were awarded the first ever gold medal for Wales when they became world champions in 2022. In July 2025 they will be representing Team GB at the European open championships in Portugal.

“This proposal seeks permission for the retention of an established and successful building which is run out of an existing building in a countryside location.”

The application was conditionally approved by officers under delegated powers.

Amendments to an expansion of a south Pembrokeshire holiday park, previously approved despite an officer recommendation of refusal, have been given the go-ahead.

In an application recommended for approval at the November meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee, Lewis Davies sought permission for amendments for a previously-granted scheme to add 20 lodges at Florence Springs – part of the Heatherton World of Activities complex at St Florence – which included a managers/security dwelling with linked meet and greet office building; the creation of amenity lake, and associated works.

The overall scheme was approved by full council back in late 2021 after committee backing, having been recommended for refusal by officers.

A report for members at the November 2025 meeting said: “The application site includes a proposed manager’s dwelling.  At the time of the site visit, construction had commenced and the block work for the ground floor was largely complete.  Construction work, however, has stopped and there is no current building activity here.

“The proposal is to undertake minor variations to the approved design of the manager’s dwelling, namely raising the eaves and ridge height of the dwelling by 500mm, including an internal/covered balcony to the rear (north-west) elevation and undertaking minor alterations to the fenestration and cladding.”

At the meeting, the applicant said the “slight design changes” were them “just purely trying to make the most of the application previously approved,” a statement of support from local member Cllr Rhys Jordan later describing the applicants as “a well-known family who provide an excellent year-round tourism facility”.

Approval was moved by Cllr Brian Hall, saying: “You only have to pass that place to see how busy it is,” seconded by Cllr Chris Williams.

Approval was backed unanimously by committee members.

Report highlights jobs, training and community support across the country

AMAZON has revealed it has invested more than £2.4 billion in Wales since 2010, according to its latest UK Economic Impact Report published this week.

The figures, drawn from the updated Amazon Economic Impact Hub, show the company’s contribution to jobs, regional growth and community initiatives across Wales and the wider UK over the past fifteen years.

Economic contribution

The report estimates that Amazon’s investment has generated £1.8 billion in goods and services for the Welsh economy since 2010.
During that time, the company has created more than 2,000 full and part-time jobs across Wales and supported hundreds of residents through skills development and apprenticeship programmes.

More than 430 people in Wales have completed Amazon’s career development and training initiatives, and over 90 apprentices have graduated through the company’s apprenticeship programme.

Community engagement

David Marcok of Amazon Swansea said: “Amazon is committed to strengthening the regional economy and supporting the broader Welsh community through strategic investments, employment creation, charitable contributions and community engagement initiatives.

“In 2025 so far, our team has worked closely with organisations such as Save the Children and Wales Air Ambulance through volunteering, product donations and direct financial assistance. We look forward to expanding these efforts further in the months ahead.”

Major UK expansion

Nationally, Amazon recently announced plans to invest £40 billion in the UK between 2025 and 2027. The investment includes the construction of four new fulfilment centres and several delivery stations, as well as upgrades to its existing network of over 100 facilities.

The move will create thousands of new permanent jobs, with most positions based outside London and the South East. These include 2,000 new roles at a state-of-the-art fulfilment centre in Hull and another 2,000 in Northampton.

As one of the UK’s top ten private sector employers, Amazon currently employs more than 75,000 people nationwide, with full-time salaries starting at £28,000 per year (£30,000 in London). The new sites will offer over 60 different job types, including roles for robotics technicians, safety specialists and mechatronic engineers.