THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE of Cardiff Airport, Spencer Birns, has stepped down from his role, sparking fresh criticism over the Welsh Government’s management of the publicly-owned site.

Mr Birns, who took on the role in 2020 after serving as the airport’s commercial director, has overseen a challenging period marked by the COVID-19 pandemic and a slow recovery in passenger numbers. Despite efforts to revive the airport’s fortunes, services and airline partnerships have struggled to return to pre-pandemic levels.

The airport, which was purchased by the Welsh Government in 2013 for £52 million, has continued to rely on public funding to stay afloat. Passenger numbers remain well below expectations, and several carriers have either scaled back operations or withdrawn entirely.

Reacting to Mr Birns’ resignation, Andrew RT Davies MS, Member of the Senedd for South Wales Central and former Leader of the Welsh Conservatives, said the move amounted to a “vote of no confidence” in the airport’s current ownership and direction.

Mr Davies said: “The chief executive leaving the pitch is a vote of no confidence in Welsh Government’s ownership of Cardiff Airport. Spencer Birns has always done his best at Cardiff Airport, where facilities are second to none, but the lack of direction from Welsh Government has led to a non-return of airlines and a brutal decline in passenger numbers.

“If we’re going to see this key economic asset gain real strength, we need to see a change of ownership, and better direction so talented people like Mr Birns aren’t walking away.”

Cardiff Airport has not yet named a successor or given details on the timeline for Mr Birns’ departure. A spokesperson for the airport said the search for new leadership would begin immediately, and paid tribute to Mr Birns’ service.

The Welsh Government has defended its stewardship of the airport in the past, citing the pandemic’s unprecedented impact on global aviation. However, critics argue that the airport has lacked a coherent long-term strategy and failed to attract sustainable commercial interest.

Mr Birns’ resignation comes at a time when the future of the airport remains under intense scrutiny, with calls growing louder for either privatisation or a new management structure.

A CALL to allow eight workers’ caravans sited without planning permission at Wales’ largest wholesale suppliers of potatoes and seasonal vegetables producers to remain has been approved by Pembrokeshire planners.

In a Certificate of lawful development application before Pembrokeshire County Council, Puffin Produce Ltd sought to retain the eight static staff accommodation caravans at its headquarters on Withybush Road, Haverfordwest; the caravans having been in place for at least a decade.

An application for a certificate of lawful development allows an applicant to keep a development if they can provide proof of occupancy or use over a prolonged period.

A supporting statement through agent Evans Banks Planning Limited said Puffin Produce Ltd “has been in business since the 1970s and is now the largest supplier of Welsh produce in Wales, supplying a wide variety of potatoes and seasonal vegetables to multiple major retailers and wholesalers”.

It added: “During this time, the business has often relied upon the use of employment agencies and overseas workers, with many of these being accommodated in the static caravans at the headquarters site. Therefore, the use of the on-site residential accommodation in the form of the eight static caravans has been critical in the success of the business, both over the last 10 years and moving forward into the future.”

Evidence provided by the applicants, including sworn affidavits by those responsible for maintenance, electrical testing, human resources, and a former occupant, stated the caravans had been on-site for more than 10 years; the applicant seeking “to regularise the situation”.

It added: “Post-Brexit the company has moved towards ‘Proforce’ agency and ‘RE Recruitment’, with all agency staff recruited on fixed term contracts with their right to work varying between seasonal workers or settle/pre-settled status, with on-site accommodation then provided.”

It finished by saying four of the caravans had been on-site back in 2013, with the remainder added to over time up to January 2015, confirming “that there have been eight static caravans present on site for an uninterrupted period of over 10 years”.

The certificate of lawful development was approved by county planning officers.

PLANS to turn a former school building to a motorcycle showroom have been submitted to Pembrokeshire County Council.

An application by Noel Davies of Merlin Autos Wales Ltd seeks to change the use of the former Castle School Building, Snowdrop Lane, Haverfordwest to the showroom, which also includes an ancillary on-site café.

The site is currently vacant, having previously been used for cookery and teaching provision for the former independent Castle School, the use finishing last year; prior to that it was occupied by RAOB Lodge/Snowdrop Bar.

A supporting statement through agent Ian Bartlett Planning and Architectural Services says: “The submitted scheme is required to relocate to sustain the viability of the existing business operation Merlin Motorcycles currently located in the Prendergast area of Haverfordwest.

“Merlin Motorcycles, a subsidiary of Merlin Auto Services, was established in March 2016 to cater to the local motorcycle community in Pembrokeshire. Merlin Motorcycles operates from a former car showroom in Prendergast, Haverfordwest, with a floor area of only 122 square metres.

“Since its inception, the company has experienced steady growth and has outgrown its current premises. Recently, the installation of double yellow lines on the highway outside the Prendergast site has posed challenges in terms of parking and customer accessibility. The lack of space in the current location, limits the amount of stock that can be displayed and stored on site.”

It adds: “Merlin Motorcycles has diligently searched for suitable premises within Haverfordwest but to date has been unsuccessful. Given the nature of motorcycle sales, the enterprise requires a level vehicular double-door access that is not readily available to any existing vacant retail premises in Haverfordwest.

“It is expected that the relocation of the business to a larger premises would facilitate the requirement for an increase in staff members to meet the demands of the business and to provide high levels of customer service.

“The site also provides the opportunity to offer an ancillary on-site café serving hot and cold beverages, cakes and light lunches. It is not proposed to offer hot food, and the café would not operate independently from the retail sales aspect of the enterprise, providing a service primarily to customers visiting for motorcycle sales.

“As motorcycle lifestyle brands increasingly leverage their physical retail spaces to incorporate in-store cafes, this move aligns with the evolving trends in the industry and offers opportunities for community engagement.”

The proposal will be considered by county planners at a later date.