A NEW report from The Crown Estate highlights the latest advances in environmental monitoring for tidal stream energy, drawing on data and gathered by the Anglesey-based Marine Characterisation Research Programme (MCRP). The report explores how the tidal stream energy sector is improving its understanding of the potential environmental impacts of devices such as turbines, with a focus on how they interact with marine wildlife, including movement patterns and habitat use.

The report brings together data from across the UK, including a major contribution from the MCRP, which was developed alongside the Morlais tidal energy scheme in north Wales. It covers key areas such as collision risk, displacement of species and the range of monitoring tools being used at tidal sites — helping to support future development.

Helen Roberts, Project Lead at MCRP, said: “It’s great to see the work we’ve led in Wales helping to inform thinking at a UK level. The MCRP has brought together industry, researchers and regulators to build a clearer picture of how tidal stream devices interact with the environment – and this report reflects that collaborative effort.”

The MCRP is part of social enterprise Menter Môn’s energy project portfolio and is funded by the Crown Estate and Nuclear Decommissioning Agency. It was established to support the safe deployment of tidal energy devices off the coast of Holyhead as part of the Morlais scheme.

Looking ahead, the findings in the report will help shape how data is shared and transferred across the tidal energy sector, making better use of existing evidence, cutting duplication and promoting progress within the sector.

Read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/eKXa5Yku

A Pembrokeshire community pub, recently hailed as one of the most friendly in Britain, has been given the go-ahead to install solar panels by county planners.

The White Hart Inn in St Dogmaels was ranked second friendliest pub in the UK in a study by security experts Get Licensed, which looked at Tripadvisor reviews and median crime scores around each pub to find the friendliest in the UK.

The 250-year-old White Hart, on Finch Street, reopened as a community pub in 2021 following a campaign after it closed in May 2019 when the last landlords decided to refocus to other activities.

The White Hart Community Inn Ltd was formed as a Community Benefit Society and a community share offer launched with the guidance of the Wales Co-operative Centre.

Two years of fund-raising and campaigning has seen enough money raised through individual community shares purchases together with financial support from the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government via the Social Business Growth Fund administered by Social Investment Cymru at WCVA, alongside a grant from Pembrokeshire County Council.

An application was recently submitted to Pembrokeshire County council by White Hart Community Inn (St Dogmaels) Ltd to install solar panels at the historic pub.

The proposals were supported by St Dogmaels Community Council, which said it “fully supports the application for the installation of photovoltaic panels”.

A statement in support of the scheme added: “[The community council]  acknowledges the importance of sustainable energy solutions and believes that this project aligns with a commitment to environmental responsibility and reducing carbon emissions within the community.

“It believes that the benefits to the local business, the environment, and the wider community, in the retention of this business, far outweigh any potential drawbacks. It urges the planning authority to approve this application, with any necessary conditions to ensure the character of the Conservation Area is respected.”

The application was conditionally approved by planners.

Receiving the recent Get Licensed award, the White Hart Inn received a top score of five on Tripadvisor, and 66.67 per cent of its reviews highlighted the pub’s ‘friendly’ and ‘welcoming’ atmosphere.

The local area also has a low crime rate, with a median score of 609 out of 1,000.

A total of 39 crimes were reported in 2024.

A CALL to replace a Pembrokeshire community wind turbine which has raised more than £76,000 for local groups with a larger one has been backed once again despite a second recommendation to refuse.

In an application before Pembrokeshire County Council’s March planning committee meeting, Abergwaun Community Turbine Ltd, through agent Machynlleth-based Dulas Ltd sought permission for a larger turbine to replace the existing Abergwaun Community Turbine.

The proposed turbine, in a pasture field at Trebover Farm, to the south of Fishguard, would be 67m tall, the existing 2015 one – granted on appeal – being 45 metres.

In supporting statements, parent company Transition Bro Gwaun said: “The Community Climate Fund (CCF) is the mechanism by which Transition Bro Gwaun (TBG) is fulfilling our ambition of funding projects in Fishguard, Goodwick and across North Pembrokeshire, using income from the community wind turbine.

“The core themes for grants are climate change mitigation and adaptation, enhancement of biodiversity and improvements to community resilience through promotion of community engagement and resource sharing.”

Profit generated by sale of electricity from the turbine is split 50:50 between TBG and Parcy-Morfa Farms Ltd through the jointly-owned trading arm, Abergwaun Community Turbine, with community grants awarded through TBG’s Community Climate Fund, amounting to £76,036 to date.

2024 awards of £20,917 were made to six projects, including Theatr Gwaun, Parc Cerrig Growers, Caerhys Organic Community Agriculture, and Nevern Valley Veg.

The scheme was recommended for refusal on the grounds including “significant detrimental visual impact” on the area, “including areas of high sensitivity in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park and in Fishguard,” on the Conservation Areas of Goodwick, Fishguard and Lower Town, Fishguard.

The scheme had previously been ‘minded to’ backed at the January planning committee, against officer recommendations for refusal, meaning it returned to a later committee for ratification after a ‘cooling-off’ period, this time the March meeting.

At the March meeting, members heard previous concerns by the nearby national park were no longer being made, with Andy Anderson of Scleddau Community Council speaking in favour of both the local community benefits – including funding for solar panels on the local football club – and the community being “well used” to the existing turbine.

Agent Paul Cowley said part of the application for the larger turbine was the existing machine showing signs of gearbox wear, and the proposal helping the county meet its ‘net zero’ green energy target.

Moving approval, Cllr John T Davies said it was “significant” the national park was no longer raising concerns, attempting to allay noise concerns made at the meeting by local resident Neil Morris, by saying larger turbines were less of a concern as they rotated less.

A voice of concern, however, was Cllr Brian Hall, who suggested turbines in his own ward had affected property values by as much as £100,000.

The application to approve, against officer recommendations, was passed by 10 votes to three, with one abstention.