Business

Swansea Bay city deal ‘well on its way’

Published

5 months ago

June 28, 2025

THE SWANSEA Bay city deal is “well on its way” despite having created less than 900 jobs against an initial target of more than 9,000, a committee heard.

Rob Stewart said six projects had been completed – to a value of £210m – by the end of 2024/25 as part of the £1.3bn Swansea Bay city deal, which was signed in 2017.

Cllr Stewart, who chairs the Swansea Bay city region joint committee, told the Senedd’s economy committee a further 19 projects, valued at £761m, are in the pipeline.

The leader of Swansea Council pointed to “significant progress” in moving projects from the feasibility stage to completion, with the 71/72 Kingsway project in Swansea set to open.

He stressed the Swansea deal had very different terms and conditions to the Cardiff capital region city deal, which was agreed with a different UK Government.

Cllr Stewart explained that the nine programmes and 36 projects in Swansea were set out in advance, with all the capital funding committed, in the deal with Theresa May’s government.

“We’re well on our way to delivering,” he told the economy committee, adding that “we did a lot more thinking upfront than perhaps other city deals”.

The Labour politician said 896 jobs have been created so far – against an initial target of 9,700 – and the city deal has leveraged £133m of private-sector investment.

Jon Burnes, portfolio director of the 15-year city deal which is in its ninth year, suggested many more jobs will have been created in the wider supply chain.

Pressed about jobs numbers, Cllr Stewart said councils had to jump through a lot of hoops, which took a long time, and the job creation numbers have started to accelerate. He was hopeful of hitting or even exceeding the 9,700 target.

He added: “Those are just the direct jobs, there is also work going on to identify what we believe are the secondary jobs and consequential jobs… and we expect that to be a multiple of the sort of numbers we’re talking about today.”

Cllr Stewart said the Swansea Arena has welcomed more than 750,000 visitors since opening in 2022, contributing to the local economy.

Giving evidence on June 26, he told the committee that Pembroke Dock infrastructure upgrades and Trinity Saint David’s “innovation matrix” building have been completed.

Cllr Stewart said the Pentre Awel zone one project – a state-of-the-art sports and leisure centre in Carmarthenshire – is “looking fantastic” and due to open this summer. He added that the Bay Technology Centre in Neath Port Talbot is more than 80% occupied.

He told Senedd Members the static nature of the Swansea deal has created challenges, with a pandemic, war in Ukraine and spiralling inflation since it was signed.

Describing the inflexible deal as a “double-edged sword”, he said: “We’ve experienced very high inflation… yet there is no acknowledgement of that in terms of any flexibility of the funding from central or Welsh Government.”

The Labour council leader said he has lobbied the UK Government to get electrification of the main railway line to Swansea back on track but it is not part of the city deal.

“We’ve always felt it unfair that electrification goes to Cardiff then we’re back to diesel trains running to Swansea and the west,” he told the committee. “We hope that, in time, we will get the necessary funding from UK and Welsh Government.”

Asked about investments in the four council areas covered, and suggestions some areas have “sucked in” more, Cllr Stewart said there is a good spread across the region.

He told Senedd Members: “To my mind, as chair of the region, we’ve seen really good delivery across all four local authorities.”

Business

Holiday lets allowed to stay at Narberth dairy farm

Published

17 hours ago

December 5, 2025

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A CALL for a Pembrokeshire dairy farm to keep two “alternative” holiday pods sited without permission as a way of diversifying in an uncertain industry has been given the go-ahead.

In an application recommended for approval at the December meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee, Vaynor Farm Ltd sought retrospective permission for the siting of two self-catering holiday accommodation pods at The Cart House, Vaynor Farm, Bethesda, near Narberth as part of a farm diversification enterprise.

It was before committee members as it was recommended for delegated conditional approval by senior officers despite being against the development plan.

Previous retrospective schemes, for two self-catering pods along with an application to retain a shepherd hut accommodation pod at another farm, a part of the Vaynor Farm farm enterprise, were refused in 2023 and 2025, the latter due to “an unjustified and harmful impact on the character and appearance of the open countryside”.

Detailing the current application, an officer report for members said the pods: Vaynor Farm Pod within the garden of The Cart House, and The Paddock Pod, on the edge of a small paddock, were constructed off-site and have been transported to their current locations, with external decking, hot tubs, a barbecue area and car parking provided for each pod.

It added: “A business plan has been submitted with the application, which explains that due to uncertainties associated with dairy farming, the applicant has sought to diversify the farm enterprise to incorporate tourism accommodation.

“The application makes the case that the proposed development represents farm diversification. It is acknowledged that the development has resulted in the provision of an alternative type of holiday accommodation for which it has been demonstrated there is a demand, contributing to the diversity and quality of accommodation available within the county and supporting an existing farm business, with consequent economic and social benefits.

“Evidence has been provided that demonstrates the extent to which the pods have provided income which has been used to support the farm business.

“However, officers consider that should planning permission be granted, a [planning obligation] will be necessary to ensure that the accommodation pods continue to support the farm business and are not separated from it at some future point in time.”

Delegated conditional approval limiting the use and occupation of the self-catering accommodation pods to short term holiday use only was moved by Cllr Brian Hall and unanimously backed by committee members.

Business

First wind turbine components arrive as LNG project moves ahead

Published

1 day ago

December 4, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THE FIRST ship carrying major components for Dragon LNG’s new onshore wind turbines docked at Pembroke Port last week, marking the start of physical deliveries for the multi-million-pound renewable energy project.

The Maltese-registered general cargo vessel Peak Bergen berthed at Pembroke Dock on Wednesday 26^th November, bringing tower sections and other heavy components for the three Enercon turbines that will eventually stand on land adjacent to the existing gas terminal at Waterston.

A second vessel, the Irish-flagged Wilson Flex IV, has arrived in Pembroke Port today (Thursday) carrying the giant rotor blades.

The deliveries follow a successful trial convoy on 25 November, when police-escorted low-loader trailers carried dummy loads along the planned route from the port through Pembroke, past Waterloo roundabout and up the A477 to the Dragon LNG site.

Dragon LNG’s Community and Social Performance Officer, Lynette Round, confirmed the latest movements in emails to the Herald.

“The Peak Bergen arrived last week with the first components,” she said. “We are expecting another delivery tomorrow (Thursday) onboard the Wilson Flex IV. This will be blades and is currently showing an ETA of approximately 03:30.”

The £14.3 million project, approved by Welsh Ministers last year, will see three turbines with a combined capacity of up to 13.5 MW erected on company-owned land next to the LNG terminal. Once operational – expected in late 2026 – they will generate enough electricity to power the entire site, significantly reducing its carbon footprint.

The Weather conditions were favourable for the arrival of the Wilson Flex IV, which was tracking south of the Smalls at midnight.

The abnormal-load convoys carrying the components from the port to Waterston are expected to begin early next year, subject to final police and highway approvals.

A community benefit fund linked to the project will provide for residents in nearby Waterston, Llanstadwell and Neyland.

Further updates will be issued by Dragon LNG as the Port of Milford Haven as the delivery programme continues.

Photo: Martin Cavaney

Business

Cardiff Airport announces special Air France flights for Six Nations

Published

1 day ago

December 4, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Direct services to Paris-Charles de Gaulle launched to cater for Welsh supporters, French fans and couples planning a Valentine’s getaway

CARDIFF AIRPORT and Air France have unveiled a series of special direct flights between Cardiff (CWL) and Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG) scheduled for February 2026.

Timed to coincide with two major dates — the Wales v France Six Nations clash on Saturday 15 February and Valentine’s weekend — the flights are designed to offer supporters and holidaymakers an easy link between the two capitals.

For travelling French rugby fans, the services provide a straightforward route into Wales ahead of match day at the Principality Stadium, when Cardiff will once again be transformed by the colour, noise and passion that accompanies one of the tournament’s most eagerly awaited fixtures.

For Welsh passengers, the additional flights offer a seamless escape to Paris for Valentine’s Day, as well as opportunities for short breaks and onward travel via Air France’s wider global network.

Cardiff Airport CEO Jon Bridge said: “We’re thrilled to offer direct flights to such a vibrant and exciting city for Valentine’s weekend. Cardiff Airport is expanding its reach and giving customers fantastic travel options. We’ve listened to passenger demand and are delighted to make this opportunity possible. There is more to come from Cardiff.”

Tickets are already on sale via the Air France website and through travel agents.

Special flight schedule

Paris (CDG) → Cardiff (CWL):