News

New project to create saltmarsh habitat

Published

10 years ago

December 30, 2014

nrw-522117284 NATURAL RESOURCES WALES and the National Trust have begun working on an ambitious project to create a saltmarsh at Cwm Ivy that will provide a new habitat for wildlife.

The project, the first of its kind in Wales, will look at how best to recreate 39 hectares (almost 100 acres) of intertidal saltmarsh habitat which will provide a sustainable habitat for birds and wildlife. It will also secure compensatory habitat for future coastal fl ood defence works across the Carmarthen Bay Special Area of Conservation (SAC).

Philll Pickersgill, Area Flood & Coastal Risk Manager for Natural Resources Wales said, “Some forms of sea defences can have a negative impact on the coastal environment by causing loss or deterioration of natural habitats. When this happens, we will always replace or enhance them through our Habitat Creation Programme.

“The new intertidal habitats at Cwm Ivy will provide important new feeding and resting sites for birds and other wildlife. It will also ensure that the special wildlife value and ecosystems of the Burry Inlet and Carmarthen Bay will be protected long into the future. “It will also allow us to carry out any new coastal protection schemes across the Carmarthen Bay SAC in the knowledge that any unavoidable damage to the natural environment will be compensated for by the new habitats being created.”

Alan Kearsley Evans, National Trust, Gower Coast and Countryside said told The Herald: “During the past winter the exceptional rainfall combined with high tides and storm surges caused signifi cant damage to the sea wall at Cwm Ivy. The wall thought to have medieval origins was built to keep the sea from the land so that it could be farmed with livestock. “However, as sea levels rise and with more winter storms it became increasingly evident that this wall was not a sustainable defence. Working in line with the National Trust’s ‘Shifting Shores adapting to change’ report we are looking at adapting to change and the long term future by working with natural processes.

“We are therefore pleased to be working with Natural Resources Wales helping with their goal of providing compensatory habitats while returning these fi elds back to its natural state of saltmarsh. While doing so we’ll also be working closely with Swansea City Council and the local community to maintain and enhance public access to Cwm Ivy.”

Crime

Lamphey man stole £1,300 from train passengers’ bags

Published

23 mins ago

November 27, 2024

Sarah-Jane Absalom

A LAMPHEY man has been sentenced for stealing £1,300 in cash and bank cards from passengers’ bags on the Tenby-Pembroke Dock train.

The court heard that on August 11, Luke Brummit, 46, removed two rucksacks from the luggage rack and searched them.

“The defendant took the bags into another carriage, searched them, and removed a purse and wallet before leaving the bags beneath the seat,” Crown Prosecutor Derek Davies told magistrates.

Brummit also admitted stealing £86.06 worth of items, including two legs of lamb and bottles of beer, from Sainsbury’s in Tenby on September 19.

Defence solicitor Tom Lloyd said Brummit has since taken steps to address his behaviour: “He’s doing better than he’s ever done and is working to improve his conduct.”

Magistrates imposed an 18-month community order, including 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days and a 120-day alcohol monitoring programme. Brummit must pay £1,300 compensation to the victim, £86.06 to Sainsbury’s, a £114 court surcharge, and £85 in costs.

Crime

Ex-refinery worker sentenced for harassment and stalking in Milford Haven

Published

24 mins ago

November 27, 2024

Sarah-Jane Absalom

A FORMER refinery worker has been sentenced after harassing his ex-partner by dumping rubbish in her garden and shouting through her letterbox.

Haverfordwest magistrates heard that on June 14, at around 6:20am, Kyle Allerton, 29, arrived at Leah Jenkins’ property in Milford Haven after attempting to call and text her earlier that morning.

“He rang her at around 6:00am, then turned up at her property at 6:22am,” Crown Prosecutor Derek Davies said.

“He shouted through the letterbox, demanding she come to the door or window to talk to him. He then emptied bins over her garden before driving off in a white van.”

Jenkins said in her victim impact statement: “I feel harassed by his actions and worried about what he might have done.”

Probation officer Courtney Colman explained that Allerton had struggled to cope with the end of their seven-year relationship, turning to alcohol as a coping mechanism.

“He was drinking up to ten cans a day, which contributed to his losing his job at the refinery,” she said.

Allerton pleaded guilty to harassment. Magistrates imposed a 12-month community order, including 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 10 hours of unpaid work. He must pay a £114 court surcharge and £85 in costs.

Crime

Goodwick driver fined for crashing into van and outbuilding

Published

25 mins ago

November 27, 2024

Sarah-Jane Absalom

A 21-YEAR-OLD motorist has been sentenced for driving on a Pembrokeshire B road and colliding with a parked van and an outbuilding.

Luke Harvey was driving a blue Ford Fiesta along the B4313 at Llanychaer, near Fishguard, at around 11:30pm on May 16, with a male passenger in the car.

“A call was made to the police, reporting that he had hit a van as well as an outbuilding,” Crown Prosecutor Derek Davies told magistrates.

“The people living at the property advised him to stay at the scene, but he insisted on going home. He managed to free his vehicle and drove off towards Fishguard.”

Police traced the car to an address in Fishguard and located Harvey. He pleaded guilty to failing to stop after an accident, using a vehicle without third-party insurance, and driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.

Magistrates fined Harvey £120 and ordered him to pay £85 in costs and a £48 surcharge. His licence was endorsed with eight penalty points.