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Welsh mobile blackspots ‘could worsen’ under Labour expansion plan

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Landowners warn of walking away from hosting masts

WALES could face even deeper mobile connectivity problems as the UK Government pushes ahead with plans to expand a controversial policy that has already slowed 5G rollout.

Reforms to the Electronic Communications Code in 2017 gave mobile operators sweeping powers to slash rents paid to landowners – often farmers, small businesses, councils and NHS trusts – by up to 90%.

Instead of accelerating investment, the changes triggered more than 1,000 legal disputes compared with just 33 in the three decades before. Many landowners say they have lost trust in the system and are considering withdrawing from hosting masts altogether.

Wales lags behind

Ofcom data shows Wales is already struggling, with more than 600 premises in Ceredigion still receiving download speeds below 10Mbps. Internationally, the UK ranks near the bottom of Europe for 5G availability, at 45% compared with over 80% in Denmark.

Despite this, Labour MP Chris Bryant – now Minister for Telecoms – is pressing ahead with plans to extend the system to 15,000 more sites across England, Wales and Northern Ireland under Part 2 of the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act. A decision is expected within weeks.

Landowners threaten to quit

A recent survey of over 500 site providers found that 35% are considering walking away from hosting masts if the expansion goes ahead. Respondents cited rent cuts of up to 90%, mounting legal disputes with operators, and what they described as a collapse in trust.

The Country Land and Business Association (CLA), which represents thousands of Welsh landowners, has warned of serious consequences.

Its President, Victoria Vyvyan, said: “Many landowners who host mobile phone masts and support vital infrastructure don’t want to pull out of their agreements, but feel like they have little choice.

“Some landowners have endured 90% rent cuts and hostile relationships, so it’s unsurprising that so few want to continue to host masts. As this survey shows, the behaviour of the mast operators has put the UK’s 5G rollout under threat and jeopardised the Treasury’s wider ambitions for economic growth and connectivity.”

Political warnings

Even Labour’s own Lucy Powell admitted in 2022 that the reforms risked slowing down, rather than speeding up, the rollout.

Unless ministers change course, industry groups warn Wales could face more rural blackspots, slower speeds, and an even wider digital divide compared with international rivals.

 

Business

Bowls club in battle with council over signs put up without permission

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A PEMBROKESHIRE town’s bowls club has called on planners to let it keep advertising signs for local businesses erected without permission, which help support its operations.

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, Fishguard & Goodwick Bowls Club, Wern Road, Goodwick seeks retrospective permission for up to 36 signs on land close to the town’s Pheonix Centre.

The signs had been in place for some 18 months, being removed ahead of a formal planning application.

A supporting statement accompanying the application says: “This application seeks retrospective consent for the display of up to 36 non-illuminated, single-sided advertisement panels mounted to an existing timber boundary fence.

It said the advertisements are modest in scale, facing an existing large car park rather than nearby residential properties and does not project over any public highway or footpath.

It added: “The advertisement signs have been temporarily removed while planning permission is sought. The advertisements and fence had been in place for approximately 18 months prior to their temporary removal, during which time no complaints were received.

“The total number of advertisements has been consciously limited, and not all fence bays display signage, ensuring that the proposal does not result in harm to visual amenity or public safety.

“The income generated from the advertisements provides an important source of revenue for the Fishguard and Goodwick Bowls Club, supporting the ongoing operation and maintenance of local community sporting facilities.

“The advertising panels also offer local businesses an affordable and accessible means of promotion within the community.”

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

 

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Business

Tenby sandwich shop owner Ruby’s celebrates planning victory

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A SANDWICH shop owner who successfully challenged a national park refusal of plans for a takeaway food kiosk in Tenby’s seaside harbour, has spoken of her excitement at now being able to move forward.

At the March 2025 development management committee, Ruby Goodrick was refused permission from Pembrokeshire Coast National Park planners to turn the old RNLI lifeboat store, Penniless Cove, Tenby Harbour, into a takeaway cold food outlet, open 10am-10pm seven days a week.

The application came before committee members rather than an officer decision as Tenby Town Council objected, and was recommended for approval despite being a departure from the adopted development plan.

Since then, Ruby lodged a successful appeal with Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW), the Inspector’s report, granting permission, focussing on “whether the development would be an appropriate use within this location, the impact on the character and appearance of the area, and whether it would affect Tenby Conservation Area”.

It said that, although the site was just outside the town centre “I consider that a small scale cold food takeaway outlet in this location would not undermine the town centre of Tenby or its retail function and would not have any impact on its future viability and vitality,” adding: “To the contrary, the development would complement the role of the town centre by contributing to having a mix of uses within this edge of centre location, which is encouraged within Future Wales.”

Following her successful appeal, Ruby, who relatively recently reopened her mum’s old sandwich shop in the town’s South Parade said: “It’s been a long journey over the past three years, with plenty of ups and downs, so I’m really pleased and relieved that the appeal was successful in the end.

“As someone who is local to Tenby, it means so much to me to have reopened my mum’s old sandwich shop, Trulys Sandwich Shop, on South Parade seven months ago. To now have the opportunity to open another shop at Tenby Harbour is something I’m incredibly proud of.

“I’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who has sent messages of support and encouragement along the way — it’s meant a lot to me and my family.

“I’m really excited to move forward with the new takeaway at Tenby Harbour and look forward to serving both locals and visitors and bringing something new to the harbour.”

 

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Business

Pembrokeshire’s Nia shortlisted for Women in Insurance Awards

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THREE members of staff at FUW Insurance Services have been shortlisted for the prestigious Women in Insurance Awards 2026.

Among them is Pembrokeshire’s Nia Evans, who has been named as a finalist in the Young Insurance Woman of the Year category for small to medium firms.

The awards celebrate the achievements of women across the insurance industry, recognising excellence at all levels and highlighting organisations working to improve diversity and inclusion.

Winners will be announced at a ceremony in London on October 13, 2026.

Nia joined FUW Insurance Services in August 2022 as an account handler and has since gained experience across several portfolios, including Gwent, Glamorgan and Pembrokeshire.

She has completed her Cert CII qualification and was selected as part of the first cohort at the FUW Insurance Services Academy in 2025.

Her nomination recognises her strong professional development, growing expertise and early impact within the business.

Meleri James has also been shortlisted for Claims Professional of the Year. She joined FUW Insurance Services in 2021 as an insurance claims handler before becoming Deputy Claims Manager in 2023.

A Dip CII Level 4 qualified professional, she was appointed Claims Manager in autumn 2025.

Karen Royles has been shortlisted for Insurance Woman of the Year in the small to medium firms category.

She joined the company in November 2015 on a six-month maternity cover contract and has since progressed through roles including Administration Manager and Group Operations Manager.

In 2025, she became the company’s first female director when she was appointed Operations Director.

FUW Insurance Services Ltd Chair, Ann Beynon OBE said: “On behalf of everyone at FUW Insurance Services, we’re thrilled that Nia, Meleri, and Karen have been recognised in the prestigious Women in Insurance Awards.

“Their nominations reflect not only their talent and hard work, but also the progress we’ve made as a business in supporting and developing our female staff within the business.

“The awards are an important way to celebrate the achievements of women in our industry and to promote diversity and inclusion.

“We are proud to support that, and even prouder to see our colleagues being recognised in this way. We wish them the very best of luck.”

 

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