Politics

Welsh Government urged to act on ‘fleecehold scandal’

Published

6 months ago

September 19, 2025

SENEDD Members called for meaningful reform of the “wild west” of estate management charges in memory of Labour politician Hefin David, who championed the cause.

Carolyn Thomas led a debate in the Senedd on a petition calling for the Welsh Government to commit to adopting the maintenance of new housing estates by councils.

The petitions committee chair paid tribute to her Labour colleague Hefin David, who was instrumental in highlighting the issue in the Welsh Parliament for nearly a decade.

Dr David, who died suddenly last month, pressed the Welsh and UK Governments to protect leaseholders against “huge annual fees” charged by estate management companies.

In June, he warned people living on the Cwm Calon estate in Ystrad Mynach had just had their third increase in as many years.

Senedd Members from across the political divide paid tribute to Dr David for his tireless campaigning on the issue during a debate on September 17.

Caerphilly's Labour MS Hefin David — Hefin David speaking in the Senedd

Ms Thomas recalled the committee’s visit to the estate, organised by the late Caerphilly Senedd Member to highlight home owners’ understandable frustrations.

She said: “It is fitting that work continues to pursue the regulatory changes that Hefin called for with such passion and energy on behalf of his constituents.”

The north Walian told the Senedd that Dr David was practical in his approach but typically candid about the problems of a poorly regulated sector, describing it as the “wild west”.

Ms Thomas highlighted the plight of residents who submitted the petition after being hit with bills for maintenance of a park bordering The Mill estate in Canton, Cardiff.

Conservative Joel James fully supported the recommendations of the committee’s report.

The former councillor told the chamber or Siambr: “It seems that these companies have the right to charge almost any amount for the work that they do.”

Mr James warned home owners often find themselves paying “way over the odds”, with little recourse to challenge costs under lengthy contracts.

Rhys ab Owen, who sits as an independent, said: “This morning, whilst I was taking my daughter to school, I walked past The Mill. But, before I walked past The Mill, I walked past Lansdowne Gardens, another fairly new development.

“One – Lansdowne Gardens – has been adopted; the other, The Mill, has not. Residents have no idea why this is the case: why down the road somebody has to pay for their road and for the pavement but somewhere else they don’t.”

Mr ab Owen told Senedd Members he received an email only last week from a constituent trapped in such a development who was feeling suicidal.

Plaid Cymru’s Siân Gwenllian similarly expressed concerns about management companies “lining their own pockets”, pointing to the example of the Gwêl y Llan estate in Caernarfon.

She said: “Residents in Caernarfon and across Wales deserve fairness rather than a lack of communication and increasing fees for services that they don’t receive.”

“This is a devolved matter,” Ms Gwenllian stressed. “And it’s our duty to act but once again it seems that the Welsh Government is going to wait and see what comes from Westminster.”

Plaid Cymru MS Sian Gwenllian — Plaid Cymru MS Siân Gwenllian

Labour backbencher Alun Davies broadly agreed: “It is simply not fair on people to be placed in this situation then for ministers and for governments to stand back and simply say, ‘It’s too difficult for us to solve, so we won’t even try.’”

Raising the example of the Cae Ffwrnais estate in Ebbw Vale, the former minister called for a law to protect people and hold big businesses to account.

Similarly, his colleague Mike Hedges argued Wales desperately needs housing legislation.

Jayne Bryant, Wales’ housing secretary, accepted four of the committee’s recommendations but rejected calls for financial support to retrospectively adopt privately managed estates.

She said her officials are working closely with counterparts in Westminster on implementing the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act, which was passed by the Conservatives in 2024.

Ms Bryant told the Senedd the Labour UK Government has committed to further action.

A housing estate bill – introduced by Alistair Strathern, a backbench Labour MP – is currently in the early stages of making its way through the House of Commons.

Business

Rosemarket Dawn Till Dusk golf club 18-hole plans lodged

Published

5 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A CALL to extend a long-established Pembrokeshire golf club, bringing it up to a full 18 holes, has been submitted to county planners.

In the application, Mr and Mrs Young, through agent Preseli Planning Ltd, seek a change of use of land adjoining the Dawn Till Dusk Golf Club, Furze Hill Farm, Bastleford Road, Rosemarket, to form an extension to the existing golf course, along with landscaping and associated works.

A supporting statement through the agent says: “The application seeks full planning permission for the enlargement of the existing golf course to provide an additional six holes, to provide a total of 18 holes.

“The proposal would involve minor landscaping works to the fields and boundaries and the creation of a small number of ponds and bunkers. The extension would be located on land to the west of Furze Hill Farm and on the opposite side of the road to the existing golf course and clubhouse.

“An altered access to the land parcel is proposed as part of this application, which would provide an improved route for users crossing the public highway to avoid conflict with movements at the main entrance.

“The application site exceeds 1ha and therefore the proposal is considered major development necessitating a Pre-Application Consultation prior to formally submitting the planning application to the Local Planning Authority.”

It adds: “The existing golf course has operated in excess of 30 years and is popular with both visitors and locals. Club membership currently stands at approximately 350 and there is demand for enhancing the provisions of the course.

“The applicants’ sons have recently increased their involvement in the enterprise and in recent years wet winter months have necessitated the closure of the course, or parts of it, due to the ground becoming waterlogged, primarily due to the flat nature of the existing course.

“The extension would provide variation to the terrain, providing, dryer conditions, as well as the ability to alternate between the existing and proposed to maintain use, enhancing the viability of the enterprise.”

The application will be considered by Pembrokeshire County Council planners at a later date.

Business

Plans to rebuild arson hit building at farm with one of largest sheep flocks in Wales

Published

5 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A CALL to rebuild a fire-damaged Pembrokeshire farm building, as a family home to help manage one of the largest sheep flocks in Wales, has been submitted to the national park.

In the application to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, D B Davies and Sons through agent Harries Planning Design Management, with a supporting statement by Reading Agricultural Consultants Ltd, seek permission to renovate an existing fire-damaged dwelling, together with the conversion and extension of outbuildings to form an agricultural worker’s dwelling at Mynydd Du, Rosebush.

The supporting statement through Reading Agricultural Consultants Ltd says Mynydd Du is part of a wider holding which includes Eisteddfa Fawr and land around the village of Brynberian, the farms approximately six km apart, with land under control of the applicant amounting to some 1,500 acres, with a further 3,000 acres of Preseli mountain common land also used; the land accommodating a 5,000-ewe flock with 10 suckler cows and followers.

It says DB Davies & Sons Unlimited, has five partners: the two Davies brothers, Berian and Ken; their wives; and Berian’s son, Dyfed.

Berian and Ken are in their late 70s, with most of the heavy work on the farm is undertaken by Dyfed.

Dyfed and his wife Megan are first language Welsh speakers, living some 10 km away in Nevern, while Berian and Ken, and their wives, live at Eisteddfa Fawr, Brynberian.

The dwelling at Mynydd Du, where most sheep are now wintered, is structurally sound and repairable but has been unoccupied since 1990, and was subject to arson circa 2013, the statement says.

It says Dyfed works full-time on the farm, alone with increasing frequency as the older business members are above retirement age, working “long hours out of necessity to undertake all the work associated with one of the largest flocks of sheep in Wales”.

“His working hours are extended further due to the fact that he lives remote (6kms) from the main block of land at Tyllosg, where Mynydd Du is situated in the centre of the farm. Travelling back and forth several times each day during lambing and other times during poor weather, to check on flock welfare is an arduous task and can be dangerous, particularly if driving when tired during inclement conditions.”

The statement adds: “The application seeks permission to repair the fire damaged dwelling at Mynydd Du and bring it back to serve a useful purpose to enable Dyfed to closely monitor the ewes, not only at lambing, but throughout the year when the flock is grazing on the adjacent common land.

“It will also enable Dyfed to be with his partner and young child on a more regular basis than simply at the end of a long day when he is away from their current home, tending the sheep at Mynydd Du.”

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

News

Council unveils plans for new state-of-the-art secondary school in Milford Haven

Published

16 hours ago

March 19, 2026

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL has revealed plans for a new state-of-the-art school in Milford Haven, promising modern, inspiring learning spaces for children and young people across the community.

A newly released video accompanying the announcement features the First Minister, the local authority’s Deputy Leader, the Cabinet Member for Education and the headteacher, outlining what the development will deliver. The plans include specialist teaching areas, improved accessibility, and high-quality outdoor learning and play spaces.

The project places a strong emphasis on sustainability, incorporating energy-efficient features and modern building standards designed to reduce environmental impact while delivering long-term value.

The scheme forms part of a Strategic Outline Case approval. Any final funding commitment will depend on the project successfully progressing through the full business case process.

Cllr Guy Woodham, Cabinet Member for Education, said: “This project represents a major investment in our children’s future. The new school will offer a safe, modern and inclusive environment where pupils can thrive, and we are delighted to share this vision with the community as we move towards the next stage of this exciting process.”

First Minister Eluned Morgan added: “This is fantastic news for pupils, parents, teachers and the whole community. Modern learning environments can make a real difference to pupils and staff alike. The Welsh Government has shown its commitment to new schools in Pembrokeshire as part of our wider programme of improving schools and colleges across Wales.”

Speaking on behalf of staff, pupils and governors, Deputy Headteacher Daryl John said the school community was excited by the plans.

He said: “Milford Haven School recently welcomed a visit from the First Minister, along with the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Education, to mark initial progress on proposals for a new, aspirational school building.

“The development will provide inspirational learning and teaching spaces, offering high-quality, ambitious and equitable opportunities for all pupils. It aims to support our young people to thrive, develop their talents and grow into confident, successful individuals, supported by dedicated staff and the wider school community.”

Stephen Thomas, Headteacher at Milford Haven Primary School, said the project had been long awaited.

He said: “This new school building has been long awaited, and I know how much it will mean to our children, staff and the community as a whole in Milford Haven.

“For many years, our community has hoped for facilities that truly reflect the potential, pride and ambition of our children, and now that vision is becoming a reality.

“This is more than just a new building. It is a statement of belief in our young people and in the future of Milford Haven. It will provide modern, high-quality learning environments, improved spaces for wellbeing and inclusion, and facilities that will open up wider opportunities for our pupils and families.

“As Headteacher, I feel incredibly proud and grateful to see this investment in our community. Our children deserve the very best, and this new school will help us continue raising aspirations, strengthening community links and ensuring every child can thrive.”

The council will now begin a period of consultation and engagement with pupils, staff, parents and local residents to ensure the new school reflects the needs and ambitions of the whole community.