Local Government

First Minister launches taskforce to break housing deadlock over nutrient pollution

Published

3 months ago

September 21, 2025

THE WELSH GOVERNMENT has launched a rapid-action taskforce to tackle nutrient pollution that has brought house building in Pembrokeshire and across west Wales to a standstill.

Announced by Mid and West Wales MS Eluned Morgan, the taskforce will bring together government, local authorities and Natural Resources Wales (NRW) to find practical solutions so housing developments can move forward.

***Concerned about housing: Eluned Morgan has announced a task force to tackle disruption to house building***

The First Minister said the move reflects the Government’s “urgency and transparency” in dealing with the issue, while Eluned Morgan described it as “a crucial step in ensuring families can access much-needed housing while protecting our environment.”

She said: “This is about getting the balance right. We need to protect our unique environment, but we also need to make sure local people aren’t denied the homes they deserve.”

The taskforce will:

Partner with NRW on fast, practical fixes.
Review how rules and guidance can be made clearer and more flexible.
Provide direct support to councils and developers to help get building underway.

Its first meeting is expected next week.

***Milford Haven Waterway SSSI is said to be under threat from pollution***

Why developments are on hold

The suspension of planning decisions was triggered after Natural Resources Wales issued updated conservation advice in July under the Habitats Regulations. Local Planning Authorities, including Pembrokeshire County Council and the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, halted consents in response.

NRW’s advice followed updated scientific assessments showing nitrogen levels in some Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) are too high, causing algal blooms and harming fish and invertebrate populations.

Two areas in west Wales were identified as being in “unfavourable condition”:

Upper Milford Haven Waterway — the inner estuary around Milford Haven, Pembroke Dock and Neyland, part of the Pembrokeshire Marine SAC. This includes estuary waters, reefs, mudflats, shallow bays and coastal lagoons.

Burry Inlet near Llanelli, part of the Carmarthen Bay and Estuaries SAC, covering the estuary and extensive mudflats and sandflats.

NRW’s investigations concluded that the main sources of nitrogen were diffuse agricultural runoff from farmland and farm infrastructure, alongside continuous sewage discharges from the water industry. The upper Milford Haven waterway is also officially designated by Welsh Government as a sensitive eutrophic area under wastewater regulations.

What NRW says

NRW stressed that it does not have the power to pause planning applications — the decision rests with local planning authorities — but it is legally bound to give conservation advice.

A spokesperson said: “Water quality challenges, particularly those caused by excess nutrients, are placing considerable pressure on our ecosystems. In some locations, excess nitrogen in marine protected areas requires targeted action to reduce pollution.

“We fully recognise the significant pressures facing Local Authorities, particularly around nutrient-related planning decisions. These are complex issues and we are meeting regularly to support planning officers, providing robust evidence, practical tools, and clear guidance.

“To conserve the long-term health of some of our most valued marine areas, we must work together and act decisively to both protect these vital ecosystems and enable sustainable development.

“NRW is working across sectors to reduce nutrient pollution. This includes targeted farm inspections, reviewing environmental permits, and advocating for record levels of investment in water company infrastructure.”

Mitigation measures

NRW has told councils that some small-scale developments may be exempt from the pause — such as domestic extensions, certain agricultural projects and schemes using private treatment systems.

For larger projects, mitigation must be secured. Options include:

Package treatment plants.
Sustainable drainage systems (SUDS).
On-site nutrient reduction schemes.
Agricultural land management changes.
Construction-phase pollution controls.

A set of FAQs for planning officers is due to be published by the end of September.

NRW also continues to work with Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water on wastewater capacity and investment planning, and is pressing for “record levels of investment” through the national Price Review.

Political pressure

***Putting pressure on the Welsh Government: Samuel Kurtz MS***

Conservative MS Samuel Kurtz has condemned the situation, accusing NRW and the Welsh Government of “blocking housebuilding” without consultation or a clear plan.

He said: “Local families need homes, and our economy relies on construction projects progressing. Decisions of this scale cannot be taken behind closed doors. This moratorium on housebuilding will have serious, long-term consequences for Pembrokeshire.”

The Welsh Government hopes the new taskforce will deliver rapid clarity for councils and developers, and unlock schemes stalled by the nutrient rules.

For now, however, the construction sector remains in limbo — caught between strict environmental law, local housing demand, and a political battle over who should bear responsibility.

Local Government

Call for Return of Salt Tip in North Pembrokeshire to Improve Winter Road Safety

Published

18 hours ago

December 13, 2025

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A PROPOSAL for the reinstatement of a salt tip in North Pembrokeshire to improve road safety during snowy and icy conditions has been put forward by local councillor Huw Murphy.

At the December meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council, Cllr Murphy called for a review of the council’s current weather strategy, highlighting the need for an auxiliary salt tip in the north of the county. His motion, which was supported by senior councillors, aims to address the challenges faced by motorists during severe winter weather.

Cllr Murphy’s motion emphasized the importance of having a reserve salt tip available to ensure primary routes remain clear and accessible during snow and ice conditions. This would allow emergency services to respond to calls, key workers to reach their workplaces, and essential vehicles like HGVs to access farms for activities such as milk collection.

Historically, a salt tip was located near Crymych, which proved invaluable for gritting roads, particularly the A478 between Crymych and Cardigan, and between Crymych and Clunderwen. These roads, often treacherous during snowy weather, have caused difficulties for HGVs, coaches, and school buses in the past.

The proposal stresses that a new salt tip in Pembrokeshire would allow for quicker and more regular gritting, making roads safer for all users, especially during the harshest winter conditions. Cllr Murphy also highlighted that recent heavy snowfall exposed weaknesses in the current gritting strategy, particularly in the northeast of Pembrokeshire and the Preseli Mountains, which are most prone to severe weather.

The motion also called for prompt gritting and the deployment of snow ploughs on key routes, including the A478, A487, B4332, and B4329, which are vital for the local communities in the northeast and Preseli areas.

The county council’s Cabinet will now consider Cllr Murphy’s motion for further review.

Local Government

Carmarthenshire welcomes new council leader

Published

2 days ago

December 12, 2025

Tom Sinclair

New Cabinet confirmed following Full Council meeting

COUNCILLOR Linda Evans has been appointed Leader of Carmarthenshire County Council and Chair of the Cabinet following a meeting of Full Council on Wednesday (Dec 10).

A long-serving Plaid Cymru councillor for the Llanfihangel-ar-Arth ward, Cllr Evans has served on the authority since 2008 and has been a Cabinet Member since 2015.

Her appointment was formally confirmed during the meeting, where she also announced her Cabinet team — a 10-member executive responsible for the council’s overall business. The Cabinet meets fortnightly to make key decisions and recommendations to Full Council and, in some cases, decisions can be taken individually by Cabinet Members.

All members of the previous administration have retained their roles, with one change: Cllr Emlyn Schiavone joins the Cabinet as the new Cabinet Member for Homes.

The full Cabinet is as follows:

Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Leisure, Culture and Tourism: Cllr Hazel Evans
Cabinet Member for Education: Cllr Glynog Davies
Cabinet Member for Rural Affairs, Communities and Welsh Language: Cllr Carys Jones
Cabinet Member for Organisation and Workforce: Cllr Philip Hughes
Cabinet Member for Resources: Cllr Alun Lenny
Cabinet Member for Homes: Cllr Emlyn Schiavone
Cabinet Member for Transport, Waste and Infrastructure Services: Cllr Edward Thomas
Cabinet Member for Integrated Health and Children and Adult Social Services: Cllr Jane Tremlett
Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Decarbonisation and Sustainability: Cllr Aled Vaughan Owen
Leader of the Council: Cllr Linda Evans

Speaking after her appointment, Cllr Evans said:
“It’s an honour to be elected as Council Leader and I look forward to working with the Cabinet and all members across the chamber for the benefit of the residents of Carmarthenshire.”

Climate

Urgent calls for action on Pembroke Commons flooding

Published

3 days ago

December 11, 2025

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

TWO PEMBROKESHIRE councillors have submitted an urgent call for action following recent heavy flooding in parts of Pembroke.

Pembroke councillors Aaron Carey and Jonathan Grimes have submitted an urgent notice of motion ahead of tomorrow’s December 12 meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council following heavy flooding in the town’s Commons and Castle Pond area.

The notice of motion covers six points.

“That this council notes with concern the repeated and increasingly severe flooding experienced in our coastal, estuarial and river-fringe communities over recent weeks — in particular the flooding events affecting the Commons/Castle Pond area.

“That the council further notes that, according to correspondence from the Coastal, Rivers & Drainage Team Manager, the tipping gate at the barrage remains out of operation until mid-January due to mechanical issues; meanwhile high tide, heavy rain, wind-driven tidal surges and overspill at the sluice have combined to overwhelm the drainage/outfall infrastructure.

“That we recognise the current maintenance schedule (delayed till after the summer season) and the justification given — but further that such planning failed to foresee the likelihood of severe winter storm and surge events, which climate change makes more frequent and more intense.

“That this council therefore calls on the Cabinet to commission an urgent review of:

The adequacy of the current drainage/outfall and tidal-sluice infrastructure (barrage tipping gate, sluice/sluice-valve, flap valve, outfall capacity) for current and projected climate/tide conditions.
The maintenance scheduling policy for coastal and estuarial flood-risk assets, with a view to ensuring critical maintenance is completed before winter high-tide / storm-surge season, rather than — as at present — being delayed until after summer for ‘recreational / biodiversity’ reasons.

“That, pending the outcome of the review, the council should allocate appropriate emergency capital funding to remediate the barrages / sluices / outfalls at risk of failure or blockage — to safeguard residents, properties, highways and public amenities from further flooding.

“That, further, this council resolves to publish a public flood-resilience plan for the county, identifying all coastal and river-fringe ‘hotspots,’ maintenance schedules, responsible teams, and a transparent timeline for upgrades or remedial works — so residents have clarity and confidence in flood prevention measures.”

The submission also includes a question for Cabinet Member Cllr Rhys Sinnett.

“In light of the repeated flooding events across the county – including the recent overflow at Castle Pond and the acknowledgement by your own Coastal, Rivers & Drainage Team that the barrage tipping gate remains inoperable until mid-January can you explain what assessment has been made of the adequacy of our tidal outfall infrastructure in the face of current and projected future storm surges and sea-level rise?

“If no such assessment has yet been undertaken, will you commit now to commissioning an immediate structural and risk-capacity audit, with a report to full council within three months, and with proposals for funding any remedial works required — to avoid recurring damage and disruption to residents, highways, and public amenities?”