News

Crown Estate for funding Prince Andrew’s home while charging Welsh farmers for access

Published

8 months ago

October 25, 2025

A WELSH Liberal Democrat MP has condemned the Crown Estate after it emerged that Prince Andrew’s luxury residence is effectively being subsidised by the public purse — while Welsh farmers are being billed to access their own land.

David Chadwick, MP for Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe, described the arrangement as “a disgrace”, after reports revealed the Duke of York has leased Royal Lodge from the Crown Estate since 2003, paying a one-off fee of £1 million for a 75-year term, with an annual rent of just “one peppercorn.”

Chadwick has been an outspoken critic of the Crown Estate’s operations in Wales, accusing it of charging Welsh farmers hundreds of pounds a year to cross land they have farmed for generations, while refusing to devolve profits from lucrative renewable energy projects back to local communities.

He said: “Earlier this year, I highlighted how the Crown Estate is charging Welsh farmers hundreds of pounds a year just to access their own land, in addition to the Government refusing to devolve the profit from its renewable energy portfolio in Wales to Welsh communities. It’s a disgrace that Welsh farmers being forced to pay the Crown Estate to access their own land will now effectively be paying Prince Andrew’s rent.”

The comments follow an intervention by Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey at Prime Minister’s Questions earlier this week, where he urged Labour leader Keir Starmer to back a select committee inquiry into the Royal Lodge lease. The Prime Minister responded: “I certainly support that,” signalling cross-party concern about the management of the Crown Estate.

Davey has since written to the Chair of the Public Accounts Committee, calling for an investigation into the use of Royal Lodge and the wider management of the Crown Estate’s assets, including a request for Prince Andrew to be summoned to give evidence.

The Liberal Democrats say taxpayers have a right to know how the Crown Estate — which manages more than £16 billion of land and property on behalf of the state — is spending its revenues, especially while rural Welsh communities are being charged for access to land that sustains their livelihoods.

Crime

Man sent to Crown Court over alleged Cardigan cocaine and cannabis supply

Published

14 minutes ago

July 3, 2026

Court Reporter

A 24-YEAR-OLD man has been sent to Crown Court to face a series of alleged drug supply offences in Cardigan.

Harrison Casey, of Harebell Way, Brownsover, Rugby, appeared before Aberystwyth Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Jul 2).

He faces six charges relating to alleged offences at Bridge Street, Cardigan, between April 7 and April 24, 2023.

The charges include being concerned in the supply of cocaine, a Class A drug, and being concerned in the supply of cannabis, a Class B drug.

Casey is also accused of possessing cannabis with intent to supply, possessing tetrahydrocannabinol with intent to supply, being concerned in an offer to supply THC edibles, and possessing flualpazolam, a Class C drug.

There were no pleas to the charges at this stage.

Magistrates sent the case to Swansea Crown Court for trial under Section 51 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.

Casey was granted unconditional bail and is due to appear at Swansea Crown Court on August 3 for a plea and trial preparation hearing.

Climate

Floating wind demonstration project off Pembrokeshire coast granted marine licence

Published

1 hour ago

July 3, 2026

Tom Sinclair

The Llŷr project could see up to ten floating turbines installed 35km off the coast, with power brought ashore at Freshwater West

A MARINE licence has been granted for a floating offshore wind demonstration project off the Pembrokeshire coast.

Natural Resources Wales has approved the licence for Llŷr Floating Wind Limited, allowing the Llŷr Floating Offshore Wind Farm Project to move forward.

The test and demonstration facility is proposed around 35km off the Pembrokeshire coast, off Linney Head, and is among the first demonstration-scale floating wind projects in Wales.

The scheme could include up to ten turbines, each reaching up to 300 metres above sea level, together with floating platforms, mooring lines and anchors.

Up to two offshore export cables, around 50km in length, are planned to bring electricity ashore at Freshwater West.

Ruth Jenkins, Head of Planning and Permitting Services and Marine Operations at Natural Resources Wales, said the organisation had a role to play in supporting the move towards clean energy while ensuring projects were developed responsibly.

She said: “At Natural Resources Wales, we have a unique opportunity to tackle the climate emergency across a range of sectors and industries. This includes using our licensing powers to support Wales’s transition to clean energy.

“As a regulator and advisor, we ensure energy projects are developed sustainably and with respect for the environment and local communities. At the same time, we play a vital role in enabling innovation in green energy, helping projects move forward safely and responsibly.

“Wales has enormous potential as a leader in renewable energy, and we’re committed to supporting the benefits that can come from these projects as we move towards net-zero targets.”

Natural Resources Wales is the Marine Licensing Authority on behalf of Welsh Ministers.

Full details of the marine licence granted for the Llŷr Floating Offshore Wind Farm Project are available on the NRW public register.

News

Free Pembrokeshire woodland event to explore language, landscape and belonging

Published

11 hours ago

July 3, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A FREE woodland event in north Pembrokeshire will invite people to reconnect with the Welsh language, local landscape and cultural traditions through storytelling, creativity and time spent in nature.

Dod yn ôl at fy nghoed / To Return to My Trees will take place on Friday, July 17, from 10am to 4pm, at Canolfan Llwynihirion and Allt Tŷ Canol, near Brynberian.

The event is being hosted by Cwm Arian as part of the Preseli Woodlands Project and will be led by Welsh Druid, author and celebrant Deborah Rose Hālani.

Participants will spend time in the ancient woodland of Allt Tŷ Canol, exploring how Welsh language, landscape, folklore and local traditions have shaped one another over generations.

Organisers say the day is open to everyone, including those reconnecting with their own heritage, people learning about Welsh culture for the first time, or anyone who wants to build a deeper connection with the place they call home.

Sophie Jenkins, Outreach and Engagement Coordinator at Cwm Arian Renewable Energy, said: “Conservation isn’t only about protecting species and habitats. It’s also about nurturing our relationship with the places we live.

“The Welsh language, our stories and our landscapes have evolved together over centuries, yet many people feel disconnected from one or all of those things.

“Whether someone is rediscovering a part of their own heritage or beginning a relationship with Cymru for the first time, we hope this day creates space to connect more deeply with the land, with culture and with community.”

The Preseli Woodlands Project brings together nature restoration and cultural heritage through activities designed to help people experience, understand and care for Pembrokeshire’s woodland heritage.

The project is a partnership between Cwm Arian Renewable Energy, the South and West Wales Wildlife Trust and Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority.

It is funded through the Welsh Government’s National Forest for Wales Landscape Scheme 2025–2027 and administered by WCVA.

The event is free, but places are limited and advance booking is essential.