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Plaid calls for halt on wind and solar projects in Carmarthenshire

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PLAID CYMRU councillors are calling for a temporary halt on large-scale wind and solar projects across Carmarthenshire, warning that rural landscapes are being “scarred by countless pylons” and that the Welsh Government must impose tougher planning safeguards.

A Notice of Motion from the party will go before the full council on Wednesday (Nov 12), calling on the Welsh Government to pause all new Developments of National Significance (DNS) and Strategic Infrastructure Projects (SIP) for onshore wind and solar farms until major concerns about infrastructure and cumulative impact are addressed.

Cllr Handel Davies, who represents Llandovery, said current plans are damaging the very communities they are meant to support.

He said: “Although we agree that as much renewable electricity as possible should be generated and consumed locally to directly benefit the local community, that’s just not happening. The landscape along the Brân, Tywi and Teifi valleys will be unnecessarily scarred by countless pylons. This will have a negative effect on tourism and the quality of life of people who live in rural areas. Undergrounding the cables is unquestionably the sensible and acceptable solution.”

Fellow Plaid councillor Arwel Davies, of Cilycwm, said residents were increasingly alarmed by the scale of new wind turbine schemes emerging in the north of the county.

He said: “We can be proud that renewable energy in Carmarthenshire is already making a substantial contribution towards Wales’ net zero target. However, many people living in the countryside have been alarmed by plans to erect even more and bigger wind turbines on the hills and forests. The Welsh Government must make a very serious assessment of the cumulative impact these windfarms would have on our rural communities.”

Cumulative impact and underground cables

The Notice of Motion urges ministers to clarify how they will ensure the cumulative impact of multiple overlapping energy schemes is properly managed, and to confirm a firm policy of undergrounding new power lines carrying 132kV or more.

It also demands a coherent national plan to upgrade Wales’ energy grid so that electricity generated locally can be used within Carmarthenshire rather than exported elsewhere.

Plaid says that while it supports local renewable generation and green hydrogen production, it is concerned about the spread of large solar farms on agricultural land, which it warns could displace food production.

The motion reflects growing tension between renewable energy targets and local planning pressures, with several wind and solar proposals currently under consideration by the Welsh Government’s Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW).

The Herald understands that if passed, the motion would mark the strongest opposition yet from a Welsh local authority to the pace and scale of onshore renewable energy development under Labour’s current framework.

The motion will be debated at Carmarthenshire County Council’s full meeting on Wednesday (Nov 12), and, if approved, will be sent formally to the Welsh Government.

Photo caption:

Brân, Tywi and Teifi valleys: Plaid says pylon plans would ‘scar’ Carmarthenshire’s landscape (Pic: Alun Lenny).

 

Crime

70-year-old denies assault and restraining order breach

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A PENSIONER from Pembroke Dock has denied breaching a restraining order and assaulting another man.

Henry Howlett, 70, of Market Street, appeared before Swansea Crown Court today (Friday, May 1), charged with breaching a restraining order and common assault.

The charges relate to an alleged incident on November 9 last year.

Howlett has previously appeared before magistrates in connection with a separate alleged incident involving a neighbour.

Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court previously heard that a dispute arose on July 17 after neighbour Steven Bromhall was washing his car outside his home in Market Street.

Prosecutor Nia James told the court that, as a taxi arrived to collect Howlett, the driver opened the window while passing and Mr Bromhall inadvertently sprayed the taxi driver with water from a hosepipe.

“The taxi driver started remonstrating, and the defendant then began waving his walking stick in the air, towards Mr Bromhall,” she said.

The court heard Mr Bromhall sustained an injury to his back, although it remained unclear whether he had been struck by Howlett’s stick.

Howlett pleaded not guilty to common assault in relation to that incident and was released on unconditional bail. A trial date was set at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court.

At Swansea Crown Court today, His Honour Judge P H Thomas KC asked Howlett whether he was legally represented.

“I can’t find anyone decent, I’m still searching, my lord,” Howlett replied.

When the court attempted to take his pleas, Howlett repeatedly interrupted in an effort to give an explanation, prompting the judge to tell him: “Be quiet, Mr Howlett.”

Howlett then pleaded not guilty to the charges, telling the court: “Definitely not guilty.”

As he left the courtroom, Howlett said: “I will get the truth out and I hope you all hang your heads in shame… this is all fixed.”

A trial date was set for January 14, 2027.

 

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Crime

Crymych parent denies failing to comply with school attendance order

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A CRYMYCH parent has denied failing to comply with a school attendance order, a court has heard.

The defendant appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates charged under the Education Act 1996.

The court heard that the defendant is accused of failing, as a parent, to ensure that a child attended school in accordance with the requirements of a School Attendance Order.

It is alleged that after being served with the order, the defendant did not comply within the required 15-day period.

A plea of not guilty was entered.

Magistrates adjourned the case for a case management hearing, which is scheduled to take place at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, May 14.

A reporting restriction remains in force.

 

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Crime

Cockle fisherman fined £3,450 for multiple breaches at protected site

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A GOODWICK man has been ordered to pay £3,450 after breaching fishing regulations at a protected cockle fishery.

Richard William Edwards, 45, of Goodwick, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates charged with a series of offences at the Burry Inlet cockle fishery.

The court heard that Edwards had fished for cockles without a valid permit and breached conditions imposed under fisheries management rules. He was also found to have used an unauthorised vehicle in the fishery area, contrary to restrictions in place to protect the site.

Magistrates were told the offences took place on September 9, 2025, within the Burry Inlet Cockle Fishery, a designated and regulated area subject to strict controls.

Edwards was fined £1,000 and ordered to pay a victim services surcharge of £800, along with costs of £650, bringing the total to £3,450. A collection order was made.

The case was brought under fisheries legislation including the Cockle Fisheries Management and Permitting (Specified Area) (Wales) Order 2024.

The court heard that Edwards had been in breach of a prohibition imposed by the permitting system and had failed to comply with the terms of his permit.

The offences are part of ongoing enforcement efforts to protect the sustainability of cockle stocks and ensure compliance within the fishery.

 

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