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‘Smoke and mirrors’ after 20 years of ‘inaction’ over landfill stench

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REGULATORS have been accused of presenting “flawed and misleading” evidence to a Senedd inquiry into a stench from a tip which has plagued people’s lives for nearly 20 years.

Steve Gittins, a campaigner from Johnstown, Wrexham, submitted a petition calling for the revocation of Enovert’s environmental permit for the landfill site at the old Hafod quarry.

Giving evidence to the Senedd’s petitions committee today (November 10), Mr Gittins said people would accept nothing less than the site being closed after 20 years of “inaction”.

Criticising “flawed and misleading” evidence submitted to the inquiry by Natural Resources Wales (NRW), he suggested graphs and figures were manipulated to downplay problems.

“I think there’s a lot of smoke and mirrors going on here,” he said.

He warned an 18-year history of “noxious odours” and “unacceptable statutory nuisance” has got incrementally worse over the years. He told Senedd Members the problem has not improved since NRW issued an enforcement notice in 2023.

Asked about claims the number of complaints has reduced significantly, Mr Gittins pinned the fall on “complaints fatigue” – with people burned out from reporting problems for years.

He said: “It’s well-documented, especially with nuisance issues, where complaints fatigue happens. I mean we’ve been complaining for two decades, remember, and the thing has never got any better… there’s been inaction all along.”

Mr Gittins criticised NRW’s “rather apathetic” response, which advised him to report up to ten incidents a day, adding: “What a burden that is… we’ve got better things to do.”

He told the committee: “Interestingly, all the witnesses… who have said ‘there’s nothing to see here’ – none of them live in Johnstown, none of them… We put up with this daily and all we get is ‘there’s nothing to see here’ – and that’s wrong.”

NRW has stated odour reports have shown a decreasing trend as of May 2025, and a permit can only be revoked if there is a “serious risk” and all other measures have been exhausted.

Wrexham Council concluded “no statutory nuisance exists” after a summer assessment while Huw Irranca-Davies – Wales’ Deputy First Minister – has resisted calls to intervene.

But Mr Gittins raised concerns about the robustness of monitoring arrangements, suggesting Enovert was “marking its own homework” as he called for an independent review.

“Even… with their own figures, they’re not compliant… there’s no hiding from it,” he said.

Mr Gittins added: “I’m getting increasing problems getting an answer from anybody. One member of Wrexham Council has written to me to say he refuses to communicate with me any more and advised me to go to the public ombudsman which I’ve done.”

He told the committee: “On behalf of local residents, I know the strength of feeling, they won’t accept anything other than the site being closed because they cannot manage it.

“It hasn’t been managed efficiently for 20 years… and 20 years is enough. We’ve got another 35 years’ licence on that landfill site. My children, my grandchildren are all going to suffer from this place. I just don’t understand why we should put up with that.

“It’s not even our rubbish.”

In 2024, 54% of the waste came from England – primarily Merseyside and Cheshire – and 46% from Wales, of which 25% was from Wrexham.

Asked about the effectiveness of community engagement, Mr Gittins said: “If you spoke to the vast majority of our community, I don’t think I could repeat the answer.”

He dismissed claims of an “open forum” at a liaison group which he was not allowed to join.  “All it is is a promise of jam tomorrow…,” he told the committee. “In terms of the transparency and engagement, I feel it is extremely poor.”

Dorothy Tunnah, a member of the Hafod liaison group who lives nearby, criticised Enovert executives who suggested the rain makes no difference to the level of odour.

“Absolutely untrue, just ask anyone who lives in Johnstown,” she wrote in evidence.

She pleaded with the petitions committee: “Enovert has had enough time to get it right and we hope you agree that Hafod landfill should be closed down. Please do not let us down as former members of the Senedd have over the past 18 years.”

 

Business

Rosemarket Dawn Till Dusk golf club 18-hole plans lodged

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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.

 

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Business

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

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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.

 

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News

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

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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.

 

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