CAMPAIGNERS opposing the proposed Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability (DARC) project on the St Davids peninsula have accused the Ministry of Defence of attempting to push through associated infrastructure in separate stages in order to avoid proper planning scrutiny.

The group PARC Against DARC (Pembrokeshire Against Radar Campaign) claims the approach resembles a practice sometimes referred to as “salami slicing”, where elements of a large development are split into smaller projects and considered separately rather than as a single scheme.

Campaigners say several developments linked to the radar proposal appear to be progressing outside the main planning process.

“We haven’t come across a single person who doesn’t think the whole story behind the RDF aircraft tracker relocation proposal, the high-security undersea cable landing station, the Newgale bypass scheme and major power upgrades simply doesn’t add up,” the group said.

“After thirty-seven Senedd and Westminster politicians publicly opposed DARC, a petition gathered 18,000 signatures and demonstrations gained widespread attention online, the MOD now appears to be attempting to ‘salami slice’ the project and push it through piece by piece.”

Follow the DARC money

PARC claims documentation submitted as part of the MOD’s environmental screening request confirms that relocating an RDF aircraft tracker forms part of the wider DARC project.

Campaigners argue that although the relocation is described as operationally separate, it appears closely linked to the radar development.

“The MOD’s screening document acknowledges that relocating the RDF was part of DARC planning and suggests the work would be completed before construction begins,” campaigners said.

“This raises serious questions about why the relocation is being treated as an entirely separate development.”

They also claim the screening request does not assess the potential cumulative impact of radiofrequency radiation from both the relocated tracker and the proposed DARC radar installation.

Campaigners say they have identified more than four thousand scientific studies linking similar radiation exposure to health risks, including cancer, although regulators including the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) currently consider such installations safe within guideline limits.

Cable station raises further questions

Campaigners also point to a new undersea cable landing station being built close to the gates of Cawdor Barracks at Brawdy.

Although described as civilian infrastructure, PARC says the facility’s security measures — including fencing, razor wire and CCTV — have fuelled local speculation that it could support the radar project by carrying data from overseas.

The group notes that Brawdy previously hosted installations connected to the Cold War-era SOSUS submarine detection network.

“If these cables are intended to support DARC operations, then the infrastructure should be assessed alongside the radar project itself,” campaigners said.

Newgale bypass and power upgrades

The campaign group also suggests the long-planned Newgale bypass scheme could be indirectly connected to DARC, arguing that large-scale construction traffic would struggle to access the proposed radar site using existing rural roads.

They also say discussions between the MOD and the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority suggest significant electricity supply upgrades may be required to power the radar installation.

Campaigners claim that neither the bypass nor potential power infrastructure has been fully assessed alongside the main DARC proposal.

Political issue ahead of Senedd election

With the Senedd election approaching, campaigners say opposition to the radar project could become a key political issue.

Both Plaid Cymru and the Wales Green Party have publicly opposed the proposal.

“Local communities feel this project has been pushed forward without transparency and without proper engagement,” campaigners said.

“With the Senedd election approaching, DARC is likely to become a major issue for voters across Pembrokeshire.”

RESIDENTS across parts of south Pembrokeshire have reported unusually loud explosions over the past week as military exercises take place at the Castlemartin Training Area.

The Ministry of Defence confirmed that live firing has been underway at the range between Monday (Mar 2) and Friday (Mar 6) as part of routine training for armoured units.

People living in Milford Haven, Neyland and surrounding communities said the blasts were noticeably louder than usual, with some reporting that the noise could be heard clearly indoors.

One resident in Milford Haven told The Herald that the sound carried across the Haven during the week.

“I’ve lived here for years and you always hear the range from time to time, but this week it seemed much louder than normal. You could hear it clearly inside the house.”

The Castlemartin Range Complex, located on the south Pembrokeshire coast between Bosherston and St Govan’s Head, is one of the UK’s main live-fire training areas for armoured units.

According to the official MOD firing notice for March, a range of weapons systems are being used during the exercises, including 120mm tank guns, mortars and heavy machine guns.

The 120mm main gun used by modern battle tanks produces extremely powerful shockwaves which can carry significant distances, particularly across water.

During some training periods the range operates during normal daytime hours, typically 7:30am to 4:45pm, but certain exercises include 24-hour firing sessions.

For safety reasons, several roads and footpaths in the Castlemartin area are closed during firing periods, including the road from Bosherston to St Govan’s Chapel and access to parts of the coastline.

A sea danger area is also enforced several miles offshore while the exercises are underway.

Castlemartin has been used by the military since the 1930s and is regularly used by armoured units training with Challenger tanks before deployment on operations or major exercises.

Live firing is scheduled to continue at intervals throughout March.

Manifesto highlights healthcare access, military compensation and support for children as key priorities ahead of Senedd election

THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION is urging politicians from all parties to take meaningful action to improve support for the Armed Forces community in Wales ahead of the Senedd elections in May.

The charity has published a new manifesto outlining the key areas where serving personnel, veterans and their families continue to face disadvantage, and where the next Welsh Government could take practical steps to improve support.

Central to the manifesto is the Armed Forces Covenant – the commitment that those who serve, or have served, in the Armed Forces, and their families, should face no disadvantage because of their service.

The RBL is calling on the Senedd and Welsh Government to strengthen their commitment to the Covenant by ensuring it is properly funded, clearly implemented across public services and regularly reviewed.

Access to healthcare is identified as a major concern. Because military families often move frequently as part of service life, they can face difficulties registering with GPs, dentists and other local health services.

The RBL says the next Welsh Government should introduce practical measures to make it easier for military families to access healthcare when they relocate.

The charity is also calling for fairer treatment of military compensation payments awarded to personnel or families who have suffered injury, bereavement or other harm through service.

In Wales, such payments are often treated as income during means-tested assessments for benefits or support services. The RBL argues that this practice unfairly disadvantages the very people the compensation is intended to help.

Support for children from military families is another key theme of the manifesto. Frequent school moves and long periods of separation from a parent can disrupt children’s education and wellbeing.

The RBL is calling for greater recognition of these challenges and improved support to ensure children from Armed Forces families are able to thrive in school.

John Williams, Head of Public Affairs and Campaigns at the Royal British Legion said: “The 2026 election is an important opportunity for the Senedd to prioritise the needs of the Armed Forces community.

“This manifesto focuses on the issues we believe are of greatest importance and sets out how the next Welsh Government can take them forward.

“The manifesto has been informed by evidence and lived experience, and we hope that by working with all parties we can ensure the unique contribution of the whole Armed Forces community is given the recognition it deserves.”