News

RAAC campaign group urges Welsh minister to press for funding solution

Published

3 months ago

December 16, 2025

Call for national fund follows submission of new research dossier on building safety risks

A UK CAMPAIGN group representing homeowners affected by Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) has formally submitted new evidence to Welsh and Scottish ministers, urging coordinated pressure on the UK Government to take responsibility for what it describes as a national building safety crisis.

The UK RAAC Campaign Group has written to the Welsh Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government, Jayne Bryant MS, and the Scottish Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Housing, Màiri McAllan MSP, enclosing a detailed research dossier and an open letter calling for a UK-wide funding solution.

The correspondence, dated Tuesday (Dec 16), was also copied to the Secretary of State for Wales, Jo Stevens MP, and the Secretary of State for Scotland, Douglas Alexander MP.

In the letter, the group argues that the widespread use of RAAC in housing stock represents a historic failure rooted in decisions taken before devolution, and that devolved governments should not be left to deal with the financial consequences alone.

The campaign group says homeowners affected by RAAC are facing uncertainty, financial hardship and, in some cases, displacement from their homes, with remediation costs running into tens of thousands of pounds.

The letter sets out two remedies being sought by affected residents: either compensation based on pre-RAAC property valuations, or fully funded remediation or roof replacement carried out without placing households into debt.

The submission is accompanied by research compiled on behalf of the campaign group which examines the historical promotion and use of RAAC and related building systems across the UK. The research highlights warnings dating back to the 1980s and 1990s, missed opportunities to identify the material during housing surveys and stock transfers, and what it describes as inconsistent approaches to inspection and identification across the UK.

The campaign group also raises concerns about what it says is under-identification of RAAC in England compared with Wales and Scotland, arguing that differences in regulatory oversight may be distorting the true national scale of the issue.

In its letter, the group calls for the creation of a UK-wide National RAAC Fund to ensure parity of support for affected homeowners regardless of location, as well as a full public inquiry into the use, regulation and identification of RAAC in residential buildings.

Wilson Chowdhry, chairman of the UK RAAC Campaign Group, said the material had been submitted to ministers to ensure the evidence was formally recorded and considered.

The campaign group has asked for acknowledgment of receipt and an indication of next steps from the Welsh and Scottish Governments.

The Welsh Government has previously acknowledged the presence of RAAC in some residential buildings and public estates, while ministers in both Wales and Scotland have faced growing pressure from affected residents and petitions committees to clarify long-term support arrangements.

No response had been issued by ministers at the time of publication.

Crime

Broad Haven man remanded in custody over sexual harm prevention order breach

Published

9 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Court Reporter

Defendant admitted using Xbox without informing police as required under court order

ANTHONY COOMBES, aged 26, of Sand Banks, Broad Haven, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Mar 20) charged with breaching a sexual harm prevention order.

The court heard that between February 26 and March 19, 2026, at Haverfordwest, Coombes repeatedly breached the order by using an Xbox device without informing police within three days, as required.

The offences relate to a sexual harm prevention order imposed at Swansea Crown Court on October 20, 2021.

Coombes indicated guilty pleas to the offences at the first hearing.

Magistrates committed the case to Swansea Crown Court for sentence.

He was remanded in custody ahead of the next hearing, which is due to take place at 9:00am on Friday, April 3, at Swansea Crown Court.

The court refused bail on the grounds that he was likely to offend, citing the nature and seriousness of the offences and his previous record and character.

A pre-sentence report was ordered.

News

Man arrested after suspected drugs-related death in Haverfordwest

Published

9 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Police say death not suspicious as 46-year-old arrested over alleged Class A drug supply

A MAN has died following a medical emergency at a property in Haverfordwest, police have confirmed.

Emergency services were called at 3:18pm on Wednesday (March 18) after a report of a medical incident.

A man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the man’s next of kin have been informed and are being supported by officers.

The death is not being treated as suspicious at this time.

However, police confirmed that a man, aged 46, was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.

He has since been released under investigation while enquiries continue.

No further details about the deceased have been formally released.

Crime

Illegal dog breeders ordered to pay over £129,000 after council probe

Published

10 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

FOUR people from Mynyddygarreg, Kidwelly, have been ordered to pay more than £129,000 following a successful prosecution for illegal dog breeding.

At Swansea Crown Court on Tuesday (Mar 10), before His Honour Judge Thomas KC, Stacey May June Edwards, Peter John Edwards, Sian Eleri Thomas and David Malcolm James Thomas, all of Sea Breeze, Mynyddygarreg, pleaded guilty to offences under the Breeding of Dogs (Wales) Regulations 2014.

The court imposed confiscation orders totalling £129,873.41 under the Proceeds of Crime Act across the four defendants. They were also ordered to pay £8,000 in costs, while each defendant received a £2,000 fine.

The investigation began in April 2021 after Carmarthenshire County Council’s Animal Health team received an enquiry from Peter Edwards about obtaining a dog breeding licence. Although licensing guidance was provided and a partial application was submitted in February 2022, this was later withdrawn.

In March 2024, the council received a complaint that puppies were being advertised for sale without the required licence. Officers subsequently contacted online advertising platforms and issued data requests to assess the scale of activity.

Analysis of records from Pets4Homes, Freeads and Gumtree revealed multiple litters being advertised by members of the same household.

Correspondence under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act confirmed that up to 25 dogs were kept at the property, including between 16 and 19 breeding females.

While some defendants claimed joint ownership of the dogs, others attempted to minimise their involvement.

The Herald understands that numerous puppy advertisements were posted between July 2020 and April 2025, demonstrating a sustained pattern of unlicensed breeding.

Carmarthenshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Decarbonisation and Sustainability, Cllr Aled Vaughan Owen, said: “This case demonstrates the council’s firm stance against unlicensed and illegal dog breeding.

“These regulations are in place to protect animal welfare and ensure that breeding activities are subject to proper oversight. The scale of activity uncovered at this property was entirely unacceptable, and we welcome the court’s decision to issue significant confiscation orders under POCA.”

He added: “We urge anyone with concerns about illegal dog breeding to report it. Our Animal Health officers will continue to investigate thoroughly and take action against those who disregard the law.”

Residents are reminded that anyone breeding and selling dogs must comply with licensing regulations designed to protect both animal welfare and consumers.