PLANS by a Vodafone phone company subsidiary to bring fibreoptic cables across the sea from Ireland to a Pembrokeshire seaside beach village in order to improve broadband coverage have been lodged.

In an application to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Apollo Submarine Cable Systems limited, through agent APEM Group, seeks permission for the construction of four underground telecom chambers and interconnecting ducts, along with Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) underneath Brandy Brook, Newgale, and the construction of one HDD bore-to-sea outfall.

A supporting statement accompanying the application says the scheme would form the onshore part of a project to bring a fibreoptic cable onshore from Kilmore Quay, Wexford, Ireland to a site at Newsurf Shop car park, Sands Café Car Park and Duke of Edinburgh Inn, Newgale.

It says the majority of the project is subterranean, with very minor above ground works are proposed, which comprise the installation of a manhole cover.

It adds: “To facilitate improved internet connectivity, the applicant is proposing the installation of a fibreoptic telecoms cable (the Beaufort cable) from Kilmore Quay, Wexford, Ireland to Newgale.

“The project is to facilitate the installation of the Beaufort cable, as it comes ashore in Wales and to link it into the wider network, which will be operated by Vodafone’s wholly-owned subsidiary Apollo Cable System Limited in the UK.”

It says the project would see three underground telecom chambers and a 120-metre interconnecting duct, the 87-metre HDD underneath Brandy Brook, launching from the receiver pit located within the Site, along with the construction of one HDD bore-to-sea outfall, in a subtidal area of Newgale bay, of approximately 920 metres, and one underground telecom chamber and interconnecting duct.

Citing a report on digital connectivity, it says 5G geographic coverage has seen improvements but is still relatively low at 57 per cent of Wales’ landmass, with 4G the primary service.

That report says there is a difference in full fibre coverage between urban and rural areas (83 per cent versus 59 per cent) and highlighting a need for further coverage.

On the scheme itself, the statement says short-term noise and disruption to local residents “is anticipated during the construction phase however this will be limited to 57 days,” adding: “The proposed drilling operations are not to be continuous and will be limited to approximately 20 minutes in each hour,” the works in total expected to last 91 days after which land will return to its former use without restrictions.

It goes on to say: “The HDD is specifically designed to mitigate the risk of any shoreward movement of the shingle bank and beach level changes. The use of HDD reduces the likelihood of potential environmental impact on the landscape and seascape.

“The project is not anticipated to interact with Brandy Brook. All drilling works will take place within excavated launch pits and all construction works will be confined to the hardstanding of the car park.”

The application will be considered by Park planners at a later date.

New government-backed AI Growth Lab will test legal technology for debt claims, conveyancing and access to justice — but regulators say safeguards are essential

THE LEGAL watchdog for England and Wales is backing a new government scheme to test artificial intelligence in the legal sector — a move that could eventually make legal help cheaper and easier to access for consumers and small businesses.

The Legal Services Board (LSB) will join the government’s newly launched AI Growth Lab, which aims to allow legal technology firms and law providers to trial AI systems in supervised real-world settings before they are rolled out more widely.

The announcement, embargoed until Sunday (June 8), will be made during the government’s AI Adoption Summit as part of London Tech Week.

The initiative has been described as an “advisory sandbox”, giving firms the chance to test AI products while receiving guidance from regulators about how existing legal rules apply. Officials stressed that involvement in the scheme does not amount to official approval or endorsement.

For ordinary people, the changes could eventually affect everything from debt recovery and court paperwork to house purchases and legal advice.

One example already authorised under existing rules is an AI-powered law firm called Garfield.Law Ltd, which helps small and medium-sized businesses recover unpaid debts through the small claims court.

The firm uses artificial intelligence to help process cases where pursuing unpaid invoices may otherwise cost more than the debt itself.

However, the Legal Services Board said safeguards remain essential. Although AI may assist with services, regulated solicitors still remain legally accountable for work carried out and firms are expected to have measures in place to reduce risks such as inaccurate information or poor legal advice.

House buyers could also see changes in the future.

A second example being explored involves an AI system designed to analyse property sales packs during conveyancing to flag inconsistencies or potential legal issues for solicitors to investigate.

Supporters say such tools could speed up house sales, identify problems earlier and reduce delays in what is often one of the most stressful stages of buying a property.

But concerns remain around transparency, confidentiality and trust.

The Legal Services Board said public confidence in legal AI would depend on strong protections, clear explanations of how systems work, and accountability when mistakes happen.

Richard Orpin, Chief Executive of the Legal Services Board, said the project was a “pragmatic and timely initiative” that could help firms innovate safely while improving access to legal services.

He said the regulator hoped AI could ultimately help lower costs, improve user experience and increase access to justice, while ensuring consumers remained protected.

The Legal Services Board oversees legal regulators in England and Wales, including the Solicitors Regulation Authority and the Council for Licensed Conveyancers.

Applications for companies wishing to join the AI Growth Lab are expected to open later this summer.

The development raises a bigger question for consumers: if AI can make legal help cheaper and faster, would you trust a computer to help fight your case?

Treasury plans would make it harder for major clean-energy and infrastructure projects to be delayed by legal challenges

THE MILFORD HAVEN Waterway could be one of the areas most affected by new UK Government plans to speed up the delivery of major energy and infrastructure projects.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to announce reforms giving Parliament greater power to approve nationally important clean-energy schemes, including new power stations, offshore wind farms and grid connections.

The Treasury says the move is designed to strengthen energy security, reduce bills and support economic growth.

But the proposals could also prove highly significant for Pembrokeshire, where the Haven Waterway is increasingly being promoted as a key hub for floating offshore wind, port infrastructure, grid upgrades, hydrogen, and other clean-energy projects.

Under the plans, Parliament would be able to designate key clean-energy schemes as being of “Critical National Importance”. That would reduce the scope for judicial review challenges, except on human rights grounds.

For other nationally significant infrastructure projects, including transport and water schemes, the government plans to introduce a fixed legal challenge window. Once that period has passed, developers would have greater certainty that projects could proceed.

The Treasury said the aim was to stop repeated legal challenges from delaying projects considered vital to the country.

A Treasury spokesperson said: “For too long, vital infrastructure delivery has been delayed by judicial reviews of projects the country needs.

“The Chancellor won’t stand for it any longer and is bringing forward bold changes to support delivery.”

The announcement will be watched closely in Pembrokeshire, where Milford Haven Waterway already plays a major role in the UK’s energy system.

The waterway is home to major port, fuel, gas and power infrastructure, and is central to plans for the next generation of low-carbon energy development in west Wales.

Supporters are likely to argue that faster decision-making could bring investment, jobs and supply-chain opportunities to Pembrokeshire.

However, the proposals may also raise concerns about local accountability, particularly if smaller energy projects are allowed to apply directly to the Planning Inspectorate rather than going through local councils.

That could leave communities feeling they have less influence over developments affecting their landscape, coastline and infrastructure.

The government says the new route would apply specifically to clean-energy projects, reflecting what it describes as the urgent need to move away from reliance on fossil fuels.

For Milford Haven Waterway, the reforms could mean major schemes connected to offshore wind, power generation, grid reinforcement and port-linked infrastructure move forward more quickly.

But they may also intensify debate over who gets the final say when national energy policy meets local communities.