News

We are investing for the future, says Port boss

Published

11 years ago

March 7, 2015

Tom Sinclair

MHPA boss: Alec Don

MILFORD HAVEN PORT AUTHORITY’S move to diversify operations has come at a critical time, as a drop in cargo throughput for 2014 due to the suspension of refining at Murco delivered fewer ship movements, the organisation has said.

According to the Port, 34 million tonnes of cargo were handled in the last 12 months, a reduction of almost 7 million tonnes compared with 2013. However, whilst Murco refinery’s closure led to fewer ship movements, the Port’s principle business of safely handling around a quarter of the UK’s seaborne energy requirements continued to perform well.

MHPA has told The Herald that progress in developing short sea operations is beginning to yield results, too, with Pembroke Port enjoying a busier year handling ferry, aggregates and animal feed traffic. The announcement of a deal to ship waste-to-energy products from Pembroke Port out to Sweden, and the development of two new wave and tidal energy projects on the dockside indicate that the diversification strategy is beginning to pay off.

The Port of Milford Haven also owns and operates the Milford Dock, base of Wales’ largest fishing port where planning approval was secured on the £70m Dock redevelopment last month.

Chief Executive at the Port, Alec Don, said that despite the loss of trade from Murco and lower LNG volumes over the last three years, the Port remains busy and has been successful in attracting new business to the area.

“We are at the start of a new chapter in the life of this Port. While we continue to invest in order to competitively and safely handle a major part of the UK’s energy needs, global demands affect us deeply. So, the Port is evolving: the rise of marine renewable energy as a viable source of power has the potential to have a great impact on the local economy, and that is why we are investing to attract marine renewable companies to Pembroke Port,” said Alec.

“Our Milford Dock Master Plan, which will see new retail and other visitor attractions around the marina, will also generate jobs and inward investment. Our strategy to invest in the growth of fish handling, processing and retail will also be a catalyst for further business activity here,” he added.

“We are investing for the future. However none of this can be achieved without collaboration with partners and a business environment which makes it easy to invest, operate and employ.”

port

Crime

Drug and weapon charges after Pembroke Dock arrest

Published

2 hours ago

April 10, 2026

Court Reporter

Man remanded in custody following Diamond Street vehicle search

A MAN has been remanded in custody after appearing at Swansea Crown Court charged with drug, weapon and driving offences following an arrest in Pembroke Dock.

Dyfed-Powys Police said officers from Pembrokeshire Roads Policing and response teams searched a vehicle on Diamond Street on Saturday (Apr 4).

Following the search, Zamurd Hussain, 43, was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs.

Hussain was later charged with possession with intent to supply a controlled drug of Class A, possessing an offensive weapon in a public place, and driving a motor vehicle otherwise than in accordance with a licence.

He appeared at Swansea Crown Court on Monday (Apr 6), where he was remanded in custody.

His next court appearance is due to take place at Swansea Crown Court at 9:00am on May 8.

Crime

Woman fights order taking four dogs from her

Published

2 hours ago

April 10, 2026

Rieve Nesbitt-Marr

Swansea Crown Court hears appeal after long-running barking dispute in Trefin

A PEMBROKESHIRE woman has told Swansea Crown Court that complaints about her dogs are unfair as she appeals against the sentence imposed on her by magistrates, including the order that led to four of her dogs being taken from her.

Julia Goodgame appeared before His Honour Judge Simon Hughes on Friday (Apr 10) in the latest stage of a long-running case arising from complaints by residents in Trefin about persistent dog barking.

The appeal follows a ruling by Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court in December, when Goodgame, of Bryn Y Derwydd, admitted breaching a Community Protection Notice issued by Pembrokeshire County Council.

Magistrates ordered the immediate forfeiture and seizure of four Border Collies, which Goodgame said were the only dogs in her possession.

The court heard on Friday that residents had complained of constant barking, with only short breaks of around 30 minutes, sometimes continuing until 10:00pm.

The dogs have reportedly remained in kennels since December while the appeal is dealt with.

Goodgame told the court: “My dogs are exceptionally well behaved.”

She also raised concerns about the conditions the animals are being kept in, saying the kennels were exposed to the weather and did not provide a suitable environment.

Goodgame said she had attended conflict resolution classes and had tried her best to resolve the issues raised by neighbours, but said she could not understand why the dogs had not been returned.

The original case followed months of complaints from residents in Trefin about dog noise and control. In addition to the forfeiture order, magistrates imposed a fine, costs and a Criminal Behaviour Order.

The case continues.

News

Plaid Cymru commits to review 182-day rule

Published

3 hours ago

April 10, 2026

Tom Sinclair

SUPPORTING local tourism businesses is key, Plaid Cymru said as it launched its manifesto and confirmed it would review the 182-day threshold for holiday accommodation in Wales.

The party said it would also introduce clear and reasonable national exemptions in cases where accommodation should not be treated as a private home.

Plaid Cymru says many holiday-let business owners in Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire are struggling to meet the 182-day threshold each year due to factors beyond their control, including poor weather, and that this is having a serious impact on both their businesses and their wellbeing.

Under the party’s proposals, national exemptions would be introduced to ensure genuine holiday-let operators are treated fairly and given the support needed to help their businesses succeed.

Kerry Ferguson, Plaid Cymru Senedd candidate for Ceredigion Penfro, said: “As a business owner myself, I know how much financial pressure small businesses are under at the moment and the toll that can take on owners, their friends and families.

“We have heard directly from many furnished holiday-let owners in both Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire that lowering the 182-day threshold for overnight stays would make a huge difference to their businesses.

“I am pleased that Plaid Cymru has committed to reviewing the 182-day rule for non-domestic rates in Wales and to introducing national exemptions to help genuine businesses that are unfairly affected by the rule, while excluding self-catering accommodation that cannot be used on the open housing market.”