News

Pyrolysis plant refused

Published

9 years ago

December 30, 2015

PLANS to build a Pyrolysis plant at the Waterloo Industrial Estate in Pembroke Dock were unanimously refused by Pembrokeshire County Council. On Tuesday (Dec 15), the Planning and Rights of Way Committee met to discuss the application from Barcud Energy Ltd, a firm based in Cardiff. The unit would be used to generate syngas by thermally treating feedstock comprised of oily sludge and filter cake that is generated by oil refineries.

However, concerns were raised about the size of the plant and the possible emissions from it. Pembroke Dock Llanion Councillor Sue Perkins said: “Because of the strong feeling the whole town of Pembroke Dock, I feel I must put forward the views of my constituents. “I’m delighted that the application before you is for refusal and I ask you to support the officer’s recommendation. “The fuel oily sludge is a very dirty fuel containing high concentrations of hazardous constituents including heavy metals and naturally occurring radioactive material that may be resilient to combustion. “How could anyone think it’s a particularly good idea to build a pyrolysis incinerator producing oily sludge in an area that floods, in an entry to a town, close to people’s homes, a large council estate along the side of the Cleddau?

“We’ve been told by the applicant there will be no pollution and no odour but we were told this before. Pembroke Dock has had its fair share of both over the years. We all know that we cannot control the weather nor human error and in the high winds experienced on the site of the height of the Cleddau, no one can guarantee that the smog, smoke and pollution will not come to the town nor further up the river in areas like Cosheston and in fact Carew.

“If there is a need for such a facility, as our officers have said, in Pembrokeshire, which I personally doubt, there are already designated areas where there is already a power station and a refinery. If this plant is built close to both of these facilities it would stop the need for transporting this oily sludge in lorries, around Pembroke, on the A477 which is an already busy road. “The application in my mind makes no sense at all and I just want to say that we have an obligation to our towns who speak long and hard about making our towns more important and more accessible to the visitors and Pembroke Dock always seems like a poor relation but Pembroke Dock has a huge amount to offer; it has the Cleddau, it has historical buildings, it has a huge amount of facilities and once again I think as a town we feel that having something like this on our doorstep would absolutely destroy everything that we would like to see in our future.”

Speaking on behalf of Pembroke Dock Town Council, Councillor Alison Lee said: “If you grant this application, this will become the first thing people will see when they drive into Pembroke Dock. They will see two large massive buildings with a 40 metre stack instead of the waterway, boats and the countryside. “This structure will be visible for a much larger area than suggested by the applicant. It is stated by the landscape officer that the visual impact for some people such as the water sports centre is significant.

“The applicant points out that the mass of the building actually screens other areas in the industrial estate, which in my opinion, just highlights how large and obtrusive this structure will be. “The applicant states that there is a need for a pyrolysis unit in Pembroke Dock and refineries in Pembrokeshire and it has been suggested that the unit would secure jobs at the refinery. This is untrue, there is one refinery in Pembrokeshire and it’s been confirmed that refusal of this application would have no impact on the refinery or any jobs there. “Pembroke Dock already has unresolved issues with a waste management site in the town; it really doesn’t need another one.”

John Hubbard, a long term resident in the area, said: “The Waterloo site is inappropriate for a plant of this nature for a number of reasons which include; it’s within the town limits, numerous people live nearby, the wastes are defined as hazardous, emissions from the chimney are at a low level, it’s alongside scenic waterway and the building is so large it will be seen from numerous locations around it. “We are very concerned at the nature and scale of this operation processing hazardous wastes and the emissions it will create on our very doorstep. The visual impact of the proposal is very intrusive on the landscape and is out of keeping with other buildings in the location.”

Cllr Brian Hall moved the recommendation for refusal and added: “If you look at the gate they are proposing and the entrance that is proposed, that will not take a petrol tanker type lorry. “The vehicle movements around the Waterloo roundabout at the end of the trunk road is approximately on a busy day 22,000 vehicle movements and in the last meeting we had the approval for Aldi and the traffic going into the industrial estate is going to be unbelievable when the Aldi opens, on top of the new bus station that has been approved for Silcox. “That will not generate enough work to make that business, in my opinion, viable. Cllr Tony Wilcox added: “It’s all about location, this is the wrong one, it’s not viable and I will gladly second the recommendation.” When it was put to a vote the plans were refused unanimously.

Community

Officials announced for 2026 Eisteddfod in Pembrokeshire

Published

34 mins ago

November 14, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE NATIONAL EISTEDDFOD returns to Pembrokeshire in 2026, and organisers have named the officials who will steer this major cultural event over the next year and a half.

With the artistic and local committees already established, meetings to finalise competitions and adjudicators are underway to ensure the List of Competitions is ready by spring. Committee members have also been voting over the past weeks to elect key officials for the Executive Committee.

John Davies, former leader of Pembrokeshire County Council, has been appointed Chair of the Executive Committee. Known for his deep connection to Pembrokeshire and extensive experience with national organisations, Davies aims to make the Eisteddfod a true community event, welcoming involvement from all corners of the region.

Tegryn Jones, Chief Executive of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, takes on the role of Deputy Chair (Strategy). With a strong passion for Welsh culture and language, Jones brings a wealth of experience working with local communities, visitors, and volunteers across three counties.

Deputy Chair (Culture) is Carys Ifan, Director of Canolfan Egin and a seasoned cultural organiser. Based in Llangrannog and originally from Llandudoch, Ifan has led numerous artistic and community projects across the region.

Cris Tomos, a community development veteran with over 30 years of experience, will lead the 2026 Eisteddfod Local Fund. Working with PLANED, a community development charity, Tomos has supported countless community enterprises and co-operatives in Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion, and Carmarthenshire.

Non Davies, recently elected as Executive Committee Secretary, brings extensive cultural management expertise as Ceredigion County Council’s Corporate Manager for Culture. Having chaired the Cardigan Local Fund Committee for the 2022 Ceredigion Eisteddfod, Davies is well-versed in managing cultural projects.

National Eisteddfod Chief Executive, Betsan Moses, said: “We’re looking forward to working with John and the team over the next few months as we prepare for the 2026 Eisteddfod.

“There’s almost a quarter of a century since the Eisteddfod was last held in Pembrokeshire, and we’re very much looking forward to returning to the area. 2026 is an important year for us as we celebrate 850 years since the first Eisteddfod was held in Cardigan Castle in 1176.

“We’re looking forward to working in a new way within a catchment area which includes parts of another two counties, which is, of course, a chance to work with local people in Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire again.”

Further announcements are expected in the coming weeks, including the sale of competition prizes and opportunities to donate the Crown and the Chair.

The National Eisteddfod will be held in Llantood from August 1–8, 2026.

News

Campaigners urge Welsh Government to adopt proportional representation for Local Elections

Published

1 hour ago

November 14, 2024

Tom Sinclair

CAMPAIGNERS are calling on the Welsh Government to introduce the Single Transferable Vote (STV) system for local elections, following moves by two councils to shift away from the First Past the Post (FPTP) system being blocked on technical grounds.

Yesterday (Nov 14), Ceredigion Council voted narrowly, with an 18 to 17 majority, in favor of adopting STV. This follows Gwynedd Council’s decision last month, where 65% of councillors backed the move. However, both councils have been prevented from implementing STV due to a requirement for a two-thirds majority under the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021.

In recent consultations, public support for STV has been overwhelming, with over 70% in Gwynedd and 67% in Ceredigion favoring the change. Only Powys Council rejected the proposal, despite 60.5% of its respondents supporting STV. Campaigners argue that the current system deprives voters of representation, citing that over 100,000 people were denied a vote in the 2022 elections due to uncontested seats.

The Electoral Reform Society Cymru (ERS Cymru) highlights the contrast with Scotland, where the introduction of STV for local elections in 2007 has significantly reduced uncontested seats. According to ERS Cymru, Scotland has had fewer uncontested seats in the last four elections combined than Gwynedd Council recorded alone in 2022.

Jess Blair, Director of ERS Cymru, said:

“Decisions made in council chambers affect everyone in those areas, so every vote should count. It’s absurd that councils choosing STV are blocked by a technicality, leaving them stuck with an outdated system that denies representation to thousands. The Welsh Government must act to avoid repeating the undemocratic outcomes of the last elections.”

Campaigners are now calling on the Welsh Government to introduce STV across all councils in Wales, ensuring representation that reflects the electorate’s wishes.

Business

Upgrades completed at Port of Milford Haven’s simulator suite

Published

2 hours ago

November 14, 2024

Tom Sinclair

UPGRADES have been completed to state-of-the-art equipment within the Port of Milford Haven’s navigation simulator suite at Milford Waterfront enabling marine professionals to receive bespoke specialist training. The virtual reality simulation system can safely replicate a range of scenarios that seafarers may experience in real world situations such as extreme weather conditions, emergency situations and escort tug work.

The upgrades provided by Netherlands-based company MARIN contain the latest hardware in terms of processing power and graphics, as well as upgrades to MARIN’s ‘Dolphin’ software, increasing the capability to create scenarios. These are complemented with new 4k visuals on 75” screens which increase the depth and field of vision, adding to the realism.

Recently, a training day was led by Training Pilot Captain Mark Johnson, assisted by ex-Pilot Andy Hillier, involving members of the Svitzer team as well as Pilots Matt Roberts and Ian Coombes. As part of the scenario, they were faced with a loss of engine power and steering along with worsening weather and sea conditions. The Pilots had to communicate with Svitzer in order to successfully instruct them on how to tow and direct a drifting tanker. While scenarios like these are uncommon within port operations, it is important to rehearse procedures that would be implemented if they are required and enhances participants’ skill sets.

Marine Pilot and Simulator Instructor, Captain Ewan McNicoll, said “This simulator suite has future proofed our training capabilities, both internally for Pilots and marine staff, but also externally for clients wishing to use the facility, be it for training purposes or research and development. We can create any type of scenario with any type of ship, ranging from practicing ship handling manoeuvres to emergency situations, it really is game changing! Working with our partners at MARIN has been a complete success and I am very proud of our new facility.”

For more information about training at the navigation simulation suite please contact the Port of Milford Haven at [email protected] or 01646 696100.