News
Milford Haven: Resident threatened with eviction if he appears in hit TV show


Threatened with eviction: Tony Craig
AN ONGOING dispute between neighbours on a Milford Haven estate has led the local housing association to send letters to residents threatening eviction if they speak to the media.
Pembrokeshire Housing was spotted hand delivering letters to homes in Wentworth Close, warning it’s tenants that speaking to the producers of Channel 5’s Nightmare Neighbours Next-door programme could result in ‘notice being served and further legal action as deemed necessary’.
Flame TV, the production company behind the popular TV series have already been stopped from filming on the estate, according to two residents.
The company is due to start filming on the Fairways today (Jan 12), following repeated calls from some residents on the estate, as well as reports in the local press, including The Herald, dating back to 2014.
In their letter to residents Pembrokeshire Housing said: ‘We are concerned that [the filming] will only serve to inflame what is already a very difficult situation, and one we are continuing to work to resolve at a multi-agency level.’
The letter went on to say: ‘In view of this the Association would not give permission for such filming on the estate under any circumstances.
They added: ‘The association would view the filming as a form of harassment; and this action would be considered a breach of your tenancy conditions.’

Channel 5 programme is filming in Milford Haven this week
Resident Tony Craig, 51, is one of the residents due to be interviewed for Nightmare Neighbours. He said: ‘I have tried every avenue possible to get this neighbour disputed sorted. Going public now seems my only option. ‘
He added: ‘My daughter has attempted to commit suicide due to the bullying our family has encountered, and she spent several days in hospital. I have tried to get help from the police, but that has got me nowhere. I have even written to the chief constable but to no avail.’
He added: ‘I have written to Stephen Crabb MP for help. He wrote to the Housing Association in July 2014 but nothing has improved. At the time the families involved with the trouble on the estate were invited to sign Neighbour Agreements, but that had not helped at all.’
‘The main family on the estate who are causing trouble have not been evicted, and I have no idea why.’
In its letter to Stephen Crabb the Housing Association wrote: ‘Pembrokeshire Housing works closely with the police and other agencies to share information and resolve such matters through Safer Pembrokeshire, Community Safety Partnership. As a result, one person was arrested and charged with an alleged assault. Pembrokeshire Housing sought and acted upon legal advice, which was considered appropriate and reasonable, based on the information gathered to date.’
In a statement Pembrokeshire Housing said: “We are aware that filming was due to take place at Wentworth Close in Milford Haven for a Neighbourhood Dispute Programme. As landlord we have withheld consent to film at Wentworth Close believing that such action could provoke further conflict and be detrimental to the progress being made in addressing the issues raised.
“Pembrokeshire Housing has been working hard on a multi-agency approach with the police and other agencies to tackle what is a very complex matter with allegations and counter allegations by and against a number of tenants. This is not a simple matter and there are ongoing legal proceedings against several occupants.
“On behalf of our tenants we are pleased to note that there has been some improvement at Wentworth Close and we will continue to work in partnership with others to resolve the issues raised and build on the progress made to date.”
Business
Council take legal action against 686 Pembrokeshire-based businesses

Scores of firms listed in court for non-payment of business rates
HUNDREDS of businesses across Pembrokeshire are facing court action for unpaid non-domestic rates (business rates), with a staggering number of cases listed at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Feb 17).
The court list reveals that Pembrokeshire County Council is seeking liability orders against an astonishing 686 defendants.
The hearings will determine whether the council can proceed with enforcement measures against those who have failed to pay their dues. The proceedings fall under Regulation 12 of the Non-Domestic Rating (Collection and Enforcement) (Local Lists) Regulations 1989.
These liability orders, if granted, could result in enforcement action, which may include bailiff visits, seizure of goods, or other legal consequences for businesses struggling to meet their financial obligations.
The scale of the action highlights the financial strain faced by many local businesses, with concerns growing over the economic pressures forcing traders into arrears. The Herald understands that businesses across multiple sectors, including hospitality, retail, and services, are among those affected.
A local business owner, who wished to remain anonymous, told The Herald: “The cost of running a business has skyrocketed, and many of us are struggling to keep up. We want to pay our rates, but when you’re dealing with soaring costs and reduced footfall, it becomes a real challenge.”
As the Welsh Government considers levying a Tourism Tax, the court action underscores the difficulties facing Pembrokeshire’s business community, as economic conditions continue to tighten.
The Herald will continue to monitor the outcome of these proceedings and report on any further developments.
Farming
Top biosecurity tips from a Welsh farmer on protecting cattle from TB

A DAIRY farmer managing a chronic bovine TB breakdown has eliminated a major disease threat to his herd by no longer buying in cattle.
Michael Williams is one of 15 farmers involved in the Pembrokeshire TB pilot, a Welsh Government initiative which aims to develop additional measures for bovine TB control, over and above the statutory actions currently being used.
Sharing his progress with other farmers at a recent Farming Connect event, Mr Williams said there is much that every farmer can do to protect their herds from TB.
He has introduced multiple biosecurity measures, including running a closed herd.
He milks 150 cows on a robot milking system at Fagwrfran East, Puncheston, and had sourced cattle from livestock markets but this came with the risk of importing TB.
“We had already stopped buying in cattle before becoming part of this project but we have since become a truly closed herd, we don’t even buy a stock bull,’’ Mr Williams explained.
Cameras were installed to establish if badgers were coming into contact with cattle in the yard and housing and with food and water sources.
None were detected but there were obvious physical signs of activity in fields and on cow tracks.
One and a half miles of badger-proof fencing has since been erected along a hedge with a high number of setts and latrines, to separate these from the stock.
Mr Williams has introduced other measures too:
Creating a remote fallen stock area
The fallen stock collection point had been situated on a part of the farm which compelled a vehicle to cross the yard to collect carcasses.
This facility is now located in a contained area of a building that sits closest to the road and can be completely sealed off from wildlife.
Erecting electric fencing along the maize clamp
Although the farm has no feed bins vulnerable to wildlife, its open maize clamp is a potential risk at feeding out.
Mr Williams erected a simple deterrent, filling two redundant 20-litre dairy chemical drums with sand, placing these at each end of the clamp face and running polywire from one to the other, hooked up to a solar-powered energiser.
“This cost about £20, took ten minutes of my time and prevents badgers from interfering with the feed,’’ he said.
Restricting visitor numbers
Unplanned visits by sales representatives and others are now discouraged.
Visits are by appointment only and a sign has been placed at the farm entrance advising of this policy.
Vehicles coming onto the farm must be clean.
Draining unused water troughs
In-field drinking water troughs that are not used in the winter when the herd and youngstock are housed are drained and remain empty until turnout.
Water troughs in use are cleaned weekly.
Reducing reliance on farm contractors
Investment has been made in slurry application equipment to remove the need for hiring contractors for this job.
Keeping cattle accommodation walkways clean
The frequency that feed passages in the cattle housing are cleaned has increased to minimise the period that slurry pools in these locations.
Adopting the highest level of hygiene at calving
Matting similar to cubicle bed mattresses has been laid in a dedicated calving pen to allow the floor to be thoroughly pressure washed and disinfected between calvings.
Providing footwear disinfection points
Containers of disinfectant solution are positioned around the yard to allow footwear to be disinfected in between contact with different classes of stock
Increasing intervals between slurry application and silage harvesting
Although Mr Williams operates a multi-cut silage system, he has increased cutting intervals from four weeks to five and applies slurry to the aftermath at the very earliest opportunity, the day after the grass has been collected from the field.
Other measures
In addition to rolling out biosecurity measures, Mr Williams has been culling animals which have been identified as at high risk of contracting or spreading TB, flagged up on a ‘risk rating’ list through an app developed for the Pembrokeshire TB pilot.
Any cow in the two highest risk categories – in this case red or amber – is sold as barren.
“Being more proactive with culling, choosing when an animal leaves the farm rather than being in a forced situation as a result of a TB test, is a better option in many ways,’’ said Mr Williams.
If an animal falls into a ‘yellow’ band, the lowest of the three risk categories, but is nonetheless a risk, she is bred to a terminal sire to ensure that no female replacements enter the herd.
In 2024, 35 of Mr Williams’ cows exited the herd based on risk rating results.
“There is short term pain in getting on top of the residual disease but I am confident that we will reap the rewards a few years down the line,’’ he maintains.
“If we can get down to two or three per cent risk rating, we will be in the realms of being on top of the disease rather than the disease being on top of the herd.’’
He believes this system is working.
“In December 2024 the risk rating was 7% compared to 11% in January 2024 so this is a start, we think culling is working.’’
Mr Williams also emphasised the importance of making time to discuss biosecurity and disease risks with the farm vet.
“Don’t do this while the vet is TB testing or on the farm for another reason, set aside a dedicated time to have a proper discussion,’’ he advised.
He credits his vet, Rhiannon Lewis, of Gwaun Vets, with supporting him through this process. “We have worked together on this,’’ he said.
PANEL
The Farming Connect event was hosted by Rhys Lougher at Ty Tanglwyst, a dairy farm near Pyle.
Mr Lougher’s 120-cow herd of pedigree Holsteins has been free of TB for many years.
He too has high levels of biosecurity and benefits from his farm being largely remote from cattle on other holdings and protected by hard boundaries including roads and limestone quarries.
Only sexed semen is used for breeding and no cattle have been bought in for 40 years.
Mr Lougher has his own slurry tanker and muck spreader to avoid use of contractors.
“A big part of our business is selling high health status, freshly calved, pedigree Holstein heifers to other dairy farms, the wish to continue to do this is our main driver for wanting to keep TB out of our farm,’’ he said.
Business
Wales Tourism Alliance criticises Mark Drakeford’s visitor levy evidence

THE WALES TOURISM ALLIANCE has strongly criticised comments made by Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Mark Drakeford, during his evidence session to the Welsh Government Finance Committee regarding the proposed Welsh Visitor Levy. The WTA argues that Drakeford’s remarks misrepresent the scale of the tourism industry and downplay the potential economic consequences of the levy.
What is the visitor levy?

The proposed Visitor Levy, commonly referred to as the “tourism tax,” would allow local authorities in Wales to introduce a charge on visitors staying in overnight accommodation. The Welsh Government argues that this levy would help support local infrastructure and services used by tourists. However, industry representatives and local businesses fear that it will deter visitors, particularly in key tourism-dependent areas such as Pembrokeshire.
Pembrokeshire, home to one of Wales’ most popular tourist destinations, Tenby, relies heavily on tourism revenue. Business owners, accommodation providers, and tourism operators in the county have expressed significant concerns that the levy could put off visitors, leading to reduced spending in local shops, restaurants, and attractions. Many have pointed out that, with the cost-of-living crisis already squeezing holiday budgets, an additional charge could push visitors to choose alternative destinations outside Wales.
Employment figures disputed
Drakeford claimed that the tourism and hospitality sector in Wales employs “a million” people and would not struggle to absorb the loss of several hundred jobs due to the levy. He also suggested that many tourism jobs are seasonal, have flexible hours, and are high-churn, implying that job losses would be manageable.
However, the WTA strongly disputes these figures, citing Welsh Government data that places the number of people employed in the sector at approximately 159,000. Given this significantly lower number, the loss of even a few hundred jobs would be far more impactful than Drakeford suggests. Furthermore, the WTA argues that seasonal and part-time jobs play a crucial role in providing employment opportunities, particularly for young people and those with caregiving responsibilities, such as parents and carers—groups that may struggle to find work in other sectors.
Concerns over data reliability
Drakeford also accused industry representatives, including the WTA, of selectively using worst-case scenario data in their evidence to the committee. The WTA rejects this claim, arguing that the data underpinning the Visitor Levy’s economic impact assessment is flawed and unreliable.
This concern was echoed by Professor Calvin Jones, the author of the Welsh Government’s own Visitor Levy Economic Impact Assessment. In his evidence to the Finance Committee, Jones stated: “We know very little about how the tourism economy in Wales works… we know very little about what drives visitors to come to Wales; we know almost nothing about how much they’re spending when they’re here… there isn’t even any data anymore on… how much is spent on accommodation… it should be a very uncomfortable place for Senedd Members to be when they’re trying to make policy or audit policy on tourism.”
Impact on families and educational visits
Drakeford defended the inclusion of children in the Visitor Levy by comparing it to VAT on sweets, arguing that children are not generally exempt from taxation. However, the WTA points out that this analogy is flawed, as children’s clothing, shoes, and books are zero-rated for VAT in the UK. The WTA also highlights that many other countries with tourism taxes exclude under-18s from such charges.
The per-person nature of the levy means that families will be disproportionately affected. For instance, two adults staying in accommodation for a week would pay a levy of £21, whereas a family of six would pay £63 for the same stay. Moreover, the WTA raises concerns that the levy will also apply to children on school trips and educational visits, adding an extra financial burden on families and schools.
Impact on Pembrokeshire’s tourism sector
Pembrokeshire businesses, particularly those in coastal tourist hotspots like Tenby, Saundersfoot, and St Davids, are among those voicing the strongest opposition to the levy. Many fear that it will discourage visitors from choosing Welsh destinations, instead opting for other parts of the UK or even holidaying abroad.
Tourism plays a vital role in Pembrokeshire’s economy, providing employment for thousands and sustaining local businesses. According to industry figures, over 4 million visitors come to Pembrokeshire each year, contributing hundreds of millions to the local economy. Hospitality providers in the region have warned that the levy could have serious repercussions, particularly for independent hotels, B&Bs, and campsites that rely on high occupancy levels during peak season to remain viable year-round.
A local B&B owner in Tenby, speaking to The Herald, said: “We are already seeing the effects of rising costs on bookings. If people are being asked to pay extra on top of accommodation prices, they will simply look elsewhere. We rely on repeat visitors and families who come year after year—this levy could drive them away.”
Wider economic impact
Drakeford dismissed the idea that the Visitor Levy would contribute to the cumulative challenges faced by the tourism and hospitality sector, stating that these issues “do not collide on all of the sector.”
The WTA strongly disagrees, asserting that tourism is a holistic industry where changes in one area inevitably impact others. They highlight several pressures already affecting tourism businesses, including:
- The 182-day rule for self-catering properties.
- National Insurance increases.
- The removal of furnished holiday let tax relief.
According to the WTA, these combined factors are already forcing many small, locally-run self-catering businesses to close, further weakening the sector and putting more jobs at risk.
WTA’s final response
Rowland Rees-Evans, Chair of the WTA, criticised Drakeford’s approach, stating: “We are disappointed that Mr Drakeford is dismissing the valid concerns raised by industry experts and academics and making claims that are factually incorrect.
Many people in Wales are unaware that the Visitor Levy will apply to anyone staying in ‘Visitor Accommodation’—including children on educational visits and people working away from home, even if they already live in Wales.
The bottom line is that the Visitor Levy will cost people in Wales money and jobs—even in the best-case scenario presented by the Welsh Government. Mr Drakeford seems content to push through a policy that is poorly conceived, offers no guaranteed financial benefit to Wales, and threatens hundreds of jobs in an industry that employs over 20% of the workforce in some parts of the country.
Given the current economic climate, it is difficult to understand why the person responsible for managing the Welsh budget would consider imposing such a levy at this time.”
The debate over the proposed Visitor Levy continues, with industry representatives calling for more robust data, a clearer assessment of economic consequences, and a reconsideration of its implementation before the policy is finalised.
-
Business3 days ago
Digital marketing challenges for rural Welsh businesses
-
Education7 days ago
Excluding pupils for knives ‘too simple’, says Estyn chief
-
News7 days ago
Threatening email revealed: Why Neyland’s clerk missed controversial meeting
-
Business7 days ago
Oyster comeback: Milford Haven project aims to restore native species
-
News3 days ago
Police report filed over Neyland Town Council email controversy
-
Health3 days ago
Emergency care failing in Wales, warns damming report
-
Education7 days ago
Exciting apprenticeship opportunities at Port of Milford Haven
-
News7 days ago
New housing plans spark sewage fears in Broad Haven
Terry
January 12, 2016 at 4:21 pm
that really is bully boy tactics, the housing association come across as uncaring and are only concerned about bad publicity – call themselves a charity?
Neil Thompson
January 12, 2016 at 5:09 pm
..’could result’… So what they are saying is ‘we don’t want you talking to these people’.
Who are Pembrokeshire Houseing to dictate who you can to can’t talk to??
Bullying tactics!!!! This would get thrown out of any court in the land and cost PH a fortune!!!
SARAH B
January 12, 2016 at 6:34 pm
Ive used to live in Milford Haven and the council do not care about their tennants. I would just let them try and I would fight it all the way. There are bullies who deal with housing issues at Pembrokeshir Council, as i have had personal dealings with them and they lie through their teeth to cover their arses.
SARAH B
January 12, 2016 at 6:35 pm
I used to live in Milford Haven and the council do not care about their tennants. I would just let them try and I would fight it all the way. There are bullies who deal with housing issues at Pembrokeshire Council, as I have had personal dealings with them and they lie through their teeth to cover their arses.
M jones
January 12, 2016 at 9:30 pm
Maybe they should film the response from housing, and do the filming themselves, I’ve been trying to get a 20 mph speed limit around this estate for 2 years and no one is claiming responsibility for ownership, not Persimmons not housing not council nor the police, so in effect this is private property and we have a legal right to film whoever we like and drive as fast as we want and not even wear a crash helmet on a motorbike then, this day and age there are too many protected by the police for whatever reason that we will never know, people who constantly break the law and a blind eye is turned, somethings got to change or vigilantes will start to rule.
Charles
January 12, 2016 at 11:51 pm
If they film at an alternative venue in silhouette and use an actors voice Pembs housing cannot serve notice on anybody. Pembs housing are useless at solving neighbour disputes and try their best to paper over the issues . I am sure it is a breach of the human rights act to threaten people in this manner. These notices should appear on here with the persons name blanked out and show what bully boy tactics that PHA are using to gag people. I was aware of a neighbour dispute and even where tenants were physically assaulted none of the agencies (including the police) did anything to resolve the issue!
Concernedtracy
January 13, 2016 at 6:00 pm
The troublemakers need to be named and shamed and we need to know why they are being protected. Richard Cain Roberts and jacovia downing are the two causing all this bother!
Lisa
July 6, 2017 at 11:08 am
After 3yrs of hell my neighbour was given an 8 week possession order last Thursday.
I have to say my personal dealings with Pembrokeshire county council has been amazing. Also dyfed powys police have been so supportive. It’s been a living he’ll, but thankyou to everyone who supported me thru all this misery.
There’s always light at the end of the tunnel. Keep reporting, and hang on in there. Good luck.