News

Milford Haven: Consultation on biomass plant under scrutiny

Published

9 years ago

September 11, 2017

ENVIRONMENTAL campaigners have penned an open letter which have criticised the Welsh Planning Inspectorate’s decision to limit the scope of a new consultation about Egnedol’s controversial proposal for a large biomass and waste gasification plant at Blackbridge, Milford Haven.

The consultation will exclude any new evidence and comments that relate to impacts on residents and on workers.

If Egnedol’s plans get the go ahead, the biomass plant at Blackbridge will be the biggest of its kind in the world.

In the letter, Pembrokeshire Friends of the Earth, The Environment Network for Pembrokeshire (TENP) and Biofuelwatch are warning that planners’ handling of Egnedol’s application could be putting lives at risk.

The groups had previously written to the Planning Inspectorate in May, after Egnedol’s application had been suspended for additional information, calling for a proper investigation into health and safety risks of residents and workers, as well as other important planning matter.

The consultation has been re-opened, but the Planning Inspectorate has restricted consideration of comments to ones about local ecology impacts. This is despite the fact that the plant would be built inside two Control of Major Accident Hazard Zones and that its design contravenes European guidelines about biomass gasifiers, drawn up to reduce the risks of explosions and fires.

Bettina Becker from Pembrokeshire Friends of the Earth said: “We are shocked and dismayed that the Planning Inspectorate and the Health and Safety Executive continue to turn a blind eye to the safety of residents and workers in Milford Haven.”

While the TENP Committee agree that it is right and proper that the Planning Inspectorate insists on scrutinising a power plant’s impacts on otters and bats, but feel that the Inspectorate has failed to give adequate attention to the risks posed to people.

Furthermore the group say the decision making process has been handled so poorly that it has failed to apply the 3 principles adopted by the Planning Inspectorate and to fulfil the duty placed on public bodies by the Wellbeing of Future Generation Act, 2015, of which the Welsh Government ‘is so proud.’

European Commission guidelines stipulate that all biomass gasifiers must have an emergency gas flare, to prevent pressure from building up inside the gasification chamber during engine shutdowns.

Egnedol’s proposal shows that the company wants to build one of the biggest gasification plants in the world without any flare and thus any means of preventing a potentially catastrophic explosive buildup of pressure. The Health and Safety Executive has so far refused to step in and to scrutinise the proposal.

Almuth Ernsting from Biofuelwatch warns: “We had hoped that after the Grenfell Tower disaster, fire and explosion risks would no longer be sidelined by planners and the Health and Safety Executive. If the Planning Inspectorate is not willing to consider the evidence, then the Welsh Assembly Government must step in.”

The open letter further warns that other vital issues, such as the health impacts of air pollution and compliance with waste policies, are also not being properly addressed through the planning process.

Crime

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

Published

18 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

18 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

19 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.