Business

New Welsh taxes come into force

Published

8 years ago

April 16, 2018

Mark Drakeford: Landfill tax to benefit affected communities

ON APRIL 1 2018, the first Welsh taxes for almost 800 years ‘went live’.

The new Land Transaction Tax (LTT) and Landfill Disposals Tax (LDT) will replace UK Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) and Landfill Tax (LfT) respectively.

These taxes will be collected and managed by the Welsh Revenue Authority (WRA).

LAND TRANSACTION TAX

The Land Transaction Tax and Anti-avoidance of Devolved Taxes (Wales) Act 2017 will legislate for LTT in Wales. The Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Mark Drakeford, announced the new LTT rates and bands alongside the draft budget in October 2017. However, in response to the UK Autumn Budget in November 2017, he revised the rates and bands for residential properties in December 2017.

LTT will be based on a marginal rate system like SDLT, which means the purchase price is taxed at a specific rate which applies to that band. For example, table 1 below shows that a £190,000 residential property would be exempt from the first £180,000 with LTT charged on the remaining £10,000 at 3.5%.

RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES

The proposed LTT rates and bands for residential properties are different to those that are currently in place in Wales under SDLT. As shown, residential properties up to £180,000 are exempt from LTT in Wales whilst it is currently properties up to £125,000 for SDLT.

The Cabinet Secretary for Finance commented that “this new threshold, which is £55,000 higher than the starting threshold for SDLT will reduce the tax burden for around 24,000 homebuyers in Wales.” Additional rate for residential properties.

In November 2015, the UK Government announced the higher rates of SDLT would apply from 1 April 2016 to purchases of additional residential properties, such as second homes and buy-to-let properties.

In response to this, the Welsh Government decided to impose an additional rate for LTT of 3% on all price thresholds.

NON-RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES

There are also differences in rates and bands between LTT and SDLT for non-residential properties. LTT in Wales will include an additional rate for properties over £1 million. Individuals will pay less LTT for properties between £150,000 and £250,000 when compared to SDLT but more for properties over £1 million.

The price threshold for incurring a 2% LTT rate for non-residential lease rents is £3 million lower than SDLT. The Welsh Government explained this is due to generally lower lease rates in Wales meaning very few transactions would pay the top rate of LTT if it was consistent with SDLT.

LANDFILL DISPOSALS TAX

The Landfill Disposals (Wales) Act 2017 legislates for LDT, which will replace UK LfT in Wales from 1 April 2018. It will be a tax on the disposal of waste to landfill payable by landfill site operators. LDT will consist of a lower and standard rate like LfT but will also include a new unauthorised disposals rate.

In the Welsh Government 2018-19 budget, the Cabinet Secretary for Finance confirmed that the lower and standard rates of tax will remain consistent with LfT for 2 years with the unauthorised disposals rate set at 150% of the standard rate.

Professor Drakeford said: “The Landfill Disposals Tax Communities Scheme recognises there can be a negative impact for communities through the disposal of waste.

“Funding from the scheme will directly benefit the environment for those who live near a landfill site helping to offset the impact of waste to landfill.

“Grants of £5,000 to £50,000 will be available to projects in 2 bidding rounds every year and one project will receive funding of up to £250,000 a year.”

WELSH REVENUE AUTHORITY

The Welsh Revenue Authority (WRA) has been established to manage and collect devolved taxes in Wales. The WRA was established in October 2017 and is the first non-ministerial department to be set up by the Welsh Government. The authority will operate independently from Welsh Government and be accountable to the Assembly.

Business

First wind turbine components arrive as LNG project moves ahead

Published

9 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THE FIRST ship carrying major components for Dragon LNG’s new onshore wind turbines docked at Pembroke Port last week, marking the start of physical deliveries for the multi-million-pound renewable energy project.

The Maltese-registered general cargo vessel Peak Bergen berthed at Pembroke Dock on Wednesday 26^th November, bringing tower sections and other heavy components for the three Enercon turbines that will eventually stand on land adjacent to the existing gas terminal at Waterston.

A second vessel, the Irish-flagged Wilson Flex IV, has arrived in Pembroke Port today (Thursday) carrying the giant rotor blades.

The deliveries follow a successful trial convoy on 25 November, when police-escorted low-loader trailers carried dummy loads along the planned route from the port through Pembroke, past Waterloo roundabout and up the A477 to the Dragon LNG site.

Dragon LNG’s Community and Social Performance Officer, Lynette Round, confirmed the latest movements in emails to the Herald.

“The Peak Bergen arrived last week with the first components,” she said. “We are expecting another delivery tomorrow (Thursday) onboard the Wilson Flex IV. This will be blades and is currently showing an ETA of approximately 03:30.”

The £14.3 million project, approved by Welsh Ministers last year, will see three turbines with a combined capacity of up to 13.5 MW erected on company-owned land next to the LNG terminal. Once operational – expected in late 2026 – they will generate enough electricity to power the entire site, significantly reducing its carbon footprint.

The Weather conditions were favourable for the arrival of the Wilson Flex IV, which was tracking south of the Smalls at midnight.

The abnormal-load convoys carrying the components from the port to Waterston are expected to begin early next year, subject to final police and highway approvals.

A community benefit fund linked to the project will provide for residents in nearby Waterston, Llanstadwell and Neyland.

Further updates will be issued by Dragon LNG as the Port of Milford Haven as the delivery programme continues.

Photo: Martin Cavaney

Business

Cardiff Airport announces special Air France flights for Six Nations

Published

13 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Direct services to Paris-Charles de Gaulle launched to cater for Welsh supporters, French fans and couples planning a Valentine’s getaway

CARDIFF AIRPORT and Air France have unveiled a series of special direct flights between Cardiff (CWL) and Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG) scheduled for February 2026.

Timed to coincide with two major dates — the Wales v France Six Nations clash on Saturday 15 February and Valentine’s weekend — the flights are designed to offer supporters and holidaymakers an easy link between the two capitals.

For travelling French rugby fans, the services provide a straightforward route into Wales ahead of match day at the Principality Stadium, when Cardiff will once again be transformed by the colour, noise and passion that accompanies one of the tournament’s most eagerly awaited fixtures.

For Welsh passengers, the additional flights offer a seamless escape to Paris for Valentine’s Day, as well as opportunities for short breaks and onward travel via Air France’s wider global network.

Cardiff Airport CEO Jon Bridge said: “We’re thrilled to offer direct flights to such a vibrant and exciting city for Valentine’s weekend. Cardiff Airport is expanding its reach and giving customers fantastic travel options. We’ve listened to passenger demand and are delighted to make this opportunity possible. There is more to come from Cardiff.”

Tickets are already on sale via the Air France website and through travel agents.

Special flight schedule

Paris (CDG) → Cardiff (CWL):

13 February 2026: AF4148 departs 17:00 (arrives 17:30)
14 February 2026: AF4148 departs 14:00 (arrives 14:30)
15 February 2026: AF4148 departs 08:00 (arrives 08:30)
15 February 2026: AF4150 departs 19:40 (arrives 20:10)
16 February 2026: AF4148 departs 08:00 (arrives 08:30)
16 February 2026: AF4150 departs 16:30 (arrives 17:00)

Cardiff (CWL) → Paris (CDG):

13 February 2026: AF4149 departs 18:20 (arrives 20:50)
14 February 2026: AF4149 departs 15:20 (arrives 17:50)
15 February 2026: AF4149 departs 09:20 (arrives 11:50)
15 February 2026: AF4151 departs 21:00 (arrives 23:30)
16 February 2026: AF4149 departs 09:20 (arrives 11:50)
16 February 2026: AF4151 departs 17:50 (arrives 20:20)

Business

Cwm Deri Vineyard Martletwy holiday lets plans deferred

Published

21 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

CALLS to convert a former vineyard restaurant in rural Pembrokeshire which had been recommended for refusal has been given a breathing space by planners.

In an application recommended for refusal at the December meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee, Barry Cadogan sought permission for a farm diversification and expansion of an existing holiday operation through the conversion of the redundant former Cwm Deri vineyard production base and restaurant to three holiday lets at Oaklea, Martletwy.

It was recommended for refusal on the grounds of the open countryside location being contrary to planning policy and there was no evidence submitted that the application would not increase foul flows and that nutrient neutrality in the Pembrokeshire Marine SAC would be achieved within this catchment.

An officer report said that, while the scheme was suggested as a form of farm diversification, no detail had been provided in the form of a business case.

Speaking at the meeting, agent Andrew Vaughan-Harries of Hayston Developments & Planning Ltd, after the committee had enjoyed a seasonal break for mince pies, said of the recommendation for refusal: “I’m a bit grumpy over this one; the client has done everything right, he has talked with the authority and it’s not in retrospect but has had a negative report from your officers.”

He said the former Cwm Deri vineyard had been a very successful business, with a shop and a restaurant catering for ‘100 covers’ before it closed two three years ago when the original owner relocated to Carmarthenshire.

He said Mr Cadogan then bought the site, farming over 36 acres and running a small campsite of 20 spaces, but didn’t wish to run a café or a wine shop; arguing the “beautiful kitchen” and facilities would easily convert to holiday let use.

He said a “common sense approach” showed a septic tank that could cope with a restaurant of “100 covers” could cope with three holiday lets, describing the nitrates issue as “a red herring”.

He suggested a deferral for further information to be provided by the applicant, adding: “This is a big, missed opportunity if we just kick this out today, there’s a building sitting there not creating any jobs.”

On the ‘open countryside’ argument, he said that while many viewed Martletwy as “a little bit in the sticks” there was already permission for the campsite, and the restaurant, and the Bluestone holiday park and the Wild Lakes water park were roughly a mile or so away.

He said converting the former restaurant would “be an asset to bring it over to tourism,” adding: “We don’t all want to stay in Tenby or the Ty Hotel in Milford Haven.”

While Cllr Nick Neuman felt the nutrients issue could be overcome, Cllr Michael Williams warned the application was “clearly outside policy,” recommending it be refused.

A counter-proposal, by Cllr Tony Wilcox, called for a site visit before any decision was made, the application returning to a future committee; members voting seven to three in favour of that.