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New Welsh taxes come into force

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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

Rosemarket Dawn Till Dusk golf club 18-hole plans lodged

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A CALL to extend a long-established Pembrokeshire golf club, bringing it up to a full 18 holes, has been submitted to county planners.

In the application, Mr and Mrs Young, through agent Preseli Planning Ltd, seek a change of use of land adjoining the Dawn Till Dusk Golf Club, Furze Hill Farm, Bastleford Road, Rosemarket, to form an extension to the existing golf course, along with landscaping and associated works.

A supporting statement through the agent says: “The application seeks full planning permission for the enlargement of the existing golf course to provide an additional six holes, to provide a total of 18 holes.

“The proposal would involve minor landscaping works to the fields and boundaries and the creation of a small number of ponds and bunkers. The extension would be located on land to the west of Furze Hill Farm and on the opposite side of the road to the existing golf course and clubhouse.

“An altered access to the land parcel is proposed as part of this application, which would provide an improved route for users crossing the public highway to avoid conflict with movements at the main entrance.

“The application site exceeds 1ha and therefore the proposal is considered major development necessitating a Pre-Application Consultation prior to formally submitting the planning application to the Local Planning Authority.”

It adds: “The existing golf course has operated in excess of 30 years and is popular with both visitors and locals. Club membership currently stands at approximately 350 and there is demand for enhancing the provisions of the course.

“The applicants’ sons have recently increased their involvement in the enterprise and in recent years wet winter months have necessitated the closure of the course, or parts of it, due to the ground becoming waterlogged, primarily due to the flat nature of the existing course.

“The extension would provide variation to the terrain, providing, dryer conditions, as well as the ability to alternate between the existing and proposed to maintain use, enhancing the viability of the enterprise.”

The application will be considered by Pembrokeshire County Council planners at a later date.

 

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Plans to rebuild arson hit building at farm with one of largest sheep flocks in Wales

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A CALL to rebuild a fire-damaged Pembrokeshire farm building, as a family home to help manage one of the largest sheep flocks in Wales, has been submitted to the national park.

In the application to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, D B Davies and Sons through agent Harries Planning Design Management, with a supporting statement by Reading Agricultural Consultants Ltd, seek permission to renovate an existing fire-damaged dwelling, together with the conversion and extension of outbuildings to form an agricultural worker’s dwelling at Mynydd Du, Rosebush.

The supporting statement through Reading Agricultural Consultants Ltd says Mynydd Du is part of a wider holding which includes Eisteddfa Fawr and land around the village of Brynberian, the farms approximately six km apart, with land under control of the applicant amounting to some 1,500 acres, with a further 3,000 acres of Preseli mountain common land also used; the land accommodating a 5,000-ewe flock with 10 suckler cows and followers.

It says DB Davies & Sons Unlimited, has five partners: the two Davies brothers, Berian and Ken; their wives; and Berian’s son, Dyfed.

Berian and Ken are in their late 70s, with most of the heavy work on the farm is undertaken by Dyfed.

Dyfed and his wife Megan are first language Welsh speakers, living some 10 km away in Nevern, while Berian and Ken, and their wives, live at Eisteddfa Fawr, Brynberian.

The dwelling at Mynydd Du, where most sheep are now wintered, is structurally sound and repairable but has been unoccupied since 1990, and was subject to arson circa 2013, the statement says.

It says Dyfed works full-time on the farm, alone with increasing frequency as the older business members are above retirement age, working “long hours out of necessity to undertake all the work associated with one of the largest flocks of sheep in Wales”.

“His working hours are extended further due to the fact that he lives remote (6kms) from the main block of land at Tyllosg, where Mynydd Du is situated in the centre of the farm. Travelling back and forth several times each day during lambing and other times during poor weather, to check on flock welfare is an arduous task and can be dangerous, particularly if driving when tired during inclement conditions.”

The statement adds: “The application seeks permission to repair the fire damaged dwelling at Mynydd Du and bring it back to serve a useful purpose to enable Dyfed to closely monitor the ewes, not only at lambing, but throughout the year when the flock is grazing on the adjacent common land.

“It will also enable Dyfed to be with his partner and young child on a more regular basis than simply at the end of a long day when he is away from their current home, tending the sheep at Mynydd Du.”

The application will be considered by park planners at a later date.

 

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Business

Herald expands sales team as Milford Haven growth drives demand

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THE PEMBROKEHIRE HERALD is launching a recruitment drive to bring in two new sales executives as the newspaper continues to grow its commercial operations across the county.

The move comes as the Herald strengthens its position as the leading independent news platform in West Wales, with increasing demand from local businesses looking to advertise both in print and online.

The expansion is being driven in part by the rapid growth of Milford Haven and the wider energy sector, with major investment in green energy projects, port activity and associated industries creating new opportunities for local businesses.

As the area continues to develop as a key energy hub, more companies are seeking to reach customers, partners and the wider community through trusted local media.

The successful candidates will work directly with Pembrokeshire businesses, helping them promote their services to a growing audience through the Herald’s expanding digital reach and established print readership.

Editor Tom Sinclair said the recruitment reflects both the changing local economy and the Herald’s increasing audience.

He said: “Milford Haven is expanding rapidly, particularly with new energy and green projects coming forward, and that’s creating real opportunities for local businesses.

“At the same time, our audience continues to grow across both our website and social media platforms, meaning we can now offer advertisers a much bigger and more effective platform than ever before.”

The new roles will focus on building relationships with local firms, developing advertising campaigns, and identifying new opportunities across sectors including tourism, retail, trades, energy and professional services.

The Herald has continued to invest in its digital platforms, including Herald.Wales, alongside its well-established print edition, offering advertisers a multi-platform approach to reaching customers.

The recruitment drive also comes at a time when many local businesses are looking for cost-effective ways to promote themselves amid ongoing economic pressures.

Mr Sinclair added: “Local advertising matters. When businesses advertise locally, that money stays in the local economy. It helps create jobs, supports families and helps communities grow alongside the businesses within them.”

The roles are expected to appeal to motivated, target-driven individuals with strong communication skills and an interest in media, sales or marketing.

Both positions are based in Pembrokeshire, with opportunities for training and career progression within the Herald’s growing media group.

Anyone interested in applying is encouraged to email [email protected] with a CV and covering letter before Tuesday (Apr 1, 2026).

 

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