THE FINAL sign-off for plans for a heifer accommodation building and associated works at one of Pembrokeshire’s largest dairy farms, with a milking herd of 2,000 cows, have been given the go-ahead.

In an application backed by councillors at the December meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee, Hugh James of Langdon Mill Farms Ltd sought permission for a 160-metre-long heifer accommodation building, a slurry separation/dewatering building and associated yard areas at 1,215-hectare Langdon Mill Farm, near Jeffreyston, Kilgetty.

A supporting statement through agent Reading Agricultural Consultants said: “The holding currently has a milking herd of approximately 2,000 cows, which are housed indoors for the majority of the year, with dry cows and heifers grazed outdoors when weather and soil conditions permit.

“There has been significant investment in buildings and infrastructure at the farm over the last decade in respect of cattle accommodation, slurry storage, milking facilities, Anaerobic Digestion (AD) plant, feed storage. Recently a calf and weaned calf accommodation buildings were approved by Pembrokeshire County Council with construction almost complete.

“The unit is efficient, achieving yields of more than 10,000 litres/cow/year, with cows being milked three times/day in the 60-point rotary parlour. Langdon Mill Farm currently directly employs 21 full-time, and three part-time staff.  Of these, four live on site in the two dwellings opposite the farm, with the remaining staff living in the locality.”

It added: “Although the unit has previously purchased heifers to aid expansion, the farm now breeds most of its own replacements to improve genetics and to minimise the ongoing threat of bovine tuberculosis (bTB).”

It said the proposed building would be used by heifers between the ages of 7-22 months, the siting  “directly influenced by the adjacent calf and weaned calf buildings, with livestock being moved from one building to the next as they get older”.

Members unanimously supported the recommendation of approval, giving delegated powers to the interim head of planning to approve the application following the final approval of a habitats regulations assessment.

An officer report published yesterday, February 5, said Natural Resources Wales confirmed it had received the assessment, and, “in consideration of the mitigation measures detailed and on the understanding there is no increase in stock, they agree with the LPA’s conclusion that an adverse effect upon the integrity of the SAC [Special Areas of Conservation] sites can be ruled out”.

Formal delegated approval has now been granted by officers.

Energy, trade and human rights concerns collide as UK deploys monarchy’s ‘soft power’

PRINCE WILLIAM will step into one of the most politically sensitive overseas trips of his public life this week as he travels to Saudi Arabia at the request of the UK Government.

Unlike recent royal visits to Estonia, Poland or South Africa, this tour carries significant diplomatic weight, placing the Prince of Wales at the centre of a complex balancing act between strengthening economic ties and confronting a deeply controversial human rights record.

Sources close to the Palace say William “didn’t flinch” when asked to go, viewing such duties as part of his responsibility as heir to the throne.

But Saudi Arabia presents challenges unlike almost anywhere else on the royal calendar.

A country in transition

The visit will focus on energy transition and young people, two areas the kingdom is promoting heavily as it attempts to diversify its oil-dependent economy.

In recent years Saudi Arabia has staged major sporting and cultural events, including Formula One races, international film festivals and high-profile entertainment shows. The country will also host the men’s football World Cup in 2034.

Officials argue this signals modernisation and openness.

Critics say it is “sportswashing” — using global events to distract from repression.

Human rights organisations including Amnesty International continue to raise concerns over restrictions on free speech, criminalisation of same-sex relationships and harsh penalties for dissent.

While reforms have allowed women to drive and increased participation in public life, significant legal and social limits remain.

Meeting a controversial leader

Central to the trip will be talks with Mohammed bin Salman, widely known as MBS, the kingdom’s de facto ruler.

The crown prince is credited with pushing economic reforms but remains internationally divisive.

A US intelligence report concluded he approved the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul — an allegation he denies and Saudi Arabia rejects.

Whether William raises such issues privately is unlikely to be disclosed. Kensington Palace does not comment on confidential conversations.

However, the prince will be briefed extensively by the Foreign Office and the British Embassy before any meetings.

Soft power diplomacy

Government insiders describe William as a key diplomatic asset.

One source said the monarchy acts as a “secret weapon”, able to open doors politicians sometimes cannot.

This form of so-called soft power has long been part of the Royal Family’s overseas role — building relationships first, leaving governments to handle the harder negotiations.

Dr Neil Quilliam of Chatham House says Saudi leaders value high-level recognition from Britain.

“Deploying Prince William sends a signal that the UK takes the relationship seriously,” he said.

Energy cooperation and investment are expected to dominate talks, particularly as Britain seeks new partners during the global shift away from fossil fuels.

Echoes of the past

The visit also reflects longstanding links between the two royal families.

King Charles III has travelled to Saudi Arabia numerous times over the decades and is said to maintain warm relations with senior figures there.

William is now expected to assume a more prominent global role as he prepares for future kingship.

A delicate balancing act

For many observers, images of handshakes between William and MBS will be uncomfortable.

Yet world leaders continue to engage with Riyadh, citing its strategic and economic importance.

The prince’s task is unlikely to involve grand statements. Instead, it will be quiet diplomacy — maintaining dialogue while representing British values.

It is a careful, sometimes uneasy role.

But it is one the monarchy has long performed: building bridges in places where politics alone struggles to tread.

Party claims support could deliver up to eleven seats under new proportional system

THE GREEN PARTY says new polling suggests it could secure around thirteen percent of the vote at next year’s Senedd Cymru election, a figure the party claims could translate into as many as eleven seats under Wales’ expanded electoral system.

In a press release issued this week, the local branch of the Green Party of England and Wales said recent surveys showed the party “on target to win eleven seats” when the Senedd grows from sixty to ninety-six members in 2026.

The Herald has checked the claim. A January voting intention poll carried out by YouGov for ITV Cymru Wales and Cardiff University placed the Greens on thirteen percent across Wales.

The same poll put Plaid Cymru ahead on around thirty-seven percent, followed by Reform UK, with Labour and the Conservatives further behind.

However, political analysts stress that polls are only snapshots of opinion and not predictions of the final result. Support levels can change significantly during a campaign, and smaller parties’ seat totals depend heavily on regional performance and turnout.

Under the new fully proportional “closed list” system, voters will choose parties rather than individual constituency candidates, with seats allocated to better reflect overall vote share. This change is expected to make it easier for smaller parties to gain representation compared with the current system.

Amy Nicholass, the Greens’ lead candidate in Ceredigion Penfro, said the shift meant voters could “vote for what they truly believe in” without needing to vote tactically.

“It’s important that people understand their vote will count,” she said.

Tomass Jereminovics, second on the regional list, said the party wanted to focus on devolved issues including NHS waiting lists, access to NHS dentists and tackling poverty.

Both candidates are due to attend a People’s Assembly event in Penparcau on Friday (Feb 7).

While the poll suggests growing support, experts caution that translating thirteen percent of the vote into double-digit seats would depend on how evenly that support is spread across Wales. Final projections are unlikely to become clearer until closer to polling day.