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Multi-agency operation tackles illegal waste and fly-tipping in Pembrokeshire

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IN RESPONSE to a rise in the level of fly tipping offences, and that refuse then subsequently being set alight in the local area, a multi-agency operation was undertaken on Thursday last week (Aug 12), to tackle illegal waste carriers.

The partnership response was carried out on Scoveston Road, the Broadmoor to Sageston road and the Cresselly to Carew road, Pembrokeshire.  

Waste crime is on the rise across the UK and is estimated to cost the UK economy £600 million a year. Illegal waste crime can take many forms but most often within our communities we recognise it in the form of fly tipping and increasingly by way of illegal waste sites being set up by unscrupulous landowners where waste is illegally deposited without any form of regulation often resulting in significant environmental pollution and damage. As they are unregulated, there are no controls in place as to the type and volume of waste being dumped. Inevitably, this illegal waste is subsequently burnt to reduce its volume and get rid of it, and Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service are regularly called out to deal with these fires. 

Figures suggset waste crime is on the rise across the UK and is estimated to cost the UK economy £600 million a year (Pic Herald)

Noxious smoke from these fires can affect residents living in and around these areas, and impact upon their quality of life and health. These illegal waste sites and resultant burning also have an adverse impact on the local environment in these communities.

This operation therefore aimed to target, stop and take enforcement action against illegal waste carriers operating in the area. Members of Pembrokehsire Roads Policing Unit, Neighbourhood Policing Teams, Rural Crime Team, Pembrokeshire County Council Waste Enforcement and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) set up road check sites, where they stopped and checked any vehicle suspected to be carrying waste. This was in order to disrupt and deter illegal waste carriers heading to any sites. The local authority waste enforcement teams provided drivers with advice around waste carrier licences.

Fly tipping has become an increasing problem in west Wales (Pic file)

As a result of this roadside operation, over 60 vehicles were stopped, checked, and examined and eight sites visited. Police issued one prohibition notice for the condition of a vehicle, two traffic offence reports for no insurance and a number of intelligence submissions were made. The DVSA issued one fixed penalty notice, three immediate suspensions and two delayed suspensions for the condition of vehicles.    

Sergeant Terri Harrison, seconded to Arson Reduction Team Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service said: “Waste crime damages our environment, community and economy. It is a real challenge for Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service and partner agencies. Every year there are reports of hundreds of refuse fires and we are seeing a very clear and obvious link between deliberate refuse fires, fly tipping and the operation of illegal waste sites.  Waste crime has a real adverse impact upon the quality of life for those affected by these illegal activities. This operation also coincided with Crimestoppers national month-long rural crime campaign, that focussed on waste crime specifically last week.

“We all have a duty to dispose of our waste safely, legally and responsibly – and it’s important to ensure that any individual or business disposing of your waste does so too.”

Pembrokeshire County Council has reiterated its commitment to prosecute unlicensed waste operators and fly-tippers. Cllr Cris Tomos says: “The focus of this joint operation was ensuring commercial waste collectors and operators had the appropriate licences and permits in place to ensure these operators complied with legislation and duty of care, to make sure waste is being disposed of appropriately to tackle Envirocrime and Flytipping.

“Operation Tornado sends out a strong message that fly-tipping will not be tolerated and those who carry out this scourge on society will be prosecuted. We need the public’s help on this to be our eyes and ears. Please continue to report incidents of fly-tipping but also pass on any details you can about the perpetrators.”

Pembrokeshire County Council returns included:

·                One warning issued for non-compliance with waste carriers licence;

·                Valuable information gathering on waste collection operators and compliance;

·                A number of vehicles were advised of their requirements regarding the transportation and disposal of waste.

Pembrokeshire County Council has set up a special team to deal with fly-tipping and will always seek to prosecute where possible. You can provide information, in confidence, by emailing [email protected] or by phoning the dedicated fly tipping phone line: 01437 775253. Anyone who provides information on fly-tipping that leads to successful enforcement action is eligible for a £100 reward.

Cllr Cris Tomos (Holding the recycling box) says he wants to see waste handled propertly in Pembrokeshire (Pic PCC)

Businesses and householders are reminded to be aware that they have a duty of care for their waste and that simply handing it onto another person to dispose of does not absolve them of their responsibility. Cllr Cris Tomos said: “The public need to use registered waste carriers and be satisfied that they are disposing of waste legitimately. Failure to do so, may in certain cases lead to their actions being investigated, fines or prosecution.’

See more information on the duty of care here: https://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/waste-and-recycling/householders-duty-of-care

A booking system continues to be in place for Pembrokeshire’s six Waste and Recycling Centres (WRCs) for all users both Household and Commercial.

Slots can be booked up until 6am on the day when there are time slots available.

To pre-book a slot or for more information about the Waste and Recycling Centre’s, please go online at: www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/waste-bookings

For further information and guidance on disposing of waste safely, legally and responsibly, visit the Fly Tipping Action Wales website: flytippingactionwales.org

 

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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Business

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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