PEMBROKESHIRE County Council’s monitoring of the controversial Withyhedge landfill site and unsuccessful legal challenge cost it nearly £170,000, councillors heard.

Last October, Pembrokeshire County Council went to court to seek an interim injunction against operators RML after asking it to give a legally binding undertaking to stop the odour coming from Withyhedge Landfill, near Haverfordwest.

The legal action came after months of residents complaining of foul odours and potentially harmful gasses coming from the landfill site.

A circuit judge found that the tip was causing nuisance, but believed that the council had gone about its application in the wrong way, refusing to grant an interim injunction.

The authority’s legal counsel had recommended the council appeal that decision, but this was not done due to costs involved and the situation at the tip had improved.

A report, presented by Cabinet member for Residents’ Services Cllr Rhys Sinnett at Pembrokeshire County Council’s March 6 meeting, said: “Although our legal counsel did not believe this decision was correct and recommended an appeal, the Authority was in a difficult position when considering the costs of appealing and the costs outlay already incurred for taking the court action, as well as the provision of independent air quality monitoring and officer time dealing with this issue.

“This was due to the potential financial exposure considered against the fact that a marked improvement in the situation has been noted. We would like to stress that it is firmly believed that the legal pressure the council had placed on the operator in the period from April to October 2024 had a significant impact on the efforts and pace of the remedial works undertaken by the operator.

“Legal costs were ordered to be paid by the Authority in the sum of £169,110.87, although the actual sum was reduced by agreement to £100,000.”

The report also detailed other financial implications for the council: “Costs for air quality monitoring, legal and ancillary costs for translation of reports and some staff overtime in out of hours monitoring total £166,544 [to date].  This figure includes the additional static monitoring until 31 March 2025.”

Members heard that complaint numbers to Natural Resources Wales (NRW) and PCC have been low since early January 2025 when waste tipping started again, other than a peak in mid-January from a Ricardo static monitor located at Spittal School, but were “not considered to be emanating from the landfill site,” with site inspections “indicating that the operator is following revised waste acceptance procedures which have previously been reviewed and accepted by NRW”.

Funding from Pembrokeshire County Council and Natural Resources Wales has been secured to allow the air quality monitoring via the static monitor at Spittal School to continue until March 31, but would cost £57,215 for an extra year, members heard.

Members agreed to note the report and to continue the air quality monitoring at Spittal school, reviewed on a quarterly basis, dependent on air quality results and the level of community odour complaints received.

A PEMBROKESHIRE company director has pleaded guilty to fraud charges related to multiple applications for government-backed business loans during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Zahid Afzal, 37, of Albert Street, Haverfordwest, admitted to three counts of fraud by false representation at Swansea Crown Court. The charges relate to claims made under the Bounce Back Loan scheme, a financial support initiative introduced to assist small and medium-sized businesses struggling during the pandemic.

The court heard that Afzal submitted misleading applications to three different banks in 2020, falsely stating financial details and loan eligibility. On May 12, 2020, he applied to Lloyds Bank PLC, claiming that Phone Bits Ltd had not applied for any other Bounce Back Loan. He later made a similar application to Starling Bank Ltd on July 23, 2020, stating that Phones Onn Ltd had an annual turnover of £200,000 and that the funds would be used solely for business purposes. A third application, containing comparable claims, was made to Metro Bank PLC on November 22, 2020.

Companies House records list Afzal as a director of both Phone Bits Ltd and Phones Onn Ltd.

Judge Geraint Walters adjourned sentencing to allow for the preparation of a pre-sentence report. Afzal was granted unconditional bail and is scheduled to return to court on April 1 for sentencing.

THE 2025 Royal Welsh Spring Festival will be held at the Royal Welsh Showground in Builth Wells on May 17 and 18.

A fantastic celebration of rural life, smallholding and countryside traditions, this weekend event offers something for all ages. Whether you’re an animal enthusiast, a food lover or simply looking for a great family day out, the festival promises a wonderful experience for everyone.

At the heart of the festival lies its livestock and equine competitions, with more than 600 classes showcasing sheep, pigs, goats, and cattle, many of which highlight traditional, rare and native breeds.

Entries are now open and competitors can view the schedules and enter online via https://rwas.wales/smallholding-and-countryside-festival/ . Entries close on Wednesday, April 3.

The event will host qualifiers for some of the UK’s most esteemed equestrian competitions, including the British Show Horse Association (BSHA) Royal International Horse Show, Senior Showing and Dressage Ltd (SSADL), British Show Pony Society (BSPS) and British Show Horse Association (BSHA) London International Horse Show.

The Premier Open Dog Show returns, offering competitors the chance to qualify for Crufts 2026. This prestigious event boasts rosettes, prizemoney and high-quality pet food prizes for the top dogs.

Postal entries close on Tuesday, April, 8 and online entries close on Tuesday, April 29. Visit the FDS website for schedules and entry details.

The festival has a diverse line-up of family-friendly attractions. Gain expert insights into the smallholding lifestyle with talks and demonstrations from the Glamorgan Smallholders networking and support group in the Smallholders Centre. Browse the agricultural tradestands to stock up on essentials, from buckets to farm machinery.

The Country Life Area is a hub of activities featuring the Premier Open Dog Show, Panic Family Circus, The Woodville Medieval Re-enactment Group, a petting farm, a donkey encounter, forestry competitions and sporting and countryside activities. They are all set to live music from the bandstand.

The Festival Display Ring will feature Joseph’s Amazing Camels, the Gentle Giants Shire Horse Display Team, Show Jumping and Working Hunter competitions, Scurry Driving and Meirion Owen with his sheepdogs.

Watch wool handling and blade shearing competitions, alongside demonstrations from the Gwent Guild of Spinners and Weavers, a vintage shearing display and wool-related tradestands in the Meirionnydd Shearing Centre. Competition entries open in late March.

No visit to a Royal Welsh event would be complete without indulging in Wales’ finest food and drink. Sample exquisite produce in the renowned Food Hall or enjoy a meal at one of the many food stalls in the Welsh Food Village, Gwledd | Feast.

Shopping enthusiasts can explore a vast array of tradestands, offering everything from rural essentials and artisan produce to handcrafted goods and countryside attire.

Conveniently located where the A470 and A483 meet in Builth Wells, the Royal Welsh Showground is accessible from all major routes. The festival is dog-friendly and offers free onsite parking, ensuring a stress-free experience for visitors.