A SENEDD Member criticised Natural Resources Wales for showing “very little empathy and understanding” about people’s concerns on the future of visitor centres.

Labour’s Carolyn Thomas voiced concerns about Natural Resources Wales’ (NRW) handling of plans for its Nant yr Arian, Coed y Brenin and Ynyslas visitor centres.

Ms Thomas said: “I feel like it’s not been handled very well, there was very little communication and empathy with people, the communities involved.”

Calling for better engagement, she pressed Huw Irranca-Davies as the Deputy First Minister appeared before the Senedd’s climate committee for scrutiny on March 27.

Ms Thomas chairs the Senedd’s petitions committee which received more than one petition on the topic – with the most popular signed by more than 13,000 people.

The north Walian said: “I was concerned as well about the understanding of Ynyslas … they were saying they are closing … the food and retail offer but it is actually a nature reserve.”

“They felt they struggled to get that across to NRW and when we questioned them, it felt like there was very little empathy and understanding it in that.”

Mr Irranca-Davies replied: “I’m sure NRW will be hearing this as well. I do, just to give you that reassurance, have regular discussions with NRW and we’ve raised this matter of effective communication on what is, and what is not, happening.

“In terms of Ynyslas … I think there is an understanding that the staff within Ynyslas have probably gone above and beyond actually what they are contracted to do, so they’ve also offered advice, signposting, nature advice and so on.

“But there is no intention whatsoever to withdraw from the nature conservancy aspects, the biodiversity aspects – the role that they’re doing out there in the landscape.”

Mr Irranca-Davies, a former MP who served in Gordon Brown’s government, said NRW has decided to step back from the food, catering and retail side to focus on core responsibilities.

“But I think your point is well made,” he said. “The communication and the openness with local people who are really concerned about … the future of nature sites and … staff.”

Labour’s Julie Morgan, herself a former minister, was similarly concerned.

She said: “I’d like to support what Carolyn has said … I’ve been approached from Ynyslas and there was a … feeling of no recognition of the actual work that they were doing….

“It just does seem an unsatisfactory situation.”

Mr Irranca-Davies replied: “It is the catering and retail side that they’re stepping back from and I have to say, in the financial constraints they’re under, that’s probably the right thing to do: to focus on NRW’s core roles.

“But in doing so, the sensitivity of dealing with local communities and … existing staff members is what they have to navigate.

“I don’t envy the role that they’ve gone through, neither do I envy staff who have been in the midst of this, but I would just encourage … as I’ve said to NRW directly: to keep engaging with local communities and staff as they transition here.”

Wales’ environment secretary told the committee he was hopeful about the opportunity for others to step in and provide catering and retail.

“I know that’s one of the added-value pieces for visitors and local people,” he said. “But their focus on conservation, biodiversity and natural processes will continue regardless.”

A Pembrokeshire community pub, recently hailed as one of the most friendly in Britain, has been given the go-ahead to install solar panels by county planners.

The White Hart Inn in St Dogmaels was ranked second friendliest pub in the UK in a study by security experts Get Licensed, which looked at Tripadvisor reviews and median crime scores around each pub to find the friendliest in the UK.

The 250-year-old White Hart, on Finch Street, reopened as a community pub in 2021 following a campaign after it closed in May 2019 when the last landlords decided to refocus to other activities.

The White Hart Community Inn Ltd was formed as a Community Benefit Society and a community share offer launched with the guidance of the Wales Co-operative Centre.

Two years of fund-raising and campaigning has seen enough money raised through individual community shares purchases together with financial support from the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government via the Social Business Growth Fund administered by Social Investment Cymru at WCVA, alongside a grant from Pembrokeshire County Council.

An application was recently submitted to Pembrokeshire County council by White Hart Community Inn (St Dogmaels) Ltd to install solar panels at the historic pub.

The proposals were supported by St Dogmaels Community Council, which said it “fully supports the application for the installation of photovoltaic panels”.

A statement in support of the scheme added: “[The community council]  acknowledges the importance of sustainable energy solutions and believes that this project aligns with a commitment to environmental responsibility and reducing carbon emissions within the community.

“It believes that the benefits to the local business, the environment, and the wider community, in the retention of this business, far outweigh any potential drawbacks. It urges the planning authority to approve this application, with any necessary conditions to ensure the character of the Conservation Area is respected.”

The application was conditionally approved by planners.

Receiving the recent Get Licensed award, the White Hart Inn received a top score of five on Tripadvisor, and 66.67 per cent of its reviews highlighted the pub’s ‘friendly’ and ‘welcoming’ atmosphere.

The local area also has a low crime rate, with a median score of 609 out of 1,000.

A total of 39 crimes were reported in 2024.

THE NEXT stage in making one of south Pembrokeshire’s most scenic estuarial villages, home to a CAMRA award-winning pub, a conservation area has been backed by the national park.

Late last year, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park members backed a conservation area status for Cresswell Quay, home to the Cresselly Arms, described as “one of the most scenic villages within the National Park and is highly significant as a very early coal port, retaining several buildings of architectural importance”.

That followed a public consultation being launched for potentially designating Cresswell Quay as a Conservation Area.

Conservation areas are normally decided without a consultation, but as a senior park officer lives locally it was decided to hold the public consultation.

At the March national park meeting, members were asked to approve a public consultation on the draft Cresswell Quay Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan

A report for members said: “The designation of a conservation area at Cresswell Quay recognises the special architectural and historic interest of the village and will ensure that future development either preserves or enhances the character and appearance of the conservation area.

“The designation introduces controls over the demolition of buildings which would require conservation area consent and affords greater protection of works to trees.”

It added: “Further engagement and consultation is proposed on the draft Appraisal and Management Plan. A letter will be sent to all households in the designated conservation area and key stakeholders regarding the consultation. An online engagement event and briefing session will be held for community councils covering the area and any members of the public who want to attend.”

The consultation is expected to last for some eight weeks.

Speaking at the meeting, park member Madeline Havard said there was a lot of public perception of “a lot of consultation” over the designation, with this the “next stage” of the process, adding: “The last thing we want is for people not to engage in this element.”

Members unanimously backed the latest consultation.

Once the consultation has taken place, a report on its feedback will be brought back to the park for consideration and to ensure any necessary amendments, prior to adoption, members heard.

In 2024, the Cresselly Arms won the CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) pub of the year award for the whole of Wales.