DYFED-POWYS POLICE broke up an illegal rave involving around 120 people in the Halfway Forest, Llandovery, on Sunday.
Following a report at approximately 6.45am, two officers attended the Natural Resources Wales-owned woodland and with the use of a drone were able to pinpoint the location, including information that 70 vehicles were in the area.
Eight people were arrested for a variety of offences including possession with intent to supply controlled drugs and driving offences, with a related search at a property in the Gloucestershire area leading to the discovery of approximately 100 grammes of cocaine.
Two of those arrested were charged and remanded to Llanelli Magistrates Court yesterday morning.
Steven Martin, aged 32, of Edwards Close, Joys Green, Lydbrook, was charged with dangerous driving, driving whilst disqualified, driving without insurance and failing to stop, and Leigh Papps, aged 34, of Greenfield Road, Joys Green, Lydbrook, was charged with criminal damage.
Papps was fined £16, ordered to pay £85 court costs and a victim surcharge of £40.
Martin was given conditional bail to appear at Swansea Crown Court on 3 April and handed an interim driving ban.
A further three arrested have been released under investigation with the final three issued with adult community resolutions.
Inspector Dawn Fencott-Price said: “We know raves can cause anxiety to the community they are held in, and if not dealt with swiftly are difficult to stop due to the sheer numbers of people involved.
“As a force, action is taken as soon as we gather any intelligence of an event being planned. We will continue to respond swiftly to reports of illegal gatherings, and where appropriate will prosecute those responsible in order to protect our communities.
“However, these types of illegal events are carefully coordinated to avoid police attention, and organisers will always try to find new ways to avoid being found out.
“We rely on the support of communities to report any suspicious activity immediately, so action can be taken to disrupt illegal gatherings swiftly.
“I would encourage farmers, landowners and local communities to report anything they feel is suspicious or out of the ordinary.”

AN APPLICATION for a luxury holiday let on a boat, recommended for conditional approval back in 2019, was turned down by planning officers earlier this month.

Back in 2019, retrospective plans for a floating houseboat holiday unit at New Pencoed, part of Little Pencoed Farm, near Lawrenny, was given a conditional go-ahead after an earlier application was turned down.

Applicant Bruce Carlisle stated works for the holiday houseboat had started in 2016 and finished in 2017.

A report for planners back in 2019 stated: “Little Pencoed is a 300-acre organic dairy farm. The land comprises a mixture of woodland (100 acres) and grassland.

“The farm has 100 milking cows and income is supplemented by a tourism business comprising a campsite and shepherd’s hut. The floating houseboat provides for an additional unit of unique self-catering accommodation on the farm.”

Referring to a site visit to view the houseboat, it added: “The submitted plans detail that it can float within the pond. The structure has no engine or means of steering.

“At the time of the site visit the structure was chained/anchored to a wooden pontoon to stop it floating out into the pond. It is considered that the structure is operational development.”

The later 2019 approval was subject to conditions including completion of a Section 106 agreement, where delegated powers were given to the Head of Planning to approve the application subject to an agreement preventing the separation of the boathouse from the agricultural unit.

It also included conditions of development in accordance with the approved plans, and being for holiday occupancy only.

However, in March 2023, the application was refused by officers, stating: “In the event of the Section 106 Legal Agreement not being completed within three months that delegated power be granted to the Head of Planning to refuse the application due to failure to comply with policies…”

After the decision was made, a spokesman for Pembrokeshire County Council, said: “The committee resolution was subject to the applicant entering into a legal agreement, however there were issues in respect of identifying parties with an interest in the land.

“In addition, resource issues meant that a backlog of applications formed. The council is now going through the backlog to clear outstanding cases.”

The applicant’s website, Dragonfly Camping, says the Kingfisher houseboat “was built by master craftsmen to our own specification with stunning lakeside views,” adding it offers: an ideal romantic retreat for couples”.

The applicants said they are working with the council in the hope of a positive future outcome.

PRESELI Pembrokeshire MP Stephen Crabb has called for action to halt the growing quantity of litter discarded on roadside verges across Pembrokeshire. “Litter plaguing county could jeopardise Pembrokeshire’s tourism reputation”, he said.

The MP has used the start of The Great British Spring Clean 2023, which runs from 17th March to 2nd April, to draw attention to the state of the County’s green verges and hedgerows, some of which are now strewn with drink cans, coffee cups and fast-food cartons. As well as damaging the environment, the volume of litter risks undermining Pembrokeshire’s reputation as a wonderful place for tourists to visit.

Hearing direct from Pembrokeshire residents concerned about the increase in litter, Stephen Crabb MP has called on Pembrokeshire County Council and Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority to step up and take action ahead of the busy tourism season.

Stephen and his team, together with Johnston County Councillor Aled Thomas, gathered for a litter pick around Johnston on the first day of the British Spring Clean on Friday 17th March.

Commenting during the litter picking session, Stephen Crabb said, “I’m really concerned right now about the amount of litter that I am seeing. It’s the worst it’s ever been. Today, we have been picking up lots of fast-food wrappers, cigarette packets, energy drink cans and coffee cups scattered along the roadsides – it’s a real disgrace.”

He commended local efforts by groups such as the Newgale Beach Wombles and Eco Dewi and others who regularly volunteer their time to help keep our beaches and County clear of rubbish. He urged residents to think about how they are disposing their litter and encouraged people consider becoming a Litter Champion – part of the Keep Wales Tidy campaign.

He added, “Locals are raising it with me all the time at the moment and it’s a wide-spread problem across the County. People are really fed up of it. I am also concerned about the impression that it provides to tourists who visit our County for its outstanding natural beauty.”

The MP used equipment provided by one of the six Caru Cymru‘s Keep Wales Tidy community litter picking hubs across Pembrokeshire. They provide equipment free of charge to members of the community. This includes litter pickers, hoops, hi-vis vests and bin bags. The kit also contains all necessary health and safety guidance and support on competing a Litter Picking Loan Agreement and a Risk Assessment.

Stephen Crabb has also called on Welsh Government Education Minister, Jeremy Miles, to use the new Welsh curriculum to educate and help influence behaviour in young people in primary and secondary education on litter prevention.

County Councillor Aled Thomas said, “We all have a responsibility to keep our communities as clean as possible and to show our natural environment at its best. We have to be pro-active and do our bit and stop turning a blind eye to the problem that we have here in Pembrokeshire.”

In his letter to the Leader of Pembrokeshire County Council, he wrote “I appreciate there is considerable pressure on the maintenance team covering Pembrokeshire but there is enormous strength of public feeling about this issue locally. Local people are being asked again to pay large increases in Council Tax; they want to see core functions delivered well.”