News

Hundreds of miles of footpath lost in Pembrokeshire over past century

Published

2 years ago

October 6, 2023

IN AN AGE where appreciating the serene embrace of nature has become not only a leisure activity but a crucial component for mental and physical health, the disappearance of hundreds of miles of public rights of way in Pembrokeshire comes as a stark revelation.

Recent meticulous analysis by The Ramblers, a prominent charity advocating for walkers, reveals a considerable 378-mile deficit in protected footpath within the former boundaries of Pembrokeshire since the dawn of the 20th century. This reduction, unveiled by comparing historic and modern maps, posits a significant decline in spaces legally available for the public to engage in activities such as walking, cycling, and horse riding.

On a broader scale, The Ramblers, in collaboration with the New Economics Foundation think tank, divulged that the average postcode in Pembrokeshire is endowed with a mere 3,000 metres of footpath accessible within a 10-minute walk. In comparison, the average across Welsh postcodes slightly edges higher, offering approximately 3,500 metres.

Despite the available footpaths, the charity accentuates a pervasive inequality in access, wherein nature’s offerings tend to be more readily accessible to “the old, the healthy, the wealthy and the white”, according to Jack Cornish, Head of Paths at the Ramblers. Cornish underscores the “massive impact” that accessible walking routes can wield on health outcomes.

This revelation becomes even more poignant considering that almost 50,000 miles of public right of way have vanished across England and Wales over the last century. With the Welsh Government recognising and exploring the substantial benefits of “social prescribing” – advocating for physical activities such as walking and cycling as either alternatives or companions to medical treatments – the loss of such public pathways is particularly detrimental.

The plight is palpably present in the figures as well, with data from the Welsh Government revealing a dip from 60% to approximately 50% in the proportion of people walking over 10 minutes to a destination weekly, comparing 2019-20 to 2022-23.

In light of these findings, The Ramblers has articulated a robust call for a £650 million investment in paths across England and Wales, a move they argue could yield remarkable dividends in amplifying the nation’s health and wellbeing.

A spokesperson for the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs responded to these revelations stating, “We are committed to increasing access to nature and our Environmental Improvement Plan sets out our ambition for every household to be within a 15-minute walk of a green or blue space.”

The Department further elucidated efforts towards enhancing access via a £14.5 million ‘Access for All’ programme, which encapsulates a suite of targeted measures aimed at elevating the accessibility of protected landscapes, national trails, and the wider countryside for all demographics.

In a world progressively aware of the integral relationship between nature and wellbeing, the restoration and preservation of public footpaths emerges not merely as an environmental concern, but a pivotal health and societal one.

Crime

Broad Haven man remanded in custody over sexual harm prevention order breach

Published

6 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Court Reporter

Defendant admitted using Xbox without informing police as required under court order

ANTHONY COOMBES, aged 26, of Sand Banks, Broad Haven, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Mar 20) charged with breaching a sexual harm prevention order.

The court heard that between February 26 and March 19, 2026, at Haverfordwest, Coombes repeatedly breached the order by using an Xbox device without informing police within three days, as required.

The offences relate to a sexual harm prevention order imposed at Swansea Crown Court on October 20, 2021.

Coombes indicated guilty pleas to the offences at the first hearing.

Magistrates committed the case to Swansea Crown Court for sentence.

He was remanded in custody ahead of the next hearing, which is due to take place at 9:00am on Friday, April 3, at Swansea Crown Court.

The court refused bail on the grounds that he was likely to offend, citing the nature and seriousness of the offences and his previous record and character.

A pre-sentence report was ordered.

News

Man arrested after suspected drugs-related death in Haverfordwest

Published

7 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Police say death not suspicious as 46-year-old arrested over alleged Class A drug supply

A MAN has died following a medical emergency at a property in Haverfordwest, police have confirmed.

Emergency services were called at 3:18pm on Wednesday (March 18) after a report of a medical incident.

A man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the man’s next of kin have been informed and are being supported by officers.

The death is not being treated as suspicious at this time.

However, police confirmed that a man, aged 46, was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.

He has since been released under investigation while enquiries continue.

No further details about the deceased have been formally released.

Crime

Illegal dog breeders ordered to pay over £129,000 after council probe

Published

8 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

FOUR people from Mynyddygarreg, Kidwelly, have been ordered to pay more than £129,000 following a successful prosecution for illegal dog breeding.

At Swansea Crown Court on Tuesday (Mar 10), before His Honour Judge Thomas KC, Stacey May June Edwards, Peter John Edwards, Sian Eleri Thomas and David Malcolm James Thomas, all of Sea Breeze, Mynyddygarreg, pleaded guilty to offences under the Breeding of Dogs (Wales) Regulations 2014.

The court imposed confiscation orders totalling £129,873.41 under the Proceeds of Crime Act across the four defendants. They were also ordered to pay £8,000 in costs, while each defendant received a £2,000 fine.

The investigation began in April 2021 after Carmarthenshire County Council’s Animal Health team received an enquiry from Peter Edwards about obtaining a dog breeding licence. Although licensing guidance was provided and a partial application was submitted in February 2022, this was later withdrawn.

In March 2024, the council received a complaint that puppies were being advertised for sale without the required licence. Officers subsequently contacted online advertising platforms and issued data requests to assess the scale of activity.

Analysis of records from Pets4Homes, Freeads and Gumtree revealed multiple litters being advertised by members of the same household.

Correspondence under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act confirmed that up to 25 dogs were kept at the property, including between 16 and 19 breeding females.

While some defendants claimed joint ownership of the dogs, others attempted to minimise their involvement.

The Herald understands that numerous puppy advertisements were posted between July 2020 and April 2025, demonstrating a sustained pattern of unlicensed breeding.

Carmarthenshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Decarbonisation and Sustainability, Cllr Aled Vaughan Owen, said: “This case demonstrates the council’s firm stance against unlicensed and illegal dog breeding.

“These regulations are in place to protect animal welfare and ensure that breeding activities are subject to proper oversight. The scale of activity uncovered at this property was entirely unacceptable, and we welcome the court’s decision to issue significant confiscation orders under POCA.”

He added: “We urge anyone with concerns about illegal dog breeding to report it. Our Animal Health officers will continue to investigate thoroughly and take action against those who disregard the law.”

Residents are reminded that anyone breeding and selling dogs must comply with licensing regulations designed to protect both animal welfare and consumers.