News

Council ‘will issue Withyhedge landfill enforcement notice’ if needed

Published

2 years ago

March 12, 2024

ACTION to stop the “fetid, foul stench” from landfill waste from Cardiff “dumped” at Pembrokeshire’s Withyhedge landfill site could be taken by the council if an ongoing enforcement notice does not address the issue.

Residents who have been campaigning for action to be taken against the odours from the Withyhedge landfill site, to the north of Haverfordwest, say the smell is like “a stink bomb on steroids”.

The site is operated by Withyhedge Landfill (Resources Management Ltd) (RML) and has permission to deposit 250,000 tonnes of waste a year.

An enforcement notice was issued by Natural Resources Wales last month, and NRW is now hoping that the enforcement notice will see the resolution of the odour issue by the beginning of April.

A Pembrokeshire County Council ePetition, by Colin Barnett of the Stop the Stink group, was heard at the March meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council, calling on it “to take immediate action to stop landfill waste from Cardiff being dumped onto this site”.

It added: “Since the new owners have started operating from the Withyhedge landfill site they have increased the volume of waste dumped on this site by accepting an additional 50,000 tons of Cardiff residents waste to this site.

“Local residents now experience a severe deterioration in their quality of life and as they are plagued by acrid and fetid air quality which is so putrid that it severely restricts their right to enjoy full and unrestrained use of their property and gardens.”

In a joint statement issued earlier this month, Natural Resources Wales (NRW), Public Health Wales and Pembrokeshire County Council said they will ensure capping of a waste cell causing significant odour issues at Withyhedge.

Speaking at the meeting, Colin Barnett said: “We are turning to you now and asking why we haven’t had your support, there has to be a better way of addressing this problem than a campaign, a better way that you, yourselves, can help us.”

He described the smell as “a fetid foul stench,” adding: “When this goes into your house it’s foul, it’s rancid.”

He later said: “This is as bad as a chemical spill,” adding: “It’s not Pembrokeshire’s waste, it’s waste that comes into Pembrokeshire, they have carte blanche to bring in anything they like.”

Chief Executive Will Bramble said the council was “working extremely closely” with Public Protection Wales and NRW, adding: “If we have to issue an enforcement notice we will do, but we’re not quite at that stage at the moment.”

Cllr Mike John said: “It’s bad enough driving by in a vehicle, but to live there I can’t imagine. Pembrokeshire is raising recycling levels to be the best in Wales, it’s a bit of kick in the teeth for Pembrokeshire to be recycling so hard and all this waste is coming into Pembrokeshire; we’ve got to a tipping point where pressure needs to be put.”

Deputy leader Cllr Paul Miller said: “The council’s powers are limited, but I offer this as my personal commitment to do everything we can.

“Personally, I don’t want this landfill activity in the county.”

Cllr David Howlett said he had previously represented the area for 14 years, with only one incident reported in that time, adding: “Things have gone badly wrong, it’s the people of Pembrokeshire that are having to put up with this, so much waste is coming down the M4 corridor.”

He later moved a proposal that updates on the ongoing issue be – via scrutiny committee – brought to full council, after a call for immediate enforcement, made by Cllr Aled Thomas was later withdrawn.

“People in this area are suffering for too long, I would’ve liked stronger action, but we are where we are; there’s huge frustration here, we need to be part of the solution,” said Cllr Howlett.

Members unanimously agreed the ongoing matter be referred to scrutiny, before being brought back to full council.

Mr Barnett said: “It’s a short-term and long-term health issue we’re concerned about, it’s a bloody mess but we should not be in this position now, NRW has failed the public to regulate this site and let us breathe poisonous gas.

“I thank you for your support, but we will be back if you don’t address this.”

Crime

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

Published

4 minutes 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

12 minutes 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

1 hour 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.