News

As pressure builds, RML closes Withyhedge to fresh rubbish

Published

1 year ago

May 14, 2024

THE WITHYHEDGE landfill site will be closed to all waste inputs, except engineering material, starting Wednesday, May 15.

The company behind the controversial and stinking landfill site, RML, announced the move ahead of the end of an enforcement notice from Natural Resources Wales.

RML’s announcement followed Pembrokeshire County Council’s decision to seek an injunction against the company to curtail their activities on site.

The Council’s letter of claim states the local authority has received 62 complaints about the stench from Withyhedge and notes, and NRW has received 2400.

It also addresses how the scandal has unfolded.

“In March 2022, ownership of RML passed to Dauson Environmental Group from Potter Group. It is noteworthy that Mr David John Neal is your director and the director at Dauson.

“He has been twice prosecuted for environmental offences in south Wales. Around November 2023, the Council began receiving complaints about a malodour escaping from the landfill and adversely affecting residents.

“Initially, our pollution control team directed complaints to Natural Resources Wales (NRW) because of its role as the environmental regulator. However, the sudden volume of complaints prompted the Council to contact NRW itself in early December.”

“The Council’s case is straightforward. In causing or permitting noxious and offensive gases to escape the landfill… you are committing the tort of public nuisance.”

In light of “over-tipping”, acknowledged by David Neal at a Council scrutiny committee meeting in March, the Council also asked RML to disclose its records of waste brought in or removed from the landfill.

The Council also asked for the disclosure of documents relevant to the proceedings, including records of waste brought in or removed from the landfill.

In April, NRW issued an enforcement notice to compel RML to address problems at the Rudbaxton site.

NRW officers will conduct a series of assessments this week to determine whether RML has completed specified actions to address the ongoing odour issues.

RML’s announcement that they intend to voluntarily cease waste acceptance temporarily at the landfill from May 14 does not affect the deadline in the Notice.

Tests and assessments will continue on-site and off-site to establish progress against the need to reduce emissions.

Officers will also conduct a full-site inspection to assess RML’s compliance with their permit.

Once those assessments have been completed, NRW will then be in a position to establish whether the operator has complied with all elements of the Regulation 36 Enforcement Notice.

If the Notice has not been fully complied with or further issues are identified, NRW will consider its enforcement response.

Huwel Manley, Head of South West Operations for NRW, said: “The May 14 deadline is the final date for RML Ltd to have completed all the actions they have identified to control the odour issues at Withyhedge Landfill.

“Determining if the operator has addressed all the steps set out in our Notice and, crucially, if they have reduced odour and landfill gas emissions from the site will take some time.

“We fully understand the strength of feeling and growing impatience amongst people living and working in the surrounding communities.

“We want to reassure them that our officers will focus their efforts on inspecting the work carried out by RML and undertaking assessments on and off-site over the days following the deadline, including a full site inspection next week.

“Only when those assessments have been completed, and data analysed will we be in a clearer position to determine if the Regulation 36 Notice has been complied with and whether the action taken by the operator has improved the odour issue.

“If the steps required in the Notice are not complied with, we will consider the appropriate further enforcement action, looking at all options available under the regulations.

“While the pressing work required by the operator progresses over the coming days, the site remains under investigation, and we will continue our regulatory efforts.”

Community

Milford Haven paddling pool open daily at 10:00am — safety reminder issued

Published

1 hour ago

July 10, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Town council urges parents to supervise children at all times

MILFORD HAVEN TOWN COUNCIL has reminded visitors to the children’s paddling pool on The Rath that the facility opens daily at 10:00am, and that children must be supervised by a responsible adult.

In a bilingual safety poster shared online, the council set out simple but essential rules to help ensure the pool remains a safe and fun space throughout the summer holidays. While the pool is popular with families, the council warns that it is not officially supervised, and users do so at their own risk.

The key rules include:

Children must be accompanied by an adult.
No running or diving in or around the pool.
No food, drink, or glass bottles in the water area.
No dogs are allowed within the paddling pool zone.
Littering is strictly prohibited.

A council spokesperson said: “Hi everyone, a polite request: we ask that all children be supervised by a responsible adult while using the pool. Thank you.”

There is no formal age limit for the pool, but younger children will be given priority, especially during busy times.

Local families have praised the pool since it reopened, with one visitor, Linda Phillips, commenting: “We’ve just spent two hours there. Great effort everyone! The youngsters are really enjoying it.”

Milford Haven Town Council thanked her for the feedback, calling it “lovely to hear.”

Opening times or access arrangements may change due to weather or maintenance — updates will be posted on the council’s official Facebook page.

Caption:

Splash safely: Milford Haven Town Council’s new bilingual poster reminds families to supervise children and follow the rules while enjoying the paddling pool on The Rath this summer (Pic: Herald).

News

Stricken boat rescued off Ramsey Island after gearbox failure

Published

6 hours ago

July 10, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Off-duty RNLI crew member steps in to assist with tow to safety

ST DAVIDS RNLI all-weather lifeboat launched at 6:20pm on Wednesday (July 9) to assist a 28-foot motorboat that had suffered drive shaft failure near Ramsey Island.

The vessel, which had departed from Porthclais harbour with two people on board, was left without propulsion due to gearbox issues and was drifting dangerously close to cliffs.

The call for assistance was received at 6:09pm, and the lifeboat was launched just over 10 minutes later. Calm sea conditions allowed the volunteer crew to reach the scene swiftly. A local recreational boat from Voyages of Discovery had been standing by the stricken vessel until the lifeboat arrived.

Given the boat’s proximity to the cliffs and inability to manoeuvre, the coxswain made the decision to tow it back to Porthclais. However, the harbour is inaccessible to the RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat.

Fortunately, off-duty crew member Robin was nearby on his own vessel and was able to take over the tow and bring the motorboat safely into the harbour.

The lifeboat and crew returned to station by 7:40pm.

Crime

Motorist sentenced over crash that left biker with life-changing injuries

Published

7 hours ago

July 10, 2025

Court Reporter

A PEMBROKESHIRE man who caused life-changing injuries to a motorcyclist in a serious crash at Merlin’s Bridge has been sentenced at Swansea Crown Court.

JAMES IAN PUTTOCK appeared before the court on Wednesday (July 2), where he pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by careless or inconsiderate driving, contrary to section 2C of the Road Traffic Act 1988.

The collision occurred on December 20, 2022, at Merlin’s Bridge, near Haverfordwest, and involved a red Suzuki Splash driven by Puttock and a motorcyclist.

The rider suffered what police described at the time as “life-changing injuries” and was airlifted to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff. The road was closed for several hours while crash investigators examined the scene.

Puttock had originally been due to stand trial, as previously reported by The Pembrokeshire Herald in January 2024. However, he entered a guilty plea ahead of trial.

At sentencing, the court imposed the following:

20 weeks’ imprisonment, suspended for 12 months
10 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement (RAR) days
12-month driving disqualification

The Herald understands the crash had a profound impact on the injured rider and their family, who are still dealing with the long-term consequences of the incident.