Lib Dems warn jobs boost may be limited as turbines set to be built abroad

MILFORD HAVEN’S role in Wales’ flagship floating wind project remains unclear after new criticism emerged over the Port Talbot investment.

The UK Government has announced £64 million to turn Port Talbot into the UK’s first floating offshore wind hub in the Celtic Sea, a move expected to support thousands of jobs.

However, fresh political concerns have now been raised over how much of that economic benefit will actually stay in Wales.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have warned that the project risks becoming an assembly operation rather than a full industrial supply chain.

David Chadwick MP said: “Any job creation is a positive step for Port Talbot, but Labour need to be honest about what this actually contains.

“These turbines are set to be built using imported steel and only assembled locally, not manufactured. This means much of the real economic value will still go elsewhere.”

Milford Haven still waiting for clarity

The announcement has also left unanswered questions about Milford Haven’s role within the Celtic Freeport.

While Port Talbot has secured clear backing as the main construction hub, there has been no detailed explanation of what activity will be based in Pembrokeshire.

That lack of detail is significant.

Milford Haven already has deep-water access, established energy infrastructure, and a long-standing role in UK energy security—factors which many expected would place it at the centre of offshore wind operations in the Celtic Sea.

Jobs — but where is the value?

The UK Government says the project could unlock over £500 million in private investment and support up to 5,000 jobs.

But critics argue that if key components are manufactured overseas, Wales risks missing out on the higher-value parts of the supply chain.

That raises a broader concern for Pembrokeshire: whether Milford Haven will secure meaningful long-term work, such as maintenance, servicing, and logistics—or be left with only limited involvement.

Energy transition moment

For Milford Haven, the stakes are high.

The port has long been a cornerstone of Britain’s fossil fuel infrastructure.

Floating offshore wind represents the next phase of that story—but exactly how big a role the Haven will play is still to be defined.

With billions in investment expected in the Celtic Sea, local leaders are now likely to push for clearer commitments to ensure Pembrokeshire is not left behind in the transition.

PLANS for what would be the first drive-through Starbucks coffee shop in Pembrokeshire, and a Greggs bakery, on the site of a car dealership have been submitted to the county council.

Birmingham-based GC No.9 Ltd, through agent Simply Planning, seeks permission for the demolition of the existing building, and the erection of a drive-thru Starbucks coffee shop, a Greggs baked goods food store, along with electric vehicle charging points at the PMS dealership, Salutation Square, Haverfordwest.

It includes 35 parking spaces and eight EV charging bays.

If approved, it is hoped some 30-40 jobs will be created; the Starbucks coffee shop would be the only such outlet for the general public in the county, with Pembrokeshire College having a Starbucks for students.

Back in 2024, permission was granted for a drive-thru Starbucks coffee shop on land adjoining Days Garage, Fishguard Road, Haverfordwest, but was never progressed; the operator for that scheme since confirming they would not be proceeding with that option, preferring the PMS site close to the town centre, a supporting statement says.

It adds: “The drive-thru unit will be occupied/operated by Starbucks, a national coffee retailer. Starbucks are one of the principal coffee shop operators in the UK, providing the public with a high-quality offer of hot and cold drinks, cafes and pastries and a limited range of related foods. As such, it will provide an attractive social setting for people to meet and will provide in the region of 20-25 jobs, principally available to local people.

“The store will be operated by The Magic Bean Company, the first licensee of Starbucks to open a drive thru. Established in 2014, The Magic Bean Company is a business founded in South Wales that employs local people. They are Starbuck’s only national growth partner covering England and Wales, developing the green electric vehicle Starbucks platform.

“The other proposed unit will be occupied/operated by Greggs plc. Greggs plc is the UK’s leading bakery retailer, famous for its baked goods, sandwiches and sweet items. The commercial unit will offer fresh, affordable food ‘on-the-go’ and create a further 15 full-time equivalent jobs. As with Starbucks, the jobs will primarily be provided to local people.

“The proposed operators have confirmed that no existing stores would close as a result of these proposals.”

It adds: “Given that Greggs intend to retain their town centre format store within Haverfordwest town centre, it is considered that there will not be any impact to the health of the designated town centre as a result of the proposed development.”

Comparing this scheme to the previously-approved site, it said the “limited negative impacts” of that scheme would be lessened by the new proposal, which would also support the nearby town centre, “given the ease of pedestrian access from the site”.

It added: “It should also be noted that there is a dearth of comparable roadside provision along the A40 as a whole. The nearest comparable units are in St Clears, Carmarthenshire and are located outside the designated town centre.

“The proposals would not compete with the town centre units in Haverfordwest and will invariably also help to retain lost expenditure within Pembrokeshire itself.”

The application will be considered by county planners at a later date.

A CALL to keep a holiday pod sited on a Pembrokeshire farm, as part of a wider holiday pod farm diversification over two areas which saw the larger part supported, has been submitted to county planners.

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, Bill Ridge of Vaynor Farm Ltd, Bethesda, through agent Gerald Blain Associates Limited, seeks retrospective permission to keep a self-catering pod at Broomley Farm, Sodston, Narberth, works having been completed in 2022.

The application is part of a wider scheme of holiday pods diversification encompassing two farms.

Back in December, Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee granted delegated retrospective permission to Vaynor Farm Ltd for the siting of two self-catering holiday accommodation pods at The Cart House, Vaynor Farm, Bethesda, near Narberth as part of a farm diversification enterprise.

A supporting statement accompanying the latest application says: “Vaynor farm is a 400-acre working dairy farm with a herd of 700 milking cows. The enterprise comprises of three self-catering pods. Two of the pods are situated at the Vaynor homestead and another at the opposite end of the holding at Broomley farm.

“The first unit was sited adjacent to Vaynor farm stead some four years ago and a further two added in subsequent years. The units have enjoyed successful occupancy rates over several years offering a unique secluded tourism offer on a working dairy farm, more detail of which is outlined within the supporting business plan.”

It says the Broomley farm application is a resubmission of a previously refused scheme, adding: “It should be noted that this application was originally part of [the application] which was recommended approval at planning committee in December 2025. This element however was separated due to its location on another part of Vaynor farm deeming it not possible to be considered under the same application.”

At the December meeting, an officer report said: “A business plan has been submitted with [that] application, which explains that due to uncertainties associated with dairy farming, the applicant has sought to diversify the farm enterprise to incorporate tourism accommodation.

“The application makes the case that the proposed development represents farm diversification. It is acknowledged that the development has resulted in the provision of an alternative type of holiday accommodation for which it has been demonstrated there is a demand, contributing to the diversity and quality of accommodation available within the county and supporting an existing farm business, with consequent economic and social benefits.

“Evidence has been provided that demonstrates the extent to which the pods have provided income which has been used to support the farm business.”

That application was conditionally approved; the latest part to be considered by planners at a later date.