News

Urgent review demanded over regulator’s handling of landfill site

Published

2 years ago

June 22, 2024

AN “urgent review” is required into the actions of the environmental regulator following a barrage of complaints concerning the controversial Withyhedge landfill site, according to the Welsh government. This call to action follows a damning investigation by Channel 4’s Dispatches programme, which aired on Friday, alleging improper waste management practices at the site.

Residents living near the Withyhedge landfill site, located near Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, have likened the overwhelming stench to “a stink bomb on steroids.” Their complaints reached a crescendo as the Dispatches programme brought to light accusations that unsuitable waste, including vials of blood, had been disposed of at the landfill.

Despite the allegations, the company operating the site has vehemently denied these claims, stating that no unsuitable waste has been placed in the landfill. The company has, however, apologised to the local community for the persistent odour issues.

dispatches on channel four: watch from 15 mins 50 seconds in

National Resources Wales (NRW), the country’s environmental watchdog, has stated it is actively working to address the concerns. However, the spotlight has intensified on David Neal, the firm’s director, who has a history of environmental offences. Neal, who has been convicted twice for environmental crimes, is embroiled in controversy over a £200,000 donation from his company to the leadership campaign of First Minister Vaughan Gething. Neal received a suspended prison sentence in 2013 for illegally dumping waste on a conservation site and faced prosecution again four years later for failing to remove the waste.

First Minister Gething has consistently maintained that the donation rules were adhered to. However, the Dispatches programme’s claims have reignited scrutiny over Neal’s operations and his relationship with the Welsh government.

One anonymous former employee, who worked as a driver for Neal’s company between 2020 and 2022, alleged that recyclable materials, including tyres and syringes, were not sorted as required but instead were dumped directly into the landfill. The whistleblower also mentioned materials known to produce hydrogen sulphide, such as plasterboard, being improperly discarded.

Another ex-employee revealed that medical waste, including vials of blood, was delivered to the site daily. A third former worker corroborated these claims, adding that leachate—a contaminated liquid produced by landfill sites—was not correctly disposed of but was instead placed in holes in the ground. This leachate, the programme reported, could contribute to the hydrogen sulphide smell and pose environmental risks if it leaches into surrounding areas.

Public Health Wales has disclosed that its monitoring detected hydrogen sulphide levels at the Withyhedge site during March and April that exceeded World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines. Officials advised residents to keep their doors and windows closed when the odour is present and to seek medical help if they feel unwell.

In response to the Dispatches programme, a Welsh government spokesperson highlighted NRW’s responsibility to ensure landfill operators comply with stringent environmental and legal standards. “Given the serious nature of the issues raised by the programme, we have asked NRW to urgently review what action it took to investigate and address the complaints raised directly with it since 2020,” the spokesperson stated.

Senedd leader of the Welsh Conservatives, Andrew RT Davies, expressed frustration over the prolonged issues at Withyhedge. “The evidence and allegations put forward last night in the Channel 4 programme regarding the first minister’s donor’s company cannot be ignored and urgent action must finally be taken,” he said.

Rhun ap Iorwerth, leader of Plaid Cymru, questioned First Minister Gething’s judgement in accepting a substantial donation from Neal, a convicted polluter. “Last night’s programme raises further serious questions about Vaughan Gething’s judgement in accepting a large donation from David Neal,” Iorwerth said. He also criticised the Welsh government for only now requesting an urgent review from NRW, despite longstanding concerns about Neal’s operations.

Gareth O’Shea of NRW responded by stating that the regulator has been gathering information to decide if further enforcement action is necessary. “Since the odour issues at the site were first identified in late October 2023, our priority has always been to ensure the operator takes the action required to remediate the most likely source of those odours as quickly as possible,” O’Shea said. He assured that NRW has maintained a significant regulatory presence on site and will continue to collaborate with Pembrokeshire County Council and Public Health Wales to address the issues at Withyhedge Landfill.

The operator of Withyhedge landfill reiterated its denial of dumping inappropriate materials, apologised for the odours, and highlighted its significant financial investments aimed at resolving the site’s issues.

As the Welsh government and NRW move forward with the urgent review, the residents of Haverfordwest and the surrounding areas wait anxiously for concrete actions to address the longstanding environmental and health concerns posed by the Withyhedge landfill site.

Local Government

Council tax rise options to be debated by Cabinet

Published

4 seconds ago

February 3, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Leader signals support for lower increase as schools set for £4.7m boost

PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL’S Cabinet will next week consider how much residents will be asked to pay in Council Tax as part of the authority’s 2026–27 budget setting process.

Members of Pembrokeshire County Council will meet on Monday (Feb 9) to examine two proposed options: a 4.6 per cent increase, equivalent to £1.46 per week for a Band D property, or a 7.5 per cent rise, equal to £2.38 per week.

Council leader Jon Harvey said the authority aimed to keep any rise as low as possible while protecting frontline services.

“In setting this year’s budget it’s our intention to ask the least possible from tax paying residents while still providing the vital services they rely upon,” he said.

He added that he expects Cabinet to favour the lower increase when it makes its recommendation to full council.

Mr Harvey said the lower option would still allow the authority to safeguard services and provide “significantly more money” for schools, with an additional £4.7 million earmarked for education.

He also highlighted the need for further investment in highways, building maintenance and street cleaning teams.

“We know these services are important to residents and so we intend to prioritise them,” he said.

The leader said the financial pressures created by the pandemic, rising costs and increasing demand for social care had led to unavoidable tax increases in recent years.

However, he added: “Going forward, I am very aware we cannot keep asking residents to pay significantly more and it is our intention to get back to Council Tax increases that are broadly in line with inflation.”

The Cabinet meeting starts at 10:00am and will be broadcast live via the council’s usual webcast platform.

Business

Haworth Autobody earns Which? Trusted Trader status

Published

7 minutes ago

February 3, 2026

Staff Writer

Family-run repair centre praised for workmanship, transparency and customer care

A FAMILY-RUN vehicle repair business has been recognised for its high standards of workmanship and customer service after securing national accreditation from Which? as a Trusted Trader.

Haworth Autobody Ltd, based in Haverfordwest, has built a loyal customer base through years of careful, precision repairs and a straightforward, customer-first approach. To earn the endorsement, the company underwent a detailed independent assessment examining not only technical skill and repair standards, but also business procedures, complaint handling systems and verified customer feedback.

The Which? Trusted Trader scheme is widely regarded as one of the most robust consumer approval programmes in the UK. Successful applicants must follow a strict code of conduct and agree to ongoing monitoring, with only a small proportion of businesses achieving the status.

Owner Bobby Haworth said the accreditation reflects values the company has always tried to uphold.

“We’ve always believed that doing the job properly, being upfront with customers and standing by our work is the only way to operate,” he said. “To have that approach independently recognised by Which? means a great deal to us and gives customers extra confidence when they choose us.”

For motorists, the recognition offers added peace of mind at a time when trust and transparency in vehicle repairs are more important than ever. Customers can expect clear communication throughout the process, honest and detailed estimates, and repairs carried out to a consistently high standard.

The workshop handles a wide range of services, including accident damage repairs, paintwork restoration and cosmetic bodywork, with an emphasis on quality workmanship and attention to detail.

Mr Haworth said the endorsement was not a finishing line but a foundation for continued improvement.

“We’re continuing to invest in staff training, modern equipment and new techniques to make sure standards stay high as we grow,” he added.

With consumer confidence increasingly tied to independent verification and proven reliability, the latest recognition reinforces Haworth Autobody’s standing as a trusted name in local vehicle repair.

Haworth Autobody Ltd
Unit 7, Snowdrop Lane, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire SA61 1ET
Tel: 01437 779911
Mobile: 07723 011847
Web: www.habody.com

international news

Mandelson quits Lords amid police probe over Epstein links

Published

2 hours ago

February 3, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Peter Mandelson has announced he will retire from the House of Lords with immediate effect, as mounting political and legal pressure grows over claims he shared sensitive government information with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Parliamentary officials confirmed that Peter Mandelson formally notified the Clerk of the Parliaments of his decision, ending his membership of the upper chamber from Tuesday (Feb 4).

The move follows reports that the Metropolitan Police Service is reviewing allegations of possible misconduct in public office connected to emails said to have been forwarded to Epstein while Mandelson was business secretary during the 2008–09 financial crisis.

Downing Street has confirmed that material has been passed to police after an initial Cabinet Office review.

Government fury

LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 19: Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer delivers a statement in the media briefing room of 9 Downing Street in central London, after US president Donald Trump’s threats to ramp up tariffs until a deal is reached for the US to buy Greenland, at Downing Street on January 19, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Jordan Pettitt – WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Prime Minister Keir Starmer told cabinet colleagues Mandelson had “let his country down”, according to No 10, and officials are now drafting legislation that could strip him of his peerage entirely.

Removing a life peer is rare and would require an Act of Parliament.

If passed, Mandelson would lose the title “Lord” altogether — an extraordinary step that has only been considered in the most serious cases.

Senior ministers have described the alleged passing-on of market-sensitive government discussions as “disgraceful” and a “betrayal of trust”.

What police are examining

Misconduct in public office is a centuries-old common law offence that applies where someone in a position of public trust wilfully abuses that role. It carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

Investigators will assess whether confidential information — particularly relating to government financial policy during the crash — was shared without justification and whether safeguards were breached.

At this stage, no charges have been brought.

Mandelson has previously apologised for maintaining contact with Epstein after the financier’s conviction, saying he regrets “ever having known him”, but he has disputed some of the latest claims and has not commented directly on the police review.

Political shockwaves

Opposition parties are pushing for further disclosure of documents relating to Mandelson’s vetting and his past roles.

Conservatives are expected to force a Commons vote demanding more information, while Liberal Democrats have called for a public inquiry.

Several MPs have also suggested Mandelson should be removed from the Privy Council.

The developments mark a dramatic fall for one of Labour’s most influential political figures of the past three decades, who only months ago was serving as the UK’s ambassador to Washington.

Now, with police examining evidence and legislation being prepared to remove his title, his public career appears effectively over.

More updates are expected as the investigation continues.