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Cardiff Airport secures £206m investment for expansion

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CARDIFF AIRPORT is set to receive more than £206 million to enhance its passenger numbers and facilities, as announced by the economy minister, Ken Skates. This substantial investment aims to increase annual passenger traffic to two million and improve the airport’s maintenance, cargo, and sustainable aviation infrastructure over the next decade.

The airport has been under public ownership since 2013. However, Mr Skates emphasised that the management would have the autonomy to utilise the funds “with commercial freedom”. He highlighted the airport’s importance, stating it contributes £200 million annually to the Welsh economy and serves as a critical gateway for tourists, investors, and visitors attending various events in the region.

The investment forms part of a long-term strategy to attract aviation businesses and expand passenger routes, focusing on European hub airports, North America, the Middle East, and South Asia. In 2023, Cardiff Airport handled approximately 840,000 passengers, half the number seen in 2019, reflecting the slower recovery from pandemic-related travel restrictions compared to larger airports.

Mr Skates noted that the new funding would not only bolster passenger numbers but also drive job creation and economic growth in the wider region. “The airport, along with the neighbouring Bro Tathan business park, are at the nexus of the cluster of successful aviation and aerospace businesses in the region,” he said.

Despite the positive outlook from the government, the investment has faced criticism from opposition parties. Conservative Shadow Transport Minister Natasha Asghar condemned the move, calling it a “vanity project” and urging the Welsh government to sell the airport. She criticised the substantial public spending, stating, “The people of Wales have been well and truly fleeced with this vanity project, one of Labour’s most costly to date.”

Ms Asghar argued that the nearly £200 million already invested had yielded diminishing returns and that doubling this amount was an imprudent use of taxpayer money. “Cardiff Airport should be sold to finally give Welsh taxpayers some respite,” she added.

The government maintains an open stance on the airport’s future ownership, indicating a willingness to consider various options.

Cardiff Wales Airport Chief Executive Spencer Birns welcomed the investment, expressing optimism about the economic benefits and job creation it would bring. “This investment would enable us to continue providing economic benefits, creating more jobs across our country, being a gateway to the UK and Wales, and ensuring global connectivity,” he stated.

Mr Birns underscored the airport’s value as a national asset, noting that 98% of airports worldwide are community-owned. He reiterated the airport’s role in facilitating over 4,000 aviation-related jobs in the Vale of Glamorgan and its significant economic impact on Wales.

The government’s plan, however, requires a review by the Competition and Markets Authority, as it could be classified as a “subsidy of particular interest” under the UK subsidy regime, according to Mr Skates.

Cardiff Airport has received substantial financial support since its acquisition by the Welsh government, including loans and grants amounting to £179.6 million. The new £206 million commitment marks the next phase of investment following the end of the government’s three-year Covid rescue package.

The long-term vision for Cardiff Airport includes not only boosting passenger numbers but also strengthening its role in the aviation sector, ensuring its position as a vital element of Wales’ economic infrastructure.

Qatar Airways: Awaiting Return

A significant factor in Cardiff Airport’s future success is the return of Qatar Airways. Despite being the airport’s largest player pre-pandemic, the airline has not yet resumed its Cardiff to Doha service. The return of this route is seen as vital for the airport’s recovery and growth.

Qatar Airways has announced the resumption of its Birmingham to Doha route this July, raising hopes for Cardiff. However, the exact timeline for restarting Cardiff operations remains unclear. While some reports suggest a possible return in 2024, the airport and the Welsh government are keenly awaiting confirmation from the airline.

 

Business

Rosemarket Dawn Till Dusk golf club 18-hole plans lodged

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A CALL to extend a long-established Pembrokeshire golf club, bringing it up to a full 18 holes, has been submitted to county planners.

In the application, Mr and Mrs Young, through agent Preseli Planning Ltd, seek a change of use of land adjoining the Dawn Till Dusk Golf Club, Furze Hill Farm, Bastleford Road, Rosemarket, to form an extension to the existing golf course, along with landscaping and associated works.

A supporting statement through the agent says: “The application seeks full planning permission for the enlargement of the existing golf course to provide an additional six holes, to provide a total of 18 holes.

“The proposal would involve minor landscaping works to the fields and boundaries and the creation of a small number of ponds and bunkers. The extension would be located on land to the west of Furze Hill Farm and on the opposite side of the road to the existing golf course and clubhouse.

“An altered access to the land parcel is proposed as part of this application, which would provide an improved route for users crossing the public highway to avoid conflict with movements at the main entrance.

“The application site exceeds 1ha and therefore the proposal is considered major development necessitating a Pre-Application Consultation prior to formally submitting the planning application to the Local Planning Authority.”

It adds: “The existing golf course has operated in excess of 30 years and is popular with both visitors and locals. Club membership currently stands at approximately 350 and there is demand for enhancing the provisions of the course.

“The applicants’ sons have recently increased their involvement in the enterprise and in recent years wet winter months have necessitated the closure of the course, or parts of it, due to the ground becoming waterlogged, primarily due to the flat nature of the existing course.

“The extension would provide variation to the terrain, providing, dryer conditions, as well as the ability to alternate between the existing and proposed to maintain use, enhancing the viability of the enterprise.”

The application will be considered by Pembrokeshire County Council planners at a later date.

 

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Plans to rebuild arson hit building at farm with one of largest sheep flocks in Wales

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A CALL to rebuild a fire-damaged Pembrokeshire farm building, as a family home to help manage one of the largest sheep flocks in Wales, has been submitted to the national park.

In the application to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, D B Davies and Sons through agent Harries Planning Design Management, with a supporting statement by Reading Agricultural Consultants Ltd, seek permission to renovate an existing fire-damaged dwelling, together with the conversion and extension of outbuildings to form an agricultural worker’s dwelling at Mynydd Du, Rosebush.

The supporting statement through Reading Agricultural Consultants Ltd says Mynydd Du is part of a wider holding which includes Eisteddfa Fawr and land around the village of Brynberian, the farms approximately six km apart, with land under control of the applicant amounting to some 1,500 acres, with a further 3,000 acres of Preseli mountain common land also used; the land accommodating a 5,000-ewe flock with 10 suckler cows and followers.

It says DB Davies & Sons Unlimited, has five partners: the two Davies brothers, Berian and Ken; their wives; and Berian’s son, Dyfed.

Berian and Ken are in their late 70s, with most of the heavy work on the farm is undertaken by Dyfed.

Dyfed and his wife Megan are first language Welsh speakers, living some 10 km away in Nevern, while Berian and Ken, and their wives, live at Eisteddfa Fawr, Brynberian.

The dwelling at Mynydd Du, where most sheep are now wintered, is structurally sound and repairable but has been unoccupied since 1990, and was subject to arson circa 2013, the statement says.

It says Dyfed works full-time on the farm, alone with increasing frequency as the older business members are above retirement age, working “long hours out of necessity to undertake all the work associated with one of the largest flocks of sheep in Wales”.

“His working hours are extended further due to the fact that he lives remote (6kms) from the main block of land at Tyllosg, where Mynydd Du is situated in the centre of the farm. Travelling back and forth several times each day during lambing and other times during poor weather, to check on flock welfare is an arduous task and can be dangerous, particularly if driving when tired during inclement conditions.”

The statement adds: “The application seeks permission to repair the fire damaged dwelling at Mynydd Du and bring it back to serve a useful purpose to enable Dyfed to closely monitor the ewes, not only at lambing, but throughout the year when the flock is grazing on the adjacent common land.

“It will also enable Dyfed to be with his partner and young child on a more regular basis than simply at the end of a long day when he is away from their current home, tending the sheep at Mynydd Du.”

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

 

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Business

Herald expands sales team as Milford Haven growth drives demand

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THE PEMBROKEHIRE HERALD is launching a recruitment drive to bring in two new sales executives as the newspaper continues to grow its commercial operations across the county.

The move comes as the Herald strengthens its position as the leading independent news platform in West Wales, with increasing demand from local businesses looking to advertise both in print and online.

The expansion is being driven in part by the rapid growth of Milford Haven and the wider energy sector, with major investment in green energy projects, port activity and associated industries creating new opportunities for local businesses.

As the area continues to develop as a key energy hub, more companies are seeking to reach customers, partners and the wider community through trusted local media.

The successful candidates will work directly with Pembrokeshire businesses, helping them promote their services to a growing audience through the Herald’s expanding digital reach and established print readership.

Editor Tom Sinclair said the recruitment reflects both the changing local economy and the Herald’s increasing audience.

He said: “Milford Haven is expanding rapidly, particularly with new energy and green projects coming forward, and that’s creating real opportunities for local businesses.

“At the same time, our audience continues to grow across both our website and social media platforms, meaning we can now offer advertisers a much bigger and more effective platform than ever before.”

The new roles will focus on building relationships with local firms, developing advertising campaigns, and identifying new opportunities across sectors including tourism, retail, trades, energy and professional services.

The Herald has continued to invest in its digital platforms, including Herald.Wales, alongside its well-established print edition, offering advertisers a multi-platform approach to reaching customers.

The recruitment drive also comes at a time when many local businesses are looking for cost-effective ways to promote themselves amid ongoing economic pressures.

Mr Sinclair added: “Local advertising matters. When businesses advertise locally, that money stays in the local economy. It helps create jobs, supports families and helps communities grow alongside the businesses within them.”

The roles are expected to appeal to motivated, target-driven individuals with strong communication skills and an interest in media, sales or marketing.

Both positions are based in Pembrokeshire, with opportunities for training and career progression within the Herald’s growing media group.

Anyone interested in applying is encouraged to email [email protected] with a CV and covering letter before Tuesday (Apr 1, 2026).

 

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