Community

Plans to redevelop Brawdy for landmark radar initiative a step closer

Published

1 year ago

August 8, 2024

The Ministry of Defence has released a second press release regarding plans to redevelop Cawdor Barracks in Pembrokeshire, Wales, to host a groundbreaking radar initiative.

The reannouncement gives a chance for the new Defence Secretary John Healey to express his support for the project, and also announces two community outreach events designed to allow officials to discuss the proposals with local residents.

Known as the Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability (DARC), the initiative, which was first announced last year, aims, according to the Government, to secure long-term employment and enhance the protection of essential satellite communication and navigation networks. DARC will establish a network of ground-based radars across Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, enhancing the AUKUS nations’ capacity to detect, track, and identify objects in deep space up to approximately 36,000km from Earth.

This capability will significantly benefit these nations’ land, air, and maritime forces, protect critical infrastructure, and support domestic construction and space industries. DARC will play a crucial role in bolstering AUKUS nations’ ability to ensure safety and security in the Indo-Pacific region and globally.

Defence Secretary John Healey commented: “The proposed redevelopment of Cawdor Barracks secures jobs at home and enhances our defence capabilities for the future. Space plays a crucial role in our daily lives, utilised by everything from our mobile phones to banking services. It also supports UK Defence in conducting vital tasks such as military operations, navigation, and intelligence gathering. This new radar programme will enhance our awareness of deep space and protect our space assets alongside our closest partners.”

The former RAF Brawdy base, currently known as Cawdor Barracks, has a rich history of supporting the UK’s Military, as both a Royal Air Force flying station and a Royal Navy base.

Currently home to the 14 Signal Regiment, the Ministry of Defence announced in 2016 that the barracks would close no earlier than 2028. The site’s redevelopment for DARC would ensure it remains operational, with up to 100 personnel permanently stationed to operate and maintain the radar capability.

Secretary of State for Wales, Jo Stevens, added: “The proposed redevelopment of Cawdor Barracks will secure jobs in the area while protecting our national security. This is an important project for Pembrokeshire, and the government is committed to working with the local community to ensure its success.”

The Ministry of Defence is dedicated to completing all necessary planning and environmental processes to gain consent for the site’s redevelopment and its safe operation. A comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment, including a Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment, is underway to support a planning application to Pembrokeshire County Council. The Council’s approval will be conditional on DARC meeting all required safety standards.

Safety processes will ensure that DARC complies with international environmental and health standards set by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) and the World Health Organisation. This is standard practice for all MOD installations.

Community engagement will be integral to developing proposals for DARC, with two public information events scheduled before the statutory consultation period required by Pembrokeshire County Council. Members of the MOD DARC programme team will attend these events to discuss proposals, answer questions, and gather local community feedback.

Local opposition to the plans

In June, a public meeting at Solva Memorial Hall was ‘packed to the rafters’ last night as hundreds of concerned residents gathered to discuss the dangers posed by the proposed Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability (DARC) project at Cawdor Barracks in Pembrokeshire. Campaigners are urging local communities to lobby all general election candidates against a project they successfully opposed decades ago.

Following the digital launch of the campaign group PARC Against DARC, which aims to halt the UK/US military’s plan to establish a 27-dish high-power radar station, a public meeting in Solva saw a substantial turnout. Organisers reported that the hall was filled with residents ready to challenge the radar initiative.

Speakers at the event reiterated key arguments against DARC, pointing to a similar campaign in the 1990s that forced then-Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher to cancel a related project. The meeting featured a campaign video and presentations that highlighted the community’s readiness to oppose the radar station.

Emma Bowen, general manager of the Retreats Group of local hotels, spoke about the potential negative impact on tourism:
“As an accommodation provider set in the UK’s only coastal national park, we rely on tourists who come to enjoy the coast path, beaches, history, and culture. If you were looking for a holiday location, would you choose somewhere next to 27 enormous radar structures? If DARC goes ahead, it would jeopardise our business, putting 75 jobs at risk and affecting over 40 suppliers and contractors.”

Two short films presented at the meeting, created by leading scientists in non-ionising radiation, outlined severe health risks associated with radar installations. Dr. M. Peleg’s study on Israel’s Iron Dome radar revealed a significant increase in cancer cases among soldiers stationed near the radars. The same type of non-ionising radiation expected from the DARC installation has been linked to haemolymphatic cancers.

One Israeli soldier described the effects: “When you’re near a radar, you literally feel your body boiling from the inside out… like being in a microwave. Israeli soldiers have nicknamed the Iron Dome ‘the toaster’ due to its harmful effects.”

Dylan Lewis-Rowlands, CND Cymru’s secretary, expressed concerns over military escalation: “CND Cymru supports PARC against DARC. We oppose the militarisation of space and Cymru. The DARC initiative is part of the AUKUS alliance’s military ambitions. Our campaign prioritises the needs of Pembrokeshire and Wales over US military interests.”

Michial Davies of the South and West Wales Wildlife Trust discussed the potential harm to Manx Shearwaters and other wildlife: “Lights and Manx shearwaters don’t mix. Brawdy is visible from Skomer, the most important site for these seabirds. DARC will exacerbate the problem, leading to more bird deaths.”

On Thusday (Aug 8) Local campaigner Jim Scott urged attendees to take action: “The MOD acts as if this project will easily pass through local councils, but this is far from a ‘done deal’. We need to ensure our elected County Councillors reject this carcinogenic, military monstrosity. Email the General Election Candidates and make our voices heard.”

Before concluding, attendees replicated an iconic photograph from a previous campaign, holding up NO RADAR placards, symbolising their unified stance against the DARC project.

PARC Against DARC launched a just few weeks ago and already boasts a petition nearing its next target of 15,000 signatures. The public launch meeting was the biggest in Solva’s history.”

With this huge level of public support behind them, campaigners told us; “We are extremely confident that public pressure will put a halt to these ill thought out military proposals.”

Adding: “The MOD’s own scoping report admits that the project would mean 100 heavy lorry trips per day up our coast road and through Newgale itself. That would mean 200 lorry trips per day including the return journey!”

“We know the people of Pembrokeshire wont go along with this, but in any case the road infrastructure simply does not exist for this level of project.”

“As a campaign we have every confidence that this military monstrosity will never see the light of day. We repeat our call for our local MP and MS’s to declare their personal position on this. The issue is likely to be a big vote-loser in the 2026 Senedd elections with some major parties such as Plaid Cymru and the Welsh Greens already having come out staunchly against DARC.

This is no good for Pembrokeshire, this is no good for anywhere. Local Politicians need to get on the right side of this before they are publicly forced to, not afterwards!”

About DARC

Space is crucial for the nation and plays a critical role in our daily lives. Space services, including those delivered by satellites, underpin many aspects of modern life, from enabling navigation, monitoring the climate, forecasting the weather, supporting our emergency services, supporting our Critical National Infrastructure and protecting the public. Understanding what is in space is crucial for the UK’s interests, especially as space becomes more congested with satellites and debris.

The proposed redevelopment of Cawdor Barracks (former RAF Brawdy) for the DARC programme would help to protect our present and future prosperity and national security. By enhancing our awareness and understanding of what is happening in space, we can continue to ensure it remains safe, sustainable and accessible to all.

The MOD announced in 2016 that Cawdor Barracks, home to 14 Signal Regiment (Electronic Warfare), would close and this is currently planned to take place no earlier than 2028. The development of the site for DARC helps keep the site open, with a permanent presence of up to 100 personnel to operate DARC.

The proposals

The MOD says it is committed to undertaking all necessary planning and environmental processes required to gain planning consent for the proposed site and for its safe operation. A comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment (including a Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment) is underway in support of our planning application to Pembrokeshire County Council and their granting of planning permission is conditional on DARC meeting all the required safety standards.

In particular, the MOD safety processes will ensure that DARC meets international environmental and health standards as set by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) and the World Health Organisation, and this is standard practice for all MOD installations.

Public engagement

There will be two public information events before the statutory consultation period that is required by Pembrokeshire County Council. Members of the DARC programme team will attend these events to discuss the proposals, answer any questions and hear local community views.

Public information events will be hosted over the period 13-14 September 2024:

Friday, 13 September 2024

4pm-7pm
Solva Memorial Hall
39 High St
Solva
Haverfordwest
SA62 6TE

Saturday, 14 September 2024

10am-2pm
St David’s City Hall
High St
St Davids
Haverfordwest
SA62 6SD

Climate

Pembroke tidal flood defence work to continue to January

Published

5 hours ago

December 18, 2025

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

SIGNIFICANT issues with a part of Pembroke’s tidal barrage are not expected to be fully fixed before late January, councillors heard.

Pembroke councillors Aaron Carey and Jonathan Grimes submitted an urgent question heard at the December meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council, which said: “In light of the repeated flooding events across the county – including the recent overflow at Castle Pond and the acknowledgement by your own Coastal, Rivers & Drainage Team that the barrage tipping gate remains inoperable until mid-January can you explain what assessment has been made of the adequacy of our tidal outfall infrastructure in the face of current and projected future storm surges and sea-level rise?

“If no such assessment has yet been undertaken, will you commit now to commissioning an immediate structural and risk-capacity audit, with a report to full council within three months, and with proposals for funding any remedial works required — to avoid recurring damage and disruption to residents, highways, and public amenities?”

Responding to the urgent question, Cabinet Member for Residents Services Cllr Rhys Sinnett said a significant assessment of the Pembroke Tidal Barrage had already been undertaken over the past two years, with regular inspections.

He said “a comprehensive package of works” began in September which were due to be completed before Christmas but said there had been “significant issues” with the tipping gate hydraulic ram, with a significant overhaul now taking place, with reinstatement expected by late January.

He told members additional mitigation measures were now in place and, once works are completed, enhanced works will provide improved resilience and “long-term reliability,” with further reports due to come to Cabinet.

Cllr Carey and Cllr Grimes had also submitted a notice of motion saying: “That this council notes with concern the repeated and increasingly severe flooding experienced in our coastal, estuarial and river-fringe communities over recent weeks — in particular the flooding events affecting the Commons/Castle Pond area.

“That the council further notes that, according to correspondence from the Coastal, Rivers & Drainage Team Manager, the tipping gate at the barrage remains out of operation until mid-January due to mechanical issues; meanwhile high tide, heavy rain, wind-driven tidal surges and overspill at the sluice have combined to overwhelm the drainage/outfall infrastructure.

“That we recognise the current maintenance schedule (delayed ‘til after the summer season) and the justification given — but further that such planning failed to foresee the likelihood of severe winter storm and surge events, which climate change makes more frequent and more intense.

“That this council therefore calls on the Cabinet to commission an urgent review of:

The adequacy of the current drainage/outfall and tidal-sluice infrastructure (barrage tipping gate, sluice/sluice-valve, flap valve, outfall capacity) for current and projected climate/tide conditions.
The maintenance scheduling policy for coastal and estuarial flood-risk assets, with a view to ensuring critical maintenance is completed before winter high-tide / storm-surge season, rather than — as at present — being delayed until after summer for ‘recreational / biodiversity’ reasons.

“That, pending the outcome of the review, the council should allocate appropriate emergency capital funding to remediate the barrages / sluices / outfalls at risk of failure or blockage — to safeguard residents, properties, highways and public amenities from further flooding.

“That, further, this council resolves to publish a public flood-resilience plan for the county, identifying all coastal and river-fringe ‘hotspots,’ maintenance schedules, responsible teams, and a transparent timeline for upgrades or remedial works — so residents have clarity and confidence in flood prevention measures.”

The notice of motion itself will be considered by the council’s Cabinet at a later date.

Community

Community gathers to remember Corrina Baker

Published

12 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Lanterns and balloons released in emotional acts of remembrance

FAMILY, friends and members of the local community came together to remember Corrina Baker at a series of moving events held across west Wales this week.

Corrina’s funeral took place on Monday (Dec 15), a month after her death, with a public service held at St Mary’s Church. Mourners lined the route as her coffin was carried on its final journey in an elegant horse-drawn carriage, before a private cremation later took place at Parc Gwyn crematorium in Narberth.

Later that evening, shortly after 6:00pm, friends and relatives gathered at the Quayside in Cardigan for the first of two acts of remembrance to celebrate her life. Lanterns were lit and released into the night sky above the town as some of Corrina’s favourite songs were played.

On Tuesday afternoon (Dec 16), a second tribute was held near the location where Corrina was found. Twenty-one pink balloons — one for each year of her life — were released into a clear blue sky, each carrying personal messages in her memory.

Floral tributes continue to be laid at the Netpool, while a GoFundMe appeal set up in Corrina’s memory has raised more than £2,300. She has been described by those who knew her as “funny and bright”.

Dyfed-Powys Police have confirmed that their investigation into the circumstances surrounding Ms Baker’s death is ongoing. A 29-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of murder has been released on bail while inquiries continue.

(Photos: Stuart Ladd/Herald)

Community

Six untaxed vehicles seized in Milford Haven police operation

Published

12 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Tom Sinclair

SIX untaxed and abandoned vehicles were seized during a joint roads policing operation in Milford Haven on Tuesday morning.

Officers from the Milford Haven Neighbourhood Policing and Prevention Team (NPPT) worked alongside the Pembrokeshire Roads Policing Team as part of targeted enforcement across the town.

In addition to the vehicle seizures, a number of traffic offence reports were issued to drivers during the operation.

Police said the action formed part of ongoing efforts to improve road safety and tackle vehicle-related offences in the Milford Haven area.