News

Plans for recycling plant at former quarry opposed by more than 2,000 people

Published

2 years ago

August 10, 2024

Richard Youle - Local Democracy Reporter

PLANS opposed by more than 2,000 people for a rubble and soil recycling plant at a former quarry have been recommended for approval.

Carmarthenshire Council planning officers said the proposals for Cilyrychen Quarry, Llandybie, near Ammanford, had a number of potential impacts. But they said that mitigation measures proposed by the applicant, combined with planning conditions, would greatly reduce “the likelihood of significant impacts”. Their report will be discussed by the council’s planning committee at a meeting on August 15.

As well as importing rubble and soil for recycling and processing, applicant Dolawen Cyf wants to remove materials deposited at two areas of the quarry as part of previous operations which took place there, but it said these materials would be removed mechanically rather than being blasted out. Dolawen Cyf has indicated that the total amount of material both brought in and removed from the quarry would not exceed 50,000 tonnes per year.

A campaign group called Save Cilyrychen Quarry is among those objecting to the plans. It said the quarry was in a sensitive location, home to wildlife including falcons, bats, and dormice, and a popular area for recreation and tourism. Dolawen Cyf’s application has prompted 147 objections and a petition of objection signed by 2,073 people. Two community councils have objected or raised concerns about increased HGV traffic, and impact on neighbouring properties and a nearby special area of conservation. Statutory consultees such as Natural Resources Wales haven’t objected.

The planning report cited potential road, dust, vibration, ecology and visual impacts, among other things, but said mitigation and compensation measures – such as new planting and landscaping – were considered to be acceptable. The quarry basin is filled with water, and a plan by Dolawen Cyf to reduce the water level has been withdrawn.

The proposed new recycling facility would consist of different operating areas, including a rubble storage area which is partially screened by a bund – or mound. This bund is just 35 metres from two residential homes which cater for people with learning difficulties. The plan is to increase the height of the bund and plant trees on it.

Another part of the recycling site would be the aggregates processing area, which would be 120 metres from houses on Penpound Lane but closer to their gardens. The planning report said thick scrub and trees separated the homes from the proposed processing area. It also said that more recycling and processing of rubble and soil was needed in Wales – despite the South West Wales region meeting a 90% target – and that disused quarries were possible locations for this activity subject to criteria being met.

Speaking in 2021 when the plans were made public, Penpound Lane residents Garry and Julie Morgan said they were worried about the impact on property values, noise and dust in dry weather. Another resident, Ruth Davies, said there would be “no days off” for Llandybie if operations at the site took place seven days per week. The planning report said work wouldn’t take place on Sundays or bank holidays, and that the crushing and screening plant would have slightly shorter hours than the rest of the site.

News

Tenby lifeboat tows yacht to safety after skipper falls ill near Caldey

Published

2 hours ago

June 15, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A YACHT was towed back to Tenby after its skipper became unwell off Caldey Island.

Tenby’s all-weather lifeboat was requested to launch at 1:40pm on Monday (Jun 15), after the coastguard received a call from the occupants of a yacht reporting that the skipper had become ill around one mile south of Caldey Island.

The volunteer crew quickly made their way to the vessel, which had three people and a dog on board.

Once alongside, the lifeboat crew discovered that the skipper was suffering badly from seasickness and that the other two people on board were unable to sail the yacht themselves.

After a full assessment by the coxswain, it was decided that the safest course of action was to tow the yacht back to Tenby. The vessel was drifting with the tide towards Caldey Island and was also considered a potential navigational hazard to other boats.

Two lifeboat crew members were placed aboard the yacht to help set up the tow and to monitor the unwell skipper during the journey back.

After a tow of around an hour, the yacht was placed on the lifeboat mooring in the calmer waters of North Bay.

The lifeboat then returned to station, arriving back at 3:15pm.

Entertainment

Waverley marks 79th anniversary with Pembrokeshire sailings

Published

2 hours ago

June 15, 2026

Tom Sinclair

THE WORLD’S last seagoing paddle steamer will return to Pembrokeshire this week as Waverley marks the 79th anniversary of her maiden voyage.

The historic vessel will sail from Milford Haven and Tenby on Tuesday (Jun 16), with trips including a daytime cruise around Skokholm, Skomer, St Brides Bay and Ramsey Island from 11:30am to 4:30pm.

There will also be an evening sailing from Milford Haven at 5:00pm, travelling to St Govan’s Head, Caldey Island and along the Pembrokeshire coast, returning at 9:50pm.

Passengers can also join Waverley at Tenby, with sailings to Milford Haven and an evening cruise around Caldey Island and the coast.

On Wednesday (Jun 17), Waverley will make her only Fishguard visit of 2026, with an evening cruise to St David’s Head, passing Strumble Head Lighthouse, from 6:15pm to 9:15pm.

Tickets are available through Waverley Excursions.

Crime

Mid Wales peace activist arrested outside court after Palestine Action ruling

Published

3 hours ago

June 15, 2026

Tom Sinclair

MID WALES peace activist Angie Zelter was arrested outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London after holding a placard in support of Palestine Action.

The 75-year-old campaigner, from Knucklas, Powys, was detained at around 12:20pm on the steps of the court, according to Radnor Palestine Links.

The group said Ms Zelter was arrested under Section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000 after holding a sign which read: “Saving lives is not terrorism. I support Palestine Action.”

She was taken to Charing Cross Police Station and released around two hours later, the group said.

The arrest came as the Court of Appeal ruled in favour of the UK Government over its decision to proscribe Palestine Action under terrorism legislation.

The ruling overturned an earlier High Court decision which had found the ban unlawful. The Court of Appeal held that the Government’s decision was lawful and proportionate.

Palestine Action was banned after the Home Secretary moved to proscribe the group under the Terrorism Act 2000. Supporting or inviting support for a proscribed organisation can be a criminal offence.

Radnor Palestine Links said the protest formed part of an ongoing campaign against the use of counter-terrorism laws against peaceful demonstrators.

Ms Zelter, a long-standing peace and human rights campaigner, has been arrested more than 100 times worldwide during decades of non-violent direct action. She is also known as a founder of Trident Ploughshares.

Speaking after her arrest, Ms Zelter said: “I think it’s a terrible indictment of the criminal justice system that you are charging me with terrorism for holding a peaceful sign.

“We have to uphold the most important international laws. Peaceful, disruptive protest is absolutely essential to protect democracy.”

The Metropolitan Police has been asked to confirm the circumstances of the arrest, whether Ms Zelter was formally charged, and the conditions of her release.

Photo caption: Court protest: Angie Zelter outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London holding a sign in support of Palestine Action (Pic: Radnor Palestine Links).