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Pembrokeshire County Council ‘s new Eco Park in Milford Haven completed

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ANDREW SCOTT LIMITED says it has successfully handed over a new Eco Park Waste and Recycling Facility in Milford Haven for their Client, Pembrokeshire County Council.

The new Eco Park Waste Recycling facility will support Pembrokeshire County Council’s waste and recycling programme, in line with the Welsh Government Strategy “Towards Zero Waste”. The facility will enable materials collected across Pembrokeshire to be bulked and sorted prior to onward transfer to processing and disposal facilities across Wales and the UK.    

Andrew Scott Ltd were awarded the Contract for Phases 1-3 as detailed below:     

  • Phase 1 – Recycling Transfer Facility and Covered Waste Bay; overall internal floor area 5,855m2; external service yard area 4,340m2; together with associated access roads and infrastructure. This phase also contains an office and visitor centre, offering the opportunity for groups to come and learn about waste and recycling.
  • Phase 2 – Vehicle Maintenance Bay and Staff Welfare Building; internal floor area 400m2. This phase also includes staff car parking for 138 vehicles and 56 lorry parking bays.  
  • Phase 3 – Residual Waste Recycling facility and Covered Waste Bay; overall internal floor area 2,700m2; external service yard area 3,970m2; together with associated access roads and infrastructure.

As part of this project, Andrew Scott Ltd and Pembrokeshire County Council are committed to maximising recycling and re-use of excavated materials from the existing site to promote and increase a circular economy and reduce the carbon footprint of the project and minimise the amount of construction traffic.

During the main construction phase of this project, Andrew Scott implemented the following initiatives to contribute to Sustainable Development:

  • 100% retention of excavated topsoil on site for re-use on soft landscaping. Zero offsite to landfill.
  • Excavated subsoil re-used onsite within landscaping bunds and bioretention areas.
  • Surplus inert subsoil taken off-site to licensed waste disposal facility, for use as capping layer, with recycled imported hardcore fill materials carried on return loads, using same transport.
  • Use of local suppliers for ready mixed concrete, tarmacadam, sub-base, pipe bedding and filter material.
  • Use of local supply chain for tree surgery, reinforcement, formwork and concrete placing, security fencing, brickwork and blockwork, drainage surveys and steel fabrication, accounting for over 70% of supply chain spend.
  • Directly employed local labour to supplement our direct construction team.
  • Surface water drainage – fully compliant (SUDS) surface water drainage systems comprising major underground storm attenuation/storage systems, rainwater harvesting, bioretention swales and raingardens, flow management/hydro-brake surface water discharge control, pollution control and onsite foul wastewater treatment system.
  • PV solar array to main warehouse roof to produce a self-sufficient sustainable energy source to operate the full recycling facility.
  • Environmentally sensitive acoustic fencing and tree planting to northern boundary, to minimise noise and visual impact for adjacent domestic property owners.
  • SmartWaste and energy usage: recording, monitoring and control system in place for all construction activities, to minimise waste and optimise energy.
  • Ecology – all early construction activities carried out under strict control of site ecologist’s instructions to minimise risk of disturbance to existing badger sett discovered within the confines of the site as well as the installation of bird and bat boxes and formation of bat corridors.

Throughout the project, a total of 120,000 tonnes of waste was produced, 99% of which was diverted from landfill. A total of 114,000 tonnes of soil and stone biproduct was produced and 100% of this was re-used. Prior to and during the project, Site Waste Management Plans were established to prioritise the principles of the Waste Hierarchy, in order to minimise waste and achieve the targets set. Andrew Scott are extremely proud of the outstanding waste diverted from landfill rates achieved on this project and are highly committed to continue this progress to enhancing Environmental Sustainability on all projects.

As a sustainable business, Andrew Scott Limited’s business model is aligned to the wider global goals of achieving net zero carbon by 2050. We are committed to accelerating this time frame to achieving net zero carbon by 2030, committing to reaching zero carbon emissions across all operations, direct and in-direct. As a socially conscious contractor, our strong community benefits offering is closely tied to the Well-being of Future Generations Act, ensuring cohesive communities and a more prosperous and resilient Wales.       

Throughout the project, Andrew Scott supported training opportunities for graduates and apprentices in West Wales, as well as long term sustainable employment opportunities for disadvantaged individuals from the Pembrokeshire area.    

Mark Bowen, Managing Director of Andrew Scott Ltd, said “we are delighted to have handed over the new Eco Park Waste and Recycling Facility to our Client, Pembrokeshire County Council. As a Welsh contractor, we are committed to help the Welsh Government reach net-zero by 2050 and also accelerate our net zero target of 2030. We are totally committed to decarbonisation of the built environment, with a focus on reducing our emissions throughout the business and ensured that all stakeholders on this project met the goals of a globally responsible Wales.”        

Cllr Rhys Sinnett, Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services, welcomed this county-wide resource for handling the Authority’s recyclate and residual waste streams. He said: “We are delighted to receive handover of this important facility from Andrew Scott Ltd. This will modernise Pembrokeshire’s recycling facilities as we work to increase recycling rates in line with the Welsh Government Strategies ‘Towards Zero Waste’ and ‘Beyond Recycling’. This facility will provide us with greater control over the waste streams we collect. We are also grateful for grant funding from Welsh Government towards the development of the Eco Park to help make this possible.”

Business

Ferry Terminal ‘extremely busy’ due to ongoing Holyhead closure

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PEMBROKE DOCK Ferry Terminal has been experiencing significant congestion today as ferry services remain under immense pressure following the closure of Holyhead Port earlier this month.

The disruption, caused by storm damage, has rerouted ferry traffic through Pembrokeshire, leading to long queues and crowded facilities at the terminal.

The Herald can confirm that it has been very busy today with cars, lorries, and foot passengers queuing in large numbers. Staff are working tirelessly to manage the influx, directing vehicles and assisting passengers as they prepare to board the heavily booked ferries.

A spokesperson for the Port of Milford Haven said: “We are working closely with ferry operators and local authorities to ensure traffic flows as smoothly as possible, but the sheer volume of vehicles is causing unavoidable delays.”

Travelers are being urged to arrive early for their sailings and to remain patient as the terminal operates at full capacity.

Both Stena Line and Irish Ferries have increased capacity on their Pembrokeshire routes, deploying larger vessels, including the Stena Adventurer and the MV James Joyce, to handle the surge in demand.

From our position at the terminal, our photographer has captured photos showing long lines of vehicles, groups of foot passengers carrying luggage, and port staff coordinating efforts to ease congestion.

Authorities are advising non-essential travelers to consider rescheduling their journeys where possible and to monitor updates from ferry operators closely.

(Photos: Martin Cavaney/Herald)

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52 homes to be built in Roch as scheme gets final sign-off

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THE FINAL stage of approval for a near-£10m Pembrokeshire residential development of 52 homes has been given the go-ahead.

Back in April, members of Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee backed an application by Wakefield Pembrokeshire Ltd for the development, which includes four one-bed affordable housing units, on land near Pilgrims Way, Roch.

18 objections to the scheme were received, raising concerns including an “inadequate” affordable housing level, it being a high density development for a rural area, a loss of green space, the size of some of the homes, and pressures on existing services and facilities, and fears it may lead to an increase in second homes.

Nolton & Roch Community Land Trust (N&RCLT) has raised its concerns about a lack of affordable homes at the development, calling for a 20 per cent affordable homes element, as recommended by policy.

An officer report for members, recommending conditional approval, said: “It is apparent that the proposed development is not fully policy compliant, insofar as it cannot deliver the indicative 20 per cent affordable housing sought [by policy].

“However, a substantial positive social impact will arise through the provision of housing, including four one-bed affordable housing units, in meeting identified needs for both market and affordable housing.

“Financial obligations identified to mitigate adverse impacts arising from the proposed development cannot be met in full. However, [policy] acknowledges that in such circumstances contributions may be prioritised on the basis of the individual circumstances of each case.”

Speaking at the meeting, agent Gethin Beynon said the project had a “significant economic value” of around £10m, and the local applicant had “a sense of stewardship to the local community,” offering affordable housing and community infrastructure towards highways and education.

Approval was delegated to the council’s head of planning to approve the application, subject to the completion of a Section 106 planning obligation, making community financial contributions.

The Section 106 agreement was recently agreed, with the application now formally approved.

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Business

World of engineering and welding SPARCs interest in Ysgol Harri Tudur’s female learners

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AN EVENT hosted by Ledwood Engineering gave girls from Year 8 and 9 at Ysgol Harri Tudur first-hand experience of the world of engineering recently. 

Engineering is a booming sector in Pembrokeshire with a high demand for skilled workers in exciting career pathways associated with the development of low carbon and renewable energy industry and the Celtic Freeport. 

The young women heard from industry experts on the importance of engineering in Pembrokeshire, and had hands on experience using a welding simulator, at the company’s Pembroke Dock site. 

The learners are part of the County’s SPARC (Sustainable Power and Renewable Construction) initiative aimed as inspiring and empowering young females to consider careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) pathways where females are under-represented in the workforce. 

SPARC is funded through an alliance comprising Blue Gem Wind, Ledwood Engineering, Port of Milford Haven, RWE Renewables, Pembrokeshire County Council, Pembrokeshire College and the Swansea Bay City Deal. 

Mrs Laura Buckingham, SPARC practitioner at Ysgol Harri Tudur said: “Our learners had a fantastic experience at Ledwood Engineering.  They were given lots of advice by industry experts on the different career options and pathways within the engineering sector.  

“They appreciated the opportunity to ask their questions and found the session very informative. Having the chance to trial their welding skills on the simulator was an experience they continue to talk about and has definitely piqued their interest.”

Poppy Sawyer, Year 8 SPARC learner added:  ‘It was a really good trip. Talking to the different people there has helped me know more about the jobs we could get which will be very useful when making choices for my future.”  

 “They helped us a lot by giving us lots of information. We were able to look around and try welding. It was really fun,” added Tianna Marshall, Year 8 SPARC learner.

The Regional Learning and Skills Partnership also launched its Explore Engineering interactive website at the event.

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