A CALL to let a 950-herd north Pembrokeshire dairy farm to keep a farm shed built without permission a decade ago which was expected to be approved has instead been put on temporary hold, national park planners heard.

In an application recommended for conditional approval at Pembrokeshire Coast National Park’s development management committee meeting of December 4, Trewern Farms Ltd is seeking permission for the retention of the agricultural building and lay down area at Trewern Farm, Felindre Farchog.

The application is part of a wider complex planning history associated with the site.

A report for Park planners says: “Trewern Farm is operated as a zero grazing style dairy farm with 304 hectares located on two separate parcels of land, one at Trewern with the remainder being at Penpedwast, adjacent to Castell Henllys. The farm has a dairy herd of approximately 950 cows.

“Trewern Farm has expanded significantly over recent years with many of the buildings and structures on site having been erected without the prior benefit of planning permission, and having since been regularised through a combination of retrospective applications and certificates of lawfulness.

“The building subject of this application is believed to have been constructed in 2014. The site currently comprises an agricultural shed immediately adjoining another shed and is used for cubicle housing.

“A slurry lagoon, silage clamps and 12 of the newer agricultural buildings are now lawful as Certificates of Lawfulness were granted for these whilst the Authority was awaiting an Environmental Impact Assessment to be submitted by the applicants for the 2015 planning application to regularise the unauthorised buildings.

“However, this is the last of the outstanding agricultural buildings which are not lawful, and an enforcement notice was served in May 2018 requiring its removal. This notice was appealed in November 2019 and is currently being held in abeyance by the Planning Inspectorate.”

It says the building referred to in the application “is described as being designed to house cattle in a series of cubicles, and forms part of a longer set of buildings running along the southern section of the farming complex,” adding: “The livestock numbers are not proposed for increase as a result of this application but will be as secured [by a planning consent] restricted to no more than 960 milking cows with 1020 maximum excluding calves.”

Local community council Nevern has said it has “grave concerns” about the application, asking, amongst other things, how the 960 cattle limit will be policed and the important woodland will be protected.

At the December 4 meeting, planners were told the application would be deferred to a future meeting as not all received documentation had been published on the national park’s planning website.

The application is expected to return to the January meeting, committee chair Madelin Havard offering her apologies to the applicant for the delay.

THE UK and Welsh Governments welcomed Ed Tomp as the newly appointed permanent Chair of the Celtic Freeport, marking the project’s transition from the development to the delivery phase. 

Ed Tomp assumed his role on 1 December 2024 and will lead this vital re-industrialisation and regeneration project. The Celtic Freeport is set to attract £8.4bn of private and public investment, deliver 11,500 new jobs and add £8.1bn of economic value (GVA).  This vision is underpinned by investment incentives for businesses setting up new operations in designated development zones – tax sites – in Neath Port Talbot and Pembrokeshire.

From 26 November 2024 until 30 September 2034, businesses investing in Celtic Freeport’s tax sites can access a suite of incentives. These include no Business Rates for the first five years, significant reductions in national insurance contributions and enhanced capital allowances including extended full capital expensing, to support their investment decisions.

The Celtic Freeport is a public-private consortium including Associated British Ports, Neath Port Talbot Council, Pembrokeshire County Council and the Port of Milford Haven, alongside renewables developers, energy companies, industrial complexes, innovation assets, academic institutions and education providers. The Celtic Freeport covers the ports of Milford Haven and Port Talbot and spans clean energy developments and innovation assets, fuel terminals, a power station and heavy engineering across South-West Wales.

Deputy Leader Cllr Paul Miller, cabinet member for Place, the Region and Climate Change, said: “The Celtic Freeport opening for business is tremendous news for our region.

“The scale of the opportunity ahead for the Milford Haven Waterway and for Pembrokeshire is enormous and we are determined to ensure we maximise the opportunity this coming energy revolution offers to grow the Pembrokeshire economy, to secure investment and to create and sustain good jobs.

“We want to ensure that the incentives from the Celtic Freeport benefits the people from the communities within the waterway and across Pembrokeshire. I am confident that it will play a significant role in driving inclusive economic prosperity across the county.

“Together, with our partners, we can start the work to create meaningful investment for the people of Pembrokeshire, which will be transformational for our communities and businesses.”

Ed Tomp, Chair of the Celtic Freeport, added: “This week marks an important moment as we move from the development to delivery phase. Boosted by a suite of investment incentives, Celtic Freeport’s development plan will march forward to support existing industry to decarbonise, while creating an ecosystem between Pembrokeshire and Neath Port Talbot where green industries like sustainable fuels, hydrogen and floating offshore wind can prosper.”

SAMUEL KURTZ, Member of the Senedd for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, is calling on residents to champion local businesses as Small Business Saturday approaches on 7 December.

The annual event, now in its twelfth year, celebrates the vital role of small and independent businesses in communities. Since its UK launch in 2012, Small Business Saturday has become a highlight of the retail calendar, encouraging shoppers to explore and support their local high streets, particularly during the festive season.

Speaking ahead of the event, Mr. Kurtz emphasized the importance of shopping locally, not just at Christmas but year-round.

A call to shop local
“Small Business Saturday is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the incredible independent shops and businesses that make our towns and villages so special,” he said. “In West Wales, we’re fortunate to have an abundance of unique, high-quality local businesses that deserve our support, especially as they face challenges such as Labour’s budget pressures and rising National Insurance.

“Shopping locally keeps money within our communities, helping small businesses survive and thrive. This benefits us all and ensures that our hard-earned money supports local livelihoods instead of enriching distant shareholders.”

The backbone of the local economy
Mr. Kurtz also highlighted the wider benefits of backing small businesses.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our local economy. They create jobs, foster entrepreneurship, and bring character to our high streets. By supporting them, we’re investing in the future of our communities. Let’s ensure their success not just for a day, but all year round.”

The Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire MS is encouraging everyone to take part in Small Business Saturday by visiting local shops, cafes, and service providers. He stressed that collective support can help sustain the vibrant and diverse economy that defines the region.