News

Festival organisers warn of exodus over camping restrictions

Published

1 year ago

February 11, 2025

FESTIVAL organisers in Pembrokeshire have warned they could be forced to move their events to England in 2026 due to new rules restricting temporary campsites.

The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority has backed plans to require landowners to apply for planning permission for pop-up campsites, which can currently operate for up to 28 days a year without formal approval.

Festival faces uncertain future

Amber Lort-Phillips, organiser of The Big Retreat wellbeing festival in Lawrenny, said the new rules threaten the event, which brings an estimated £1 million to the local economy.

“It’s essential. We couldn’t run without our permitted development because it’s how we run our campsite,” she said.

“The impact is we might have to move it. It’s our home for The Big Retreat and it’s not fair. We are potentially having to look at other sites and move the festival outside of Wales.”

She criticised the National Park Authority’s approach, claiming there was “no real evidence” for imposing blanket restrictions and no guarantee that temporary sites would be granted planning permission.

***Amber Lort-Phillips, organiser of The Big Retreat***

Park Authority defends move

The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park is the only national park in Wales seeking to impose stricter campsite controls, with Snowdonia and the Brecon Beacons making no changes to the 28-day rule.

The Authority insists the changes will “create a level playing field” between pop-up and permanent sites, arguing that unregulated camping is causing environmental harm and enforcement challenges.

Chief executive Tegryn Jones said temporary campsites accounted for 12% of the Authority’s enforcement workload and had led to a “stream of complaints.”

“There is currently no control over temporary campsites,” he said. “We are seeking to take a small measure to even the playing field.”

Concerns over consultation

However, critics argue that the consultation process was inadequate. The Authority received 120 responses, equivalent to just 0.5% of the National Park’s 23,000-strong population.

Dai Williams, who has operated Clifftops Camping near Druidston since 2021, said the new restrictions could “shut down” businesses.

“These plans are a knee-jerk reaction to the post-Covid surge in visitors,” he said. “We provide extra income for farmers and accommodation for tourists, but the Park Authority seems intent on making it impossible.”

Music festival also at risk

Joe Worley, organiser of Westival, a music festival in Manorbier that attracts 2,500 visitors each year, said he had not been directly consulted and was shocked by the plans.

“The [2026] event wouldn’t be able to go ahead without the campsite,” he said. “If we couldn’t get planning permission for that particular field, we’d have to find a new site. It feels quite damaging to a lot of businesses.”

The measures have won support from Ben Carden of the Woodlands Champions Club, which runs 16 sites in Pembrokeshire.

“Quite often, there are serious implications with pop-up campsites,” he said. “There can be noise nuisance for local residents. I attended one pop-up campsite that had over 200 pitches with just three toilets and one washbasin. There needs to be a standard of camping.”

Next steps

A further consultation will run until 21 February, with a final decision expected in the spring. If approved, the restrictions will come into force on 1 January 2026.

With festival organisers warning they may be forced to leave Wales, the debate over the future of pop-up campsites looks set to continue.

Crime

Broad Haven man remanded in custody over sexual harm prevention order breach

Published

19 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Court Reporter

Defendant admitted using Xbox without informing police as required under court order

ANTHONY COOMBES, aged 26, of Sand Banks, Broad Haven, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Mar 20) charged with breaching a sexual harm prevention order.

The court heard that between February 26 and March 19, 2026, at Haverfordwest, Coombes repeatedly breached the order by using an Xbox device without informing police within three days, as required.

The offences relate to a sexual harm prevention order imposed at Swansea Crown Court on October 20, 2021.

Coombes indicated guilty pleas to the offences at the first hearing.

Magistrates committed the case to Swansea Crown Court for sentence.

He was remanded in custody ahead of the next hearing, which is due to take place at 9:00am on Friday, April 3, at Swansea Crown Court.

The court refused bail on the grounds that he was likely to offend, citing the nature and seriousness of the offences and his previous record and character.

A pre-sentence report was ordered.

News

Man arrested after suspected drugs-related death in Haverfordwest

Published

19 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Police say death not suspicious as 46-year-old arrested over alleged Class A drug supply

A MAN has died following a medical emergency at a property in Haverfordwest, police have confirmed.

Emergency services were called at 3:18pm on Wednesday (March 18) after a report of a medical incident.

A man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the man’s next of kin have been informed and are being supported by officers.

The death is not being treated as suspicious at this time.

However, police confirmed that a man, aged 46, was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.

He has since been released under investigation while enquiries continue.

No further details about the deceased have been formally released.

Crime

Illegal dog breeders ordered to pay over £129,000 after council probe

Published

20 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

FOUR people from Mynyddygarreg, Kidwelly, have been ordered to pay more than £129,000 following a successful prosecution for illegal dog breeding.

At Swansea Crown Court on Tuesday (Mar 10), before His Honour Judge Thomas KC, Stacey May June Edwards, Peter John Edwards, Sian Eleri Thomas and David Malcolm James Thomas, all of Sea Breeze, Mynyddygarreg, pleaded guilty to offences under the Breeding of Dogs (Wales) Regulations 2014.

The court imposed confiscation orders totalling £129,873.41 under the Proceeds of Crime Act across the four defendants. They were also ordered to pay £8,000 in costs, while each defendant received a £2,000 fine.

The investigation began in April 2021 after Carmarthenshire County Council’s Animal Health team received an enquiry from Peter Edwards about obtaining a dog breeding licence. Although licensing guidance was provided and a partial application was submitted in February 2022, this was later withdrawn.

In March 2024, the council received a complaint that puppies were being advertised for sale without the required licence. Officers subsequently contacted online advertising platforms and issued data requests to assess the scale of activity.

Analysis of records from Pets4Homes, Freeads and Gumtree revealed multiple litters being advertised by members of the same household.

Correspondence under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act confirmed that up to 25 dogs were kept at the property, including between 16 and 19 breeding females.

While some defendants claimed joint ownership of the dogs, others attempted to minimise their involvement.

The Herald understands that numerous puppy advertisements were posted between July 2020 and April 2025, demonstrating a sustained pattern of unlicensed breeding.

Carmarthenshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Decarbonisation and Sustainability, Cllr Aled Vaughan Owen, said: “This case demonstrates the council’s firm stance against unlicensed and illegal dog breeding.

“These regulations are in place to protect animal welfare and ensure that breeding activities are subject to proper oversight. The scale of activity uncovered at this property was entirely unacceptable, and we welcome the court’s decision to issue significant confiscation orders under POCA.”

He added: “We urge anyone with concerns about illegal dog breeding to report it. Our Animal Health officers will continue to investigate thoroughly and take action against those who disregard the law.”

Residents are reminded that anyone breeding and selling dogs must comply with licensing regulations designed to protect both animal welfare and consumers.