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News

TerraQuest to provide planning portal services across Wales under new agreement

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TERRAQUEST will provide its Planning Portal service for planning applications in Wales from 31 March 2025, following an agreement with the Welsh Government.

The launch of Planning Portal, which is already used for more than 97% of planning applications across England, will enable applicants to submit applications and receive vital updates in respect of Welsh sites. 

The new service will be bi-lingual, offering both Welsh and English language options. Current users of Planning Applications Wales will be able to keep the same account and transfer to the new service.

Applicants will benefit from an improved service, including standardised payment options across all 25 Welsh authorities which, in turn, will streamline application submissions and address a key cause of invalidations.

In addition, Planning Portal will offer a built-in location plan tool that generates compliant plans, captures spatial data and transfers digitally to the Welsh authorities – reducing reliance on third-party tools.

The new portal will also ease the process for developers operating in both England and Wales, with a uniform experience across both countries.

It is anticipated that additional features will be added, including integration with building control applications, enabling a comprehensive service from a single platform.

Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning Rebecca Evans said: “We said we wanted to streamline the planning process in Wales and speed up the decision-making process on important projects and that’s exactly what we are doing. This seamless transition to a trusted provider and partner will help ensure consistency and speed across the planning process and provide continuity for applicants.”

Geoff Keal, CEO at TerraQuest added: “We will deliver both a seamless transition and an enhanced user experience for customers. Planning Portal is a tried and tested planning tool that offers a highly efficient service that has helped thousands of consumers navigate and keep up-to-speed with the progress of their applications. We look forward to working with the Welsh Government and new customers in Wales.”

News

Oriel y Parc opens its doors to a world of peace and tranquillity

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An exhibition featuring the work of two leading artists and illustrators is to open at the National Park Discovery Centre in St Davids.

Featuring the work of Jackie Morris and Elly Morgan, ‘Tangnefedd Rhyngom: Peace Between Us’  invites visitors to explore the theme of peace, creating an opportunity for people to pause, reflect and connect with the quiet beauty of the world around them.

The exhibition brings together two distinct approaches to peace.  Jackie Morris – illustrator, artists and writer best known for The Lost Words and The Lost Spells – presents a series of prints depicting painted doves, using her signature style to convey peace as a dynamic force.  In contrast, Elly Morgan, known for her intricate ceramic work, offers a tactile interpretation of peace through her ceramic doves which draw inspiration from Pembrokeshire’s  natural landscapes.

Elly Morgan’s Wings of Peace

On World Poetry Day (March 22), Jackie Morris will host a talk and a question and an answer session which will provide a deeper insight into the exhibition as well as  themes that inspire her work.  The free event will take lace between 2 pm and 3 pm. 

Meanwhile Elly Morgan will lead a family-friendly workshop from 11 am to 3 pm on Sunday, March 23.  The drop-in invites participants of all ages to contribute to a collaborative installation using recycled materials and acrylic paints.

The exhibition will be on display at Oriel y Parc until Sunday, April 27.

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Crime

Haverfordwest woman jailed for assault occasioning actual bodily harm

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A HAVERFORDWEST woman has been jailed for assaulting another woman, with magistrates ruling that only a custodial sentence was justified.

Sarah Moane, 34, of Three Meadows, Haverfordwest, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Mar 13), where she was sentenced to 18 weeks in prison for assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

The court heard that on December 27, 2024, Moane assaulted Kayleigh Summers, causing her injuries. She was found guilty of the offence on March 13, 2025.

Moane was already serving a 10-week custodial sentence, imposed by Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on August 6, 2024. The latest sentence is to run consecutively, with the court citing the seriousness of the offence and the fact that it was committed while Moane was subject to a suspended sentence. The offence was further aggravated by intoxication and domestic violence.

She was also ordered to pay £650 in costs to the Crown Prosecution Service.

Restraining order imposed

A restraining order was issued against Moane, preventing her from:

  • Contacting Kayleigh Summers by any means, directly or indirectly.
  • Entering any premises occupied by Summers as her usual place of residence.
  • Posting or causing to be posted any references to Summers on social media or any other electronic platform.

The order remains in place until March 12, 2026.

The court noted that no compensation was awarded due to the provoked nature of the attack.

Presiding over the case were Magistrates Ms V Knapp, Miss L Gunter, and Mr N Samuel, with Ann Griffiths prosecuting.

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Community

Welsh public bodies pledge new approach to public tragedies

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ORGANISATIONS across Wales have signed a landmark charter committing to greater openness, transparency, and accountability in their response to public tragedies.

The Charter for Families Bereaved by Public Tragedy calls for a cultural shift in how public bodies engage with bereaved families, ensuring lessons from the 1989 Hillsborough disaster and its aftermath prevent similar experiences for those affected by future tragedies.

Welsh Government, local authorities, police forces, the Welsh Ambulance Service, and fire and rescue services have all pledged to support bereaved families and communities following major incidents. The commitment aims to ensure services are responsive to the needs of those affected before, during, and after such events.

A launch event will take place in Merthyr Tydfil on Tuesday (March 18), attended by Bishop James Jones KBE, who authored the charter as part of his report on lessons from Hillsborough. Survivors and bereaved families from Hillsborough, Grenfell Tower, Manchester Arena, and Aberfan—just miles from the launch site—will also be present.

Bishop Jones said: “Today, the nation of Wales is leading the way, with over 50 public bodies signing this charter. In doing so, the culture of these organisations is beginning to change, with a renewed commitment to public service and respect for the humanity of those we serve.

“The charter is a promise that, after any future tragedy, no one will be left to navigate their grief alone, nor endure the ‘patronising disposition of unaccountable power.’

“This is a pivotal moment for the nation as we embrace the principles of the charter and pledge to place respect for humanity at the heart of all public service.”

North Wales Fire and Rescue Service Chief Fire Officer Dawn Docx, chair of the Joint Emergency Services Group in Wales, emphasised the importance of cooperation in supporting families: “By working together, we can use our collective expertise and resources to provide meaningful support to those in need during times of crisis and beyond.”

South Wales Police Deputy Chief Constable Mark Travis highlighted the long-term commitment required: “By signing the charter, each organisation is making a public statement to learn from past tragedies and ensure bereaved families are treated with care and compassion—not just in the immediate aftermath, but in the weeks, months, and years that follow.

“While today is a landmark moment, the real challenge is embedding the charter into our training and culture so that it becomes an integral part of our response to any public tragedy.

“The involvement of the bereaved and survivors has been instrumental in bringing about this significant step forward.”

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