Business
SpaceX eyes Milford Haven for new UK facility
Talks underway for rocket factory at former Black Bridge armament depot
SPACE-X, the aerospace company founded by billionaire Elon Musk, is in early talks to establish a major UK base at the former Black Bridge site in Milford Haven, The Herald can reveal.
The disused site—once an armament depot and now within the Celtic Freeport zone—is being considered for a rocket manufacturing and research facility, in what could be one of the biggest investments in West Wales in decades.
Speaking to The Herald via a spokesperson, Mr Musk said: “We’re seriously looking at the Black Bridge site in Milford Haven. It has the right mix of industrial infrastructure, port access, and renewable energy potential. It’s a strong contender for our next-generation SpaceX facility in Europe.”
The location, nestled along the Milford Haven Waterway, already benefits from a deep-water harbour, its own pier, underground tunnels suitable for fuel storage, and proximity to both the Dragon LNG jetty and National Grid connection points. It also lies just 20 minutes by car from the new UK Space Command base being developed at Brawdy.

While no official confirmation has been made, The Herald understands that a delegation of engineers and logistics experts from SpaceX visited the site in early March.
A source close to the project said: “This isn’t just a stunt. The site ticks a lot of boxes, and the Freeport status makes it very attractive. The UK government is aware of the interest.”
However, the project may come with strings attached. Mr Musk hinted that broader cooperation with the UK government—particularly regarding the import of Tesla Semi trucks—could influence the pace and scale of any investment.
“If Tesla Semi trucks could enter the UK market without punitive tariffs, that would help align our supply chains and accelerate sustainable logistics deployment,” he said, adding: “We’re open to sharing our technology and innovation as part of that conversation. It’s a win-win.”
Pembrokeshire County Council said the Local Authority would welcome the investment: “If Mr Musk wants to put a rocket factory here, we’ll find room for him. We’ve got the docks, we’ve got the people, and we’ve got the ambition,” an official spokesperson said.
The local community has already begun speculating about the possible transformation of the area, with suggestions that the disused railway line—currently blocked by a Costa Coffee car park—could be reinstated using a dual road-rail system, allowing trains to pass through on a timed basis.
Welsh Government sources have not confirmed any formal approach, but a spokesperson said: “We welcome all interest in investing in Wales’ space and technology sectors and will continue to support high-quality proposals through our partnership with the UK Space Agency.”
If approved, the facility could bring hundreds of high-skilled jobs to Pembrokeshire, revitalising an area historically reliant on energy and port industries. Given the site’s Freeport designation, SpaceX could benefit from generous tax incentives and streamlined planning permissions.
The timing of the news—just a day before April 1—may raise eyebrows. But insiders insist the proposal is genuine, albeit in early stages.
As one source put it: “It sounds like science fiction—but then again, that’s what people said about reusable rockets.”

Business
Rosemarket Dawn Till Dusk golf club 18-hole plans lodged
A CALL to extend a long-established Pembrokeshire golf club, bringing it up to a full 18 holes, has been submitted to county planners.
In the application, Mr and Mrs Young, through agent Preseli Planning Ltd, seek a change of use of land adjoining the Dawn Till Dusk Golf Club, Furze Hill Farm, Bastleford Road, Rosemarket, to form an extension to the existing golf course, along with landscaping and associated works.
A supporting statement through the agent says: “The application seeks full planning permission for the enlargement of the existing golf course to provide an additional six holes, to provide a total of 18 holes.
“The proposal would involve minor landscaping works to the fields and boundaries and the creation of a small number of ponds and bunkers. The extension would be located on land to the west of Furze Hill Farm and on the opposite side of the road to the existing golf course and clubhouse.
“An altered access to the land parcel is proposed as part of this application, which would provide an improved route for users crossing the public highway to avoid conflict with movements at the main entrance.
“The application site exceeds 1ha and therefore the proposal is considered major development necessitating a Pre-Application Consultation prior to formally submitting the planning application to the Local Planning Authority.”
It adds: “The existing golf course has operated in excess of 30 years and is popular with both visitors and locals. Club membership currently stands at approximately 350 and there is demand for enhancing the provisions of the course.
“The applicants’ sons have recently increased their involvement in the enterprise and in recent years wet winter months have necessitated the closure of the course, or parts of it, due to the ground becoming waterlogged, primarily due to the flat nature of the existing course.
“The extension would provide variation to the terrain, providing, dryer conditions, as well as the ability to alternate between the existing and proposed to maintain use, enhancing the viability of the enterprise.”
The application will be considered by Pembrokeshire County Council planners at a later date.
Business
Plans to rebuild arson hit building at farm with one of largest sheep flocks in Wales
A CALL to rebuild a fire-damaged Pembrokeshire farm building, as a family home to help manage one of the largest sheep flocks in Wales, has been submitted to the national park.
In the application to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, D B Davies and Sons through agent Harries Planning Design Management, with a supporting statement by Reading Agricultural Consultants Ltd, seek permission to renovate an existing fire-damaged dwelling, together with the conversion and extension of outbuildings to form an agricultural worker’s dwelling at Mynydd Du, Rosebush.
The supporting statement through Reading Agricultural Consultants Ltd says Mynydd Du is part of a wider holding which includes Eisteddfa Fawr and land around the village of Brynberian, the farms approximately six km apart, with land under control of the applicant amounting to some 1,500 acres, with a further 3,000 acres of Preseli mountain common land also used; the land accommodating a 5,000-ewe flock with 10 suckler cows and followers.
It says DB Davies & Sons Unlimited, has five partners: the two Davies brothers, Berian and Ken; their wives; and Berian’s son, Dyfed.
Berian and Ken are in their late 70s, with most of the heavy work on the farm is undertaken by Dyfed.
Dyfed and his wife Megan are first language Welsh speakers, living some 10 km away in Nevern, while Berian and Ken, and their wives, live at Eisteddfa Fawr, Brynberian.
The dwelling at Mynydd Du, where most sheep are now wintered, is structurally sound and repairable but has been unoccupied since 1990, and was subject to arson circa 2013, the statement says.
It says Dyfed works full-time on the farm, alone with increasing frequency as the older business members are above retirement age, working “long hours out of necessity to undertake all the work associated with one of the largest flocks of sheep in Wales”.
“His working hours are extended further due to the fact that he lives remote (6kms) from the main block of land at Tyllosg, where Mynydd Du is situated in the centre of the farm. Travelling back and forth several times each day during lambing and other times during poor weather, to check on flock welfare is an arduous task and can be dangerous, particularly if driving when tired during inclement conditions.”
The statement adds: “The application seeks permission to repair the fire damaged dwelling at Mynydd Du and bring it back to serve a useful purpose to enable Dyfed to closely monitor the ewes, not only at lambing, but throughout the year when the flock is grazing on the adjacent common land.
“It will also enable Dyfed to be with his partner and young child on a more regular basis than simply at the end of a long day when he is away from their current home, tending the sheep at Mynydd Du.”
The application will be considered by park planners at a later date.
Business
Herald expands sales team as Milford Haven growth drives demand
THE PEMBROKEHIRE HERALD is launching a recruitment drive to bring in two new sales executives as the newspaper continues to grow its commercial operations across the county.
The move comes as the Herald strengthens its position as the leading independent news platform in West Wales, with increasing demand from local businesses looking to advertise both in print and online.
The expansion is being driven in part by the rapid growth of Milford Haven and the wider energy sector, with major investment in green energy projects, port activity and associated industries creating new opportunities for local businesses.
As the area continues to develop as a key energy hub, more companies are seeking to reach customers, partners and the wider community through trusted local media.
The successful candidates will work directly with Pembrokeshire businesses, helping them promote their services to a growing audience through the Herald’s expanding digital reach and established print readership.
Editor Tom Sinclair said the recruitment reflects both the changing local economy and the Herald’s increasing audience.
He said: “Milford Haven is expanding rapidly, particularly with new energy and green projects coming forward, and that’s creating real opportunities for local businesses.
“At the same time, our audience continues to grow across both our website and social media platforms, meaning we can now offer advertisers a much bigger and more effective platform than ever before.”
The new roles will focus on building relationships with local firms, developing advertising campaigns, and identifying new opportunities across sectors including tourism, retail, trades, energy and professional services.
The Herald has continued to invest in its digital platforms, including Herald.Wales, alongside its well-established print edition, offering advertisers a multi-platform approach to reaching customers.
The recruitment drive also comes at a time when many local businesses are looking for cost-effective ways to promote themselves amid ongoing economic pressures.
Mr Sinclair added: “Local advertising matters. When businesses advertise locally, that money stays in the local economy. It helps create jobs, supports families and helps communities grow alongside the businesses within them.”
The roles are expected to appeal to motivated, target-driven individuals with strong communication skills and an interest in media, sales or marketing.
Both positions are based in Pembrokeshire, with opportunities for training and career progression within the Herald’s growing media group.
Anyone interested in applying is encouraged to email [email protected] with a CV and covering letter before Tuesday (Apr 1, 2026).
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