News

Local councillor speaks out against £60m Newgale road scheme

Published

7 months ago

May 9, 2025

Cllr Nick Neumann calls for preservation of iconic landscape and protection of beachfront businesses

A PEMBROKESHIRE county councillor has publicly declared his opposition to the controversial £60 million Newgale Coastal Adaptation Project, describing the scheme as unjustified and damaging to the area’s natural heritage.

Cllr Nick Neumann, who represents Newgale, said he had been approached by several constituents seeking clarity on his stance. In a detailed public statement issued this week, he confirmed his “resolute” opposition to the current plans, which would see a new inland route for the A487 cut through the Brandy Brook valley.

“I’ve lived in Newgale most of my life, brought up at Southwood Cottage and spending time on neighbouring Wood Farm,” Cllr Neumann said. “I can honestly say the frequency of flooding, road closures, and storms is less now than when I was a young boy.”

“For me, I see no justification or need for a new road that will cut through a very sensitive landscape rich in natural habitat whilst costing taxpayers tens of millions of pounds.”

The Newgale Coastal Adaptation Project, led by Pembrokeshire County Council in partnership with consultants AtkinsRéalis, proposes a major inland realignment of the A487 to address risks from coastal flooding. However, it has faced mounting criticism from residents, local politicians, and environmental groups.

Support for existing road and local businesses

Cllr Neumann has urged the council to focus instead on maintaining and safeguarding the existing coastal road, which he says supports well-established businesses such as the Newgale campsite, pub, surf shop, café and hardware store.

He described continued management of the shingle bank as “a sustainable, cost-effective and proven solution if managed correctly,” and called for modest investment in diversion routes to improve signage and traffic management on the rare occasions when the road is closed.

“These are my personal views as a lifelong resident of Newgale, views which I know are shared by many in our community,” he added. “In my capacity as local member and county councillor, I will continue to hold those in authority to account and push back on the current proposals.”

Consultation still open

Cllr Neumann encouraged residents to participate in the ongoing statutory pre-application consultation, which runs until Saturday, May 11.

“This iconic view on the approach to the St Davids Peninsula needs to be preserved for future generations to enjoy and not lost as the consequence of ill-considered advice and misinformation,” he said.

The proposed scheme includes a 2.5km inland road and a 120m-long concrete bridge across Brandy Brook valley. While the council maintains that it is necessary to protect against future climate-related risks, campaigners and some experts argue that the current coastal road could be retained with relatively minor interventions.

How to respond to the consultation:

Online: www.newgalecoastaladaptation.co.uk
Email: [email protected]
Post:
Newgale Coastal Adaptation Project Team
AtkinsRéalis
12 Orchard Street
Swansea
SA1 5AD

News

Pembroke Dock man sent to Crown Court over alleged ABH assault

Published

4 hours ago

December 15, 2025

Court Reporter

Charge relates to incident in the town last weekend

A PEMBROKE DOCK man has been sent to the Crown Court for trial after appearing before magistrates accused of assault causing actual bodily harm.

Darren Markes, aged 47, of High Street, Pembroke Dock, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Dec 15).

The court heard that Markes is charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, contrary to the Offences Against the Person Act.

The charge relates to an alleged incident on Friday (Dec 13) in Pembroke Dock, when it is alleged that Markes assaulted a woman, causing her actual bodily harm.

No plea was entered at the hearing.

Due to the seriousness of the allegation, magistrates declined jurisdiction and ordered that the case be sent to the Crown Court for trial under the Crime and Disorder Act.

Markes was remanded on conditional bail. Conditions include:

Not contacting a witness, directly or indirectly
Reporting to Pembroke Dock police station every Wednesday between 12:00pm and 2:00pm
Living and sleeping each night at his home address

He is due to appear at Swansea Crown Court on Thursday (Jan 16) at 9:30am for a plea and trial preparation hearing.

Crime

Aberystwyth man denies criminal damage charge over Cardigan gallery window

Published

4 hours ago

December 15, 2025

Court Reporter

Alleged incident said to have taken place on Bridge Street

AN ABERYSTWYTH man has denied a charge of criminal damage relating to an alleged incident in Cardigan.

Ricky Myers, aged 27, of Jasper House, Aberystwyth, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Dec 15).

The court heard that Myers is accused of criminal damage to property valued under £5,000, contrary to the Criminal Damage Act 1971.

The charge relates to an incident on Saturday (Aug 24, 2024) at Manchester House on Bridge Street, Cardigan, where it is alleged that a window at the Cardigan Gallery was damaged. The property is said to belong to Peter Austin.

Myers pleaded not guilty to the allegation.

Magistrates adjourned the case for further case management, and Myers was remanded on conditional bail, with a condition that he live and sleep each night at his home address.

He is due to return to court at Aberystwyth Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Dec 17) at 2:00pm.

Crime

Pembroke Dock man remanded in custody ahead of sentencing on string of offences

Published

4 hours ago

December 15, 2025

Court Reporter

Harassment charge and three assaults among cases listed for Llanelli court

A PEMBROKE DOCK man has been remanded in custody ahead of sentencing after admitting a series of offences, including harassment and assaults.

Tony Brundrett, aged 21, of Kavanagh Court, Pembroke Dock, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Dec 15).

The court heard Brundrett has pleaded guilty to harassment without violence, contrary to the Protection from Harassment Act. The charge alleges that between Tuesday (Sep 17) and Thursday (Oct 31) at Spring View, Pembroke Dock, he pursued a course of conduct amounting to harassment of a female, including attending her home address and contacting her by text message.

He has also admitted assault by beating against the same female, alleged to have taken place on Wednesday (May 21) at Spring View, Pembroke Dock, and a further assault by beating against a second female on Thursday (Oct 30), also at Spring View.

Magistrates were additionally told that Brundrett faces a further allegation of common assault against a third female, said to have occurred on Tuesday (Dec 9) at Kavanagh Court, Pembroke Dock. No plea was recorded to that matter in the register entry.

Brundrett has also pleaded guilty to a number of offences linked to an incident in Haverfordwest on Saturday (Nov 16). These include:

Aggravated vehicle taking, involving a Vauxhall Corsa, with damage caused before recovery
Using a motor vehicle without insurance
Driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence
Criminal damage, involving a window belonging to Pembrokeshire County Council

He was remanded in custody, with the next hearing listed at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Dec 31) at 10:00am.