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Over 45,000 potentially contaminated land sites across Wales, investigation reveals

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Friends of the Earth Cymru research exposes hidden toxic legacy

MORE than 45,000 potentially contaminated land sites have been identified across Wales – but almost none have been properly inspected, new research by Friends of the Earth Cymru has revealed.

The campaign group, supported by its local activist network, analysed publicly available data and submitted Freedom of Information (FOI) requests to all 22 Welsh councils asking for their contaminated land registers.

Eighteen councils responded, uncovering a total of 45,157 potentially contaminated sites. Since four authorities did not respond, campaigners believe the true figure could be even higher.

Few inspections, little transparency

Despite the scale of the problem, only 82 sites in Wales are officially designated as contaminated. Just six councils publish a full register online, while four admit they have identified contaminated sites but not made them public.

Fifteen councils say they have an inspection strategy in place, but only four have updated theirs in the past five years. One strategy dates back as far as 2002. On average, councils’ plans were published more than a decade ago, in 2014.

In one case, a council’s website stated that no contaminated land had been identified. Yet, in its FOI response, it disclosed 18 sites of likely contamination, noting it lacked the funds to investigate further.

Campaigners warn this leaves communities with little or no information about land that may lie beneath homes, schools, parks, and nature areas. Many sites are thought to be legacies of Wales’s industrial past, but their risks to human health and wildlife remain unclear.

Call for action

Kirsty Luff, spokesperson for Friends of the Earth Cymru, said: “We must make sure the land beneath our feet is safe for people and wildlife. It’s shocking that so much land could be contaminated and yet isn’t being properly inspected.

“People in Wales deserve to know whether the places where they live, work, and play are free from pollution. Without proper inspection, these sites remain a mystery – a hidden toxic legacy from our industrial past that could still be harming communities today.

“Councils are legally required to identify and assess contaminated land, but they don’t have the funding, resources, or political support to do the job. That’s why we’re calling for a public inquiry and urgent action from both the Welsh and UK Governments.”

Friends of the Earth Cymru is now urging a public inquiry into the scale and impact of contaminated land across Wales and demanding joint government action to give councils the resources they need to identify, assess, and clean up toxic sites.

 

Local Government

National Park Authority publishes Welsh language standards report

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PEMBROKESHIRE COAST NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY has published its latest Welsh Language Standards Annual Report, setting out the work carried out over the past year to support and promote the use of Welsh across its services.

The report covers the period from April 2025 to March 2026 and outlines the Authority’s progress in meeting its statutory duties under the Welsh Language Standards.

The Standards require public bodies in Wales to provide services and communicate with the public in Welsh, ensuring that people can access information, take part in public life and engage with organisations through the language of their choice.

The legal framework for the Standards is set out in the Welsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011, which places duties on public organisations, including National Park Authorities, to treat the Welsh language no less favourably than English.

For Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, the report is not only a statutory requirement but also a reflection of the importance of Welsh to many communities across the county.

The Authority says its work under the Standards supports residents, schools, community groups, volunteers and visitors, while helping to ensure that Welsh remains visible and accessible in everyday life.

Tegryn Jones, Chief Executive of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, said: “The Welsh language is central to the identity, culture and everyday life of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.

“As an Authority, we recognise our responsibility not only to comply with the Welsh Language Standards, but to help create the conditions in which Welsh can be used naturally and confidently.

“For many people in Pembrokeshire, Welsh is the language of home, family and community, and it is important that they are able to engage with the Authority in their first language.

“This work is reflected across the Authority’s services, from the way we share information with the public to our work with schools, communities, volunteers and visitors.

“The Annual Report provides an opportunity to look at what has been achieved over the past year, while also recognising where further progress can be made.”

The Authority’s wider commitment to the Welsh language is also reflected in its Welsh Language Strategy, National Park Management Plan and Local Development Plan 2.

The full Welsh Language Standards Annual Report is available at: www.pembrokeshirecoast.wales/welsh-language-standards/.

 

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Crime

Serviceman caught drink-driving in BMW Z4 near Nolton

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Robert Seymour was three times the legal limit after police received reports of a car swerving near Pembrokeshire coastal village

A FORMER serviceman has been banned from the road after being caught driving a BMW Z4 while three times over the drink-drive limit.

Robert Seymour, 56, was seen driving between Portfield Gate and Nolton Haven at around 9.15pm on June 13 after police were alerted by a member of the public concerned about his driving.

“The Z4 had been seen swerving all over the road,” Crown prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court.

Officers found the car around ten minutes later, reversing slowly out of a caravan park before moving forward.

Ms Vaughan said Seymour had removed the keys from the ignition when officers approached.

“He was very intoxicated and was slurring his words,” she said.

“There was also a very strong smell of alcohol emanating from the vehicle.”

Seymour, of Chestnut Tree Cottage, Portfield Gate, Haverfordwest, gave a positive roadside breath test and was arrested.

At the police station, he gave a lowest breath reading of 105 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

Seymour pleaded guilty to drink-driving.

Defending, solicitor Michael Kelleher said Seymour had served in the military for nearly 30 years and was now employed as a public servant with the Department for Work and Pensions.

“His full-time work takes him to various centres all over Dyfed,” he said.

“This is going to have a huge effect on his life, however his employers have said that he is going to retain his job.”

Magistrates fined Seymour £750 and ordered him to pay a £300 surcharge and £85 costs, making a total of £1,135.

He was disqualified from driving for two years.

 

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Crime

Concerns for prisoner at Haverfordwest video link hearing

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Michael Carruthers was described as “shaking and shivering” at Parc Prison before court appearance was adjourned

CONCERN was raised for a Pembroke Dock prisoner after he was unable to appear before magistrates by video link from Parc Prison.

Michael Carruthers, 34, was due to appear before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday morning charged with assaulting a police officer by beating.

The alleged offence is said to have taken place in Haverfordwest on April 24.

But prison staff told the court Carruthers was not in a fit state to appear by live link from the Bridgend prison.

“After being taken out from his cell, he sat shaking and shivering on the floor and was holding his head in his hands,” a prison officer told the court.

“His head isn’t really in it.”

When asked whether Carruthers had been seen by a prison medic, prison staff confirmed he had not.

Defending, solicitor Tom Lloyd said Carruthers’ behaviour was consistent with his medical history.

“He’s appeared before this court many times before, but he’s severely autistic and has PTSD,” said Mr Lloyd.

“He has severe issues. When the prison officers described the way in which he is today, it’s clear that today came as a particular shock to him, as the first he learned of today’s court appearance was this morning.”

Mr Lloyd asked for the case to be adjourned so he could speak to Carruthers and prepare him for his next appearance.

Magistrates agreed, and the case was adjourned until July 14.

The court’s legal adviser stressed the importance of Carruthers attending the next hearing.

“People can’t hide by being in prison,” she said.

“If he’s deliberately refusing to come to court, then he must be physically brought here by the prison staff.”

 

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