Local Government

High Court strikes down Moylgrove adventure hub approval

Published

9 months ago

September 5, 2025

Pupping grey seals need protecting – Planning Court rules National Park decision unlawful in landmark ruling

THE HIGH COURT has quashed planning permission for an outdoor adventure centre at Moylgrove, declaring the decision of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority unlawful because of environmental concerns.

The case was heard in June by the Planning Court of the High Court, sitting at Haverfordwest. On Friday (Sept 5), Mr Justice Eyre delivered his written judgment in the case brought by the conservation group Wild Justice, supported by local residents. The ruling overturns the Authority’s October 2024 decision to allow development of an adventure hub at the Old Bus Depot, Moylgrove, with planned coasteering, kayaking and other activities at nearby Ceibwr Bay.

***Campaigners from Wild Justice at Haverfordwest Court back in June (Image: WJ)***

Protected wildlife site

Ceibwr Bay is one of Pembrokeshire’s most sensitive coastal locations. It forms part of the Cardigan Bay Special Area of Conservation (SAC), the Pembrokeshire Marine SAC, and the West Wales Marine SAC, and is also designated as the Aberarth–Carreg Wylan Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

The bay is home to pupping grey seals, otters, razorbills, guillemots, fulmars, choughs and kestrels. Campaigners argued that increased recreational use risked disturbing these protected species and damaging fragile habitats.

Wild Justice claimed the planning process was procedurally flawed, that key environmental information was missing, and that mitigation measures such as an Access Management Plan were inadequate. The group also said the Authority unlawfully sought to balance the educational and tourism benefits of the scheme against the risks to wildlife, when the law requires strict protection.

The judgment

***Ruling was handed down today: Mr Justice Eyre***

In his ruling, Mr Justice Eyre accepted that the planning permission had not been lawfully granted. The judgment means the permission is quashed and the development cannot go ahead unless a fresh application is submitted and properly assessed.

Wild Justice welcomed the verdict, saying: “This is a victory for local people who have been raising the alarm for more than a decade, and a vital win for wildlife in one of the most important conservation sites in Wales.”

Wider implications

The case is being seen as nationally significant because it clarifies how planning authorities must approach developments in areas protected by the Habitats Regulations. The ruling underlines that Special Areas of Conservation and SSSIs cannot be treated as ordinary countryside and that planning bodies must base their decisions on complete information and legally sound assessments.

Legal commentators have suggested the decision could affect other adventure tourism proposals across the UK, particularly where activities risk disturbing sensitive marine or coastal wildlife. Local authorities may now be under pressure to demonstrate far stricter safeguards before approving such schemes.

***Key environmental information was missing was planning permission was approved, it was found***

Reaction and next steps

Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority has not yet confirmed whether it will appeal the decision. If no appeal is lodged, the developer will need to make a fresh planning application, supported by stronger environmental evidence, if it wishes to pursue the project.

For the community in Moylgrove, the ruling has been greeted as a major relief. Campaigners say it vindicates their long struggle to ensure that conservation law is applied properly in Pembrokeshire.

The case has also boosted Wild Justice’s profile as one of the UK’s leading conservation litigants, with the group promising to continue holding public bodies to account where it believes wildlife protection has been undermined.

A spokesperson for Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority said it acknowledged the judgement.

“The court found against the national park authority on two procedural grounds, three grounds were dismissed. Judicial Review challenges do not consider the merits of a planning decision itself, but rather the process by which a decision was reached.

They added the park “respected” the decision and would “carefully review the judgement in detail before determining any further actions that are required”.

National precedent: what this ruling means

Habitats Regulations clarified: The judgment confirms that planning authorities must not rely on vague assurances or incomplete mitigation when considering projects in SACs and SSSIs.
Balancing not allowed: Educational or tourism benefits cannot be weighed against ecological harm when European-protected sites are at stake — the law requires strict ecological protection.
Ripple effect across the UK: Councils, park authorities and developers nationwide may now face legal challenges if they approve projects near sensitive habitats without watertight environmental assessments.
Wildlife watchdogs emboldened: Groups like Wild Justice are likely to use this ruling as a springboard for further cases, reinforcing judicial review as a powerful tool to defend nature.

Local Government

Newgale hill closure warning as councillor fears “severe delays”

Published

5 hours ago

June 13, 2026

Tom Sinclair

MOTORISTS are being warned to expect major disruption when resurfacing work closes Newgale hill later this month.

Pembrokeshire County Council is due to carry out work on Tuesday, June 23, from 9:00am to 3:30pm, and Wednesday, June 24, from 9:00am to 4:00pm.

The closure will affect the A487 from above the Newgale shop to Penycwm.

County councillor Mark Carter said he fully supported the resurfacing work, but had “severe concerns” about the diversion arrangements.

Traffic is expected to be sent along the partially single-track route from Penycwm to Victoria, Roch, via Eweston and Roch Bridge.

Cllr Carter said the route is used during winter storms when waves overtop at Newgale, but warned traffic is usually much lighter at that time of year.

He said: “I believe there will be severe delays and confrontation on this route when traffic meets head-on.”

He added that he had suggested alternatives, including carrying out the work at a quieter time of year, night working, a convoy system, or using a different route to create more of a one-way flow.

However, he said he had been told the closure would go ahead as planned.

Cllr Carter said PCC had indicated staff would be on the diversion route to assist traffic, but he had not yet received an answer about arrangements for service buses.

He advised residents to avoid the diversion where possible and allow extra time by travelling further around Newgale.

Local Government

Council admits 74 rights of way complaints remain unresolved

Published

5 hours ago

June 13, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Key post vacant since February as walker raises safety concerns over paths near Llanteg and Amroth

PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL has admitted that 74 public rights of way enquiries remain unresolved, as concerns grow over staffing shortages and alleged obstructions on countryside paths.

The admission follows a formal complaint from visitor Daniel Murphy, who contacted the council after walking a number of public footpaths in the Llanteg and Amroth area while holidaying in Pembrokeshire.

Mr Murphy said he had been using the paths to avoid busy roads while carrying his 11-week-old daughter, but claimed he encountered a series of problems including blocked or difficult access points, damaged gates, overgrowth, missing or concealed signage, dumped materials and intimidating conditions for walkers.

The complaint relates to paths identified on the Definitive Map as SP10/11, SP10/13, SP10/14, SP10/15 and SP10/20 on Map 87.

In correspondence seen by The Herald, Mr Murphy said he had first contacted the council on April 3, but had not received a substantive response. He later escalated the matter as a formal complaint.

Among the issues he raised were claims that fencing had been placed across a path, that a kissing gate had been modified with a timber plank, that a gate mechanism had been damaged, and that old roofing sheets had been dumped near one of the routes, raising concerns over potentially hazardous material.

He also reported severe overgrowth at gates and stiles, and claimed one section of path was affected by an aggressive loose dog.

Council response

Pembrokeshire County Council confirmed to The Herald that it had received the formal complaint.

A council spokesperson said an inspection of the footpaths associated with the complaint would be carried out by officers by the end of this week.

The council also confirmed that its Definitive Map Officer post has been vacant since February 1, 2026, while recruitment options are being considered.

Asked whether public rights of way legal enforcement was currently suspended or delayed because of staffing shortages, the council said there were “limited staff resources” available to deal with Public Rights of Way legal matters.

It said cases were being triaged and staff resources were being prioritised towards urgent and critical matters.

The council confirmed that, at present, 74 enquiries remain outstanding in the Pembrokeshire County Council area.

It said that when public rights of way are alleged to be obstructed, an automated holding response is currently issued. The enquiry is then triaged, with priority cases identified and progressed as capacity permits.

The council also said the report of potentially hazardous materials being deposited on or beside the routes would be investigated as part of the planned inspection.

‘Committed to statutory duties’

A council spokesperson said: “The Council would like to reassure the public that it remains fully committed to meeting its statutory duties in relation to public rights of way and to ensuring that routes are accessible and open for all users.

“We recognise the importance of this service; however, there is currently a national shortage of specialist expertise in public rights of way roles.

“Recruitment to the Council’s vacant Definitive Map Officer post has therefore proved challenging. In light of this, we are actively exploring alternative options to ensure that our responsibilities continue to be delivered effectively.

“We are hopeful that the recruitment position will be resolved within the next few months and will continue to keep the situation under close review in the meantime.”

The Herald understands that the routes concerned sit within the wider Llanteg and Amroth footpath network, an area used by both residents and visitors.

The council’s inspection is expected to determine whether the reported obstructions, damaged access points and possible hazardous materials require further action.

Local Government

Cllr Thomas Tudor welcomes new Riverside transport interchange

Published

5 hours ago

June 13, 2026

Tom Sinclair

CLLR THOMAS TUDOR has welcomed progress on the new Glan-yr-Afon Riverside Public Transport Interchange in Haverfordwest, saying the development will help support the future regeneration of the county town.

Cllr Tudor, who represents the Castle Ward, visited the site with Pembrokeshire County Council officers and said he was optimistic about the role the interchange could play in making Haverfordwest a more attractive place to live, work, visit and invest in.

He said: “As county councillor for the Castle Ward, it was very pleasing to visit the Glan-yr-Afon Riverside Public Transport Interchange and see the progress being made.

“I believe the interchange will help Haverfordwest become a more multi-functional town centre, supporting residents, businesses, visitors and public transport users.

“It has the potential to contribute to a thriving commercial and residential location, with a stronger sense of place and a more vibrant community. I am very optimistic about the future development of Haverfordwest as the county town of Pembrokeshire.”

The new development includes parking over three floors, bus bays, disabled and parent-and-child spaces, EV charging points, motorcycle bays, cycle hoops, a taxi rank with EV infrastructure, public toilets, a Changing Places facility, indoor waiting areas, customer information screens, lifts, stairwells, and secure office space for council staff and police use.

Caption:

Cllr Thomas Tudor at the Glan-yr-Afon Riverside Public Transport Interchange in Haverfordwest.