News

Welsh Government ‘not taking its own infrastructure body seriously’

Published

2 months ago

September 26, 2025

THE WELSH Government has been accused of failing to take its own expert infrastructure body seriously amid warnings crucial advice is being ignored and delayed.

Llŷr Gruffydd, who chairs the Senedd’s infrastructure committee, led a debate following annual scrutiny of the National Infrastructure Commission for Wales (NICW).

Mr Gruffydd said: “Our report has one overarching theme, in reality: that it’s time for the Welsh Government to treat the National Infrastructure Commission for Wales seriously.

“If Wales is to be ready for the challenges of the future, the government must back the NICW, giving them the resources they need to conduct an infrastructure assessment in Wales and giving their recommendations and reports the attention they are due.”

He raised the irony that a body charged with advising on Wales’ long-term infrastructure needs has been left with an uncertain future due to repeated short-term contract extensions.

During the debate on September 24, he told the Senedd: “These short-term extensions do illustrate some of the uncertainties that we feel hamper the commission’s work.”

The Plaid Cymru politician criticised the Welsh Government’s “failure” to provide timely and clear responses to the commission’s recommendations.

Mr Gruffydd expressed concerns about the Welsh Government’s stuttering response to calls to develop a national energy plan by the end of 2024 – a commitment made in 2021.

The committee chair accused ministers of accepting the latest recommendation “in principle” while rejecting it in the reality of the narrative that followed. He also criticised delays in responding to the commission’s report on flooding, which made 17 recommendations

Mr Gruffydd warned an internal review failed to draw any firm conclusions on strategic issues such as the NICW’s status, remit, objectives and its funding

He said: “The principal aim of the commission is to provide radical, challenging and evidence-informed advice and guidance to the Welsh Government that will inform and future proof decisions on infrastructure deployment from 2030 right up to 2100.

“The commission has delivered on the first, however we’ve not seen evidence that its advice is actually informing Welsh Government decisions. Without this, the commission won’t have the impact that we should all expect.”

Delyth Jewell – a member of the infrastructure committee – pressed the Welsh Government for a greater response to the commission’s recommendations, particularly on flooding.

She said: “It’s difficult to measure the impact of anxiety and concern in relation to flooding… the fear and trauma but we do have to count those costs somehow. That is what is at stake.”

Her Plaid Cymru colleague Heledd Fychan welcomed extension of the roles of the NICW’s chair and deputy chair to September 2026 but called for longer-term assurances.

Rebecca Evans stressed the Welsh Government recognises the importance of the commission’s role in advising on the nation’s long-term infrastructure needs.

Wales’ economy secretary said: “We really do value the commission’s contributions, from its incisive renewable energy report to its recent work on flooding resilience.”

Economy, energy, and planning secretary Rebecca Evans

She told Senedd Members the NICW has been commissioned to carry out a “short-form infrastructure assessment” focused on energy, water, transport and the circular economy.

Ms Evans, whose responsibilities include energy and planning, acknowledged concerns about delays but emphasised the need to consider the quality of responses too.

She said ministers are fully committed to planning for Wales’ future infrastructure needs.

The NICW, which was set up in 2018, is the only infrastructure commission in the world set up as a non-statutory body, meaning it is not mandated by the law, according to the review.

Local Government

Pembrokeshire Council faces backlash over £2.5m housing ‘buying spree’

Published

9 minutes ago

December 4, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Critics say policy inflates numbers while new-build programme stalls

PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL is under growing pressure over its multi-million-pound programme of buying back former council houses, with critics warning that the strategy gives the illusion of progress while long-promised new-builds remain stuck on the drawing board.

The latest criticism comes from Haverfordwest councillor Mike Stoddart, who has accused the authority of “standing still” by funnelling Housing Revenue Account (HRA) cash into purchasing properties that were once part of the council’s own stock. In an email to fellow councillor Tom Sinclair, seen by this newspaper, Stoddart said the council’s approach “doesn’t increase the housing stock – it merely moves people from the private sector into the public sector”.

He added: “It would be much better if the money was spent on building anew.”

A temporary fix that became permanent

The buy-back scheme began in 2017 when the council adopted a new inflation-linked rent regime that delivered sizeable HRA surpluses. At the time, officers described buying ex-council homes on the open market as a “stop-gap” measure until the new-build programme ramped up.

But that programme has repeatedly faltered. Major schemes in Johnston and Tiers Cross have been hit by cost overruns of around 66%. In Milford Haven, new flats on Charles Street are costing close to £300,000 each for a one- or two-bed unit, before adding land costs, architects’ fees and planning expenses.

***Unhappy with the council’s home-buying spree: Cllr Mike Stoddart***

Stoddart said the pattern amounted to a “disaster”, arguing that buying existing homes had become the authority’s default option. “It gives the impression of making progress while actually standing still,” he said.

Brownfield sites left idle

In Stoddart’s own ward, three former school sites have stood empty since 2018. Their redevelopment is not expected to begin until 2027 or 2028. Meanwhile, the council’s purchasing programme has accelerated.

A Cabinet report for late 2025 shows more than £2.5 million spent on acquisitions in just the first half of the year.

The most striking deal was a bulk purchase of five homes in Harcourt Close, Hook, for £1.851 million — almost £400,000 each. Stoddart said the developer would think “all his birthdays have come at once”, with the council avoiding estate agents’ fees, reducing legal costs and allowing the seller to immediately stop paying interest to the bank.

Thirteen high-value purchases

All properties were bought for over £100,000 and moved into the council’s HRA stock:

Address	Location	Price	Completion
32 Southdown Close	Pembroke	£115,000	29/07/2025
8 Hyfrydle	Letterston	£115,000	01/08/2025
6 Precelly Place	Milford Haven	£120,000	22/09/2025
50 Heywood Court	Tenby	£125,000	02/10/2025
33 Croft Avenue	Hakin, Milford Haven	£130,000	20/10/2025
7 Hyfrydle	Letterston	£135,000	05/09/2025
18 St Clements Park	Freystrop	£140,000	14/07/2025
55 College Park	Neyland	£140,000	28/10/2025
26 Baring Gould Way	Haverfordwest	£146,000	15/08/2025
25 Station Road	Letterston	£170,000	10/10/2025
16 Woodlands Crescent	Milford Haven	£283,000	31/10/2025
26 & 27 Harcourt Close	Hook	£744,000	22/10/2025
23, 24 & 25 Harcourt Close	Hook	£1,107,000	30/07/2025

All purchases were made from HRA reserves with no borrowing, a point the council highlights as prudent financial management.

Fears over market distortion

Stoddart also warned that the authority’s deep pockets may be pricing out young families by outbidding first-time buyers for entry-level homes. “If classical economic theory is to be believed, it’s forcing up the price,” he said.

House prices in Pembrokeshire have risen around 15% in the past year, according to recent ONS data. Local estate agents, speaking anonymously, told this newspaper that council intervention “definitely nudges prices upward” in hotspots like Hook, Neyland and Milford Haven.

Council defends strategy

A council spokesperson said the approach was necessary to deliver homes “immediately” amid chronic shortages.

“Acquiring existing properties allows us to respond quickly to housing need,” they said. “New-builds remain a priority, but delays in planning, construction and funding mean we must use all available tools to meet demand. All purchases represent value for money and are compliant with our HRA strategy.”

Housing charity Shelter Cymru took a different view, arguing that “recycling stock is not a substitute for expansion”. The charity says Pembrokeshire needs around 500 new affordable homes a year to meet demand.

‘Residents deserve homes, not headaches’

Social housing waiting lists in Pembrokeshire now exceed 2,000 applicants. With another Cabinet briefing due later this month, Stoddart says he will push for a fundamental rethink.

“It’s time to stop standing still,” he told this newspaper. “Our residents deserve homes, not headaches.”

News

Angle RNLI launch stood down after false distress beacon alert

Published

1 hour ago

December 4, 2025

Tom Sinclair

ANGLE RNLI were paged at 10:47am this morning after an EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon) was triggered on a local fishing vessel in the Dale Roads area.

Dale Coastguard Rescue Team was also tasked to investigate the alert.

As the lifeboat crew prepared to launch, further checks by HM Coastguard — along with direct contact from the vessel’s skipper — confirmed the beacon had been activated accidentally.

With no-one found to be in difficulty, the launch was cancelled.

Business

Cardiff Airport announces special Air France flights for Six Nations

Published

2 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Direct services to Paris-Charles de Gaulle launched to cater for Welsh supporters, French fans and couples planning a Valentine’s getaway

CARDIFF AIRPORT and Air France have unveiled a series of special direct flights between Cardiff (CWL) and Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG) scheduled for February 2026.

Timed to coincide with two major dates — the Wales v France Six Nations clash on Saturday 15 February and Valentine’s weekend — the flights are designed to offer supporters and holidaymakers an easy link between the two capitals.

For travelling French rugby fans, the services provide a straightforward route into Wales ahead of match day at the Principality Stadium, when Cardiff will once again be transformed by the colour, noise and passion that accompanies one of the tournament’s most eagerly awaited fixtures.

For Welsh passengers, the additional flights offer a seamless escape to Paris for Valentine’s Day, as well as opportunities for short breaks and onward travel via Air France’s wider global network.

Cardiff Airport CEO Jon Bridge said: “We’re thrilled to offer direct flights to such a vibrant and exciting city for Valentine’s weekend. Cardiff Airport is expanding its reach and giving customers fantastic travel options. We’ve listened to passenger demand and are delighted to make this opportunity possible. There is more to come from Cardiff.”

Tickets are already on sale via the Air France website and through travel agents.

Special flight schedule

Paris (CDG) → Cardiff (CWL):