Business

Landlords count the costs of building safety bill

Published

2 months ago

October 11, 2025

LANDLORDS have warned the cost of building safety reforms could be far higher than the estimated £132m, with tenants likely to foot much of the bill through higher rents.

The Welsh Government’s estimate of £62 for each house in multiple occupation (HMO) for total yearly costs of the building safety bill is a severe underestimate, according to landlords.

The National Residential Landlords’ Association (NRLA) said a full fire risk assessment alone typically costs £394.50, plus a £100-a-year review, and required upgrades can cost up to £15,000 for a single property.

Writing to the Senedd’s housing committee, the NRLA said: “These costs will generally be passed on to tenants through rent – although significant costs can lead to unprofitability… causing sell-offs and reducing the total stock available.”

Landlords also warned: “The proposals outlined in the building safety bill provide a weak method of enforcement against tenants who regularly fail to comply with their duties.

“As a result, it is likely to be slow, cumbersome and provide no meaningful way for landlords to compel a tenant to stop breaching their own fire safety duties.”

During a housing committee meeting on Thursday (October 9), the private and social housing sectors broadly backed the principles of the bill which was brought forward to ensure the 2017 Grenfell tragedy – in which 72 people died – can never happen again.

But witnesses warned of practical implementation problems and unintended consequences.

Calling the £62-a-year cost estimate “far, far away”, Steven Bletsoe – the NRLA’s deputy director – told Senedd Members: “We cannot understand where that figure has come from.”

Timothy Douglas, from Propertymark, a professional body for sales and letting agents, agreed: “Unfortunately, the government assessment is an underestimation.”

Jaclyn Mangaroo, from the Property Institute, which represents residential property managers, pointed to high costs for wider compliance even before remediation.

Ms Mangaroo said the largely England-only Building Safety Act similarly “massively underestimated” upfront costs as she suggested service charges for leaseholders will rise. She described claims insurance premiums could fall under the new system as a “myth”.

Concerns about costs were echoed by social housing landlords.

Community Housing Cymru (CHC), a membership body for housing associations, warned: “Without targeted funding support, there is a risk that landlords may be forced to pass costs on to tenants and leaseholders, which we believe would be unacceptable.”

CHC said it sought legal advice which showed parts of the bill were “poorly drafted”, relying heavily on secondary legislation and guidance to follow which creates a “guessing game”.

Calling for proportionality, CHC head of policy Bethan Proctor said one housing association warned it would cost £100,000 a year to do fire assessments for lower-risk buildings.

Duncan Forbes, chief executive of Trivallis housing association, and CHC head of policy Bethan Proctor

Duncan Forbes, chief executive of Trivallis housing association, told the committee: “I definitely think a bill is necessary, whether this bill is the right one is another question.”

He said: “There’s nothing in here about personal emergency evacuation plans, whereas England has got those being introduced. There’s nothing about sprinklers… those are the things that would actually be of more value than some of the things that are in here.”

ClwydAlyn housing association in north Wales told the committee: “Its success will ultimately depend on adequate funding for regulators, effective industry support, and careful monitoring to ensure costs do not unfairly fall on residents.”

Business

First wind turbine components arrive as LNG project moves ahead

Published

6 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THE FIRST ship carrying major components for Dragon LNG’s new onshore wind turbines docked at Pembroke Port last week, marking the start of physical deliveries for the multi-million-pound renewable energy project.

The Maltese-registered general cargo vessel Peak Bergen berthed at Pembroke Dock on Wednesday 26^th November, bringing tower sections and other heavy components for the three Enercon turbines that will eventually stand on land adjacent to the existing gas terminal at Waterston.

A second vessel, the Irish-flagged Wilson Flex IV, has arrived in Pembroke Port today (Thursday) carrying the giant rotor blades.

The deliveries follow a successful trial convoy on 25 November, when police-escorted low-loader trailers carried dummy loads along the planned route from the port through Pembroke, past Waterloo roundabout and up the A477 to the Dragon LNG site.

Dragon LNG’s Community and Social Performance Officer, Lynette Round, confirmed the latest movements in emails to the Herald.

“The Peak Bergen arrived last week with the first components,” she said. “We are expecting another delivery tomorrow (Thursday) onboard the Wilson Flex IV. This will be blades and is currently showing an ETA of approximately 03:30.”

The £14.3 million project, approved by Welsh Ministers last year, will see three turbines with a combined capacity of up to 13.5 MW erected on company-owned land next to the LNG terminal. Once operational – expected in late 2026 – they will generate enough electricity to power the entire site, significantly reducing its carbon footprint.

The Weather conditions were favourable for the arrival of the Wilson Flex IV, which was tracking south of the Smalls at midnight.

The abnormal-load convoys carrying the components from the port to Waterston are expected to begin early next year, subject to final police and highway approvals.

A community benefit fund linked to the project will provide for residents in nearby Waterston, Llanstadwell and Neyland.

Further updates will be issued by Dragon LNG as the Port of Milford Haven as the delivery programme continues.

Photo: Martin Cavaney

Business

Cardiff Airport announces special Air France flights for Six Nations

Published

10 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):

13 February 2026: AF4148 departs 17:00 (arrives 17:30)
14 February 2026: AF4148 departs 14:00 (arrives 14:30)
15 February 2026: AF4148 departs 08:00 (arrives 08:30)
15 February 2026: AF4150 departs 19:40 (arrives 20:10)
16 February 2026: AF4148 departs 08:00 (arrives 08:30)
16 February 2026: AF4150 departs 16:30 (arrives 17:00)

Cardiff (CWL) → Paris (CDG):

13 February 2026: AF4149 departs 18:20 (arrives 20:50)
14 February 2026: AF4149 departs 15:20 (arrives 17:50)
15 February 2026: AF4149 departs 09:20 (arrives 11:50)
15 February 2026: AF4151 departs 21:00 (arrives 23:30)
16 February 2026: AF4149 departs 09:20 (arrives 11:50)
16 February 2026: AF4151 departs 17:50 (arrives 20:20)

Business

Cwm Deri Vineyard Martletwy holiday lets plans deferred

Published

17 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

CALLS to convert a former vineyard restaurant in rural Pembrokeshire which had been recommended for refusal has been given a breathing space by planners.

In an application recommended for refusal at the December meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee, Barry Cadogan sought permission for a farm diversification and expansion of an existing holiday operation through the conversion of the redundant former Cwm Deri vineyard production base and restaurant to three holiday lets at Oaklea, Martletwy.

It was recommended for refusal on the grounds of the open countryside location being contrary to planning policy and there was no evidence submitted that the application would not increase foul flows and that nutrient neutrality in the Pembrokeshire Marine SAC would be achieved within this catchment.

An officer report said that, while the scheme was suggested as a form of farm diversification, no detail had been provided in the form of a business case.

Speaking at the meeting, agent Andrew Vaughan-Harries of Hayston Developments & Planning Ltd, after the committee had enjoyed a seasonal break for mince pies, said of the recommendation for refusal: “I’m a bit grumpy over this one; the client has done everything right, he has talked with the authority and it’s not in retrospect but has had a negative report from your officers.”

He said the former Cwm Deri vineyard had been a very successful business, with a shop and a restaurant catering for ‘100 covers’ before it closed two three years ago when the original owner relocated to Carmarthenshire.

He said Mr Cadogan then bought the site, farming over 36 acres and running a small campsite of 20 spaces, but didn’t wish to run a café or a wine shop; arguing the “beautiful kitchen” and facilities would easily convert to holiday let use.

He said a “common sense approach” showed a septic tank that could cope with a restaurant of “100 covers” could cope with three holiday lets, describing the nitrates issue as “a red herring”.

He suggested a deferral for further information to be provided by the applicant, adding: “This is a big, missed opportunity if we just kick this out today, there’s a building sitting there not creating any jobs.”

On the ‘open countryside’ argument, he said that while many viewed Martletwy as “a little bit in the sticks” there was already permission for the campsite, and the restaurant, and the Bluestone holiday park and the Wild Lakes water park were roughly a mile or so away.

He said converting the former restaurant would “be an asset to bring it over to tourism,” adding: “We don’t all want to stay in Tenby or the Ty Hotel in Milford Haven.”

While Cllr Nick Neuman felt the nutrients issue could be overcome, Cllr Michael Williams warned the application was “clearly outside policy,” recommending it be refused.

A counter-proposal, by Cllr Tony Wilcox, called for a site visit before any decision was made, the application returning to a future committee; members voting seven to three in favour of that.