Business

Wales warned it could miss out again on nuclear jobs boom

Published

2 months ago

October 24, 2025

Commons Committee tells UK ministers to confirm Wylfa plans and fix broken planning system

THE UK GOVERNMENT has been warned that years of drift and delay could see Wales miss out once again on a major jobs and investment boom in nuclear power, after MPs said there is still “no clear plan” for the future of the Wylfa site on Anglesey.

In a major report published on Friday (Oct 24), the House of Commons Energy Security and Net Zero Committeecalled for a “one-stop shop” to cut through red tape and end the costly gridlock slowing Britain’s low-carbon energy ambitions.
The Committee said that Great British Energy–Nuclear (GBE-N) — the government-owned developer now responsible for new nuclear projects — must confirm its plans for Wylfa and Oldbury-on-Severn “without further delay”.

Wales’s flagship site ‘stuck in limbo’

The cross-party report, led by Labour MP Bill Esterson, describes Wylfa as a “flagship site” for the UK’s clean energy future, but warns that confusion over planning rules, duplication between regulators, and lack of ministerial direction are deterring private investment.

“The draft EN-7 makes a strong case for new nuclear,” Mr Esterson said. “But GB Energy-Nuclear needs to make clear their plans for flagship sites at Oldbury and Wylfa. These sites have the potential to truly accelerate new nuclear in the UK.”

The Committee said government policy remains “fragmented and contradictory” — with ministers claiming to favour a market-led approach, yet unable to provide the strategic guidance and guarantees developers need to build gigawatt-scale reactors.
It urged the Government to set out a detailed plan of what type of nuclear technology it wants deployed, where, and when — and to publish deployment timelines for Wylfa before the end of the year.

A missed opportunity for Wales?

The warning will strike a familiar chord in North Wales.
In 2020, Japanese firm Hitachi pulled out of plans to build a new power station at Wylfa Newydd, leaving hundreds of skilled workers without jobs and the island’s economy reeling.

Anglesey had hoped to see thousands of construction and supply chain roles over the coming decade. Instead, the site has remained dormant — a fenced-off monument to Britain’s uncertain energy policy.

Local leaders say another delay would be disastrous. Rhun ap Iorwerth MS, the Plaid Cymru leader and Member for Ynys Môn, said earlier this year that “Wylfa can be a key part of Wales’s net zero future — but it must be delivered with long-term jobs for local people, not promises that never materialise.”

Calls for a ‘one-stop shop’ for nuclear projects

At the heart of the MPs’ report is a damning assessment of the UK’s regulatory system.
Developers currently face multiple overlapping reviews from planning authorities, environmental regulators and the Office for Nuclear Regulation, with each process adding new costs, delays and risk of legal challenge.

The Committee says this “fragmented and duplicated” framework is stifling progress and discouraging the kind of fleet-based approach that could deliver reactors faster and cheaper.
It recommends creating a single “one-stop shop” regulator for nuclear power — bringing planning, safety and environmental decisions under one umbrella while maintaining high standards.

Without that reform, MPs warn, the new national planning framework (known as EN-7) will “fail to deliver the joined-up approach” the nuclear industry needs.

Local rewards must be clear

The Committee also said developers must do more to prove that host communities will share the rewards of new projects.

Large power stations such as Wylfa could transform regional economies by providing hundreds of high-skill, long-term jobs. But smaller modular reactors — which require fewer on-site workers — may offer less visible benefits to local people.

The report calls on the Government to expand its guidance on how developers can deliver lasting value to host communities, suggesting measures such as full business-rate retention for councils, infrastructure investment in local roads and rail, and binding local employment quotas similar to those agreed at Sizewell C in Suffolk.

Unite Wales regional secretary Peter Hughes said: “Wales has the skills and the workforce ready to build the next generation of power stations. But we need certainty — not more years of indecision. A clear plan for Wylfa would mean good union jobs for Welsh workers and contracts for local firms.”

Pembrokeshire’s place in the energy mi

While the focus of the Committee’s report is on North Wales, its findings carry wider significance for West Wales. Pembrokeshire already plays a leading role in the UK’s low-carbon transition — from the Dragon LNG terminal and South Hook to the planned Celtic Sea floating wind projects and the emerging Hydrogen Hub at Milford Haven.

Experts say a revived nuclear sector could complement these efforts by providing stable “baseload” power when renewables are offline.

Energy consultant Dr Gareth Davies, who advises Marine Energy Wales, told The Herald: “Wales can lead the UK in clean energy if we get the balance right — nuclear for consistency, renewables for innovation. But government indecision risks us falling behind.”

Outdated population rules ‘a brake on progress’

MPs also took aim at an obscure planning rule known as the Semi-Urban Population Density Criterion, which bans new reactors within a set radius of built-up areas.
Originally drawn up in the 1960s to protect against accidents at early-generation reactors, the formula is now seen as outdated and opaque.

The Committee said the rule has become a “de facto brake” on new development — preventing expansion at existing sites such as Heysham and Hartlepool — and called on ministers to publish a modern, transparent map of eligible areas across England and Wales.

They recommended that the Office for Nuclear Regulation be asked to devise a new, risk-based approach that reflects advances in reactor safety, including smaller modular designs.

Jobs, pride and opportunity

For people living around Cemaes Bay, the Wylfa site still looms large — both physically and emotionally.
The original Wylfa A station, which closed in 2015, was one of Wales’s largest employers, providing steady work for generations of families.

“It’s heartbreaking to see it empty,” said one former maintenance engineer, who asked not to be named. “We were told a new plant was coming, and then nothing. Young people have moved away because there’s no future here. If they mean to rebuild it, they need to get on with it.”

With construction of Sizewell C in Suffolk now under way, industry observers fear that Wales could once again be left on the sidelines — despite possessing one of the best-suited nuclear sites in Europe.

A crossroads for Welsh energy

The report underlines a broader question about Wales’s role in the UK’s energy system.
Wales already exports more electricity than it consumes, yet critics say local communities rarely see the financial return.

Professor Calvin Jones of Cardiff Business School has argued that major projects “too often generate income for London but little benefit for Wales.”
That tension is reflected in the Committee’s call for a fairer deal — one that ensures business rates, infrastructure funding and supply-chain contracts stay in the regions that host the power.

As one industry source told The Herald: “If Westminster gets this wrong, we won’t just lose Wylfa. We’ll lose the chance for Wales to lead the next generation of clean energy.”

Business

Independent brewers join call for business rates relief as pub closures feared

Published

24 hours ago

December 13, 2025

Tom Sinclair

INDEPENDENT brewers have joined growing calls for urgent, pub-specific relief on Business Rates amid fears that community pubs across west Wales and beyond could be forced to close.

The Society of Independent Brewers and Associates (SIBA) has warned that changes announced in the Autumn Budget will see pub costs rise sharply over the next three years, with the average pub facing a 76% increase in Business Rates. By comparison, large warehouse-style premises operated by online and technology giants are expected to see increases of around 16%.

The issue will be discussed at a meeting taking place on Monday in Saundersfoot, where local publicans, small brewers and business representatives are due to come together to examine the impact of rising Business Rates and escalating operating costs. The meeting is expected to focus on the future sustainability of community pubs, particularly in coastal and rural areas where they often act as vital social hubs as well as key local employers.

Independent breweries are particularly exposed, SIBA says, as the vast majority of their beer is sold through local community pubs. Many small breweries also operate their own pubs or taprooms, meaning they are hit twice by rising rates. Some independent brewers have reported rateable value increases of up to 300%, creating new costs they say will be extremely difficult to absorb.

New industry research published on Thursday (Dec 12) suggests that introducing a pub-specific Business Rates relief of 30% from April 1, 2026 could protect around 15,000 jobs currently under threat in the pubs sector and help prevent widespread closures.

The call for action follows an open letter sent last week by SIBA’s board, expressing deep concern at the impact of the Budget’s Business Rates decisions on the hospitality sector.

Andy Slee, Chief Executive of SIBA, said: “The last orders bell is ringing very loudly in our community pubs after the shock changes to Business Rates in the Budget.

“Publicans and brewers feel badly let down by a system that still isn’t fairly addressing the imbalance between big global tech companies and small business owners.

“We were promised proper reform of Business Rates in the Labour manifesto last year and a rebalancing of the tax regime, but this has not been delivered. Pubs therefore need urgent help to address the planned increase in costs through a pub-specific relief, followed by full and meaningful reform.”

Those attending Monday’s meeting in Saundersfoot are expected to consider how local voices can feed into the national debate and press for urgent action to protect community pubs across Pembrokeshire.

Business

Cosheston Garden Centre expansion approved by planners

Published

1 day ago

December 13, 2025

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

PLANS to upgrade a garden centre on the main road to Pembroke Dock have been given the go-ahead.

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, submitted through agent Hayston Developments & Planning Ltd, Mr and Mrs Wainwright sought permission for upgrade of a garden centre with a relocated garden centre sales area, additional parking and the creation of ornamental pond and wildlife enhancement area (partly in retrospect) at Cosheston Garden Centre, Slade Cross, Cosheston.

The application was a resubmission of a previously refused scheme, with the retrospective aspects of the works starting in late 2023.

The site has a long planning history, and started life as a market garden and turkey farm in the 1980s, and then a number of applications for new development.

A supporting statement says the previously-refused application included setting aside a significant part of the proposed new building for general retail sales as a linked farm shop and local food store/deli in addition to a coffee bar.

It was refused on the grounds of “the proposal was deemed to be contrary to retail policies and the likely impact of that use on the vitality and viability of nearby centres,” the statement said, adding: “Secondly, in noting that vehicular access was off the A 477 (T) the Welsh Government raised an objection on the grounds that insufficient transport information had been submitted in respect of traffic generation and highway safety.”

It said the new scheme seeks to address those issues; the development largely the same with the proposed new garden centre building now only proposed to accommodate a relocated garden centre display sales area rather than a new retail sales area with other goods, but retaining a small ancillary coffee bar area.

“Additional information, in the form of an independent and comprehensive Transport Statement, has now been submitted to address the objection raised by the Welsh Government in respect of highway safety,” the statement said.

It conceded: “It is acknowledged that both the creation of the ornamental pond and ‘overspill’ parking area do not have the benefit of planning permission and therefore these aspects of the application are ‘in retrospect’ and seeks their retention.”

It finished: “Essentially, this proposal seeks to upgrade existing facilities and offer to the general public. It includes the ‘relocation’ of a previously existing retail display area which had been ‘lost’ to the ornamental pond/amenity area and to provide this use within the proposed new building and moves away from the previously proposed ‘farm shop’ idea which we thought had merit.

“This revised proposal therefore involves an ‘upgrading’ rather than an ‘expansion’ of the existing garden centre use.”

An officer report recommending approval said that, while the scheme would still be in the countryside rather than within a settlement boundary, the range of goods sold would be “typical of the type of goods sold in a garden centre and which could be sold elsewhere within the garden centre itself,” adding: “Unlike the recent planning application refused permission it is not intended to sell delicatessen goods, dried food, fruit and vegetables, pet products and gifts.”

It added that a transport statement provided had been reviewed by the Welsh Government, which did not object on highway grounds subject to conditions on any decision notice relating to visibility splays and parking facilities.

The application was conditionally approved.

Business

Tenby Poundland site could become retro gaming lounge

Published

2 days ago

December 12, 2025

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

TENBY’S former Poundland and Royal Playhouse cinema could become a retro computer gaming lounge, plans submitted to the national park hope.

Following a takeover by investment firm Gordon Brothers, Poundland shut 57 stores earlier this year, including Tenby.

Prior to being a Poundland, the site was the Royal Playhouse, which had its final curtain in early 2011 after running for nearly a century.

The cinema had been doing poor business after the opening of a multiplex in Carmarthen; in late 2010 the opening night of the-then latest Harry Potter blockbuster only attracted an audience of 12 people.

In an application to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Matthew Mileson of Newport-based MB Games Ltd, seeks permission for a ‘CONTINUE? Retro Gaming Lounge’ sign on the front of the former Gatehouse (Playhouse) Cinema, White Lion Street, most recently used as a Poundland store.

The signage plans form part of a wider scheme for a retro gaming facility at the former cinema site, which has a Grade-II-listed front facade, a supporting statement through agent Asbri Planning Ltd says.

“The subject site is located within the settlement of Tenby along White Lion St. The site was formerly the Gatehouse Cinema and currently operates as a Poundland discount store, which closed on October 18.”

It adds: “This application forms part of a wider scheme for the change of use to the former Gatehouse Cinema. Advertisement consent is sought for a non-illuminated aluminium composite folded panel that will be bolted onto the front façade of the proposed building, in replacement of the existing signage (Poundland).”

It stresses: “It is considered that the proposed advertisement will not have a detrimental impact on the quality of the environment, along with being within a proportionate scale of the building. It is considered that the proposed signage will reflect site function.

“Furthermore, due to the sympathetic scale and design of the sign itself, it is considered that the proposal will not result in any adverse visual amenity impacts.

“The proposal is reduced in sized compared to the existing Poundland advertisement. The sign will not be illuminated. Given the above it is considered that such proportionate signate in association with the proposed retro gaming lounge is acceptable and does not adversely affect visual amenity.”

An application for a retro gaming lounge by MB Games Ltd was recently given the go-ahead in Swansea.