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Marine Nitrates Taskforce update raises hopes For Pembrokeshire housing

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New tools and funding aim to unlock stalled developments while protecting sensitive waterways

DEVELOPMENT across parts of Pembrokeshire that has been effectively frozen by marine nutrient pollution rules could begin to move again, following an update from the Welsh Government on the work of its Marine Nitrates Development Taskforce.

In a written statement published on Wednesday (Dec 17), Jayne Bryant MS, Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government, said progress was being made on a package of national measures designed to allow housing and other development to resume “in a sustainable way as quickly as possible”.

The taskforce was established in October to address the widespread planning block affecting areas where protected rivers and marine environments are already failing nutrient targets. In west Wales, this has had a significant impact on Pembrokeshire, where phosphate and nitrate pressures linked to wastewater and agriculture have stalled new housing schemes and complicated local planning decisions.

Multi-agency approach

The taskforce brings together senior officials from the Welsh Government, local authorities, Natural Resources Wales and Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water. Ms Bryant said meetings had been “constructive and collaborative”, with a shared urgency to find workable solutions.

Among the key components now being progressed are a national Nutrient Calculator and expert-led guidance to help quantify the impact of new developments, alongside a local authority-led handbook for developers, which is reported to be at an advanced stage.

A national Nutrient Credit Trading Group has also been established, allowing developers to offset nutrient impacts through accredited mitigation schemes. The Welsh Government says this framework will help planning officers and applicants identify their nutrient contribution and put effective mitigation in place.

Funding for west Wales

For Pembrokeshire, the funding element of the announcement is particularly significant. The Welsh Government has confirmed more than £500,000 has been allocated to the West Wales Nutrient Management Board to support implementation on the ground, alongside up to £1.5m over three years to assist local authorities in affected areas.

Pembrokeshire County Council has repeatedly warned that nutrient neutrality requirements have delayed housing delivery, including affordable homes, and placed pressure on its Local Development Plan. The new measures are intended to provide sufficient clarity for councils to process applications while remaining compliant with environmental law.

Local development plans

The taskforce has also examined how future Local Development Plans can progress under the updated regime. The Welsh Government’s Chief Planning Officer is working with Planning and Environment Decisions Wales, Natural Resources Wales and heads of planning to ensure plans can move through examination without breaching nutrient rules.

Ms Bryant said taskforce members report regularly to the First Minister, cabinet colleagues and council leaders, adding that there is “optimism” developments can begin to resume as the new tools and guidance are put into practice.

While no formal timeline has been set, the statement suggests the Welsh Government is seeking to move beyond the current planning impasse, which has been a source of frustration for developers, councils and communities across Pembrokeshire and wider west Wales.

Environmental safeguards remain

The Welsh Government has stressed that the approach is not about weakening environmental protections, but about enabling growth while safeguarding vulnerable rivers, estuaries and coastal waters that are central to Pembrokeshire’s economy, tourism and biodiversity.

Further updates are expected in the new year as the guidance and mitigation mechanisms are rolled out nationally.

 

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Sheep rescue called off at Stack Rocks as coastguard urges public to stay back

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Public warned not to look over cliff edge as animals remain stranded near firing range

A RESCUE attempt to reach two sheep stranded below the cliffs at Stack Rocks has been called off, with the coastguard urging members of the public to stay well back from the cliff edge.

The sheep were seen on the rocky ground below the cliffs this afternoon, prompting concern from people in the area.

The Herald understands that a rescue attempt was made, but it was later stood down. The animals remain at the location.

A witness at the scene told The Herald that the coastguard was keen for the public to be warned not to approach the cliff edge or try to look down at the sheep.

The situation is further complicated by activity at the nearby firing range, where several days of live firing are understood to be scheduled, meaning a further rescue attempt is not currently possible.

Members of the public are being urged not to put themselves at risk by going near the edge of the cliffs.

Photo: The stranded sheep at Stack Rocks (Pic: Cerianne Palmer).

 

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Sub aqua club marks first serious sea-diving weekend of season

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CARDIGAN Sub Aqua Club has completed its first major weekend of sea diving of the season, with 23 divers taking part across four days.

The club rounded off the weekend on Monday (May 4), meeting at Porthgain at 8:30am with two club boats for a dive before returning by 2:00pm.

Ten divers took part in Monday’s outing, with the group diving on the Leysion, where visibility was reported at around three to four metres.

The club said the weekend had been an important opportunity for members to refresh skills, refamiliarise themselves with equipment and procedures, and give newer divers valuable sea experience.

There was also a milestone for club member Katie, who completed her first sea dive.

A club spokesperson said: “This has been the first serious club weekend out in the sea. Lots of refreshing of skills. Lots of refamiliarisation of kit and procedures. Some newbie experiences and some extending of experiences.”

The weekend also helped the club identify maintenance work needed on boats and trailers, with notes taken so the committee can prioritise resources.

The spokesperson added: “It’s been a good weekend for club diving — four days, two different locations and 23 different divers.”

The club said it will now focus over the next month on helping members who have not yet been back into the sea this season to get diving again and continue progressing with training.

Monday’s dive was followed by a debrief at The Sloop Inn, Porthgain.

 

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Fresh Hamilton wage claims raise new questions for Haverfordwest County fans

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Scottish reports of late and short wages add a new and more immediate concern for Bluebirds supporters already watching problems elsewhere in the same football network

REPORTS in Scotland that Hamilton Academical players were paid late, with some allegedly underpaid ahead of the club’s final game of the season, have added to scrutiny around the football network linked to Haverfordwest County AFC chairman Rob Edwards.

The latest claims were reported by Lanarkshire Live Sport and the Daily Record.

The relevance for Pembrokeshire lies in the links between Hamilton and Haverfordwest through Rob Edwards and Morley Sports Management.

Hamilton has previously stated that Morley Sports Management owns 100 per cent of 1874 Holdings Limited, and that 1874 Holdings in turn owns 97.5 per cent of Hamilton Academical FC.

Haverfordwest County has previously said Morley Sports Management has been the business vehicle behind Edwards’ takeover and funding of the Bluebirds since 2020.

Earlier this month, Haverfordwest County A.F.C. Ltd faced an HM Revenue & Customs winding-up petition at the High Court in London. The case was dismissed on April 15, but only after reaching a live hearing at the Rolls Building, with costs ordered against the company.

Separately, 1874 Holdings has faced a winding-up petition in Scotland. Hamilton later issued a statement acknowledging that petition, while saying the claim is disputed and that the company is seeking dismissal.

The latest Scottish wage claims come against a background of previous disciplinary action involving Hamilton. Earlier this year, the club was punished over failures to pay players on time and in full, resulting in a points deduction following an independent disciplinary process. Hamilton acknowledged that outcome in a club statement.

Companies House has also shown 1874 Holdings with overdue accounts and a strike-off notice. Those are separate processes from a winding-up petition, but they add to the list of recent off-field issues involving companies in the same football network.

There are also operational links between the two clubs. Haverfordwest publicly credited chief executive Beccy Nuttall with key work during the club’s licensing process earlier this month, while Hamilton has also announced Rebecca Nuttall in a senior role there.

The timing of the Haverfordwest case also drew attention because the club announced on April 8 that it had secured both its UEFA licence and FAW Tier 1 licence for the 2026-27 season, even though the HMRC petition remained live at that stage and was not disposed of until April 15.

The Herald contacted the Football Association of Wales for comment on the licensing position last week, but had received no response at the time of publication.

The Hamilton wage claims remain reports from Scotland, and there is no suggestion that Haverfordwest County AFC is facing the same issue. However, the developments are likely to be of interest to Bluebirds supporters because they concern companies and senior figures linked to the same wider football operation.

 

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