News

Marine Nitrates Taskforce update raises hopes For Pembrokeshire housing

Published

3 months ago

December 17, 2025

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.

Crime

Neighbourhood policing boosted across Dyfed-Powys

Published

2 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

DYFED-POWYS POLICE has announced a significant expansion of its Neighbourhood Policing and Prevention Teams (NPPT), with more officers being deployed to frontline roles where demand is greatest.

From Monday (Mar 16), teams across the force area have been strengthened, with a renewed focus on tackling antisocial behaviour and preventing crime at its source.

The force says the move is aimed at reducing repeat demand by addressing the root causes of offending, rather than simply responding to incidents.

To achieve this, a number of officers have been redeployed from central departments back into frontline policing, while new posts are also being created to bolster capacity.

Temporary Chief Superintendent Steve Davies, head of uniform policing, said: “These changes are about increasing frontline visibility and ensuring we have the right resources in the right places.

“They form part of a wider programme of improvements across the force to enhance effectiveness and efficiency, while also supporting the wellbeing of our officers and staff.

“This is positive news for our communities, who will benefit from stronger neighbourhood teams focused on local priorities and proactive policing.”

The expansion has been made possible through Home Office funding under the Neighbourhood Guarantee scheme, which is designed to strengthen community safety and crime prevention.

Dyfed-Powys Police has been allocated £1.4 million for 2025/26, enabling the recruitment of police staff and freeing up officers previously in support roles to return to operational duties.

As a result, four sergeants and 29 police officers have now been reassigned to neighbourhood teams across the force.

Each NPPT area will also have a named officer, with full team details available via the ‘Your Area’ section of the Dyfed-Powys Police website.

The force has also secured early access to 2026/27 Neighbourhood Guarantee funding, which will see a further 12 officers recruited between April and the autumn—adding to overall officer numbers in the region.

Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn said: “Neighbourhood policing is about more than numbers—it’s about relationships.

“Greater visibility helps build trust, strengthens community ties, and reassures the public that policing is present, responsive, and committed to keeping people safe.

“I remain committed to improving police visibility across our communities, and these additional officers will help turn that ambition into reality.”

Crime

Broad Haven man remanded in custody over sexual harm prevention order breach

Published

2 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Court Reporter

Defendant admitted using Xbox without informing police as required under court order

ANTHONY COOMBES, aged 26, of Sand Banks, Broad Haven, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Mar 20) charged with breaching a sexual harm prevention order.

The court heard that between February 26 and March 19, 2026, at Haverfordwest, Coombes repeatedly breached the order by using an Xbox device without informing police within three days, as required.

The offences relate to a sexual harm prevention order imposed at Swansea Crown Court on October 20, 2021.

Coombes indicated guilty pleas to the offences at the first hearing.

Magistrates committed the case to Swansea Crown Court for sentence.

He was remanded in custody ahead of the next hearing, which is due to take place at 9:00am on Friday, April 3, at Swansea Crown Court.

The court refused bail on the grounds that he was likely to offend, citing the nature and seriousness of the offences and his previous record and character.

A pre-sentence report was ordered.