News

Wales could tax disused land to unlock stalled housing sites

Published

5 months ago

February 12, 2026

A NEW tax on long-vacant plots of land could be introduced in Wales in a bid to force stalled housing sites back into use and speed up housebuilding, ministers have confirmed.

The Welsh Government and the UK government are preparing a joint consultation on devolving powers that would allow Wales to create a vacant land tax targeting sites that have planning permission but remain undeveloped.

Ministers say the move is aimed squarely at discouraging “land banking” — where land is bought and held in the hope its value will rise, rather than being built on — a practice they argue is worsening the housing shortage.

Research commissioned by the Welsh Government previously identified 456 “stalled” sites across Wales, including 376 earmarked for homes, that have failed to progress.

Finance secretary Mark Drakeford said the proposals were about behaviour, not revenue.

“This is not about raising money but changing behaviour and getting more houses built,” he said. “A tax on land that has been designated for development but has not yet been developed could encourage building within expected timescales.”

The powers would first need to be transferred from Westminster before any levy could be introduced by the Senedd Cymru.

Consultation expected

At Westminster, Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens told MPs the change would have a “positive and tangible” impact.

She said: “There are pockets of land being held for ever and ever and we need to bring them back into use.”

Officials have indicated the consultation will be launched soon, though it is not expected before the next Senedd election.

Any new tax would require approval from both Houses of Parliament and the Senedd before coming into force.

Political divide

The plans come as housing supply remains a major political battleground ahead of the election, with Plaid Cymru and other opposition parties pressing Labour to go further on devolution and regeneration powers.

First Minister Eluned Morgan has previously called for additional powers and funding from Prime Minister Keir Starmer, saying Wales needs more tools to tackle housing and infrastructure challenges.

Plaid Cymru has welcomed the consultation, though it argues Wales should also gain control over areas such as rail and the Crown Estate.

Stevens rejected calls to devolve the Crown Estate, warning it could disrupt investment and delay offshore energy projects.

Opposition scepticism

Welsh Conservatives questioned whether the proposals would deliver real change.

Shadow finance spokesman Sam Rowlands said ministers must provide clear data and timescales.

“If this is truly about building more homes rather than raising revenue, ministers should be upfront with the Welsh public about the impact,” he said. “Warm words are not enough.”

Ministers insist the aim is to encourage regeneration, prevent dereliction and unlock brownfield land for affordable homes — particularly in towns where unused plots have remained empty for years.

If approved, Wales would join a growing number of governments looking at fiscal measures to push developers to build sooner rather than later.

The proposal is not new. The Welsh Government first identified a vacant land tax as a priority back in 2018, when ministers began formally requesting powers from Westminster to introduce it. Research published by Senedd Cymru shows those discussions dragged on for years, with talks repeatedly stalling as the UK Treasury sought further evidence and clarification, leaving the plans effectively at an impasse. At one stage ministers said six years had passed with little progress. The latest joint consultation therefore marks the first real movement in nearly a decade — and could finally unlock a policy long promised as a way to bring derelict and unused sites back into productive use across Wales.

Crime

Scaffolder banned after cannabis smell reported from van

Published

10 hours ago

June 30, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

A SCAFFOLDER has been banned from driving for 14 months after an off-duty police officer smelt cannabis coming from his Volkswagen Transporter as it travelled through Slebech.

The report was made to police at around 10.30am on February 15. When officers located the vehicle, they discovered it was being driven by 46-year-old Christopher Bennett.

Further blood tests showed Bennett had 16.8 mcg of Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol in his system. The legal limit is 2.

This week Bennett, of Queensdown Gardens, Brislington, Bristol, pleaded guilty to drug-driving when he appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates. He was represented in court by Alaw Harries.

“The defendant is remorseful for his actions and recognises the seriousness of the offence,” Ms Harries told the Bench.

“He suffers significant pain following operations to his shoulders and has been prescribed codeine. But this causes drowsiness, so he began self-medicating using cannabis.

“On the day of the offence, he was in worse pain than usual, so he used cannabis earlier than he normally does.”

Ms Harries said the conviction would have serious financial consequences for Bennett, who works as a self-employed scaffolder.

“His driving licence is fundamental to his livelihood,” she said.

“The financial consequences are going to be significant to him, as well as to those who are dependent on him.”

Magistrates fined Bennett £600 and ordered him to pay a £240 surcharge and £85 costs.

He was disqualified from driving for 14 months.

Crime

Estate agent banned after drug-drive crash in Milford Haven

Published

11 hours ago

June 30, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Alison Walker had nearly five times the legal benzoylecgonine limit in her system

A PEMBROKESHIRE estate agent has been banned from the road after admitting driving through Milford Haven with nearly five times the legal limit of a cocaine metabolite in her system.

Alison Walker, 59, was arrested on February 2 after her white MG was involved in a two-car collision on Great North Road, Milford Haven.

“Fortunately there were no injuries, just damage to the vehicles,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

After providing a positive roadside drug swipe, Walker was arrested and asked to provide blood samples. These showed she had 240mcg of benzoylecgonine in her system. The legal limit is 50mcg.

Walker, of Woodland Crescent, Milford Haven, pleaded guilty to drug-driving and was represented in court by solicitor Tom Lloyd.

He told the bench that prior to the offence, Walker had been employed as an estate agent.

“She has a good relationship with her boss, and as soon as this conviction is dealt with and her sentence has been served, he will be happy for her to return to her employment,” he said.

After considering a comprehensive probation report, magistrates disqualified Walker from driving for 20 months.

She was fined £80 and ordered to pay a £114 court surcharge and £85 costs. Walker must also carry out a 12-month community order, during which she must complete 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

Crime

Pembroke Dock motorist banned after driving with cocaine in system

Published

11 hours ago

June 30, 2026

Court Reporter

A PEMBROKE DOCK motorist has been banned from the roads after being caught driving with more than seven times the legal cocaine limit in her system.

Naomi Grant, 47, was stopped by police on the night of February 6 as she drove her Vauxhall Astra along the A477 near Pembroke Dock.

After providing a positive roadside drug swipe, Grant, of Cheriton Road, Pennar, Pembroke Dock, was taken for further tests.

Blood analysis showed she had 74mcg of cocaine in her system. The legal limit is 10mcg. She also had 1,200mcg of benzoylecgonine, a breakdown product of cocaine, where the legal limit is 50mcg.

This week Grant, who has no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to two charges of drug-driving when she appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates.

She was represented by solicitor Tom Lloyd, who told the court that his client is currently prescribed a considerable amount of medication for a number of medical issues.

“She also has her own personal assistant as a result of her medical needs,” he said.

“She has done everything that has been asked of her in relation to this offence and has engaged with the Dyfed Drug and Alcohol Service to help her move forward.”

Magistrates disqualified Grant from driving for 12 months and fined her £120.

She must also pay £85 court costs and a £48 surcharge.