WELSH First Minister Eluned Morgan has called on the UK Government to halt the controversial deep space radar project at Pembrokeshire’s Cawdor Barracks, describing the USA under Donald Trump as an unreliable ally.

In a pre-application consultation, ahead of a formal planning application, The Ministry of Defence wants to install 27 radar antenna and a long list of associated works at Cawdor Barracks, Brawdy for a worldwide network of sensors called the Deep Space Advanced Radar Concept (DARC) to track active satellites and other objects would utilise three sites worldwide, part of the AUKUS trilateral security partnership, in the USA, the UK and Australia “enabling 360-degree coverage of the sky at all times of day and under any weather conditions”.

In late 2023, Cawdor Barracks was identified as the preferred UK site by the-then UK Defence Secretary, Grant Shapps.

A supporting statement accompanying the pre-application consultation, through Montagu Evans LLP says: “The Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability proposal will enhance the UK’s ability to detect, identify, and track objects in Earth orbit, including satellites, space debris, and potential threats.

“This capability is vital for ensuring the resilience of UK space systems, enabling the UK to secure attribution, maintain stability and provide information for managing emerging challenges. Fundamentally, the project forms a key site that will support wider international space traffic management and enhance collective international security.

“As part of the ongoing investment into this domain, the UK has been working with its allies to identify a location for a new deep space monitoring facility to protect and defend both military and civilian infrastructure that supports our way of life.”

St Davids City Council members recently unanimously opposed the proposals, and public objectors have raised concerns with protests recently taking place outside Brawdy Barracks and County Hall, Haverfordwest.

Labour Senedd candidate Eluned Morgan for the new Ceredigion Penfro constituency, who hopes to be re-elected as Senedd Member and First Minister in the May 7 elections, said: “I’m calling for the DARC defence project in Pembrokeshire to be halted.

“The United States under Donald Trump is not the partner it once was. Talk of targeting civilians, undermining our allies, and diminishing the sacrifice of our armed forces is not the conduct of a reliable ally.

“I believe in international alliances. I believe in collective security. But there is a clear difference between standing with our partners and giving a free pass to a US President who has threatened war crimes and shown contempt for our country.

“I’m urging the UK Government to halt our involvement in the AUKUS radar project until we can be confident those partnerships reflect our values and our security interests.”

She added: “Trump’s hostility towards the UK and verbal attacks on our nation in the light of the Prime Minister’s refusal to give the US President support in the attack on Iran should lead us to pause our involvement in this proposal.

“His threats to annihilate the Iranian civilisation reached a new low recently and we should not be associating ourselves with such an unreliable partner who threatened war crimes on civilians, and have insulted UK armed forces in terms of their commitment to fight in Afghanistan.”

The pre-application consultation has recently ended, with a formal application to Pembrokeshire County Council expected at a later date.

However, Labour MP for Pembrokeshire Henry Tufnell took a very different view: “I’m concerned that the First Minster appears to not want the local jobs and economic growth on a project that is unlikely to be operational until after the Trump administration.

“Our community here in Pembrokeshire has always played a pivotal role in the UK’s defence and the DARC project represents the next chapter in our proud heritage.”

AN APPEAL against a refusal of a call to convert an ‘unviable’ former village pub to a house has been dismissed.

In a partly retrospective application refused by Pembrokeshire Coast National Park in July 2025, Ms G Key, through agent Evans Banks Planning Limited, sought permission for the conversion of the former Taberna Inn and associated flat, Herbrandston Village, Milford Haven, to one residential dwelling.

A supporting statement through the agent said the property was only operated as a pub for a short time after purchase before closing.

It said the loss of the pub to the village will not be felt as strongly as elsewhere as Herbrandston has an alternative venue, Herbrandston Hub, which opened in February 2020.

Local community council Hebrandston objected to the proposal on the grounds the village has already lost amenities in recent years, with the community hub only open part-time.

The application was refused on grounds including it would “result in the unacceptable loss of an existing community facility,” and “the applicant has failed to demonstrate the potential for continued use of the facility as unviable”.

Since that refusal an appeal was lodged with Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW) by the applicant.

The inspector, in dismissing the appeal, said planning policy recognising “that public houses can play a vital economic and social role and their loss can be damaging to a local community,” adding the Taberna “constitutes a community facility”.

The inspector’s report said the purchase of the Taberna Inn in March 2020 in a “closed and condemned condition” just before the global pandemic “meant that the property was never operated as a public house, and although the appellant could have reopened the pub following the pandemic, she has chosen not to”.

It added: “As a result, the appellant has been unable to provide any financial information in the form of audited accounts which show the historic trading to help gauge the past performance of the premises or to demonstrate that the public house is not commercially viable.”

It went on to say the appellant’s view the pub is not a valued community asset, was contrasted by residents and the community council opposing the change of use; the Herbrandston Hub opening on a limited time basis, saying “the ability of the Hub to be classed as a viable and direct replacement to the Taberna Inn is questionable”.

It concluded: “Overall, the evidence before me is insufficiently thorough and wide ranging to constitute a solid case for the proposed development in the balance of harm to the community. As a result of this, I am not persuaded that it has been clearly demonstrated that the pub cannot become a viable business in the future.

“I also consider that it has not been demonstrated that there has been a commitment by the appellant, since purchasing the property in March 2020, to ensuring the long-term viability of the Taberna Inn as a going concern over an appropriate period.”

FOSTER Wales Pembrokeshire is committed to building better futures for local children, ensuring they can remain in their communities with the support of dedicated foster families.

As part of this ongoing commitment, Pembrokeshire County Council has announced an increase in foster carer allowances from April 2026.

The updated allowances are designed to better reflect the real cost of providing day-to-day care and to recognise the vital role foster carers play in children’s lives. Full details of the new rates will be shared with foster carers.

Head of Children’s Services, Chris Frey-Davies said: “Foster carers play a vital role in providing stability, care and hope for children who need it most. We want to ensure they receive the right support to carry out this life-changing work, and these enhanced allowances are an important part of that. We are incredibly proud of the difference our foster carers make in Pembrokeshire.”

Pembrokeshire is also introducing a new two-year pilot initiative offering reduced Council Tax payments for eligible foster carers. The foster carers will be contacted directly with information on how the scheme will work.

Anyone considering fostering can benefit from a wealth of local support, including access to specialist teams, dedicated social workers, strong community networks and the opportunity to help children stay close to home.

To find out more about becoming a foster carer in Pembrokeshire, call 01437 774650, email [email protected] or visit https://pembrokeshire.fosterwales.gov.wales/