A CALL for a five month breathing space for a wind turbine application which was previously withdrawn late last year over a lack of information on how it may affect bats, is expected to be turned down and the scheme refused.

In December of last year, in an application recommended for refusal at Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee, Constantine Wind Energy Ltd sought permission for a 76-metre-high wind turbine at Summerton Farm, Sageston.

Back in 2024, an application to replace a current 60.5m high turbine on the site with one up to 90 metres, or just under 300 foot, at the site was refused on the grounds its height and scale would have a detrimental impact on the visual amenity of the locality, with the additional clause of failing to comply with supplementary guidance.

A report for committee members on the latest application says the smaller turbine than previously proposed, representing a 16-metre increase in height from a previously granted turbine “would not be sufficient for it to become an overbearing feature in the landscape,” with no objections from either the Council Landscape Officer or Natural Resources Wales.

However, concerns were raised by the council ecologist that the applicant’s Preliminary Ecological Appraisal Report was incomplete, with a bat survey not included.

It was recommended for refusal on the grounds that appraisal report, and technical note, “do not adequately address the impact of the proposed wind turbine on bat activity in the area”.

At the December meeting, members heard the scheme had been temporarily withdrawn to deal with issues raised, the application now returning to the June meeting, again recommended for refusal.

A report for members ahead of the June meeting says the application was withdrawn from the December agenda to allow the applicant time for consideration of the Council Ecologist’s request for further survey work.

“Further consultation took place with Natural Resources Wales (NRW), the result being that NRW agree with the Council Ecologist’s stance that additional survey work is required.

“The applicant has submitted a request for a further deferral of the application to allow the necessary surveys to be carried out. The bat survey programme requires surveys over Spring, Summer and Autumn. The Spring survey was completed on May 14 and the Spring and Summer surveys will take place on July 14 and September 7 respectively.

“The applicant expects a report to be issued to the council for consultation before the end of September, with consultation with NRW and the council ecologist expected to be completed during October 2026.

“On the assumption that the proposal is considered acceptable the applicant expects that the application could be considered at the November 2026 planning committee meeting.

“Accordingly, the applicant requests deferral of the application to the November 2026 planning committee meeting to avoid the unnecessary costs, resources and timelines for a resubmitted application.”

The application is recommended to be refused at the June meeting of Pembrokeshire County council’s planning committee on the basis that “the Preliminary Ecological Appraisal Report and Technical Note do not adequately address the impact of the proposed wind turbine on bat activity in the area. As such, therefore, the proposal is contrary to the requirements [of planning policy].”

Experts say UK is ‘built for a climate that no longer exists’

WALES is being warned it cannot afford to wait to adapt to a changing climate, as high temperatures continue to affect communities across the country.

Climate experts and campaigners say Wales and the wider UK remain dangerously underprepared for worsening heatwaves, flooding, drought and pressure on food production.

The warning follows a major report by the Climate Change Committee, the UK’s independent climate advisory body, which states that the country is “built for a climate that no longer exists”.

The committee says climate change is already undermining the UK’s security and prosperity, with impacts expected to intensify rapidly over the coming decades unless urgent action is taken.

Bethan Sayed, Head of Politics at Climate Cymru, said: “The message is clear: Wales cannot afford to wait. We are already living with the impacts of a climate our infrastructure was never designed for, and things are only going to get worse.

“Our farmers are on the frontline, facing drought, flooding and growing uncertainty about what they can produce. At the same time, our towns and cities are not prepared for the levels of heat we are heading towards, putting lives at risk, especially among the most vulnerable.

“We know what needs to be done, from climate-resilient farming and water security to redesigning our communities to cope with heat and flooding.

“Across Wales, local groups are already taking action to try and protect themselves, but the question remains: will governments act with the urgency this moment demands?

“Delaying action will cost far more, in lives, livelihoods and public finances, than investing now to protect people and build resilience.”

The Climate Change Committee warns that by 2050 the UK could face significantly more extreme climate conditions.

Among the risks identified are up to 92% of homes overheating during severe heatwaves, river flows increasing by up to 45%, and summer droughts causing water shortages of more than five billion litres a day.

In Wales, many of those pressures are already being felt. Farmers are dealing with increasingly unpredictable weather, crop losses and rising costs, while communities face greater exposure to floods, heatwaves and water scarcity.

Campaigners say the issue is no longer only about cutting emissions, but also about preparing homes, public services, transport, farming and water systems for the climate impacts that are already locked in.

Despite growing evidence of the risks, adaptation efforts are not keeping pace with the scale of the challenge. Experts warn that without faster action, Wales risks avoidable damage to infrastructure, food systems, public health and local economies.

The committee says the UK must prepare for at least 2C of global heating by 2050, while recognising that 4C by the end of the century remains possible.

Climate Cymru said this means urgent, large-scale investment is needed across all sectors to protect people, strengthen communities and reduce the cost of future climate damage.

New analysis says the county’s net zero sector supports 1,600 jobs and accounts for 5.3% of local economic output

PEMBROKESHIRE has been named as one of Wales’ leading “net zero economy” hotspots, with new analysis suggesting the sector now supports around 1,600 jobs in the county.

The report, commissioned by the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit and carried out with CBI Economics and The Data City, found that net zero-related industries contribute £4bn in Gross Value Added across Wales and support more than 41,300 jobs.

That represents 4.3% of Wales’ total economic output and 3.1% of employment.

Pembrokeshire was listed among the strongest-performing areas, alongside Wrexham, Rhondda Cynon Taf and Newport.

The county’s net zero economy was said to account for 5.3% of local GVA, with its position linked to emerging low-carbon infrastructure, including the consented 100MW green hydrogen facility at the Pembroke Net Zero Centre, battery storage projects, and local solar installation businesses.

Wrexham recorded the highest share of local economic activity supported by net zero industries, at 7%, followed by Pembrokeshire, Rhondda Cynon Taf and Newport.

Across Wales, the report found more than 1,300 businesses are now part of the net zero economy, with 87% of them classed as small or medium-sized firms. Around 15% have started up within the last five years.

The analysis also claims workers in the sector are highly productive, generating an average of £117,500 of value each — around 1.7 times the Welsh average. Average earnings in the sector were put at £39,812, around 11% higher than the Welsh industry average of £35,796.

Jobs identified in the report include energy generation, manufacturing, construction, engineering and professional services, with firms involved in solar panels, electric vehicle charging, renewable heating and low-carbon technologies.

Russell Greenslade, CBI Wales Director, said Wales had a major commercial opportunity because of its natural assets, advanced manufacturing base and established supply chains.

He said: “This new report underlines just how central the net zero economy is to our future prosperity.

“From onshore and offshore wind to carbon capture and emerging clean technologies, Wales can be at the forefront of the UK’s energy transition, with high-value, highly productive jobs created in every part of the country.

“The UK and Welsh Governments must now work in partnership with business to seize that opportunity. That means creating a stable, competitive business environment and investing in the skills that will enable Welsh workers to thrive in the energy transition.”

Peter Chalkley, Director of the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit, said reaching net zero was not only about tackling climate change, but had become a major part of the Welsh economy.

He said Wales was part of a global race to build competitive clean industries, warning that jobs and livelihoods could be at risk if policy shifted and Wales fell behind.

The report also identifies a potential £13.1bn renewable energy generation infrastructure pipeline in Wales, representing 10.9GW of capacity, although it warns that not all of that pipeline is guaranteed to be built.

Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens said the UK Government was putting Wales “at the heart” of its clean energy plans.

She said: “The UK Government is putting Wales at the heart of our clean energy mission, with £2.5 billion invested in new nuclear in Wylfa, and up to £64 million to support floating offshore wind in Port Talbot.

“We’re determined to go even further, including by speeding up the delivery of major clean energy infrastructure projects by protecting them from legal challenges and delays.

“That’s because the UK Government recognises the key role that the Welsh clean energy industry plays in boosting the country’s economic growth, securing our energy independence, bringing down household bills, and supporting over 40,000 jobs in Wales.”

The findings are likely to be closely watched in Pembrokeshire, where the future of heavy industry, the Haven Waterway, floating offshore wind, hydrogen and grid infrastructure are all central to long-term economic plans.

While supporters say the transition could bring skilled jobs and major investment, questions remain over planning, infrastructure, local benefit, and whether promised projects will be delivered at scale.