News

Pyrolysis plant refused

Published

8 years ago

December 30, 2015

PLANS to build a Pyrolysis plant at the Waterloo Industrial Estate in Pembroke Dock were unanimously refused by Pembrokeshire County Council. On Tuesday (Dec 15), the Planning and Rights of Way Committee met to discuss the application from Barcud Energy Ltd, a firm based in Cardiff. The unit would be used to generate syngas by thermally treating feedstock comprised of oily sludge and filter cake that is generated by oil refineries.

However, concerns were raised about the size of the plant and the possible emissions from it. Pembroke Dock Llanion Councillor Sue Perkins said: “Because of the strong feeling the whole town of Pembroke Dock, I feel I must put forward the views of my constituents. “I’m delighted that the application before you is for refusal and I ask you to support the officer’s recommendation. “The fuel oily sludge is a very dirty fuel containing high concentrations of hazardous constituents including heavy metals and naturally occurring radioactive material that may be resilient to combustion. “How could anyone think it’s a particularly good idea to build a pyrolysis incinerator producing oily sludge in an area that floods, in an entry to a town, close to people’s homes, a large council estate along the side of the Cleddau?

“We’ve been told by the applicant there will be no pollution and no odour but we were told this before. Pembroke Dock has had its fair share of both over the years. We all know that we cannot control the weather nor human error and in the high winds experienced on the site of the height of the Cleddau, no one can guarantee that the smog, smoke and pollution will not come to the town nor further up the river in areas like Cosheston and in fact Carew.

“If there is a need for such a facility, as our officers have said, in Pembrokeshire, which I personally doubt, there are already designated areas where there is already a power station and a refinery. If this plant is built close to both of these facilities it would stop the need for transporting this oily sludge in lorries, around Pembroke, on the A477 which is an already busy road. “The application in my mind makes no sense at all and I just want to say that we have an obligation to our towns who speak long and hard about making our towns more important and more accessible to the visitors and Pembroke Dock always seems like a poor relation but Pembroke Dock has a huge amount to offer; it has the Cleddau, it has historical buildings, it has a huge amount of facilities and once again I think as a town we feel that having something like this on our doorstep would absolutely destroy everything that we would like to see in our future.”

Speaking on behalf of Pembroke Dock Town Council, Councillor Alison Lee said: “If you grant this application, this will become the first thing people will see when they drive into Pembroke Dock. They will see two large massive buildings with a 40 metre stack instead of the waterway, boats and the countryside. “This structure will be visible for a much larger area than suggested by the applicant. It is stated by the landscape officer that the visual impact for some people such as the water sports centre is significant.

“The applicant points out that the mass of the building actually screens other areas in the industrial estate, which in my opinion, just highlights how large and obtrusive this structure will be. “The applicant states that there is a need for a pyrolysis unit in Pembroke Dock and refineries in Pembrokeshire and it has been suggested that the unit would secure jobs at the refinery. This is untrue, there is one refinery in Pembrokeshire and it’s been confirmed that refusal of this application would have no impact on the refinery or any jobs there. “Pembroke Dock already has unresolved issues with a waste management site in the town; it really doesn’t need another one.”

John Hubbard, a long term resident in the area, said: “The Waterloo site is inappropriate for a plant of this nature for a number of reasons which include; it’s within the town limits, numerous people live nearby, the wastes are defined as hazardous, emissions from the chimney are at a low level, it’s alongside scenic waterway and the building is so large it will be seen from numerous locations around it. “We are very concerned at the nature and scale of this operation processing hazardous wastes and the emissions it will create on our very doorstep. The visual impact of the proposal is very intrusive on the landscape and is out of keeping with other buildings in the location.”

Cllr Brian Hall moved the recommendation for refusal and added: “If you look at the gate they are proposing and the entrance that is proposed, that will not take a petrol tanker type lorry. “The vehicle movements around the Waterloo roundabout at the end of the trunk road is approximately on a busy day 22,000 vehicle movements and in the last meeting we had the approval for Aldi and the traffic going into the industrial estate is going to be unbelievable when the Aldi opens, on top of the new bus station that has been approved for Silcox. “That will not generate enough work to make that business, in my opinion, viable. Cllr Tony Wilcox added: “It’s all about location, this is the wrong one, it’s not viable and I will gladly second the recommendation.” When it was put to a vote the plans were refused unanimously.

Business

Expansion for Ashmole & Co with acquisition of Jones Ward Accountants

Published

8 hours ago

May 5, 2024

Tom Sinclair

CHARTERED, Certified Accountants, Ashmole & Co, are delighted to announce their expansion following the acquisition of JonesWard accountancy firm in Carmarthen.

Ashmole & Co Carmarthen has today taken over JonesWard who have closed their office in Lammas Street, Carmarthen. All JonesWard staff, including Ian Jones and James Ward, have transferred over to Ashmole & Co and will be based in the Old School, the Quay, Carmarthen.

JonesWard informed their clients that the administrative burden of running a practice had increased significantly over recent years due to the constant changing money laundering and tax regulations, software requirements and so on. Over the past 12 months it had become more challenging to maintain the level of service they had been used to providing.

Ian Jones said, “We feel Ashmole & Co share the same values as us and have the necessary expertise and resources to ensure we can continue to provide the personal touch and level of service clients have been accustomed to. Myself and James are not retiring but we will be supported by Ashmole & Co’s partners and staff from now on in their Carmarthen office.”

Ashmole & Co partners Sharon George, Carwyn Morgan and Vinal Patel will strive to ensure JonesWard clients will continue to receive the high quality of service they are used to.

Vinal Patel, Partner with Ashmole & Co said, “It is our priority to make the transition as smooth as possible with all employees of JonesWard having already transferred to Ashmole & Co and are now based in our office on the Quay in Carmarthen. We look forward to meeting our new clients and working closely with them to meet their needs in the future.”

Ashmole & Co Chartered and Certified Accountants have been established since 1897 and are one of the largest accountancies and auditing practices in south Wales, now operating from thirteen offices throughout south and west Wales including Swansea, Carmarthen, Haverfordwest and Ammanford.

Charity

Fundraiser to take on epic 87k steps challenge to raise funds for Withybush

Published

8 hours ago

May 5, 2024

Tom Sinclair

SAM Faulkner is challenging himself to walk 87,000 steps in one day to raise funds for the Cardiac Care Unit at Withybush Hospital in memory of his father.

Sam will be walking along the Brecon and Monmouth Canal from Brecon to Rogerstone in Newport.

Sam said: “Since losing my Dad last year, I made a personal commitment to do something to raise money every year for the Cardiac Care Unit at Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest who looked after my Dad so well in his final days.

“I will be challenging myself to complete 87,000 steps in a day on July 20th 2024 – 1,000 steps for every year of my Dad’s life. I’ll be walking around 40 miles in about 10 hours.

“Canal walks were always a firm favourite of mine and my Dad’s, with many days spent walking along the Grand Union in Northamptonshire when I was growing up.

“My family and I, and the unit at the hospital, would be beyond grateful for anything supporters could give. Thank you ever so much in advance.”

Katie Hancock, Pembrokeshire Fundraising Officer, said: “We’d like to say a huge good luck to Sam with his challenge. Thank you so much for dedicating your time to raise more funds for the Cardiac Care Unit.

“The support of our local communities enables us to provide services over and above what the NHS can provide in the three counties of Hywel Dda and we are extremely grateful for every donation we receive.”

You can donate to Sam’s fundraiser here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/sam-faulkner-1712508280259?newPage=true&fbclid=IwAR2tyVVQVea0DLQelSsrp7Ie2CKjX0jXGnwndR_tBKL-Av2kv8f5nchEolw

For more details about the charity and how you can help support local NHS patients and staff, go to www.hywelddahealthcharities.org.uk

Business

Dragon LNG explores integration of LNG and CO2 liquefaction processes

Published

8 hours ago

May 5, 2024

Tom Sinclair

DRAGON LNG, based in Waterston, Milford Haven, recently announced a significant step towards sustainable energy solutions.

The company awarded a contract to Worley, global professional services company of energy, chemicals and resources experts, to conduct a comprehensive feasibility study.

The study is focussing on exploring the potential benefits of integrating LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas)
regasification and CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) liquefaction processes at Dragon LNG’s facilities. This integration holds promise for a more efficient operation, with the potential to reduce energy consumption, carbon intensity and the levelized cost of CO2 export not only at the Dragon site but also for Haven industry companies.

If feasible, the technology at Dragon would support wider collaboration with RWE Pembroke Net Zero Centre, whose CO2 would be transported to the Dragon facility for processing before being shipped via non-pipeline transport (NPT) to carbon sequestration sites.

Key aspects to be addressed in the feasibility study include:

Technical Solutions: Worley will evaluate various technical approaches to seamlessly integrate LNG and
CO2 liquefaction processes, ensuring optimal energy efficiency and effectiveness.
Carbon Intensity Reduction: Dragon LNG is committed to sustainability, and the study will assess how the integration of processes can contribute to lowering the carbon intensity of operations, aligning with broader environmental goals.
Economic Viability: Understanding the financial implications is crucial. The study will delve into the levelized cost of CO2 and other economic factors to determine the feasibility and financial benefits of the proposed integration.

Commenting on the partnership, a spokesperson for Dragon LNG stated, “We are excited to collaborate with Worley on this important initiative. As a responsible energy provider, Dragon LNG is continuously seeking innovative ways to enhance our operations while minimizing our environmental footprint. This feasibility study represents a significant step towards achieving those objectives.”

Worley’s expertise in engineering and consultancy services including in the CO2 and LNG sectors makes them an ideal partner for this endeavour. Their track record of delivering sustainability solutions aligns perfectly with the ambitious goals of Dragon LNG.

This collaboration underscores Dragon LNG’s commitment to driving sustainable practices within the energy sector. By exploring the integration of LNG regasification and CO2 liquefaction processes, the company aims to pave the way for a cleaner, more efficient energy future with their ambition of a net zero terminal by 2029.