Connect with us
Advertisement
Advertisement

News

Angle turbines rejected

Published

on

Peace undisturbed: St Decumanus’ Church (LLandegwan), Rhoscrowther

Peace undisturbed: St Decumanus’ Church (LLandegwan), Rhoscrowther

AN APPEAL by Rhoscrowther Windfarm Ltd against the refusal of planning permission for the construction of 5 wind turbines has been dismissed by the Planning Inspectorate.

In a lengthy written decision, Planning Inspector Alwyn Nixon concluded that the impact of the plans on the natural and heritage environment of the area far outweighed any potential benefit from permitting the development to proceed.

The windfarm developers did not dispute that the turbines would significantly impact upon the landscape character for up to two kilometres from their proposed position. However, it argued that the proximity of other nearby industrial developments, specifically the Valero refinery, meant that the turbines would both complement and blend in to the setting.

That argument was rejected by the planning inspector, who described the case advanced as unconvincing. The Inspector determined: “The visual and spatial character of the proposed development is very different to the refinery; I do not consider that the development would be seen as complementary to the refinery, somehow assimilated into the landscape by the refinery’s presence or as a consolidation of what is already present.”

LANDSCAPE WOULD BE DISFIGURED

The Inspector further concluded that the pastoral nature of the landscape would be disfigured by the introduction of ‘prominent and large-scale man-made structures into the narrow wedge of pastoral landscape between the Valero refinery and the National Park’.

While objections had been received on a number of bases, including the potential of disturbing horses on neighbouring bridleways, several were rejected as being unsupported by evidence or overstated.

The key determining factor appears to be the impact of the development on the area around St Decumanus’ Church. In that respect, the Inspector concluded that the construction of the turbines would have a pervasive presence and would be ‘a prominent and distracting feature’ impinging on the secluded and peaceful nature of the Church and its grounds.

NO DECLINING NEED

However, the Inspector expressly rejected the argument advanced by the County Council in its original decision that the turbines were unnecessary as there was a declining need for energy from renewable resources. The Inspector suggests that the Council appears to view renewable targets as a limit to be reached, as opposed to a target to be achieved or exceeded.

In respect of the social and economic benefits of the scheme, the Inspector noted the potential for the creation of just over one full time equivalent job in Pembrokeshire as a result of the scheme’s development and further noted the community benefits that would flow from it, if approved.

The Inspector balanced the proposal against the local development plan, having rejected a suggestion made by the developer that proximity to Pembroke Dock and Milford Haven meant that it fell with the Ports’ energy-related development plan. He concluded, however, that none of those factors outweighed the ‘substantial visual harm’ to significant parts of the National Park. In particular, the Inspector highlighted the significant harm to the landscape around Angle Bay and Freshwater West.

 

1 Comment

1 Comment

  1. jet better

    December 26, 2025 at 9:22 pm

    Thanks for breaking this down into easy-to-understand terms.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Local Government

Consultation over electoral changes to eight Pembrokeshire community councils

Published

on

Residents are being asked for their views on proposed changes affecting councillor numbers and electoral arrangements in communities across the county

PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL is inviting residents, organisations and other interested parties to have their say on proposed changes to the electoral arrangements of eight community councils across the county.

The consultation follows recommendations published by the Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru in January 2025 as part of a wider review of Pembrokeshire’s community boundaries and local electoral arrangements.

The Commission’s review considered whether the county’s existing communities and community wards continued to provide effective and convenient local government.

It examined issues including community boundaries, the number of councillors serving each area, the distribution of councillors between community wards and whether existing arrangements continued to reflect local populations and community identities.

While a number of the Commission’s recommendations involved changes to community boundaries, it also proposed alterations to the electoral arrangements of some community councils where no boundary changes were recommended.

Those particular proposals could not be introduced through the original community review process and must now be considered separately by Pembrokeshire County Council.

The latest consultation concerns the following communities:

  • Lamphey
  • Llanrhian
  • Martletwy
  • Nolton and Roch
  • Pencaer
  • St Dogmaels
  • Stackpole and Castlemartin
  • Wolfscastle

The proposals could affect matters such as the number of councillors elected to individual community councils and how council seats are distributed between community wards.

Community and town councils form the most local tier of elected government. They represent the interests of their communities and may be responsible for services and facilities including public spaces, community buildings, play areas, noticeboards and local events.

The County Council said it was seeking views from residents and organisations with connections to the communities affected to ensure that local perspectives were considered before any decisions were made.

The consultation will open on Tuesday, July 28, and close on Friday, September 11, 2026.

Full details of the proposed changes and supporting documents will be available through Pembrokeshire County Council’s Have Your Say consultation portal.

Residents will be able to review the proposals affecting their community and submit comments online.

Paper copies of the consultation documents can also be requested by contacting the Council’s Customer Contact Centre on 01437 764551 or emailing [email protected].

Anyone with questions about the proposals or the review process is encouraged to contact the Council’s electoral services team.

 

Continue Reading

Community

Narberth Eisteddfod fundraisers celebrate reaching £8,000 target

Published

on

Community support and a £2,000 contribution from Narberth Town Council help committee achieve its fundraising goal

Narberth Eisteddfod Fundraising Committee is celebrating after successfully reaching its £8,000 fundraising target.

The milestone follows a busy programme of events organised by the committee, each of which received strong support from residents, businesses and community groups across the Narberth area.

Committee chair Glinys Meredydd thanked everyone who had helped make the campaign a success.

She said: “I would like to thank all members of the Narberth Eisteddfod team for their hard work and commitment.

“They organised some fantastic events, which were extremely well supported by the local community.

“I would also like to thank Narberth Town Council, which donated £2,000 on behalf of the people of Narberth.”

The committee will hold one final fundraising event with a last sale of its locally produced and hand-printed Eisteddfod Garreg Las 2026 T-shirts.

Members of the public are invited to visit the committee at Narberth Carnival Field on Saturday, July 25, where they will have a final opportunity to buy or win one of the T-shirts and join the celebrations ahead of the Eisteddfod’s return to Pembrokeshire.

The committee has thanked everyone who attended an event, made a donation, volunteered their time, purchased a T-shirt or helped promote the campaign.

Reaching the £8,000 target has been described as a powerful example of what can be achieved when the Narberth community comes together in support of Welsh language and culture.

 

Continue Reading

Crime

Man, 37, found dead following major police response in Pembroke Dock

Published

on

Death not being treated as suspicious as police make statutory referral to IOPC following active investigation

A 37-YEAR-OLD man has been found dead at Warrior Way in Pembroke Dock.

Dyfed-Powys Police said officers attended the area at around 7pm on Sunday, July 19, after concerns were raised for the welfare of an individual.

There was a significant police presence in the area, with several units positioned at the scene on Sunday and further police activity continuing into Monday.

The scale of the response prompted speculation among members of the public about the nature of the incident.

Police have now confirmed that the man was found deceased and that his death is not being treated as suspicious.

His next of kin have been informed.

HM Coroner has been advised, and officers will continue to assist with the coroner’s investigation.

The matter has also been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct because the man had been involved in an active police investigation.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the referral was made in line with the IOPC’s statutory referral criteria.

Such referrals are required in certain circumstances and do not, in themselves, indicate that police officers or staff are suspected of wrongdoing.

 

Continue Reading

Crime4 hours ago

Man, 37, found dead following major police response in Pembroke Dock

Death not being treated as suspicious as police make statutory referral to IOPC following active investigation A 37-YEAR-OLD man has...

Community8 hours ago

Household Cavalry drum horse returns home to Pembrokeshire for final farewell

Dyfed Willa Rose, who became Major Juno and the first mare to serve as a Household Cavalry Drum Horse, was...

News1 day ago

Jo Stevens out as Welsh Secretary as Burnham reshapes government

Cardiff East MP repeatedly visited Pembrokeshire to champion clean energy jobs, but her successor inherits unresolved questions over Milford Haven’s...

Crime1 day ago

Teen cleared of attempted murder but guilty of GBH after Milford teacher stabbed

Jury returns 11-1 majority verdict on charge of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, with sentencing set for September 3...

Community1 day ago

French troops march through Fishguard as Britain’s last invasion returns to life

Battle scenes, cavalry displays and a surrender procession brought one of Pembrokeshire’s most extraordinary stories back to the streets MUSKET...

News1 day ago

Andy Burnham promises new politics as he enters Downing Street

New Prime Minister admits politicians have “not been good enough” as he sets out a ten-year plan for Britain and...

Health2 days ago

Two new surgeons appointed as Hywel Dda admits orthopaedic waits remain too long

Health board says it is increasing capacity after figures revealed hip replacement patients waited an average of 64 weeks HYWEL...

Community3 days ago

84-year-old man rescued after falling overboard near Tenby

A MAYDAY call sparked a major nighttime rescue after an 84-year-old man fell from a tender and was swept towards...

Crime4 days ago

Jury hears final arguments in Milford Haven teacher stabbing trial

Defence says there was no motive or intention to kill as judge reviews competing accounts of classroom knife incident SPECIAL...

News4 days ago

Andy Burnham becomes Labour leader and prepares to enter No 10

Former Greater Manchester mayor promises an ‘unashamedly Labour’ government after completing extraordinary return to Westminster ANDY BURNHAM has been formally...

Popular in the last two days