News
Milford Haven Port Authority waste permit granted
NATURAL RESOURCES WALES (NRW) has confirmed on Thursday (Jan 9) has granted an environmental permit to Milford Haven Port Authority for a waste storage and transfer station at Pembroke Dock.
The decision follows a thorough assessment of the company’s plans, which has included consultations with local people, businesses and professional bodies such as Public Health Wales and Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service.
The company has demonstrated that it can meet all the legal, environmental and health requirements of UK, Welsh and European law to receive a permit and operate the waste site.
A copy of NRW’s decision document, and the company’s permit is available to view online on NRW’s public register. The permit contains strict conditions covering how much waste can be stored on the site, which types of waste and where it can be stored. It also requires a phased approach to operations.
Gavin Bown, Operations Manager from Natural Resources Wales said: “We have closely scrutinised Milford Haven Port Authority’s plans, and taken on board all relevant information that has been provided to us through our consultations. The company has demonstrated that they have the right plans and procedures in place to run this site safely.
“We want to reassure people that the conditions we have placed in the permit are there to safeguard people and the environment.
“Before they can start accepting waste they will need to secure planning permission, and other permissions from organisations such as Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water. Once they start running the site, they will need to abide by our permit conditions to run their site legally. The site will also be closely regulated by our officers to make sure it operates within the conditions of its environmental permit.”
During the consultations, concerns such as the suitability of the location, increased traffic congestion and noise were also raised by the community. These issues are outside the scope of the environment permit, but can be considered as part of a planning application.
The Port Authority plans to temporarily store non-hazardous baled waste and loose wood waste on its yard before it is shipped offsite. It is waste which is intended for use as fuel in offsite energy from waste facilities.
Another waste site is located on the same dockyard, operated by Pembrokeshire County Council. It recently applied to change its environmental permit to expand the area of land on which it stores waste, and to increase the types of waste it accepts in line with its new recycling regime. NRW’s assessment of this is ongoing and a decision will be announced in due course.
Local Councillor, Paul Dowson told The Herald in a statement: “This was a done deal from day one, it beggars belief that NRW have granted this licence.
He added: “MHPA could have put this facility to much better and more profitable use. This clearly demonstrates the disregard they have for the town in which they conduct their business. This fight is far from over and I call on the people of Pembroke Dock to join me in ensuring this licence is not used to turn our town into the rubbish bin of Wales. This requires everyone to act and not simply talk about it any longer. Without actions we will be lumbered with England’s waste sitting on our quayside for weeks at a time.”
Crime
Banned for sleeping in car whilst over the drink drive limit
A MOTORIST caught sleeping in a BMW in MIiford Haven town centre has appeared before magistrates for being in charge of a motor vehicle when he was over the legal alcohol limit.
Police officers discovered John Steele, 30, soon after 5.30pm on March 9 when he was asleep in his red BMW which was parked in a car park at Hamilton Terrace.
“The engine was running and the lights were on,” Crown Prosecutor Abigail Jackson told District Judge Mark Layton who was sitting at Haverfordwest magistrates court this week.
“Officers smelt alcohol, he was intoxicated and he was slurring his words.”
Officers were unable to carry out a roadside breath test as a result of them not being in possession of a breathalyser at the scene of the incident. Steele was conveyed to a police custody suite where two samples of breath were subsequently taken, the lowest giving a reading of 44 mcg.
Steele, who is employed as a machine technician in Selby, pleaded guilty to the charge of being in charge of a motor vehicle while he was above the alcohol limit.
He was fined £400 and ordered to pay a £160 court surcharge and £85 costs. His licence was endorsed with ten penalty points.
Crime
Shop worked kicked police officer before attempting to bite her
CHRISTMAS festivities turned sour for Haverfordwest shop worker Bryonny Smith after she kicked an on-duty police officer before attempting to bite her.
Police officers, including a firearms officer, were called to an address in Marble Hall Road, Milford Haven, shortly after midnight on December 27. There they discovered Smith, 23, hiding in a garden.
“She was escorted to an unmarked police car but she kept banging her head and tried to bite the officer,” Crown Prosecutor Abigail Jackson told District Judge Mark Layton when he sat at Haverfordwest magistrates court earlier this week.
“The defendant then kicked out at the officer, making contact with her lower right leg.”
Meanwhile probation officer Julie Norman said that the offence was committed after Smith had spent Christmas at her boyfriend’s home in Milford Haven.
“An argument broke out and things got out of hand,” she said.
Smith, of Fleming Crescent, Haverfordwest, pleaded guilty to a charge of assaulting an emergency worker by beating.
She was sentenced to a community order during which she must carry out ten rehabilitation activity requirement days and was fined £150. She was also ordered to pay £50 compensation to the police officer, £85 costs and a £114 court surcharge.
“Biting an officer and assaulting an officer is something that this court does not tolerate,” commented Judge Layton when passing sentence.
“If you come before this court again on a similar charge, you’ll get a custodial sentence.”
Crime
Twelve weeks in jail for stealing computer tablets from McDonald’s
A HAVERFORDWEST man has been jailed after stealing two computer tablets from the counter at the town’s Mcdonald’s restaurant.
Asa Wandelt entered the Haverfordwest branch of Mcdonalds on April 7, walked up to the counter and placed a computer tablet valued at £150 inside his jacket. CCTV footage then showed Wandelt walking out of the restaurant.
Once again on April 16 Wandelt returned to Mcdonalds and stole yet another computer tablet which had been placed on the counter. Once again, he concealed it inside his coat before leaving the restaurant.
This week Wandelt appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates Court where he pleaded guilty to two charges of theft.
Probation officer Julie Norman said the offences were committed whilst Wandelt was the subject of a post-sentence supervision following his release from prison for previous offences.
”He’s disengaged with services over the past few weeks and is not addressing his drug use nor his misbehaviour, issues” she said.
Ms Norman went on to say that Wandelt was recently evicted from the Silverdale hostel in Johnston where he had been granted emergency accommodation following his release from custody. His eviction was the result of his behavioural issues.
District Judge Mark Layton sentenced Wandelt to 12 weeks in custody. He was also ordered to pay a total of £300 compensation to Mcdonalds, a £134 court surcharge and £85 costs.
-
Business5 days ago
Largest Welsh port appoints communications and marketing director
-
Crime1 day ago
Llandissilio man accused of making hundreds of child abuse images
-
Business1 day ago
Lidl GB eyes Pembroke Dock for new larger supermarket
-
Crime6 days ago
All three school stabbing victims discharged from hospital, police confirm
-
News22 hours ago
Search efforts continue for missing teenager Luke Stephenson
-
News3 days ago
‘Honest’ caravan site owner ran site ‘under the radar’ for 20 years
-
News3 hours ago
Police discover body in search for Luke Stephenson, 19
-
Community5 days ago
Suspected explosive device found on west Wales beach