News

Green infrastructure project nominated for prestigious planning industry award

Published

5 years ago

March 8, 2021

A GREEN infrastructure partnership project in Haverfordwest has been named as one of six UK finalists in the category for Excellence in Planning for Health and Wellbeing at the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Awards for Planning Excellence 2021.

The Cleddau Reaches project has created many popular eco-friendly features on the town’s rural outskirts, including:

A new 3km circular path on the banks of the river Cleddau with a new footbridge
Habitat restoration at the nature reserves at Priory Saltings and the Old Mill grounds (including the creation of artificial otter holts)
A new kayak access to the river
Management of invasive non-native species at the Old Mill grounds and flood alleviation measures
A new living green wall on the riverbank in the town centre

The project has aimed to enhance wellbeing, encourage a better sense of connection between residents/visitors and the natural environment, and restore a heavily modified part of the Cleddau, said Cllr Phil Baker, Cabinet Member for Infrastructure.

“It has also created a much improved connectivity between Haverfordwest and its beautiful rural surroundings,” said Cllr Baker.

Cleddau Reaches project

He added: “It’s been heartening to know how popular the project has been. During lockdown, many local residents in Haverfordwest enjoyed the opportunity to get some fresh air, exercise and explore the countryside and riverbanks on their doorstep and we hope that was beneficial to them.”

The Cleddau Reaches scheme is run by Pembrokeshire County Council and involves a range of organisations including Natural Resources Wales, Haverfordwest Town Council, Bridge Meadow Trust, Hywel Dda Health Board, Welsh Government, Haverfordwest Kayak Club, Pembrokeshire College, Bluestone Resort and the Landfill Communities Tax.

“One of the reasons the project has been so successful is because of its collaborative nature,” said Cllr Baker.

“As well as working with several organisations and local County Councillors, the project has also engaged with training (through Pembrokeshire College), volunteers, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority Youth Rangers and Norman Industries social enterprise – all of which has helped to strengthen the work taking place.”

The RTPI Awards for Planning Excellence are the most established and respected awards in the UK planning industry. Running for over 40 years, they celebrate exceptional examples of planning and the contribution planners make to society.

RTPI President Wei Yang FRTPI said: “Many congratulations to all the finalists at this year’s RTPI Awards for Planning Excellence – these projects, teams and individuals showcase the very best of the planning profession from all the RTPI’s regions and nations and from countries around the world.

“For over 40 years, these prestigious awards have celebrated the exceptional work undertaken by town planners. In the middle of a global pandemic, I believe they are more relevant than ever before, recognising the incredible commitment and dedication of planners who have risen to the challenge of responding to the impacts of Covid-19 on the planning system.

Cleddau Reaches path near bridge meadow

“I wish all the finalists the very best of luck at the ceremony on 29 April.”

Sarah Elliott MRTPI, UK&I Town Planning Lead for Buildings + Places at AECOM, said: “AECOM is proud to once again be a headline sponsor of this year’s RTPI Awards for Planning Excellence. The finalists are a diverse mixture of outstanding examples of planning, including new responses driven by the pandemic and climate change. Once again this demonstrates the breadth of the impact the profession has on quality place making and delivery in the built environment, alongside our resilience to evolve and adapt.”

The winners will be announced during a ceremony held virtually in the Awards Room on Evessio at 4pm on Thursday, April 29, 2021.

The RTPI champions the power of planning in creating prosperous places and vibrant communities. It is the only body in the UK that confers Chartered status to planners, the highest professional qualification sought after by employers. It supports its members – over 26,000 worldwide – throughout their careers.

Crime

Broad Haven man remanded in custody over sexual harm prevention order breach

Published

16 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Court Reporter

Defendant admitted using Xbox without informing police as required under court order

ANTHONY COOMBES, aged 26, of Sand Banks, Broad Haven, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Mar 20) charged with breaching a sexual harm prevention order.

The court heard that between February 26 and March 19, 2026, at Haverfordwest, Coombes repeatedly breached the order by using an Xbox device without informing police within three days, as required.

The offences relate to a sexual harm prevention order imposed at Swansea Crown Court on October 20, 2021.

Coombes indicated guilty pleas to the offences at the first hearing.

Magistrates committed the case to Swansea Crown Court for sentence.

He was remanded in custody ahead of the next hearing, which is due to take place at 9:00am on Friday, April 3, at Swansea Crown Court.

The court refused bail on the grounds that he was likely to offend, citing the nature and seriousness of the offences and his previous record and character.

A pre-sentence report was ordered.

News

Man arrested after suspected drugs-related death in Haverfordwest

Published

16 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Police say death not suspicious as 46-year-old arrested over alleged Class A drug supply

A MAN has died following a medical emergency at a property in Haverfordwest, police have confirmed.

Emergency services were called at 3:18pm on Wednesday (March 18) after a report of a medical incident.

A man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the man’s next of kin have been informed and are being supported by officers.

The death is not being treated as suspicious at this time.

However, police confirmed that a man, aged 46, was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.

He has since been released under investigation while enquiries continue.

No further details about the deceased have been formally released.

Crime

Illegal dog breeders ordered to pay over £129,000 after council probe

Published

17 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

FOUR people from Mynyddygarreg, Kidwelly, have been ordered to pay more than £129,000 following a successful prosecution for illegal dog breeding.

At Swansea Crown Court on Tuesday (Mar 10), before His Honour Judge Thomas KC, Stacey May June Edwards, Peter John Edwards, Sian Eleri Thomas and David Malcolm James Thomas, all of Sea Breeze, Mynyddygarreg, pleaded guilty to offences under the Breeding of Dogs (Wales) Regulations 2014.

The court imposed confiscation orders totalling £129,873.41 under the Proceeds of Crime Act across the four defendants. They were also ordered to pay £8,000 in costs, while each defendant received a £2,000 fine.

The investigation began in April 2021 after Carmarthenshire County Council’s Animal Health team received an enquiry from Peter Edwards about obtaining a dog breeding licence. Although licensing guidance was provided and a partial application was submitted in February 2022, this was later withdrawn.

In March 2024, the council received a complaint that puppies were being advertised for sale without the required licence. Officers subsequently contacted online advertising platforms and issued data requests to assess the scale of activity.

Analysis of records from Pets4Homes, Freeads and Gumtree revealed multiple litters being advertised by members of the same household.

Correspondence under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act confirmed that up to 25 dogs were kept at the property, including between 16 and 19 breeding females.

While some defendants claimed joint ownership of the dogs, others attempted to minimise their involvement.

The Herald understands that numerous puppy advertisements were posted between July 2020 and April 2025, demonstrating a sustained pattern of unlicensed breeding.

Carmarthenshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Decarbonisation and Sustainability, Cllr Aled Vaughan Owen, said: “This case demonstrates the council’s firm stance against unlicensed and illegal dog breeding.

“These regulations are in place to protect animal welfare and ensure that breeding activities are subject to proper oversight. The scale of activity uncovered at this property was entirely unacceptable, and we welcome the court’s decision to issue significant confiscation orders under POCA.”

He added: “We urge anyone with concerns about illegal dog breeding to report it. Our Animal Health officers will continue to investigate thoroughly and take action against those who disregard the law.”

Residents are reminded that anyone breeding and selling dogs must comply with licensing regulations designed to protect both animal welfare and consumers.