News
Stepaside residents win High Court permission for council planning challenge
LAST WEEK (June 22), Stepaside and Pleasant Valley Residents Group (SPVRG) won High Court approval to challenge a PCC planning permission at the Heritage Park, Pleasant Valley, Stepaside.
On 3 March 1987 a planning permission was granted at the Heritage Park site in Pleasant Valley. In order to overcome local residents’ opposition to over-development of the site, it restricted caravans to the south of the site. It changed the use of the north to car parking only, extinguishing all rights for tents and caravans. A separate legal agreement was also signed, confirming this change and binding all future owners of the site to comply.
Unfortunately, PCC mislaid all these records from 1987 and so in 2016 they wrongly granted permission for 29 caravans in the north of the site.
Since January this year SPVRG has made repeated requests to PCC regarding the planning permissions relating to the Stepaside Industrial Heritage Project from the 1980s. Finally, PCC found the mislaid 1987 details on 11 May 2021.
However, two weeks later, on 27 May 2021, PCC proceeded to grant permission for even larger caravans in the north of the site without considering either of the rediscovered 1987 planning permission or legal agreement.
On 22 June 2021 the High Court in Cardiff, overruling PCC’s objections, granted permission for SPVRG to challenge the 2021 permission for failing to take account of the 1987 events and for six other reasons.

SPVRG had also asked the Court to consider quashing the 2016 decision at last week’s hearing, but the judge refused because it was 5 years since the decision was made.
Alec Cormack, Secretary of SPVRG said: “We are delighted that after hearing our evidence, the Court reversed its earlier decision and allowed our case to proceed to a full hearing”
He continued: “SPVRG confidently expects the final hearing, probably in October, will quash the 2021 permission and also establish that the 1987 agreement forbids all caravans in the north, including those wrongly granted permission in 2016”.
SPVRG is a residents group representing the interests of some 300 supporters, acting solely to protect our rural community from over-expansion of the caravan site, and further desecration of an area of natural beauty and historical interest.
Crime
Broad Haven man remanded in custody over sexual harm prevention order breach
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
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
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.
-
News7 days agoRayner and Lammy visit Wales to discuss justice and community safety
-
News6 days agoFishguard linked to allegations in Many Tears Animal Rescue investigation
-
News4 days agoEmergency services flood Haverfordwest after reports of person in river
-
Local Government7 days agoInvestigation confirmed after inspectors visit Many Tears Animal Rescue
-
Crime3 days agoMother given community order after admitting child cruelty offence
-
Community7 days agoTown hall takeover plan questioned as cost figures conflict
-
News3 days agoSenedd vote to ban greyhound racing hailed as ‘landmark moment’ by charities
-
Business7 days agoOil firm praised for putting customers first during price surge








