News
Property owner alleges harassment from Park
A DISGRUNTLED man from Myachlog Ddu has spoken to the Herald regarding what he believes to be harassment from a Pembrokeshire Coast National Park enforcement officer. Geraint Owens said that over a dispute regarding tenants in his property, the enforcement officer has breached the professional code of conduct by continually harassing him and the tenants of his property. He is due to appear in court in September for failure to return a Planning Contravention Notice. However he has told the Herald that he does not live in the property, has not received a Planning Contravention Notice and he does not wish to state his current place of residence in fear of continued harassment. Mr Owens said: “On numerous occasions the enforcement officer has parked his car outside the property in Mynachlog Ddu for up to two hours, and has been seen by neighbours with a camera taking photographs. He has entered the private garden of the property and knocked on the back door and demanding my tenants tell him where I am.” Mr Owens went on to say that the enforcement officer has also begun harassing him at work. “I’m a builder, and the National Park enforcement officer has turned up at my place of work and told the owners that they have lost their planning. I have then had the owner on the phone to me in tears saying that a National Park officer has said they have lost their planning. I have then had to get building surveyors out to reassure my employers that they have in fact not lost their planning. This is highly unprofessional from an employee of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.” Dyfed Powys Police have been called, Mr Owens said, but because of the up coming court date in September, they are reluctant to pursue a criminal investigation, but have noted the complaint from Mr Owens. A spokesperson for the National Park Authority said: “The authority has brought prosecution proceedings against Mr Owens under Section 171D of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended) for failure to return a Planning Contravention Notice. “A Planning Contravention Notice is served when the authority is investigating an alleged breach of planning control and needs to know more information before coming to a view as to whether a breach has actually taken place. “The case is due to be heard at Haverfordwest Magistrates Court on September 3. It would be inappropriate for the authority to comment on this matter when there is a court case pending. “The authority itself has not received a formal complaint from Mr Owens in relation to this matter.”
Business
Ferry Terminal ‘extremely busy’ due to ongoing Holyhead closure
PEMBROKE DOCK Ferry Terminal has been experiencing significant congestion today as ferry services remain under immense pressure following the closure of Holyhead Port earlier this month.
The disruption, caused by storm damage, has rerouted ferry traffic through Pembrokeshire, leading to long queues and crowded facilities at the terminal.
The Herald can confirm that it has been very busy today with cars, lorries, and foot passengers queuing in large numbers. Staff are working tirelessly to manage the influx, directing vehicles and assisting passengers as they prepare to board the heavily booked ferries.
A spokesperson for the Port of Milford Haven said: “We are working closely with ferry operators and local authorities to ensure traffic flows as smoothly as possible, but the sheer volume of vehicles is causing unavoidable delays.”
Travelers are being urged to arrive early for their sailings and to remain patient as the terminal operates at full capacity.
Both Stena Line and Irish Ferries have increased capacity on their Pembrokeshire routes, deploying larger vessels, including the Stena Adventurer and the MV James Joyce, to handle the surge in demand.
From our position at the terminal, our photographer has captured photos showing long lines of vehicles, groups of foot passengers carrying luggage, and port staff coordinating efforts to ease congestion.
Authorities are advising non-essential travelers to consider rescheduling their journeys where possible and to monitor updates from ferry operators closely.
(Photos: Martin Cavaney/Herald)
Community
Festive celebrations at St Davids Cathedral this weekend
ST DAVIDS Cathedral is set to host two special events on Sunday (Dec 22), offering a blend of joyful participation and traditional carol singing to mark the Christmas season.
In the morning, families are invited to the Scratch Nativity at 11:00am. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed as wise men, angels, sheep, or shepherds and take part in an unrehearsed retelling of the Christmas story. Canon Leigh described the event as: “Complete, wonderful chaos for an hour… but with some poignant, thought-provoking moments to centre ourselves on the real meaning of Christmas.”
Later in the evening, the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols by Candlelight will take place at 7:00pm, featuring the Cathedral Choir. The event, steeped in tradition, will see the cathedral bathed in candlelight as carols and scripture readings fill the historic space.
Doors will open at 5:45pm for those seeking unreserved seating, and a large turnout is expected for this beloved Christmas celebration.
Crime
Three men from London admit their guilt over illegal cannabis farm
THREE men admit their guilt after police discover over 700 cannabis plants during a raid on a former school building in Llandysul.
Officers from Dyfed-Powys Police executed a warrant at the former Ysgol Gynradd Llandysul on Heol Llyn Y Fran on November 15. Inside, they found 737 cannabis plants spread across multiple rooms.
Armeld Troksi, 29, and Njazi Gjana, 27, both from Empire Avenue in Edmonton, London, along with Ervin Gjana, 24, from Durham Avenue in Romford, were arrested at the scene and later charged with producing cannabis.
The three men appeared before Swansea Crown Court, where they admitted their involvement in the illegal operation. Defence solicitor Joshua Scouller requested a pre-sentence report for Ervin Gjana, which was granted by Judge Geraint Walters.
Sentencing is scheduled for January 20.
A Dyfed-Powys Police spokesperson said: “Following a warrant executed at the former school on Heol Llyn Y Fran, officers discovered a significant cannabis grow containing 737 plants.
“We are grateful to the local community for their continued support and cooperation. Officers will remain in the area while the site is secured.
“Our commitment remains firm in disrupting drug production and supply networks across our force area.
“We encourage residents to report any suspicious activity, no matter how small it may seem. Every piece of information can make a difference, and reports can easily be submitted through our website.”
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