News

Opponents to wind turbine scheme say eyesore will be ‘seen across most of county’

Published

3 years ago

April 4, 2023

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

THREE near-500-foot wind turbines, proposed as part of plans to develop a green energy scheme in north Pembrokeshire, could be seen by most of the county, opponents have said.

Trecwn Green Energy Hub, developed by Statkraft, Europe’s largest generator of renewable energy, is the company’s first green hydrogen project to be announced in the UK.

In plans announced late last year, it is hoped that part of the site at Trecwn Valley will soon be leading the way in making environmentally-friendly fuel for buses, HGVs, trains, and industry in Wales.

Trecwn Green Energy Hub would generate approximately three tonnes of green hydrogen a day, powered by three industrial wind turbines and a solar array.

The former Royal Navy Armaments Depot (RNAD) site at Trececwn comprises of 1,100 acres, with 56 underground tunnels and a collection of former MoD buildings.

Following that, local concerns were raised at a series of public information events.

On March 29, Statkraft said it has made changes to its initial proposal

“following feedback from local communities, stakeholders, and the wider public,” adding an Environmental Impact Assessment Scoping Report has now been submitted to Planning and Environment Wales.

It says the proposed development would comprise three turbines with a height to blade tip of up to 149.9m, with a combined generating capacity of around 15MW. The solar panel generating capacity is also expected to be around 15MW.

Statkraft said, as a result of local feedback, the project team is now considering two options for the site and has made changes to the project boundary for the solar farm.

The first option for the Trecwn Green Energy Hub, which was presented during the early engagement, was chosen for accessibility reasons, in particular the distribution of hydrogen for transport and industrial use.

The second option, which has been included in the scoping report, moves components further away from residential properties.

The final preferred location will be informed by the results of the Environmental Impact Assessment.

The area being considered for solar panels has been reduced, moving it further away from several neighbouring properties.

The 42 hectares being considered as part of Statkraft’s initial plans will be further reduced to roughly 28 hectares in the final proposals, and the layout will avoid high quality agricultural land, in line with the priorities of the Welsh Government.

It is hoped that green hydrogen generated at Trecwn will be used to power trains running on railway lines west of Swansea.

It could also power Pembrokeshire Council’s fleet of refuse collection vehicles and local buses, or local factories and businesses.

Local community group Say No to Statkraft in Trecwn reacted to the release of the scoping report, saying the three proposed 149.9m (492ft) wind turbines would be sited on a ridge some 200m above sea-level, giving them a total height of 349.9m (1,148ft).

“These would be far higher at blade tip than the nearest natural feature of Mynydd Dinas, which is 258.1m (847ft). They will also be lit with red aviation lights.”

The group says Statkraft’s Zone of Theoretical Visibility diagrams show “they would be clearly seen by a large part of Pembrokeshire, as well as outside the county”.

It added: “It’s quite staggering to see just how visible they would be, and not just from high ground. Given their very close proximity to the internationally highly prized Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, as well as many Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), it beggars belief that Statkraft could have picked this location in the first place, especially when the closest market for their product, hydrogen, is most likely at Milford Haven.”

The group made reference to a recently-rejected scheme in the south of the county.

“In January the Welsh Government’s Minister for Climate Change, Julie James, rejected plans for three 126m (413ft) turbines at Rhoscrowther in South Pembrokeshire. This site is close to highly-industrialised Milford Haven, and these smaller turbines, at sea-level, would have been barely visible outside of the area.

“It was, though, an excellent win for the wonderful Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales, as they succeeded in protecting a nearby conservation area at Angle.

“Surely, then, this Welsh Government decision sets a precedent?

“The Rhoscrowther turbines would be nowhere near as visually intrusive, as these planned for a ridge above Fishguard.”

The group says there is “little chance of Statkraft abandoning plans for the three turbines,” or the solar array as “their selling point for the hydrogen plant is that it would largely be powered by wind and solar”.

It also says the proposal would lead to very few local jobs being created, finishing by saying: “Lots of pain for North Pembrokeshire and beyond, and very little gain.

“It would make far more sense to move this scheme closer to the Milford Haven area, rather than have 15-plus HGV movements a day transporting the hydrogen to where it may be needed, and building gigantic industrial turbines in such a beautiful landscape.”

A spokesperson for Statkraft responded: “Statkraft’s early engagement on Trecwn Green Energy Hub has allowed us to make significant changes to our emerging proposals, in direct response to the feedback received from local community These include looking at an alternative site for the electrolyser, and changing the proposed boundary of the solar farm.”

The spokesperson added: “The Zone of Theoretical Visibility (ZTV) map illustrates the theoretical visibility of the wind farm, based on what is referred to as a ‘bare earth’ model. It does not account for screening effects provided by woodland, vegetation, and buildings, which reduce the extent of visibility.

“We will be producing visualisations to provide an understanding of the potential visual impact of the project, to be presented as part of our consultation activities.

Engagement

Mícheál Ó Broin, Senior Project Manager at Statkraft, said: “I’d like to thank everyone who has engaged with us, and shared their thoughts and ideas for Trecwn Green Energy Hub. It’s really encouraging that over 80 per cent of people who returned the feedback form were either strongly supportive or supportive, and to see the project recognised in the Senedd, which I think demonstrates a real appetite for green energy production in across Pembrokeshire and in Wales more widely.

“Where possible, we’ve responded to some of the key issues raised by making changes to the proposals, which are reflected in the scoping report.

“The project team will be busy over the next few months, carrying out studies and surveys and reflecting the results in the detailed proposal, which we look forward to sharing later this year.” 0 (29).jpg

Image Caption: Trecwn Green Energy Hub, developed by Statkraft, Europe’s largest generator of renewable energy

News

Recounts concern raised over new Senedd voting system

Published

7 hours ago

May 7, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Political sources warn tiny vote differences could decide final seats under Wales’ new proportional voting system, with fears of inconsistent recount decisions across the country

QUESTIONS have been raised over how recounts will be handled in Wales’ first Senedd election using the new six-member proportional voting system, amid fears that tiny vote differences could decide the final seat in some constituencies.

Under the new arrangements, Wales has been divided into larger multi-member constituencies, with six Senedd Members elected in each area using the D’Hondt system of proportional representation.

Political sources have expressed concern that the current Electoral Commission guidance may not adequately address situations where the allocation of the sixth and final seat could hinge on very small differences in party vote totals.

One political source, who asked not to be named, said the issue was not about the competence or integrity of Returning Officers, but about the lack of detailed public guidance surrounding recount decisions under the new system.

They said: “In some constituencies, the final seat may come down to a very narrow margin once the D’Hondt calculations are applied, even if no party’s overall vote total appears especially close in traditional terms.

“The concern is that there appears to be no clear guidance about how close the contest for the final seat needs to be before a recount is granted.”

The source warned that without clearer guidance there could be inconsistencies across Wales, with recounts potentially being allowed in one constituency but refused in another despite similar margins.

Electoral Commission guidance currently states that Returning Officers must be satisfied vote totals are accurate before producing a provisional result and that candidates and agents are entitled to request recounts.

However, the guidance also makes clear that Returning Officers may refuse recount requests if they consider them “unreasonable”.

The Electoral Commission said the existing rules already provide a framework for openness and transparency during the counting process, with candidates and agents allowed to inspect ballot bundles and challenge provisional results before declarations are made.

The guidance also confirms that more than one recount can take place if Returning Officers believe further recount requests are justified.

But critics argue that Wales is entering untested territory with the new electoral system, where relatively small shifts in vote totals could alter the final seat allocation after D’Hondt calculations are completed.

The Senedd election is the first to use the new system, which replaces the previous arrangement of constituency and regional members with fully proportional six-member constituencies across Wales.

This story was first reported by Nation.Cymru, you can read their report here.

Charity

Chief’s Tour honours fallen officers with 75-mile Pembrokeshire ride

Published

7 hours ago

May 7, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Dyfed-Powys Police team raises thousands for bereaved police families charity

A TEAM of officers and staff from Dyfed-Powys Police cycled 75 miles across west Wales on Wednesday (May 6) in memory of colleagues who lost their lives in the line of duty.

The annual “Chief’s Tour of Pembs 2026” saw participants travel from Fishguard to Carmarthen while raising money for the charity Care of Police Survivors, commonly known as COPS.

The force said the event raised £2,690, with funds going towards support for the families of police officers who have died while serving their communities.

Along the route, cyclists stopped at several locations to meet relatives of fallen officers and take part in moments of reflection.

In a statement shared on social media, the force said the tour was held “in memory of all Dyfed-Powys Police officers who have lost their lives in service.”

The post added: “Those we’ve lost will always remain in our thoughts.”

COPS supports the families of officers who have died on duty by organising national and regional events, helping survivors build support networks and friendships with others who have experienced similar loss.

Dyfed-Powys Police thanked members of the public who supported the cyclists during the challenge.

“A huge thank you to our community for showing our Chief’s Tour cyclists support as they passed through Pembrokeshire,” the force said.

“Your cheers, waves and encouragement kept spirits high for those taking part.”

The 75-mile challenge took riders across parts of north and west Pembrokeshire before continuing east towards Carmarthenshire, combining physical endurance with remembrance and fundraising.

Police charities such as COPS often work quietly behind the scenes, supporting bereaved families long after national attention fades following the death of an officer.

Education

Holocaust survivor’s story shared with pupils at Ysgol Greenhill

Published

8 hours ago

May 7, 2026

Tom Sinclair

MORE than 150 pupils at Ysgol Greenhill have heard the moving Holocaust testimony of the late Zigi Shipper BEM, who survived some of the most terrible events of the Second World War.

The special visit took place on Tuesday (May 5), when Mrs Lu Lawrence came to the school to speak about the life of her father.

Zigi Shipper survived the Lodz ghetto, Auschwitz-Birkenau, Stutthof concentration camp and a death march, among other traumatic events. When he was liberated by British forces, he was just 15 years old.

Mrs Lawrence spoke to Key Stage 3 and GCSE pupils, sharing not only her father’s testimony but also her own family’s story.

Ysgol Greenhill said more than 150 students attended the session and were “exceptionally well behaved”, asking thoughtful questions during the visit.

The school said: “In the current climate of increasing anti-Semitism, understanding the dangers of prejudice is more important than ever.”

The visit was arranged by the Holocaust Educational Trust, which works with schools to ensure young people continue to learn about the Holocaust and the dangers of hatred and discrimination.

The session gave pupils an opportunity to hear a deeply personal account of survival, loss and resilience, and to reflect on why Holocaust education remains so important today.

Photo caption:

Important lesson: Mrs Lu Lawrence visited Ysgol Greenhill to share the Holocaust testimony of her late father Zigi Shipper BEM (Pic: Ysgol Greenhill).