News

Economic forum discusses regional development success

Published

2 years ago

December 9, 2023

SUPPORTING rural businesses remains one of the most important challenges in realising the potential of Mid and West Wales, Senedd Member Eluned Morgan told a group of industry leaders who gathered in Pembrokeshire recently.

The meeting updated on the progress made since the publication of Senedd Member Eluned Morgan’s influential Time to Meet the Challenge rural development strategy. Published in 2017, the document set several priorities to propel the economy of rural Mid and West Wales, whilst meeting the unique challenges that impact our coastal and rural communities.

The 2017 report set out a 6-point plan addressing a number of issues:

BUILDING ON THE INFRASTRUCTURE OF RURAL WALES
INCREASING RURAL WALES’ SKILLS AND PRODUCTIVITY
GROWING OUR BUSINESSES
PROMOTING FOOD, FARMING AND FORESTRY
USING THE FOUNDATIONAL ECONOMY TO ENSURE LOCAL JOBS ARE PROVIDED FOR LOCAL PEOPLE
MAXIMISING TOURISM POTENTIAL

Over the last 6 months, Eluned Morgan and her team have reviewed progress against the proposals of the original report. The meeting held at Blackpool Mill near Pembrokeshire’s Bluestone resort was attended by some of the prime contributors to the original report, including William McNamara (Bluestone), Eirwen Williams (Menter a Busnes), Elinor Williams (Ofcom) and Stephen Thornton (Milford Haven Enterprise Zone) to take stock of delivery and assess where the next focus for delivery needs to be set.

Significantly, economic and political factors such as the upheaval of leaving the European Union, the shift in resourcing to manage the Covid-19 pandemic, more recent higher interest rates and massive inflationary pressures have had a detrimental impact on making as much economic headway, as hoped.

However, against a backdrop of economic uncertainty, Eluned Morgan MS reported that in spite of these challenges, the delivery review showcased substantial achievements in infrastructure, skills and productivity improvement, business nurturing, agricultural promotion, and harnessing the potential of the foundational economy and tourism.

Eluned Morgan said “Despite the fact that the economy of rural Wales has been battered by strong economic headwinds, it is heartening to find that there are countless examples in the updated document, which set out how economic transformation is underway in rural Wales.”

In 2017, there were hardly any Electric Vehicle chargers, but today, thanks to a multi-million pound investment by Welsh Government, there now 670 in the Mid and West Wales region. The development of a uniquely Welsh free port in south west Wales, underpinned by a £26 million investment by Welsh Government will create new jobs and investment opportunities at an important time for securing Wales’ position in offshore renewable energy generation.

William McNamara, CEO of Bluestone National Park Resort, said: “We were very pleased to welcome the committee to Black Pool Mill for such an important meeting. Businesses in rural Wales are a crucial part of Wales’ overall economy. They not only support jobs, they are the backbone of the rural economy and communities.

“Quite often our voice is lost amidst the urban areas of South Wales and so having a chance to highlight our views and discuss the economic matters that affect businesses and communities in rural Wales is vitally important.”

Since 2019, the Rural Bursary has helped to nurture young entrepreneurs in rural Wales. Mentoring support enables young people to find their feet in establishing their own business, ensuring that we retain next generation in our villages and small towns. For those seeking to study, financial assistance is in place to support students for their degree-related expenses, this year £100,000 has been awarded to students from rural areas.

The Welsh Government’s Transforming Towns programme is providing flexibility to local authorities to prioritise support for towns in need, leading to significant benefits for seaside towns. Moreover, the Welsh Government’s response to the discontinuation of the UK Government’s Coastal Communities Fund involved allocating £6 million over two financial years (2021-23) to bolster economic development and regeneration in coastal areas, focusing on job creation, protection, and high street rejuvenation.

In 2022, the Welsh Government announced a £1million investment in the Food and Drink Development Centre to support the development of the hydroponics industry in Wales with backing for projects in Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire.

The Welsh Government has also offered funding for the development of extra care facilities and care hubs in rural areas. As an example, the Tŷ Gwyn Extra Care Facility in Ceredigion. Community housing organisations receive support and funding from the Welsh Government to take a lead role in developing these facilities.

The 2017 document laid the foundations for Welsh Labour’s Rural Manifesto published in the lead up to the 2021 election which placed a focus on supporting the rural economy across all departments and which has formed part of the current programme for government.

Business

First wind turbine components arrive as LNG project moves ahead

Published

39 minutes ago

December 4, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THE FIRST ship carrying major components for Dragon LNG’s new onshore wind turbines docked at Pembroke Port yesterday afternoon, marking the start of physical deliveries for the multi-million-pound renewable energy project.

The Maltese-registered general cargo vessel Peak Bergen berthed at Pembroke Dock shortly after 4pm on Wednesday, bringing tower sections and other heavy components for the three Enercon turbines that will eventually stand on land adjacent to the existing gas terminal at Waterston.

A second vessel, the Irish-flagged Wilson Flex IV, is due to arrive in the early hours of this morning (Thursday) carrying the giant rotor blades.

The deliveries follow a successful trial convoy on 25 November, when police-escorted low-loader trailers carried dummy loads along the planned route from the port through Pembroke, past Waterloo roundabout and up the A477 to the Dragon LNG site.

Dragon LNG’s Community and Social Performance Officer, Lynette Round, confirmed the latest movements in emails to the Herald.

“The Peak Bergen arrived yesterday with the first components,” she said. “We are expecting another delivery tomorrow (Thursday) onboard the Wilson Flex IV. This will be blades and is currently showing an ETA of approximately 03:30.”

The £14.3 million project, approved by Welsh Ministers last year, will see three turbines with a combined capacity of up to 13.5 MW erected on company-owned land next to the LNG terminal. Once operational – expected in late 2026 – they will generate enough electricity to power the entire site, significantly reducing its carbon footprint.

Port of Milford Haven shipping movements showed the Peak Bergen approaching the Haven throughout Wednesday morning before finally tying up at the cargo berth in Pembroke Dock. Cranes began unloading operations yesterday evening.

Weather conditions are currently favourable for this morning’s arrival of the Wilson Flex IV, which was tracking south of the Smalls at midnight.

The abnormal-load convoys carrying the components from the port to Waterston are expected to begin next week, subject to final police and highway approvals.

A community benefit fund linked to the project will provide training opportunities and energy-bill support for residents in nearby Waterston, Llanstadwell and Neyland.

Further updates will be issued by Dragon LNG as the Port of Milford Haven as the delivery programme continues.

Photo: Martin Cavaney

Crime

Banned for 40 months after driving with cocaine breakdown product in blood

Published

44 minutes ago

December 4, 2025

Sarah-Jane Absalom

A MILFORD HAVEN woman has been handed a lengthy driving ban after admitting driving with a controlled drug in her system more than ten times over the legal limit.

SENTENCED AT HAVERFORDWEST

Sally Allen, 43, of Wentworth Close, Hubberston, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Dec 4) for sentencing, having pleaded guilty on November 25 to driving with a proportion of a specified controlled drug above the prescribed limit.

The court heard that Allen was stopped on August 25 on the Old Hakin Road at Tiers Cross while driving an Audi A3. Blood analysis showed 509µg/l of Benzoylecgonine, a breakdown product of cocaine. The legal limit is 50µg/l.

COMMUNITY ORDER AND REHABILITATION

Magistrates imposed a 40-month driving ban, backdated to her interim disqualification which began on November 25.

Allen was also handed a 12-month community order, requiring her to complete 10 days of rehabilitation activities as directed by the Probation Service.

She was fined £120, ordered to pay £85 prosecution costs and a £114 surcharge. Her financial penalties will be paid in £25 monthly instalments from January 1, 2026.

The bench—Mrs H Roberts, Mr M Shankland and Mrs J Morris—said her guilty plea had been taken into account when passing sentence.

Local Government

Sewage leak at Pembroke Commons prompts urgent clean-up works

Published

2 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Council pollution officers say they have no enforcement powers over Welsh Water infrastructure

SEWAGE contamination on the Commons in Pembroke has prompted an urgent response from pollution officers, after a leak was reported by a member of the public on Tuesday.

Pembrokeshire County Council’s Pollution Control Team confirmed they were alerted yesterday afternoon to sewage surrounding a manhole cover on the site. The Herald understands that officers immediately notified Welsh Water (DCWW) network technicians to investigate the incident “as a matter of urgency”.

County councillor Jonathan Grimes, who represents Pembroke St Mary South and Monkton, said the authority had been clear that it holds no enforcement powers over Welsh Water assets.

“Whilst we work constructively with Welsh Water, we have no authority to intervene on their apparatus or to carry out enforcement action against them for such pollution incidents,” the Pollution Control Team said in a statement shared with the councillor.

Urgent works underway

Council officers visited the site on Wednesday morning alongside contractors and Welsh Water technicians to assess clean-up options. According to the team, works will include cleaning the contaminated ground in and around the manhole cover and fencing off the affected area “until safe”.

Cllr Grimes said officers would return to the scene on Thursday to check on progress and ensure the area is properly secured.

Residents who notice any further issues have been urged to contact the Pollution Control Team directly.

Further updates are expected later this week.