KEEP WALES TIDY has today announced the Wales Coast Award winners for 2024, spotlighting the 49 coastal sites achieving the high standards required to receive a prestigious Blue Flag, Green Coast or Seaside Award.

With more and more local authorities and organisations facing pressure on reduced budgets, it is heartening to see so many continue to prioritise the delivery of the exceptional standards required to achieve these awards in the stunning coastal areas which surround our beautiful country.

Blue Flag is managed internationally by FEE (the Foundation for Environmental Education) and is one of the world’s most recognised awards for beaches, marinas and boats. The programme’s mission is to promote environmental education, sustainable development of tourism, environmental management systems and ensure safety and access for beach users.

The 24 Welsh beaches achieving this accolade must adhere to specific criteria related not only to water quality, but also information provision, environmental education, safety, and site management in equal measure.

Alongside the 24 Blue Flag awards, 13 beaches in Wales were awarded the Green Coast Award which recognises their clean environment, excellent water quality and natural beauty. Green Coast Awards are ‘hidden gems’ along the Welsh coastline, exceptional places to visit and enjoy diversity and rich coastal heritage.

In addition, a total of 12 beaches, including Aberporth and Rhyl Central, also achieved the Seaside Award for the standard of their facilities and water quality.

This continued recognition of our stunning Welsh coastline is due once again to the huge effort of staff and volunteers at sites across Wales, and a shared drive to protect and preserve our natural landscape in the face of increasingly challenging circumstances.

Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies, said: “Wales boasts some of Europe’s finest beaches and water quality, and the global recognition of our coastline is a true reflection of the dedication and hard work of so many people, today we celebrate the announcement of 49 winners for the Wales Coast Awards 2024.

“With 24 Blue Flag awards, 13 Green Coast Awards, and 12 Seaside Awards, I commend the dedication to preserving our pristine coastal environments.

“As we celebrate in this achievement, let us also heed the call to protect and preserve our coastal treasures. Let’s ensure that we leave nothing but footprints, allowing these breathtaking spaces to be enjoyed for many generations to come.”

Owen Derbyshire, Keep Wales Tidy Chief Executive said: “We’re delighted to see another successful year of Coast Awards here in Wales, with 49 stunning locations recognised among the world’s best.

“Achieving these prestigious awards means meeting rigorous standards put in place to ensure the safe enjoyment of visitors now and in years to come. This success is testament to the hard work of all involved in maintaining and enhancing the natural beauty of our Welsh coastline.”

A full list of awards can be found on the Keep Wales Tidy website here

THE WITHYHEDGE landfill site will be closed to all waste inputs, except engineering material, starting Wednesday, May 15.

The company behind the controversial and stinking landfill site, RML, announced the move ahead of the end of an enforcement notice from Natural Resources Wales.

RML’s announcement followed Pembrokeshire County Council’s decision to seek an injunction against the company to curtail their activities on site.

The Council’s letter of claim states the local authority has received 62 complaints about the stench from Withyhedge and notes, and NRW has received 2400.

It also addresses how the scandal has unfolded.

“In March 2022, ownership of RML passed to Dauson Environmental Group from Potter Group. It is noteworthy that Mr David John Neal is your director and the director at Dauson.

“He has been twice prosecuted for environmental offences in south Wales. Around November 2023, the Council began receiving complaints about a malodour escaping from the landfill and adversely affecting residents.

“Initially, our pollution control team directed complaints to Natural Resources Wales (NRW) because of its role as the environmental regulator. However, the sudden volume of complaints prompted the Council to contact NRW itself in early December.”

“The Council’s case is straightforward. In causing or permitting noxious and offensive gases to escape the landfill… you are committing the tort of public nuisance.”

In light of “over-tipping”, acknowledged by David Neal at a Council scrutiny committee meeting in March,  the Council also asked RML to disclose its records of waste brought in or removed from the landfill.

The Council also asked for the disclosure of documents relevant to the proceedings, including records of waste brought in or removed from the landfill.

In April, NRW issued an enforcement notice to compel RML to address problems at the Rudbaxton site.

NRW officers will conduct a series of assessments this week to determine whether RML has completed specified actions to address the ongoing odour issues.

RML’s announcement that they intend to voluntarily cease waste acceptance temporarily at the landfill from May 14 does not affect the deadline in the Notice.

Tests and assessments will continue on-site and off-site to establish progress against the need to reduce emissions. 

Officers will also conduct a full-site inspection to assess RML’s compliance with their permit. 

Once those assessments have been completed, NRW will then be in a position to establish whether the operator has complied with all elements of the Regulation 36 Enforcement Notice. 

If the Notice has not been fully complied with or further issues are identified, NRW will consider its enforcement response.

Huwel Manley, Head of South West Operations for NRW, said: “The May 14 deadline is the final date for RML Ltd to have completed all the actions they have identified to control the odour issues at Withyhedge Landfill.

“Determining if the operator has addressed all the steps set out in our Notice and, crucially, if they have reduced odour and landfill gas emissions from the site will take some time.

“We fully understand the strength of feeling and growing impatience amongst people living and working in the surrounding communities. 

“We want to reassure them that our officers will focus their efforts on inspecting the work carried out by RML and undertaking assessments on and off-site over the days following the deadline, including a full site inspection next week.

“Only when those assessments have been completed, and data analysed will we be in a clearer position to determine if the Regulation 36 Notice has been complied with and whether the action taken by the operator has improved the odour issue.

“If the steps required in the Notice are not complied with, we will consider the appropriate further enforcement action, looking at all options available under the regulations.

“While the pressing work required by the operator progresses over the coming days, the site remains under investigation, and we will continue our regulatory efforts.”

A RURAL insurance expert is calling on Welsh residents to step up their support for local farmers, amid growing concerns over their mental health.

Freddie Hamilton-Russell of rural insurance broker Lycetts has issued his appeal during Mental Health Awareness Week, when the spotlight turns to the pressures faced by different sectors of the community.

For farmers, the combination of economic instability, market volatility, red tape, a changing subsidy regime and climate change not only threatens their livelihoods but also risks impacting their mental wellbeing.

“Farming is not just a business, it’s a way of life that demands resilience in the face of the myriad of evolving challenges,” said Hamilton-Russell.

“But even the most mentally resilient can struggle under the weight of financial and economic uncertainty. It’s important that residents support the local agricultural sector to help keep their rural communities alive.”

Hamilton-Russell highlighted several ways in which people can make a difference.

“Minor changes in shopping habits can make a big difference,” he said. “From buying local farm produce to help ensure farmers have a steady income to patronising local restaurants that champion local fare.”

In recent years, many farmers have been thrust into diversified enterprises in a bid to survive – from farm shops, cafes and glamping sites to B&Bs, wedding venues and petting farms.

“Residents can help support these new ventures, not only by visiting them, but also by promoting them to friends, family, colleagues and on their social media channels,” Hamilton-Russell added.

“In addition, our Welsh farmers also need access to mental health resources that address the unique pressures of the farming sector and wider agricultural communities.

“Organisations such as RABI (The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution) provide an invaluable service to UK farmers, helping them become more resilient and better able to cope with future challenges.

“By fostering awareness and advocating for such dedicated services, we can help safeguard the mental health of our farming community.

“Every individual can contribute to this cause. Whether it’s choosing to buy local, spreading the word about rural enterprises or supporting mental health initiatives, your actions can make a profound difference.”