A SCHEME for a rural Pembrokeshire One Planet Development, which would eventually include a charcuterie business using meats from a rare breed ‘flerd’ and a ‘natural health service’ has been turned down by county planners.

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, Malcolm and Nichola Blunsden sought permission for the One Planet Development including a three-bed house, polytunnel and a freestanding photovoltaic array at Covert View, some one kilometre from the village of Jeffreyston, near Kilgetty.

A supporting statement through agent Sureline Design Services Ltd said of the applicants: “They have experience of managing this piece of land and are excited to have the opportunity to develop their ideas for an eco-house, rare breed ‘flerd’ [mixture of a flock and herd], a charcuterie business and a ‘natural health service’ that brings local community groups and schools closer to nature.”

Covering a five-year plan, it says the applicants would produce 56 per cent of their own food, with a small vegetable garden and polytunnel as well as a flock of chickens and ducks for eggs and meat, and will also keep geese, sheep, pigs and cattle for meat; the main enterprise on site will sell fresh meat and charcuterie products from the sheep, pigs and cattle.

“In addition to this they will develop a subsidiary enterprise based on community groups and general public visiting the site for educational and therapeutic purposes,” the statement adds.

Detailing the ‘Cleddau Charcuterie’ proposal, it says: “The overall objective is to use traditional rare breeds of Welsh farm animals, raise them in a dynamic ‘flerd’ (mixture of a flock and herd) to create a rich tapestry of diverse meadows in a regenerative ‘mob’ grazed system whilst also building soil carbon.”

It says the meats produced will be slaughtered and butchered locally and then cured in a purpose-built meat curing room, this will be located in one of the existing farm buildings on site.

“Research undertaken by Malcolm suggests a high demand for locally produced fresh meat as well as charcuterie products with known origins and high animal welfare.  The nearest producer for charcuterie is currently in Powys.”

An officer report, recommending refusal raised concerns about the robustness of financial figures and realistic possibility of achieving them, with “almost 90 per cent of the projected income would come from a single source, namely meat products production,” adding: “There is no supporting evidence from local schools or groups for a demand for the services offered. It is considered that there is not sufficient certainty to conclude that a significant proportion of the applicants’ food and income needs would be met on the site within five years”.

It also raised concerns about insufficient water resources on the site with a borehole required for drinking water.

The application was refused by planners.

Since the refusal, the application is listed as having an appeal against the decision lodged.

First Wales trailblazer launched as part of UK Government’s ‘Get Britain Working’ plan

A MAJOR £10 million boost to employment support in Wales has been announced as part of the UK Government’s drive to tackle economic inactivity and “Get Britain Working” again.

The first trailblazer programme in Wales, launched in Denbighshire on Monday (Apr 21), will roll out new tailored employment support including one-to-one mentoring, counselling, wellbeing services, and health condition management.

The programme was launched jointly by UK Minister for Employment Alison McGovern and Welsh Government Minister for Culture, Skills and Social Partnership Jack Sargeant, marking a shift away from a ‘one size fits all’ approach in favour of support targeted to local needs.

The investment will help people with CV writing, job searching, mental health, and managing health issues that may be holding them back from employment. The trailblazer areas – Denbighshire, Blaenau Gwent, and Neath Port Talbot – were selected for their high levels of economic inactivity and will be among nine areas across the UK to pilot these reforms.

During their visit to Working Denbighshire, both Ministers met Work Coaches and saw first-hand the services being offered under the new scheme.

Minister for Employment Alison McGovern said: “Everyone deserves to thrive, including those living with long-term health conditions.

“No one will be written off. This £10 million investment will help connect health and employment services and deliver real change under our Plan for Change.

“Good work provides both dignity and security, and this trailblazer will help people across Wales access that support.”

Welsh Government Minister Jack Sargeant added:

“This investment is an important step in our joint approach to supporting people back into good employment.

“By integrating health and employment support, and tailoring it to each community’s needs, we aim to provide truly joined-up services.

“The Welsh Government is committed to ensuring no one is left behind.”

Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens said:

“This £10 million trailblazer will deliver support where it’s most needed – in Blaenau Gwent, Denbighshire, and Neath Port Talbot.

“We know this targeted approach works and builds on the success of initiatives like the Young Person’s Guarantee.

“Helping people into work improves physical and mental health and raises living standards.”

The trailblazers are part of the UK Government’s wider £240 million Get Britain Working reforms, which include:

Transforming Jobcentres to focus on skills and careers

Guaranteeing young people the chance to earn or learn

Expanding mental health support to help people stay in work

The Wales trailblazer follows the first scheme launched earlier this month in South Yorkshire, which focuses on supporting employers to hire people with health conditions. Upcoming trailblazers will also launch in Greater Manchester, the North East, York and North Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, and three areas in London.

In parallel with the trailblazer initiative, the UK Government has also:

Increased the National Living Wage and Minimum Wage

Introduced the Employment Rights Bill to create more secure jobs

Committed to deeper devolution, supporting local and devolved governments to boost regional growth

The investment into Wales reflects the Prime Minister’s pledge to reset relationships with devolved administrations and empower them to play a leading role in economic growth under the UK’s Plan for Change.

THE MULTI-AGENCY group set up to deal with ongoing issues at Withyhedge landfill has now been stood down.

The Incident Management Team (IMT), made up of Natural Resources Wales (NRW), Pembrokeshire County Council, Public Health Wales, and Hywel Dda University Health Board, was formed earlier this year to coordinate the response to widespread complaints about odours and gas from the site near Haverfordwest.

The landfill had temporarily closed in May 2023 before reopening in January 2024, after NRW confirmed that necessary compliance measures were in place.

Now, with reports of odour significantly reduced and pollution levels staying below World Health Organisation (WHO) thresholds, NRW has confirmed that the IMT is no longer required.

In line with the improved conditions, a dedicated reporting system for odour and gas complaints has also been wound down. However, residents can still raise concerns through NRW’s standard incident reporting process, either online or by calling 0300 065 3000.

Independent monitoring of air quality will continue for at least another year, funded by site operators RML. Pembrokeshire County Council will continue to review this data to ensure accuracy and public transparency.

The static air quality monitor installed at Spittal School will remain in place until April 2026, with weekly results still shared with the council. However, Public Health Wales has said it will no longer routinely review the data.

Between January and March, the monitor recorded hydrogen sulphide levels above WHO’s odour annoyance limit on 13 occasions—all on a single day. No further breaches were recorded in the following seven weeks. Other monitoring in the area has not found any exceedances of either short-term or long-term hydrogen sulphide guidelines.

Public Health Wales said: “We are reassured that the air quality data does not suggest an ongoing risk to public health. With complaints now significantly reduced, we will no longer review the data regularly.”

NRW said it will continue unannounced inspections at the landfill to ensure the site remains compliant with its environmental permit. Its investigation into previous breaches is still ongoing.

The site operator, RML, has applied to vary the conditions of its permit, and NRW has confirmed that a public consultation will be held before any decision is made.

All agencies involved in the former incident response group said they will continue to share relevant updates with one another where necessary.