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WITHYHEDGE: Landfill overfilled by six metres gets its permit rewritten to fit

Withyhedge Landfill, blamed for months of stink across north Pembrokeshire, has been handed a new permit that writes its past overfilling into the rules.

Natural Resources Wales approved the variation on Thursday. The regulator’s own decision document shows the site at Rudbaxton, near Haverfordwest, had been filled up to six metres higher than the approved profile along its northern edge, an estimated 406,500 cubic metres of extra waste.

The new permit raises the total volume of waste allowed on the site from 6,596,560 to 6,916,867 cubic metres. NRW says the extra 320,307 cubic metres “accounts for some of the overfill identified” and “is not a request for additional future waste capacity”.

Worst-performing site in Wales for two years running

The decision document is blunt about the operator’s record. NRW says warning letters and enforcement notices over odour and other pollution left Withyhedge “ranked as the worst-performing permitted installation in Wales in both 2023 and 2024”, with further investigations into compliance still running.

Operator Resources Management UK Ltd told NRW it had no relevant convictions. After consultation responses challenged that, the regulator asked it to look again. RML filed an updated declaration, and NRW says that while the company itself has no convictions, “relevant persons associated with the applicant have convictions that are relevant”.

NRW says none of that merited refusal. It weighed the poor record against the operator’s cooperation, including shutting the site voluntarily between May 2024 and January 2025 for improvement works and “heavily investing in the site’s infrastructure”.

Nicholas Bettinson, NRW’s permitting service manager, said: “We recognise the impact previous odour issues had on local communities and understand why people feel strongly. Our role is to regulate in line with the law. Where an application meets the required standards, we are obliged to issue the permit.”

He said the approved variation “has secured stronger regulatory controls and enhanced environmental protection measures at the site”. NRW says its investigation into permit breaches continues separately.

What changes on the ground

Beyond the levels, the permit lets RML bring in up to 50,000 tonnes a year of soil and stone classed as recovered waste, to build landfill cells and restore the site. NRW says it is satisfied that counts as recovery rather than disposal.

The operator has six months to rewrite its environmental management system, including its odour, landfill gas and leachate plans, and submit it to NRW for approval. Leachate is the liquid that drains through buried waste. Monitoring of groundwater, surface water and landfill gas has also been revised.

The site also keeps its permission to take up to 5,000 tonnes of asbestos waste a year in a dedicated cell, something residents told NRW the application had not made clear. NRW says that was already allowed and the variation does not change it, but the operator must now meet strengthened conditions, including a year of dust monitoring along the site boundary, before any asbestos cell is built.

NRW says none of the approved changes should increase odour or noise, though it acknowledges noise complaints came in while the application was being decided. Public Health Wales told the regulator it foresaw “no adverse risks to public health” from the variation.

240 objections, a school and the council

Forty-six people responded to the first consultation, including the Stop the Stink campaign group. When NRW published its draft decision, 240 more wrote in.

Governors of Spittal Church in Wales School told NRW the odour between late 2023 and June 2024 had hit outdoor learning, pupils’ wellbeing and the school’s reputation. They asked for the monitoring equipment installed at the school to stay long term. NRW says off-site monitoring “does not form part of the environmental permit”.

Pembrokeshire County Council objected that the new levels conflict with the contours approved under planning permission, “creating a situation that is not capable of lawful compliance”. The council also told NRW the operator needs to apply for fresh planning permission. NRW’s reply: that is not relevant to its decision.

NRW says planning and permitting are separate systems, that it has a legal duty to grant a variation that meets the rules, and that waiting for a planning decision would have left it open to an appeal for non-decision.

Complaints about lorry traffic, tourism and the visual impact of the site were ruled outside the scope of the permit.

‘Actions, not words’

Paul Davies, Welsh Conservative Member of the Senedd for Ceredigion Penfro, said: “After everything communities surrounding Withyhedge have already endured, words about stronger controls will not be enough.”

He said: “Residents have lived with unacceptable odours, disruption and months of uncertainty. They have attended meetings, submitted evidence, responded to consultations and repeatedly raised concerns about what has been happening at this site. They now deserve more than assurances.”

He went on: “NRW has made the decision to approve this variation and it must therefore demonstrate that the tougher controls it describes are rigorously monitored and enforced. There can be no return to the situation local communities experienced previously and no tolerance of further breaches of environmental regulations.”

He said he would be “pressing for that investigation to be concluded thoroughly and transparently, and for appropriate action to follow where breaches are established”, adding: “The burden is now on NRW and the operator to rebuild the confidence of local communities, and that will be achieved through actions, not words.”

What the operator says

RML, part of the Dauson Environmental Group since March 2022, says it closed the site temporarily in May 2024 for engineering works and reopened in January 2025. The company says it has spent more than £10m on the site since the closure.

It says that since reopening “no confirmed off-site odour” has been linked to the landfill during routine regulatory inspections, and points to a July 2024 NRW compliance statement in support.

That sits awkwardly beside the regulator’s own count. Figures NRW gave the Pembrokeshire Herald show 211 odour complaints about the site between January and September this year, and the decision document records noise complaints received while the variation was being decided.

RML says the site is permitted to take 250,000 tonnes of waste a year, operates from 7am to 5pm five days a week, and takes waste from along the M4 corridor including Pembrokeshire. It expects the landfill to run for another 10 to 15 years.

The company says it has paid for AQMesh air quality monitors around the site since August 2024, funds the council’s independent monitoring and runs a community fund.

The decision comes weeks after NRW lifted its suspension on the AMG Resources site in Llanelli, blamed for the summer’s fly plague. Councillors there have since launched a petition to move or shut that site.

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https://www.europesays.com/uk/1090922/ BROADCASTING: Wales’ new media watchdog won’t exist until 2028 — as critics call it “constitutional navel-gazing” #Britain #GreatBritain #HeleddFychanMS #LouiseEmeryMS #PaulDaviesMS #PlaidCymru #ReformUK #S4C #Senedd #UK #UnitedKingdom #Wales #WelshConservatives #WelshGovernment

BROADCASTING: Wales’ new media watchdog won’t exist until 2028 — as critics call it “constitutional navel-gazing”

Wales is getting a new broadcasting body — but not until 2028, and its first form will be a working group advising on how to set it up.

Culture minister Heledd Fychan set out the timetable for a Shadow Broadcasting and Communications Authority for Wales in a written statement on Wednesday, meeting the Plaid Cymru government’s pledge to publish plans within its first 100 days.

The authority is intended to protect and strengthen public service media in Wales — and the Welsh Government says it is the first step towards pressing for broadcasting powers to be devolved from Westminster.

What actually happens, and when

The first step is a working group. Recruitment for its members starts in September, with the group expected to hold its first meeting early in 2027.

Fychan says she expects detailed recommendations on the authority’s structure, status and remit early in 2028, with a formal decision confirmed in spring 2028.

She has set aside £45,000 from Creative Wales’ budget to fund the work this financial year.

That means the “shadow” authority itself — a body watching over broadcasting in Wales without yet holding formal powers — is at least two years away, with the working group doing the design work in between.

“Completely unnecessary”

The plan has vocal critics in the Senedd — Fychan’s statement acknowledges “concerns expressed by some Members”.

Reform UK’s shadow culture minister Louise Emery called the authority “completely unnecessary” in a Senedd debate last month, describing the government’s culture plans as “more constitutional navel-gazing, more quangos, more slow state-building towards independence, and more cost.”

Welsh Conservative culture spokesperson Paul Davies questioned the spending. “Surely this is not the best possible use of resources, especially given that these powers are not devolved,” he told the Senedd, pressing the minister on how much the body would cost and how it would operate.

The previous Labour government considered the same central recommendation — made by an Expert Panel on Broadcasting in 2023 — and stopped short, opting for an advisory group rather than a shadow authority. The Plaid government is going further than its predecessor was willing to.

“Plans agreed for and about us”

Fychan says the case rests on evidence that a UK-wide broadcasting framework “does not cater to the realities of how a devolved UK operates”, pointing to backing from the Institute of Welsh Affairs and the Independent Commission on the Constitutional Future of Wales.

Her statement singles out the UK Government’s new Local Media Fund — support for local journalism designed in Westminster — as “the latest example of plans agreed for and about us, where we have no role in how those plans are shaped and implemented.”

Broadcasting and communications are currently reserved to Westminster, with services like S4C and BBC Wales operating under UK-wide frameworks — the structures the authority would eventually scrutinise from a Welsh vantage point.

Fychan says she is “certain that any resource channelled towards a Shadow Broadcasting and Communications Authority for Wales will pay dividends.”

Whether it survives contact with the Senedd arithmetic is another question — the government lost its first budget vote 49–44 on Tuesday night, and every spending line now faces a chamber where it lacks a majority.

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SENEDD: Paul Davies bids to become next Llywydd – as Welsh Conservatives reflect on Sam Kurtz losing his seat

Veteran Welsh Conservative MS Paul Davies has formally launched a bid to become the next Llywydd of the Senedd – putting himself forward to chair the seventh Welsh Parliament after one of the most dramatic election results in devolved history.

Davies, who was re-elected for Ceredigion Penfro last week, confirmed his intention to run in a statement issued on Sunday – saying he had been urged to stand by colleagues and believed he had the experience to take on one of the most senior roles in Welsh politics.

The Llywydd – the Welsh equivalent of the Speaker – chairs debates in the Senedd chamber, maintains order during proceedings and ensures parliamentary rules are followed. The role is elected by Members of the Senedd in a secret ballot at the start of each new term.

It is one of the very first decisions the new 96-seat Senedd will make when it sits for the first time in the coming weeks.

“There has been much speculation since the election about who will take on the role of the next Llywydd in the Senedd,” Davies said. “I want to make it clear that, after consultation with colleagues and having been urged to do so by others, I will be putting my name forward to be the next Presiding Officer.”

The former Welsh Conservative leader said he believed his record in the Senedd qualified him for the role.

“I have the experience to champion the Welsh Parliament and have a clear understanding of its Standing Orders and procedures,” he said. “As the Temporary Presiding Officer in the previous Senedd, and as a former Committee Chair and Business Manager in the Welsh Parliament, I have the necessary skills to take on this important role.”

Davies has been a Member of the Senedd since 2007. He served as leader of the Welsh Conservatives from 2018 to 2021 – briefly succeeding Andrew RT Davies in the role before stepping down following an issue over compliance with Covid-19 regulations. Andrew RT Davies later returned as leader.

Paul Davies was elected in Ceredigion Penfro last week as the Welsh Conservatives’ lead candidate in the constituency – one of seven Welsh Tory MSs returned to the new Senedd.

His bid comes alongside reported interest in the Llywydd role from Welsh Labour’s Huw Irranca-Davies, the Deputy First Minister, who was re-elected for Afan Ogwr Rhondda.

A vote on the new Llywydd is expected to take place before the Senedd can move to elect a new First Minister – a process that will see Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth widely expected to be installed in the role at the head of a minority government.

Davies’ announcement comes against the backdrop of disappointment in west Wales Conservative circles after his colleague Sam Kurtz was not returned to the Senedd.

Kurtz – the former Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire MS – had been placed second on the Welsh Conservative list in Ceredigion Penfro behind Davies. That ranking ultimately cost Kurtz his seat, with the Conservatives taking only one of the six available in the constituency.

The decision to place Kurtz second was reportedly controversial within the local party, with supporters in Pembrokeshire arguing he had built a stronger personal following in the county and had been one of the Welsh Conservatives’ most visible campaigners in west Wales.

The situation echoes that of Welsh Labour’s Rob Stewart in neighbouring Gwyr Abertawe. The Swansea Council leader was placed second on the Welsh Labour list behind veteran MS Mike Hedges – and similarly missed out on a Senedd seat as Welsh Labour’s vote collapsed in the city.

The new D’Hondt voting system used for the first time at last week’s election means second-placed candidates are heavily reliant on their party’s overall vote share – and have struggled to be elected where that vote share has dropped sharply.

Calls have been made within Welsh Labour for Hedges to resign mid-term to allow Stewart to take his seat – a suggestion publicly rejected by Stewart himself, who said the democratic vote must be respected and has given Hedges his “full support.”

There is no indication that any similar suggestion has been made regarding Paul Davies and Sam Kurtz in Ceredigion Penfro.

Davies said he was saddened that Kurtz had not been returned to the Senedd, describing him as a hard-working colleague who had given strong service to Pembrokeshire and west Wales.

According to reporting in The Pembrokeshire Herald, Kurtz was tight-lipped about his political future when asked at the count declaration, even suggesting he might return to journalism, his pre-political career.

His loss is being viewed as one of the most significant individual Conservative casualties of the new electoral system – particularly given his profile on rural affairs, farming and tourism.

The Welsh Conservatives ended the 2026 Senedd election with seven seats – significantly down on the 16 they held in the previous Senedd. The party’s leader Darren Millar was re-elected in Clwyd, current leader Andrew RT Davies held his seat in Pen-y-bont Bro Morgannwg, and Paul Davies returned via Ceredigion Penfro.

Other Welsh Tory MSs returned included Janet Finch-Saunders in Bangor Conwy Mon, Peter Fox in Sir Fynwy Torfaen, Natasha Asghar in Casnewydd Islwyn and Sam Rowlands in Fflint Wrecsam.

Plaid Cymru emerged as the largest party in the new Senedd with 43 seats, six short of the 49 needed for an overall majority. Reform UK secured a historic 34 seats, Welsh Labour was reduced to nine, the Wales Green Party took two and the Welsh Liberal Democrats secured a single seat – that of leader Jane Dodds in Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd.

The new Senedd is expected to sit for the first time in the coming weeks, with the election of a new Llywydd among the first orders of business.

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SENEDD SHAKE-UP: Winners and losers revealed as First Minister on course to lose seat

A major new YouGov poll has sent shockwaves through Welsh politics — with projections suggesting the First Minister could lose her seat and Labour suffer heavy losses across west Wales.

The YouGov poll, using detailed constituency modelling for ITV Wales and Cardiff University, points to a Senedd transformed — with Plaid Cymru emerging as the largest party and Reform UK surging into second place.

Wales-wide picture: Plaid on top as Senedd expands

Across Wales, the poll suggests a dramatic shift in power as the Senedd prepares to expand from 60 to 96 members under a new electoral system.

Plaid Cymru is projected to win 43 seats, making it the largest party but still short of an overall majority.

Reform UK is forecast to take 30 seats — a huge leap for a party that has never fought a Senedd election before.

Labour is projected to fall to just 12 seats, with the Greens on 10, while the Conservatives collapse to a single MS and the Liberal Democrats fail to win any representation.

The key number is 49 — the threshold needed for a majority in the new Senedd.

Under these projections, Plaid Cymru and the Greens together would hold 53 seats, enough to form a government without Labour.

Analysts say the results point to a fragmented but firmly left-leaning Senedd — with Plaid in the strongest position to lead the next government.

Gŵyr Abertawe: big names miss out

In Gŵyr Abertawe, Labour would return incumbent MS Mike Hedges, who tops the party’s list.

But there would be no seat for Swansea Council leader Rob Stewart, who sits second — despite his high-profile role in recent national debates.

Reform UK would secure two seats, meaning former Conservative-turned-Reform councillor Francesca O’Brien would be elected alongside Steven Rodaway.

Plaid Cymru would return Gwyn Williams and Safa Elhassan, while West Cross councillor Chris Evans would take a seat for the Greens.

Sir Gaerfyrddin: Plaid dominance, Labour wiped out

In Sir Gaerfyrddin, Plaid Cymru is projected to dominate with four seats — returning Cefin Campbell, former Assembly Member Nerys Evans, ex-party leader Adam Price and Mari Arthur.

Reform would take the remaining two seats, with Gareth Beer — who came close to winning Llanelli at the last general election — joined by Carmelo Colasanto.

Labour is not projected to win a single seat in the constituency.

Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd: four-way split

In Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd, the result is finely balanced across four parties.

Plaid would return Sioned Williams and Rebeca Phillips, while Reform would elect James Evans and Iain Charles McIntosh.

Labour would hold onto one seat through Mahaboob Basha BEM — as previously reported when he topped Labour’s list for the area — while Neath Port Talbot councillor Nathan Goldup John would take a seat for the Greens.

The result would see Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Jane Dodds miss out on a seat in the constituency.

Afan Ogwr Rhondda: Labour heartland shaken

In Afan Ogwr Rhondda, Plaid is projected to take three seats, with Sera Evans, Alun Geraint Cox and Elyn Stephens all elected.

Reform would secure two seats through Benjamin McKenna and Sarah Cooper Lesard.

Labour would be reduced to a single representative — Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies — with current Rhondda MS Buffy Williams losing her place.

The result signals a major shift in one of Labour’s traditional strongholds.

Ceredigion Penfro: First Minister loses seat

In Ceredigion Penfro, Plaid would again lead with three seats, returning Elin Jones alongside Kerry Elizabeth Ferguson and Anna Nicholl.

Reform would take two seats through Susan Claire Archibald and Paul Marr, while Amy Nicholass would be elected for the Greens.

Crucially, Labour is not projected to win any representation here — meaning First Minister Eluned Morgan would lose her seat.

The constituency would also see senior Conservatives Paul Davies and Samuel Kurtz both miss out.

Big picture: political map redrawn

Across west Wales, the projections point to a dramatic political shift — with Reform UK emerging as a major force and traditional parties losing ground.

Despite the upheaval, Plaid Cymru remains the dominant party across every constituency in the region.

For voters, the implications are significant — from who represents their communities to how decisions are made on key issues like healthcare, transport and the cost of living.

With the election approaching, these results suggest one thing above all else — the political landscape in west Wales is changing fast.

And for some of Wales’ biggest political names, this could mark the end of the road.

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