Llanelli magistrates review multiple alleged breaches of abatement notice

PROCEEDINGS against a renewable fuels company accused of repeatedly breaching a statutory noise abatement notice have been adjourned until the new year.

BIOSEL Renewables UK Ltd, based at Tir Powell Ddu Farm, Nant y Glyn Road, Glanamman, Ammanford, did not attend Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Dec 11). The company was represented by counsel, Phillipa Ashworth. The case was brought by Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council.

The charges relate to a series of alleged breaches of an abatement notice served on the company on 24 November 2023 under section 80 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

Multiple alleged breaches

The court heard that on six separate dates — 11 October 2024, 14 January 2025, 16 January 2025, 17 January 2025, 21 January 2025 and 22 January 2025 — noise was said to have continued to emanate from a wood chipper at Resolven in such a manner as to constitute a statutory nuisance, contrary to the requirements of the notice.

In each instance, the allegation is that the company, without reasonable excuse, failed to comply with the notice served by Neath Port Talbot Council.

Case adjourned

District Judge M Layton adjourned the case to Wednesday, 12 February 2026, at 9:30am in Courtroom One at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court. The adjournment is listed for review and further directions.

No pleas were entered, and the defendant remains on unconditional bail as the matter concerns a corporate entity.

A FARM operator from Whitland has been imprisoned for 18 weeks for 17 offences involving domestic and agricultural animals. This includes causing, permitting or failing to prevent unnecessary suffering (Animal Welfare Act 2006)’ and follows a three-day trial at Llanelli Magistrates Court.

Thomas Raymond Jones of Penygraig Farm, Whitland, was also ordered to pay £26,805.10 in prosecution costs in full within 6 months and a surcharge of £154. He has received a disqualification order, which bans him from owning and keeping animals for 10 years and has received a deprivation order which removes all animals from his control.

Mr Jones was found guilty of all offences that he had not already plead guilty to. These related to his care and management of cattle and a dog following investigations by Carmarthenshire County Council’s Animal Welfare Team and the Animal and Plant Health Agency. This was sparked by an anonymous complaint regarding a cow carcass that has not been properly disposed of.

During their visit in February 2024, Animal Health Officers discovered cattle being kept in poor living conditions which included no dry lying areas, poor quality/inedible forage provided and a number of animals suffering from lameness/overgrown hooves and skin conditions. Animal carcasses had also not been properly disposed of.

An elderly dog was also discovered living in unsuitable conditions, being kept within a small, bramble filled enclosure littered with rubbish. The dog was in a poor condition and required immediate veterinary attention which was sought by the team. A local Animal Charity collected the dog.

On veterinary examination, the dog was found to be underweight, blind with mature bilateral cataracts, had overgrown nails and suffering from a penile prolapse alongside other conditions. Due to the level of suffering, the decision was taken for the dog to be put to sleep.

Following the visit, an Improvement Notice and Animal By-Product Notice was issued which required Mr Jones to dispose of a cow carcass within a shed and improve conditions.

A return visit 9 days later revealed that sufficient improvements had not been made in line with the Notice, with no veterinary attention sought for the cattle with lameness/skin conditions and animal remains not being properly cleared. Mr Jones had attempted to treat the cattle himself and arranged a hoof trimmer to visit the farm, however the products used appeared to be old and veterinary attendance was noted as a requirement in the Improvement Notice. A pregnant cow was also found lame and living in unsuitable conditions.

Following a visit from Mr Jones’s vet and the Rural Inspectorate of Wales (RIW), a number of cattle were found without ear tags, improperly registered or unregistered. Due to the volume of errors, the RIW placed a whole herd restriction on Penygraig Farm until the issues could be resolved. Six cows were also identified as thin and two as very thin.

Nearly five weeks later, further complaints were received regarding a calf carcass not being properly disposed of.

Animal Health Officers previously visited Penygraig Farm in 2022, following complaints of animal carcasses not being properly disposed of. During the visit Officers also witnessed cattle being kept in poor conditions, cattle without tags and animals not registered as well as animal by-product offences. Notices/warnings were issued to Mr Jones to improve practices. The same offences were then committed in 2024.

Cllr Aled Vaughan Owen, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Animal Welfare said:

“I’m pleased that once again the hard work of Carmarthenshire County Council’s Animal Welfare Team’s has provided a positive result with regards this case. I hope this serves as a reminder that we will always advocate for good animal welfare and hold those who do not accountable for their actions.”

Bold fundraiser aims to boost breast cancer support and celebrate local female entrepreneurs

HAVERFORDWEST Business Women have launched their 2026 charity calendar, with 100% of profits from every sale being donated to breast cancer charities.

The calendar, revealed this week, features a striking and humorous design promoting body positivity while celebrating the women who run and shape businesses across the town. Organisers say the project has a two-fold purpose: to raise vital funds for breast cancer research and to highlight the diverse and growing range of female-led enterprises operating in Haverfordwest.

Each purchase will help fund life-saving research and provide essential support to those affected by breast cancer — a cause many within the group say is deeply personal to them.

A spokesperson for Haverfordwest Business Women said: “A huge thank you to all the fantastic ladies brave enough to ‘bare all’ for such an important charity. This project shows the strength, humour and solidarity of the incredible women involved.”

Calendars are available now from Victoria Book Shop and other local stockists in Haverfordwest, with all profits going directly to breast cancer charities.