Author: Rhys Gregory

Ocean Winds, the 50-50 joint venture between EDPR and ENGIE, has entered into an agreement for lease with The Crown Estate for a 1.5GW floating offshore wind project in the Celtic Sea. This milestone marks the latest boost for the UK’s clean energy transition and provides the potential for new economic growth across the region. Ocean Winds is a global leader in floating technology and delivered the world’s first semi-submersible floating wind farm, WindFloat Atlantic, in Portugal in 2020. It also has a proven track record of delivery of fixed bottom offshore wind in the UK including Moray East and…

Deloitte has appointed Andrew Wright as its new practice senior partner for the South West and Wales. Wright, who has close to 30 years of experience at the firm, will lead a combined team of 2,300 people, succeeding Dave Tansley. Wright joined the firm in September 1996 and became a partner in 2012. He leads Deloitte’s audit business in Bristol and Cardiff and is also part of the National Deloitte Private leadership team and the Global Audit Transformation group. He brings a deep understanding of the South West and Wales business landscape, having spent his career based in the area,…

Warning: Some of the images included in this article may be distressing to readers. Viewer discretion is advised. A Newport woman has been disqualified from keeping animals for life and handed a suspended sentence after failing to provide food and water to three dogs – who were found dead in their kennels. Jamila Michaela Diane Fletcher Oates, appeared at Newport Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 24 February. She had previously pleaded guilty to one offence under the Animal Welfare Act. The offence was that she caused unnecessary suffering to three dogs –  a blue French bulldog called Precious, a tri-colour French…

Two men from Denbighshire have been jailed for their involvement in supplying cocaine, ketamine, and cannabis. Tylor McEvoy, 21, of John Street, Rhyl, and Jake Buckley-Mellor, 20, of Nant Hall Road, Prestatyn, both appeared at Mold Crown Court yesterday (Tuesday, 3 March). Both men had previously entered guilty pleas to multiple drug offences, comprising the possession and supply of Class A and Class B drugs. Their arrests followed an investigation by the Central Priority Crime Team, which focused on a drug supply operation running between Rhyl and Runcorn. Between June and December 2025, their drug line phone numbers sent out…

Residents across mid and west Wales are being warned about a rise in scams involving criminals impersonating police officers in an attempt to steal money and bank cards. Dyfed-Powys Police said an increasing number of calls have been reported where fraudsters pose as officers and try to convince victims to hand over cash, bank cards or other valuables, sometimes arranging for a courier to collect them. The criminals often use convincing tactics to gain trust, including sharing personal information such as a victim’s name and address, which can easily be obtained online. Fraud Safeguarding Officer Rebecca Williams warned that some…

Penylan Library is set to welcome residents back today following a major makeover that has transformed the much‑loved community space into a modern, vibrant library for all ages. The comprehensive upgrade has been made possible thanks to grant funding from the Welsh Government and Section 106 contributions, that has delivered improvements throughout the library. The refurbishment includes upgraded public PCs and an expanded non‑fiction offer on the upper floor, as well as a brand‑new community room equipped with the latest technology to support events, activities and community use. Downstairs, visitors will find new furniture, improved lighting, new signage, fresh decoration…

Plans aimed at helping local football club Cardiff Draconians secure additional funding to improve facilities at their home in Lydstep Park are set to be agreed with Cardiff Council. The club are set to take on responsibility for the management and maintenance of facilities and green space in the park where they play. The new lease arrangements are proposed for a 30-year term and would maintain public access while also enabling the club to deliver their long-term “At the Heart of the Community” strategic plan. Cabinet Member for Culture, Parks and Events, Cllr Jennifer Burke, said: “This is good news…

Work is progressing on the transformation of a unique Swansea structure. The Laboratory Building at the historic Hafod Morfa Copperworks site is being reconstructed by John Weaver Contractors in a project driven by Swansea Council. Future uses of the structure, next to Landore’s Penderyn Whisky base, could include it becoming a restaurant for more than 100 diners. It’ll also be suitable for a range of alternative uses. The work is part of the council’s ongoing programme to regenerate the Lower Swansea Valley. It’s being helped by funding from the UK Government’s Local Regeneration Fund. Council leader Rob Stewart said: “We’re saving the…

Businesses in the retail, leisure and hospitality sectors in Pembrokeshire who have not yet applied for rate relief have until March 31st to do so. Welsh Government previously announced the retail, leisure and hospitality rates relief scheme in Wales for 2025/26. Properties that can benefit include shops, pubs and restaurants, gyms, performance venues and hotels. Relief will be granted to eligible businesses as a reduction to the rates bill based on occupation between 1st April 2025 to 31st March 2026. The scheme aims to provide support for eligible occupied properties by offering a discount of 40% on non-domestic rates bills. The closing…

The Welsh Government has today launched the first section of a new 80km forest trail – a significant milestone for the National Forest for Wales. The ambitious pilot section, stretching from Porthkerry Park in the Vale of Glamorgan to Pont Walby viaduct near Glynneath will link National Forest sites. People will be able to visit 12 National Forest sites and 24 woodlands in total. People enjoying the trail will never be far from trees, with the trail being under 50 per cent tree canopy cover. The Trail is just under a 24 hour walk in total but, for those wanting…