DARC Matters – 10 – MSs Taking Action

by · March 18, 2025

As we reported recently, 12 members of the Senedd have backed a statement of opinion recognising the significant level of public opposition to the plan for a space radar station (DARC) on the St Davids peninsula, and calling for a Welsh Government commission.

The 12 MSs (pictured above) are: Cefin Campbell (Plaid Cymru), Jane Dodds (Welsh Liberal Democrats), Luke Fletcher (Plaid Cymru), Heledd Fychan (Plaid Cymru), Peredur Owen Griffiths (Plaid Cymru), Siân Gwenllian (Plaid Cymru), Mabon ap Gwynfor (Plaid Cymru), Mike Hedges (Welsh Labour), Delyth Jewell (Plaid Cymru), Rhys ab Owen (Independent), Jenny Rathbone (Welsh Labour) and Sioned Williams (Plaid Cymru).

The statement of opinion (live now online) reads:

This Senedd

1. Notes:

a) the opposition by Pembrokeshire residents to the Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability (DARC) proposal by the Ministry of Defence;

b) concerns regarding the visual and tourism impact of 27 large radar dishes in view of a coastal national park of significant UK importance and national heritage in nearby St Davids;

c) concerns regarding unaddressed health risks and regional security implications; and

d) the petition of 16,000 signatures against the proposal.

2. Calls on the Welsh Government to commission an authoritative impact assessment of the plan to better inform residents and decision-makers

PARC Against DARC, the group campaigning to stop the radar station plan, says: “This is a massive step forward for the campaign. Our next move is to start a big push to get many more MSs (with a particular focus on Welsh Labour) to subscribe to this statement of opinion.”

It is directing people to a lobbying page set up to help people contact their local MS.

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Nigel Summerley

Nigel Summerley retired from The Oldie magazine to return to freelance journalism. He previously held executive staff jobs at the London Evening Standard, The Daily Telegraph, The Sunday Telegraph and the Daily Express before freelancing for 20 years for newspapers including The Times, The Sunday Times, The Independent, The Guardian and the ‘i’ paper, plus a wide range of magazines. He continues to write about music, travel and health, to freelance for the Financial Times and The Oldie magazine, and to edit selected books. He blogs at www.nigel-summerley.blogspot.com.

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