DARC Matters – 7 – Pertinent Questions

by · March 3, 2025

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Academi Heddwch Cymru, Wales’s national peace institute, has produced a detailed report on DARC, the space radar station proposed for Pembrokeshire, raising a dozen pertinent questions that it feels need answering by the authorities.

The radar station plan has provoked significant local concern and opposition.

Academi Heddwch Cymru is an independent research organisation which aims to extend Wales’s long-standing tradition of promoting peace. Its report, about to be officially published, is the result of work done by staff led by Professor Colin McInnes of the Department of International Politics at Aberystwyth University.

Here are some of the crucial questions listed in the report:

Is DARC compliant with international law and current norms concerning the non-militarisation of space?

To what extent does DARC risk Wales’s stated aim of being a globally responsible nation?

What will be the legal relationship between the UK and its allies at the base?

What assurances are available that local and national regulations will be complied with? Who will own and use the information?

Will an independent assessment be made of the potential health risks involved during both the construction and operation phases?

When will the environmental impact assessment be undertaken, and by whom? What will be the process, who will be consulted, and how will this be sequenced with the MoD’s timeframe for construction?

Will a full, independent economic assessment be undertaken … And will an assessment be made of the extent to which this will contribute to the militarisation of the Welsh economy?

Will an economic assessment be made of potential alternative uses for the site?

Under what circumstances would the Welsh Government consider a debate in the Senedd to discuss DARC?

Will the decision to grant planning approval reside solely in Wales or might another process – such as Permitted Development Rights – be used by the UK Government if planning approval is denied?

Does the MoD intend to present a more detailed case for public scrutiny?

How does the MoD plan to engage further with local communities to build trust?

Pembrokeshire.Online plans to publish more details on these issues shortly.

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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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