Pembrokeshire Beach Strategy 2018 2021
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Pembrokeshire Beach Strategy
2018 – 2021
©Pembrokeshire County Council
This strategy is supported by the following organisations:
Pembrokeshire County Council
www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk
Natural Resources Wales
www.naturalresourceswales.gov.uk
Keep Wales Tidy
www.keepwalestidy.cymru
Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority
www.pcnpa.org.uk
National Trust
www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Royal National Lifeboat Institution
www.rnli.orgDŵr Cymru Welsh Water
www.dwrcymru.com
H.M Coastguard
http://www.dft.gov.uk
Town and Community Councils
http://www.pembstcc.co.uk/
The following organisations will also be consulted:
Dyfed Powys Police
www.dyfed-powys.police.uk
Dogs Trust
www.dogstrust.org.uk
National Farmers Union (Cymru)
www.nfu-cymru.org.uk
Farmers Union of Wales
www.fuw.org.ukCountry Land and Business Association (CLA)
www.cla.org.uk
Document Date Version Owner
Control May 2016 Final 1.0 DFT
March 2018 2.0 NM
Contact information for this document:
Pollution Control Team
Pembrokeshire County Council
1 Cherry Grove
Haverfordwest
SA61 2NZ
Telephone: 01437 775721
E Mail: enquiries@pembrokeshire.gov.ukThe Beach Strategy for Pembrokeshire 2018 - 2021
Foreword
Pembrokeshire has some of the best beaches in Britain. No other county has more
Blue Flag, Green Coast or Seaside awards; which all reinforce Pembrokeshire’s
environmental and tourism credentials.
This strategy has been produced to ensure that the high quality of Pembrokeshire’s
beaches are maintained . This aim includes partnership working with many other
agencies including Natural Resources Wales, Dŵr Cymru, Keep Wales Tidy,
Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, Dyfed Powys Police, The Dogs Trust
and Pembrokeshire Association of Voluntary Services. This aim will be a challenge
with the more stringent standards in The Bathing Water Directive and the increasing
trend for wetter summers.
The strategy, over a four year period: 2018 – 2021, will target resources first on the
beaches with the poorest water quality - to raise standards ensuring that the water is
safe at those beaches. Secondly, to ensure that water quality does not deteriorate at
any of our beaches. Finally to focus on the environmental criteria to ensure good
standards are maintained.
This strategy, with its continuing commitment to partnership working, will help to
ensure that Pembrokeshire maintains its reputation for high quality at all its beaches.
A review of progress and of the strategy will take place at regulary intervals.
Councillor Pat Davies Councillor Paul Miller
Cabinet member for Environmental Cabinet member for Economy,
and Regulatory Services Tourism, Leisure & CultureContents Overall Aim........................................................................................................... 1 Who will do this? .................................................................................................. 1 Background Information ....................................................................................... 1 Beach Awards....................................................................................................... 2 Beach Byelaws ..................................................................................................... 4 Current priorities and methods.............................................................................. 4 Environmental Management.................................................................................. 8 Public Participation............................................................................................... 12 Monitoring and reporting success ..........................................................................13 Award recommendations ..................................................................................... 13 Useful Information & Links ................................................................................... 14 Appendix 1: Table showing Pembrokeshire designated and non-designated bathing waters with current awards and water quality standards Appendix 2: Action plan key points for 2018 – 2021 Appendix 3: Dog Walking Code of Conduct for Pembrokeshire Appendix 4: Code of Conduct Appendix 5: Beach Safety Appendix 6: Dog Byelaws on Beaches Appendix 7: Beach Byelaws .
1. Overall Aim
To ensure that a visit to a Pembrokeshire beach is a great experience for both
residents and visitors and that bathing water quality continues to be maintained.
Well Being of Future Generations Act
This strategy will complement the Local Well-being Plan, developed by the
Pembrokeshire Public Service Board. The Well Being of Future Generations Act sets
out seven goals for the kind of Wales we want to see. The public bodies who are
partners in the strategy must work towards these goals. Not every action can
contribute to every goal. The principle is to ensure that our work is planned and
executed to achieve as many goals as possible.
A Well-being Assessment has been undertaken by the Public Service Board and this
assessment has identified a number fo themes including Community Safety, Health,
Environment and Climate Change and Economy and Tourism.
The Well-being goals are:
Goal
A prosperous An innovative, productive and low carbon society which
Wales. recognises the limits of the global environment and therefore
uses resources efficiently and proportionately (including acting
on climate change); and which develops a skilled and well-
educated population in an economy which generates wealth
and provides employment opportunities, allowing people to
take advantage of the wealth generated through securing
decent work.
A resilient Wales. A nation which maintains and enhances a biodiverse natural
environment with healthy functioning ecosystems that support
social, economic and ecological resilience and the capacity to
adapt to change (for example climate change).
A healthier A society in which people’s physical and mental well-being is
Wales. maximised and in which choices and behaviours that benefit
future health are understood.
A more equal A society that enables people to fulfil their potential no matter
Wales. what their background or circumstances (including their socio
economic background and circumstances).
A Wales of Attractive, viable, safe and well connected communities
cohesive
communities
A Wales of A society that promotes and protects culture, heritage and the
vibrant culture Welsh language, and which encourages people to participate
and thriving in the arts, and sports and recreation.
Welsh language.
Page | 1A globally A nation which, when doing anything to improve the economic,
responsible social, environmental and cultural well-being of Wales, takes
Wales. account of whether doing such a thing may make a positive
contribution to global well-being.
How the Bathing Water Strategy contributes to the Well-being goals
Goal
A prosperous The value of the tourism industry to Pembrokeshire has been
Wales. calculated at £500 million per annum. The beach awards are
an icon for the Pembrokeshire brand. Our coast is an
internationally recognised asset. The number of Blue Flag
beaches in Pembrokeshire exceeds that of any other county in
the United Kingdom.
A resilient Wales. The bathing water quality that underpins the award strategy is
the result of a healthy functioning ecosystem in the catchments
around our coast. Our bathing water profiles identify the inland
influences on water quality. It is these healthy ecosystems that
support the economic resource that our coast provides.
A healthier The award schemes are built around amenity and the
Wales. protection of public health. Our award winning beaches are a
resource for residents and visitors providing outdoor recreation
and gateways to the coastal path with associated benefits for
physical and mental health.
A more equal Our beaches provide opportunities for inexpensive family days
Wales. out. They are a playground for the people of Wales to come
together
A Wales of For coastal communities the award strategy provides a
cohesive framework to support them as attractive safe destinations and
communities attractive places to live. The economic benefits help maintain
the communities’ viability. A beach can also act as a
community focus as evidenced by the smoking ban introduced
at Little Haven.
A Wales of A challenge presented by the Well-being Act is to ensure
vibrant culture multiple goals are achieved. Our award strategy has not
and thriving previously considered cultural heritage as a theme. We have a
Welsh language. rich historical heritage and opportunities to stimulate greater
cultural activity.
A globally The award strategy is international. By embracing and
responsible achieving outstanding results, wales is demonstrating to the
Wales. world how the sustainable management of natural resources is
supporting economic, environmental and social outcomes.
Sustainable Development Principle
The Well-being of Future Generations Act further requires public bodies to act in
accordance with the sustainable development principles as demonstrated below:-
Page | 2Long term
The award strategies have been “three year” documents. The partnership that
underpins it has a history of over twenty years standing. Improvements require
planning with investment both financial and of time. Our vision has been one of
continual incremental improvement recognising capacity of partners and resources.
We want to see our standards maintained. We currently see little scope for further
improvement in the short term, but as partners our vision remains undimmed.
Prevention
There has been a long term investment in preventative action. There have been
large scale financial investments from Dwr Cymru on the one hand to proportionately
large investments by caravan site owners; there has been excellent co-operation
from farmers at catchment headwaters, anxious not be the cause of any problems
downstream. This current plan is not resourced to continue this level of preventative
work. We will, however, continue our pre-season checks. There is a nervousness
around our ability to prevent deterioration in the longer term as the capacity of some
partners to contribute diminishes. Where prevention fails, there are rehearsed plans
for an integrated response to any pollution incident.
Integrated approach
As part of our longstanding mature partnership each partner brings their own
integrated approach. There is a shared understanding of risks, actions and roles.
There is common ground on what can be gained for each partner by working
together.
Collaboration
The partnership has been a strong collaboration working to common goals. The pre-
season checks are multi- agency and there has been a team approach to delivery
that pre-dates the Well- being Act and the sustainability principles. The collaboration
extends beyond public bodies to third sector, private business and individuals.
Involvement
People are passionate about their local beaches. Over the years there has been
excellent engagement with Town, Community and City councils. There have been
Environment action Groups, Coast Care groups and action groups all working to the
same end of securing and safeguarding improvement.
Community and business involvement will be key to taking forward any further
improvement and will need to be a focus of future work
Page | 32. Who will do this
We will plan to involve the following core partners in the creation and implementation
of this Beach Strategy:
Pembrokeshire County Council (PCC)
Natural Resources Wales (NRW)
Keep Wales Tidy (KWT)
Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority (PCNPA)
Other partners will be involved as necessary to ensure a high quality beach
environment and these include:
National Trust
Royal National Lifeboat Institution
Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water
H.M. Coastguard
Town and Community Councils
Dyfed Powys Police (DPP)
Dogs Trust
National Farmers Union (Cymru)
Farmers Union of Wales
Country Land and Business Association (CLA Wales)
3. Background
In 2013 the first Pembrokeshire Bathing Water Strategy was launched. This aimed to
ensure that a visit to a Pembrokeshire beach is a great experience and that bathing
water quality is the best it can be. This Strategy was expanded to consider the whole
beach experience due to increased concerns with dogs, horses, litter, beach safety
and other issues.
The beaches in Wales are designated by the Welsh Government depending on their
popularity and their usage. Beaches which are designated as bathing waters are
sampled and monitored by Natural Resources Wales but at a reduced frequency at
better performing beaches from 2018. The non-designated beaches are sampled and
monitored by the Local Authority (Depending on funding). Pembrokeshire County
Council reviews the usage of beaches in the county and submits well-used beaches
to the Welsh Government for designation.
There are 36 beaches sampled in Pembrokeshire with 29 beaches which are
designated bathing waters and 7 which are non-designated, as detailed in Appendix
1.
The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park is the only National Park in the UK
designated mainly for the quality of its coastline. Throughout the year Pembrokeshire
attracts many visitors to enjoy the beautiful surroundings. The influx of visitors is vital
to the county’s economy and utilises many of the facilities available such as the shops,
tourist attractions and facilities for staying in the area. Our coastline also plays an
Page | 4important role in the health and wellbeing of local people. Therefore it is in everyone’s
interest to help ensure that all the beaches in Pembrokeshire are of high quality and
maintain their beach awards.
There are three different award schemes available in Wales and Pembrokeshire
currently has beaches which are part of the Blue Flag, Green Coast and The Seaside
Awards. The different partners in Pembrokeshire must continue to work together to
ensure that these beaches retain their awards and identify beaches that may receive
awards in the future.
4. Beach Awards
4.1 Blue Flag Awards – check with Myrddin****
There are currently 11( in 2018) beaches in Pembrokeshire with the International Blue
Flag Award. Beaches with the Blue Flag award are: Whitesands; Newgale; Dale;
Lydstep; South Beach Tenby; North Beach Tenby; Castle Beach Tenby;
Saundersfoot; Coppet Hall; Poppit and Amroth.
The Blue Flag is awarded to beaches that comply with thirty-two criteria within four
key areas which are:
• environmental education and information;
• water quality;
• environmental management; and
• safety and services.
The Blue Flag awards are owned by the Federation for Environmental Education and
are managed by Keep Wales Tidy in Wales.
Under the environmental education and information criteria information about the Blue
Flag must be displayed along with a beach map showing the facilities and a Code of
Conduct which explains what is expected of people who use the beach. Bathing water
quality information, environmental educational activities and local wildlife information
must also be displayed.
There must be excellent bathing water quality and the bathing water must meet the
“excellent” standard for intestinal Enterococci and E-coli parameters, set out in the
Bathing Water Directive.
The environmental management criteria determine that the beach must be clean and
there must be adequate waste management facilities including provisions for
recyclable materials. There must be adequate public facilities including good toilet
provision to meet the needs at peak season. Dogs must be banned from an area of
the beach and these areas must be clearly displayed. There must be a beach
management committee and all of the buildings and surrounding areas must be
properly maintained.
Page | 5The safety and services section requires that Blue Flag beaches with a high number
of visitors must have lifeguards stationed at the beach and the number of lifeguards
can vary depending on peak or quieter times. However, there is the possibility of
having life saving equipment at beaches with low hazards and few visitors. There must
be safe and easy access to the beach and first aid facilities must be available on the
beach.
4.2 Green Coast Awards
The Green Coast Award is aimed to acknowledge, promote and protect the
environment of rural beaches in Wales. It focuses on those beaches which meet the
guideline water quality and are prized for their natural, unspoilt environment. The
Green Coast Award requires guideline water quality as well as best practice in the
environment for rural beaches which may not have the facilities associated with resort
beaches. It is managed in Wales by Keep Wales Tidy.
Beaches which receive the Green Coast Award are managed with the involvement of
the community for the benefit of visitors and the environment. It places strong
emphasis on community and environmental activities.
Fourteen of Pembrokeshire’s beaches have received the Green Coast award. These
include: Abereiddi; Barafundle; Broad Haven South; Caerfai; Priory Bay, Caldey
Island; Cwm-yr-Eglwys; Druidston Haven; Freshwater East; Marloes; Martins Haven;
Penally; West Dale; West Angle and Manorbier.
4.3 The Seaside Award
The Seaside Award is awarded by Keep Wales Tidy.. The criteria for the award
include: ensuring that there the standard of bathing water is satisfactory which is
considered to be safe to swim in; there must be safe access to the beach; there must
be good provisions for litter; and the beach, including its surroundings, must be well
managed and maintained. There are thirty-one beaches in Pembrokeshire which
currently have this award. Blue Flag beaches are currently awarded a Seaside Award,
this will no longer be the case from 2019.
5. Beach Byelaws
A byelaw enables the Local Authority to address the concerns of local people and
tackle problems in their area. The byelaws must be confirmed by the Secretary of State
(Department for Communities and Local Government, 2012). Pembrokeshire County
Council have byelaws for some of the beaches within Pembrokeshire and these are
specific to each beach. A list of Pembrokeshire’s beach byelaws can be found in
Appendix 5.
Page | 66. Current priorities and methods
6.1 Environmental Education and Information
All of the designated beaches must have adequate information displayed. This
includes beaches with Blue Flag and Green Coast Awards which require specific
information as laid out in the award criteria.
Surfing is a very popular activity in Pembrokeshire, notably at the beaches of
Freshwater West, Newgale, Whitesands, Broadhaven South and Manorbier. Dwr
Cymru have an alert system where discharges from Combined Sewage Overflows
during periods of heavy weather can be notified to relevant authorities. This service
includes many beaches in Pembrokeshire.
NRW have an alert system on their website, a prediction and discounting system that
covers several beaches in Pembrokeshire, Broadhaven North, Poppit Sands and
Newport.
Pembrokeshire County Council have an education trailer which visit events and
beaches throughout the summer.
6.2 Water Quality
There are currently 29 designated and 7 non-designated bathing waters in
Pembrokeshire.Overall we have exceptionally good water quality, which is important
to the local economy and prized by both residents and tourists alike. This is reflected
in the unprecedented number of awards granted to the County’s beaches.
The revised EU Bathing Water Directive is now applicable and sets more stringent
standards than the previous Directive. This will inevitabley affect Water Quality
chategorisation. Water quality is generally poorer during wet summers; with some
beaches potentially losing awards as a consequence. Pembrokeshire’s Beach
Strategy has identified priority beaches where any actions regarding bathing water
quality would be focused. Natural Resources Wales will continue to carry out pre
season checks to identify any problems that could arise during the season that could
be adversely affect the water quality, and where appropriate will be accompanied by
Pembrokeshire County Council and Dwr Cymru.
The beaches at Sandy Haven, Little Haven, Newport, Nolton Haven,Wiseman’s
Bridge, St. Brides Haven,Goodwick and Gelliswick have been identified to ensure
water quality is maintained and improved. Any designated beach at risk of being
classed as ‘poor’ under The Bathing Water Directive ( None in 2017) would require
signs to be erected advising of poor quality and a warning notice against bathing.
These beaches would be the priorty targets.
Page | 7The following table shows the different awards and their required water quality:
Award Logo Required Water
Quality 2015
Blue Flag Excellent
Award
Green Coast Excellent
Award
Seaside Award Sufficient
The previous Beach Strategies targeted the beaches that have poor bathing water
quality. The actions to achieve these aims will include:
• working with partners to minimise duplication of work and to maximise our
influence;
• working with Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water to ensure their assets are maintained,
improved and compliant with their Environmental Permits;
Page | 8• liaison with significant landowners and businesses, e.g. farms, caravan sites,
etc, to improve their awareness of bathing water quality and to ensure
compliance with regulations and best practice;
• the Pembrokeshire Beach Liaison Group will meet bi-annually to review the
strategy;
• working with our Green Seas partners, including the Welsh Government.
Scheduled sampling
From 2018 sampling will be carried out on a risk based frequency. Beaches with little
risk of non compliance will be sampled six times per bathing season. The beaches
with the highest risk of non compliance may be sampled up to sixteen times per
bathing season, frequencies of eight, ten and twelve will be applied to beaches with
the medium risks of non compliance. These results are publicised on the Natural
Resources Wales website.
A short term pollution initiative (STP) will be undertaken at Broadhaven North, Newport
North and Poppit West in 2018. This involves a daily predication of water quality based
on a rainfall trigger. If poor water quality is predicated signs have to be put up in the
vicinity of the bathing water providing swimming advice. This is predicated to occur
about ten times per season. The STP initiative allows up to three samples per season
to be discounted and therefore can lead to the classification of the bathing water being
improved increasing the chance of retaining their Blue Flag Awards.This inititiave is co
ordinated by Pembrokeshire County Council and run by members of the local
community.
Rainfall is one of the most important factors affecting bathing water quality. Pollution
risk forecasting uses heavy rainfall as an indicator that reduced bathing water quality
is more likely at certain bathing waters. Natural Resources Wales (NRW) monitor
rainfall at sites where there is a strong relationship between rainfall and reduced water
quality. NRW then publish the pollution risk on their website warning that the rainfall
indicates a significant risk of reduced water quality. The reactive sign is then put up by
the local community.
The forecasts are available to the public via the Natural Resources Wales Bathing
Waters webpage.
6.3 Environmental Management
6.3.1 The “Envirocrime” Initiative CHECK Still applies with Steve M
‘Envirocrime’ is an initiative created by Pembrokeshire County Council to deal with any
type of crime which impacts upon the environment in which we live, for example, dog
fouling, “A” frames, litter, fly tipping, etc. It is a co-ordinated approach that began in
Page | 9May 2013 and has initially focused on the issue of dog fouling. The initiative has
focused on Tenby, Milford Haven, St Davids and Solva, Haverfordwest and Narberth
so far and includes beaches that are adjacent to the towns or areas that are visited. It
includes dog warden patrols of the streets and engagement with the schools,
community and partner organisations. Work has been undertaken at various locations
to refresh signage for dog fouling and new signs have been developed with the slogan
“See it Report it”. These signs will be erected at various locations post targeted
interventions. The signs include QR (Quick Response) Codes for quick access to the
PCC web reporting tool.
The Envirocrime initiative has been successful so far and therefore it will be possible
to use aspects of it to reduce some of the environmental issues on beaches.
6.3.2 Dogs on beaches
The main issues reported with dogs on the beaches are fouling and dog control:
• Dogs are frequently reported as being present in areas where dogs are banned
by byelaw. The effectiveness of the dog ban byelaw is only monitored when
the Envirocrime initiative is focusing on a specific area.
• The areas where dogs are not allowed can often not be clearly displayed with
signage on the beach because of the large tidal range and the large scale of
some beaches .
• Dogs that are not under control can be dangerous or a nuisance, especially off
the lead resulting in issues such as dog fouling going un-noticed and potential
safety concerns. Rescuing dogs that have got into difficulties in the sea or on
cliffs regularly endangers the lives of owners, lifeguards or Coastguard who
may be called out.
• Dog fouling is a public health issue due to the risk of contracting Toxocariasis
which can cause very serious symptoms, including blindness. Currently, checks
being carried out on beaches to enforce the prevention of dog fouling are
infrequent. However, when the Pembrokeshire County Council’s Envirocrime
initiative is in a specific area then the beaches are checked by the dog wardens
as part of this scheme.
We plan to improve dog control issues on beaches by:
• Considering appropriate signage to clearly show the areas where dogs cannot
go on the beaches that have dog ban byelaws. This will be done in collaboration
with other partners, such as the Town and Community Councils.
An example of collaboration is an Envirocrime initiative when a group of dog
walkers in Freshwater East have joined to form a 'Community Dog Watch '. All
group members are provided with visibility vests, marked as Community Dog
Watch.When walking their dogs they regularly engage with other dog walkers
to promote the 'scoop the poop' principle. This is a demonstration of active
community engagement which appears to be effective as complaints of
fouling in the area have significantly reduced.
Page | 10• Undertaking spot-checks on the beaches that have dog ban byelaws
throughout May to September through the Envirocrime initiative to ensure
compliance. The approach taken is to educate and explain the issues.
Pembrokeshire County Council’s dog wardens will continue to collect any stray
dogs within Pembrokeshire.
• Creating a Code of Conduct leaflet to give residents and tourists a small and
simple amount of information on dog control specifically for Pembrokeshire
beaches. The dangers of dog faeces will be highlighted in the Code of Conduct
leaflet. A general Code of Conduct leaflet and one specific to dogs is detailed
in Appendix 3.
• Erecting signs in certain areas, such as pathways onto beaches to remind
owners to keep dogs under control.
• Carrying out more consistent checks to enforce dog fouling legislation on the
beaches. It is believed that an educational approach would be most effective,
to inform people of the possible fines with dog fouling and also where they can
buy bags to collect the faeces.
• Arrange Dog Awareness days at locations at or near to beaches with
Pembrokeshire County Council, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority
and the Dogs Trust. The Dogs Trust can offer free mircrochipping and
subsidised neuteuring. For more information on this please see
www.dogstrust.org.uk.
• Engage with land owners to encourage take up of Dog Control Orders, giving
landowners greater enforcement powers.
• Prosecute, as a last resort where dog owners fail to comply with the byelaws.
6.3.3 Horses
Horse riding on beaches can cause conflict with other beach users and may lead to
issues with manure being left on the beach or access path. The issue is more likely to
occur at beaches which are regularly used by riding schools. We will work to engage
with local riding schools to make them aware of any issues that arise and try to deal
with them.
Page | 116.3.4 Litter
Litter is an issue that affects all beaches in Pembrokeshire and is a continuing problem
throughout the year. Adverse weather can dramatically increase the amount of litter
and debris found on the beaches. Beach cleaning is undertaken by Pembrokeshire
County Council. Reductions in funding for Pembrokeshire County Council may result
in changes to the cleaning schedule; beaches with a Blue Flag will continue to be
cleaned as normal but other beaches may see a reduced schedule and there may not
be any regular winter cleansing.
We plan to deal with litter on beaches by:
• Continuing to organise voluntary beach cleans, especially on beaches which
are not cleansed by Pembrokeshire County Council. Many are already taking
place and are being organised by Keep Wales Tidy and Pembrokeshire Coast
National Park along with community volunteers. Pembrokeshire County Council
is also working alongside their partners to assist in the removal of the rubbish
that is collected. The natural debris that is found on the beach is left, whereas
man-made objects such as netting and litter are removed. Details of dates and
locations of these beach cleans can be found on the following Pembrokeshire
Coast Care Facebook page which aims to collect information on where and
when clean ups are being held in order to direct groups to appropriate
beaches.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pembrokeshire-Coast-
Care/1400140933577102?ref=hl
• Publicise the beach cleans before they happen to recruit volunteers but also
highlight the issue of litter on the beach.
• Undertaking an annual audit on the number of bins that are available at the
beaches and in the car parks to ensure that people have the provisions to
dispose of their rubbish.
6.3.5 Anti-social behaviour
During the summer months, unauthorised beach parties may take place throughout
Pembrokeshire. Issues that arise from this include:
• littering and fire remains which may be washed into the sea or left on the beach.
Broken glass represents a particular hazard.
• Noise nuisance for residents and other visitors
• Wildlife disturbance and habitat damage.
• Damage to beach infrastructure such as signs, fences, bins and toilets
• Anti-social behaviour such as underage drinking
Page | 12Spontaneous events with gatherings of people can cause considerable anxiety to the
community and if they are not dealt with swiftly, they are difficult to stop or otherwise
control, often due to the sheer numbers of people involved and the safety aspects of
breaking up such an event.
Mobile phones, text messaging and social networking sites such as Facebook have
made it easier for organisers to prepare and plan these events.
Things for landowners and residents to note:
1. Report any suspicious activity immediately to the police.
2. People looking at land or testing hedges, fences or gates.
3. Unusual vehicles driving slowly or stopping in isolated areas.
4. Gatherings of people in and around beaches, vacant land or lay-bys
5. Report any damage to facilities such as toilets, bus shelters and fences
There is also little doubt that events are well planned, organised and that local
knowledge is important in attracting people to a particular vulnerable field or area of
land, which has been targeted as a suitable venue.
Reporting mechanisms such as QR codes and contact numbers should be displayed
in beach information signage to enable the public to report anti-social problems and
unauthorised beach parties. Pembrokeshire County Council, Dyfed Powys Police,
Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority and other partners have a Spontaneous
Events Protocol to deal with large unauthorised parties and raves.
If you see anything suspicious or become aware of any gatherings please contact
without delay: - Dyfed Powys Police on 101 and ask to speak to the Duty Sergeant or
the Duty Inspector at Haverfordwest Police Station.
Or contact Pembrokeshire County Council on 01437 764551 or Out of Hours on 0845
6015522.
6.4 Safety and services
6.4.1 Lifeguards
Pembrokeshire County Council at present contracts the Beach Lifeguard Service to
the RNLI who manage safety on lifeguarded beaches, giving safety advice,
responding to emergencies and providing first aid treatment to members of the public
throughout the summer.
Pembrokeshire County Council directly grant funds the five main Surf Lifesaving
Clubs around the coast of Pembrokeshire. The clubs provide lifesaving training,
undertake voluntary beach safety patrols and promote competition.
Page | 136.4.2 Vehicles on beaches
A number of beaches have vehicle access to enable the launching of boats from the
beach. This can cause issues with people using the beach for driving or parking. This
causes a conflict with other beach users and can cause a safety concern for children
playing nearby. Vehicles can also cause considerable environmental damage
particularly to dunes, streams and other sensitive areas.
There should be a presumption against using beaches for parking of vehicles because
of the risk to public safety they represent and their potential impact on the environment
and landscape . Newport currently allows parking on the beach.
Beach managers, landowners, local communities and beach users must work together
to consider management of this issue.
6.4.3 Safety Equipment
Pembrokeshire County Council provides a network of public water safety rescue
equipment , emergency phones and notices.
7. Public participation
It is hoped that the community and the partner organisations will continue to work
together to improve beaches in Pembrokeshire.
Public participation can be further encouraged through the following methods:
• Educate communities and children on the effects of dog fouling and littering.
This could be achieved through leaflets which are suitable for all age groups or
by undertaking a project with children in a youth club or in schools.
• The public could become involved in the voluntary beach cleans which are
organised. These need to be well publicised and coordinated in advance so
people know they can be involved and the benefits of becoming involved in this
project. This is especially important on beaches that are not part of
Pembrokeshire County Councils beach cleansing.
• Reporting mechanisms such as QR codes and contact numbers that are
displayed will enable the public to report problems. This also includes
spontaneous events such as unauthorised beach parties. The public must be
made aware who to contact if they suspect they are happening.
• Training days are to be held by the Dogs Trust. The aim will be to make people
aware of the issues that dogs can cause such as dog fouling and aggressive
behaviour. As well as being made aware of this, they will also receive
information on controlling and avoiding the situation. Check with Steve
Page | 148. Monitoring and reporting success
To achieve success we will be looking for a reduction in complaints and service
requests to all organisations. This allows us to see whether our Strategy has made an
overall improvement and how greatly this has been achieved.
At the end of the bathing season Welsh Government reports bathing water quality
results and overall compliance to Natural Resources Wales, Pembrokeshire County
Council, DEFRA and the European Commission, as well as Green Sea Partnership
members like Keep Wales Tidy, Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water and the Marine
Conservation Society. We hope to maintain and improve the water quality on all of our
beaches.
The Beach Strategy for Pembrokeshire will be reviewed as required by the
Pembrokeshire Beach Liaison Group.
9. Award recommendations
At the end of each bathing season, once the results are published a descision will be
made by those involved as to which awards are appropriate for each beach.
10. Useful Information Links
Throughout the summer, Natural Resources Wales collects detailed scientific data on
the cleanliness of our bathing waters. Weekly and annual compliance ratings are given
Page | 15on the Bathing Water Data Explorer: http://environment.data.gov.uk/lab/bwq-
web.html
Information Website
Information on beaches and beach http://tinyurl.com/ce5rgwt
facilities in Pembrokeshire is available
here:
Disabled beach access information is http://tinyurl.com/c9bbgzq
available here:
Welsh Government Water Strategy for http://tinyurl.com/c6xkzfx
Wales:
Combined Sewer Overlows Text Alerts http://tinyurl.com/69nmn4a
Beach Selecta App http://www.beachselecta.co.uk/
Annual Bathing Water Report Wales http://tinyurl.com/cso5ekw
Water Information System for Europe http://water.europa.eu/
Information about the beach awards http://www.keepwalestidy.org
can be found on:
Surfers Against Sewage http://www.sas.org.uk/region/wales/
Appendix 1: Pembrokeshire designated and non-designated bathing waters
with current awards and water quality standards
Page | 162018
Bathing Water BWD results 2017 award application
GCA/SA
Abereiddy Excellent Rural GCA/SARural
Abermawr Excellent n/a n/a
Amroth Central Excellent BF BF
GCA/SA
Barafundle Excellent Rural GCA/SARural
Seaside
Broadhaven Central Good Blue Flag Award
GCA/SA
Broadhaven South Excellent Rural GCA/SARural
GCA/SA
Caerfai Bay Excellent Rural GCA/SARural
Castle Beach Tenby Excellent BF BF
Coppet Hall Excellent BF BF
GCA/SA
Cwm yr Eglwys * Excellent Rural GCA/SARural
Dale Excellent BF BF
GCA/SA
Druidston Haven Excellent Rural GCA/SARural
GCA/SA
Freshwater East Excellent Rural GCA/SARural
Freshwater West Excellent n/a n/a
Gelliswick, Milford
Haven * Poor SA Rural No Award
Goodwick Sands * Sufficient SA Rural SA Rural
Little Haven Good SA Rural SA Rural
Lydstep North Beach Excellent BF BF
Page | 17GCA/SA
Manorbier Beach Excellent Rural GCA/SARural
GCA/SA
Marloes Sands Excellent Rural GCA/SARural
GCA/SA
Martin's Haven * Excellent Rural GCA/SARural
Newgale Central Excellent BF BF
Newport North Good SA Rural SA Rural
Nolton Haven Sufficient SA Rural SA Rural
GCA/SA
Penally Excellent Rural GCA/SARural
Poppit West Excellent BF BF
Priory Bay, Caldey
Island * Excellent GCA GCA
GCA/SA
Sandy Haven Sufficient Rural SA Rural
Saundersfoot Excellent BF BF
St. Brides Haven * Poor No Award No Award
Tenby North Excellent BF BF
Tenby South Excellent BF BF
GCA/SA
West Angle Excellent Rural SA rural
West Dale * Excellent GCA GCA
Whitesands Central Excellent BF BF
Wisemans Bridge Good SA Rural SA Rural
*Non designated Bathing Water
BF Blue Flag GCA Green Coast Award SA- Seaside Award
BWD – Bathing Water Directive Results
Page | 18Page | 19
Appendix 2: Action Plan key points for 2018 – 2021
Ref Aim Action Lead Organisations Partners to engage
1 Target beaches which Continued sampling for both Pembrokeshire County Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water
are predicated to be designated and non- Council
poor/sufficient or have designated bathing water Landowners and businesses
recently lost an award. throughout the bathing National Resources Wales
season (May – Sept) –
*Sampling now at a reduced
frequency based on risk of
non compliance.
Improve awareness of
bathing water quality/ ensure
compliance with regulations
and best practice.
2 Reduce the number of Review signs to clearly show Pembrokeshire County National Trust
complaints associated where dogs are allowed Council
with dogs on areas of
beaches which are Undertake spot checks that Keep Wales Tidy
within the dog ban the byelaws are being
complied with. PCSOs?? Pembrokeshire Coast
byelaw National Park
Create a Code of Conduct
leaflet for dog owners
Page | 20Erect signs on pathways for
owners to keep dogs on
leads
3 Reduce the amount of Conduct more consistent Pembrokeshire County Town and Community Councils
dog fouling found on checks to ensure that dogs Council
Pembrokeshire’s are not fouling on the beach
beaches or nearby Pembrokeshire Coast
National Park Discuss community scheme with
Create a Code of Conduct Steve –
leaflet for dog owners Keep Wales Tidy Saundersfoot/Freshwater East.
Anywhere Else??
National Trust
4 Reduce the amount of Organise voluntary beach Keep Wales Tidy
litter on Pembrokeshire cleans and clearly publicise
beaches and coordinate when and Pembrokeshire Coast
where they are taking place National Park
Undertake an audit of the Pembrokeshire County
number of bins on the beach Council
and in the car parks
5 Reduce amount of anti- Ensure that complaints are Pembrokeshire County Members of the public
social behaviour and followed up promptly and Council
continue to raise appropriately.
awareness about Dyfed Powys Police
unauthorised/ Make public aware to contact
the police and the local
Page | 21unregulated authority if they suspect a Pembrokeshire Coast
spontaneous events large party or rave is National Park
happening
Follow the spontaneous
events protocol
Page | 22Targeted Beach Specific Actions – During Preseason Inspections
Wiseman’s Bridge (designated)
• Visit significant sewerage systems to ensure they are not polluting or breaching permit conditions
• Visit local farms and offer pollution prevention advice
• Work with beach owners, local community and other interest groups to ensure community involvement
• Work collaboratively to identify and rectify any sewage misconnections
Nolton Haven (designated)
• Visit significant private sewerage systems to ensure they are not polluting or breaching permit conditions
• Visit local farms and offer pollution prevention advice
• Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water to operate assets in accordance with their Permits
• React promptly to poor bathing water results and investigate pollution incidents that affect water quality
• Work with beach owners, local community and other interest groups to ensure community involvement
• Work collaboratively to identify and rectify any sewage misconnections
Poppit (designated)
• Inspect local private treatment plant
• Visit local farms and offer pollution prevention advice
• Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water to operate assets in accordance with their Permits
• Work with beach owners, local community and other interest groups to ensure community involvement
• Work collaboratively to identify and rectify any sewage misconnections
Page | 23Newport North (designated)
• Liaise with Town Council, Nevern CC
• Visit private sewerage systems to ensure they are not polluting or breaching permit conditions
• Visit local farms and offer pollution prevention advice
• Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water to operate assets in accordance with their Permits
• Work with beach owners, local community and other interest groups to ensure community involvement
• Work collaboratively to identify and rectify any sewage misconnections
Sandy Haven (designated)
• Visit significant private sewerage systems to ensure they are not polluting or breaching permit conditions
• Visit local farms and offer pollution prevention advice
• Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water to operate assets in accordance with their Permits
• Work with beach owners, local community and other interest groups to ensure community involvement
• Work collaboratively to identify and rectify any sewage misconnections
Broad Haven (designated)
• Blue Flag lost in 2017, Discuss with Community Council
• Visit local farms and offer pollution prevention advice
• Monitor Dwr Cymru spills
• Prediction method in operation
Little Haven (designated)
• Visit significant private sewerage systems to ensure they are not polluting or breaching permit conditions
Page | 24• Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water to operate assets in accordance with their Permits
• Work with beach owners, local community and other interest groups to ensure community involvement
• Work collaboratively to identify and rectify any sewage misconnections
Gelliswick (non-designated)
• Visit significant private sewerage systems to ensure they are not polluting or breaching permit conditions
• Visit local farms and offer pollution prevention advice
• Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water to operate assets in accordance with their Permits
• Work with beach owners, local community and other interest groups to ensure community involvement
• Work collaboratively to identify and rectify any sewage misconnections
St Bride’s (non-designated)
• Visit significant private sewerage systems to ensure they are not polluting or breaching permit conditions
• Visit local farms and offer pollution prevention advice
• Work with beach owners, local community and other interest groups to ensure community involvement
• Work collaboratively to identify and rectify any sewage misconnections
Goodwick (non-designated)
• Monitor discharges into Goodwick Moor
• Visit private sewerage systems to ensure they are not polluting or breaching permit conditions
• Visit local farms and offer pollution prevention advice
• Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water to operate assets in accordance with their Permits
• Work with beach owners, local community and other interest groups to ensure community involvement
• Work collaboratively to identify and rectify any sewage misconnections
• Working with Pembrokeshire County Council to identify and rectify any sewage misconnections
Page | 25Glen Beach (non designated)
• Visit private sewerage systems to ensure they are not polluting or breaching permit conditions
• Visit local farms and offer pollution prevention advice
• Pre-bathing season checks of significant assets
• Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water to operate assets in accordance with their Permits
• Work with beach owners, local community and other interest groups to ensure community involvement
• Work collaboratively to identify and rectify any sewage misconnections
Page | 26Appendix 3: Dog Walking Code of Conduct for Pembrokeshire
Look after your dog
• Keep your dog close and in sight – on a lead if necessary and always if it
won’t recall immediately to you.
• Make sure your dog wears a collar, identification disc and is micro-chipped
• Don’t allow your dog near cliff edges, rough seas or strong tidal currents
• Think of the weather - on hot days cars and beaches can be too hot for dogs
Look after our coast and countryside
• Always pick up your dog’s mess, especially on beaches and places where
people walk and play
• Take your bagged dog waste home or put it in a litter bin
• Ensure your dog is on a lead near livestock and doesn’t approach or chase
birds or other wildlife
• When cattle are present keep your dog on a lead unless you feel threatened –
in which case let your dog go and make your own way to safety.
• Follow signs and abide by byelaws such as dog restrictions on beaches
• Keep your dog to the path when walking in the countryside
Be considerate of others
• Show respect for other people and their dogs
• Keep your dog away from horse riders, cyclists and picnics
• Don’t allow your dog to bark excessively
• Remember that not everyone likes dogs, especially small children
Page | 27Appendix 4: Code of Conduct
Do Don’t
Dogs Dogs
✓ Walk your dog on lead Let your dog run wild, barkor
✓ Clear up after your dog cause a nuisance
✓ Check notice boards and Let your dog foul
signage to make sure your dog Walk your dog through restricted
is allowed on the beach areas
Barbecues Barbecues
✓ Choose the site carefully – only Put a barbecue on grass or
on bare sand vegetation.
✓ Clear up afterwards and take Rest a lit barbecue on a picnic
everything away with you table, bench or other structure.
✓ Make sure the coals are cold Leave hot coals on the beach or
before putting them in the bin light open fires
Vehicles on Beaches Vehicles on Beaches
✓ Check you are allowed to access Take a vehicle onto the beach
the beach. unless you have permission to do
✓ Only drive on a beach when so
launching a boat. park on the beach
✓ Use the shortest route possible Presume sand is ok to drive on
✓ Drive carefully and slowly without checking
✓ Check notice boards for tide Drive recklessly
times and other info Never take quad bikes, mini
✓ Check your insurance covers you motor bikes or scramblers onto a
for driving on the beach beach.
✓ Ensure your vehicle is suitable to Block emergency accesses or
drive on soft sand and you know rights of way
how to avoid getting stuck Drive along the beach
Horses Horses
✓ Check notice boards or signage Take a nervous or unpredictable
for restrictions horse onto a beach
✓ Stay in control at all times Ride on busy beaches
✓ Make sure you are insured Race and act irresponsibly
✓ Choose a quiet day and time to Leave horse manure
visit
✓ Respect and keep away from
other beach users
Camping Camping
✓ Use accredited camp sites Camp on the beach, dunes or in
car parks
Page | 28Litter Litter
✓ Pick up after you Drop or leave litter
✓ Use recycling bins
✓ Take litter home
Power Craft Power Craft
✓ Launch at proper sites (slipways Launch unless you are sure you
harbours) can do so legally and safely.
✓ Check you have permission to Launch over pebble banks or
launch unauthorised sites
✓ Obey any local signs, byelaws or Speed (plane) amongst
instructions swimmers
✓ Launch between black and white Disturb wildlife (birds, seals
flags dolphins) – see Pembrokeshire
✓ Pay due care and attention to Marine Code for advice
others
✓ Check you are insured to launch
and operate your craft.
Kite Sports Kite Sports
✓ Check notice boards before you Don’t go out if the beach is busy
launch Keep out of the area between the
✓ Check winds and tides Red & Yellow flags.
✓ Keep clear of all beach users.
Kayaking Kayaking
✓ Check the weather, wind and tide Go in offshore winds
before leaving Disturb wildlife (birds, seals
✓ Inform others where you are dolphins)
going and a return time
✓ Wear a lifejacket
✓
Children Children
✓ Keep an eye on your children Let them wander off on their own
✓ Ask the lifeguards for a wristband Let them swim alone
✓ Tether any inflatables to the Take inflatables in the sea when
beach with a rope there are offshore winds
Page | 29Appendix 5: Beach Safety
Extract from: ‘Safety Sense in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park’ - leaflet
On the shore
When you are on the beach or shoreline, be alert to the rapid changes and
difficulties that tides, strong currents and weather conditions can pose.
All beaches can be dangerous in the wrong conditions – seek local advice or
choose one which has Lifeguards. See www.rnli.org.uk for lifeguarded beaches in
Pembrokeshire.
Always supervise children, even when they go paddling.
Tide tables – get a local copy and learn how to use it (there’s one in the Coast to
Coast newspaper, available from Easter to the end of October in shops, pubs and
attractions across Pembrokeshire and online: www.pembrokeshirecoast.org.uk).
Don’t get cut off from the beach access. If you do get cut off, get above the high
tide line and stay there until the tide recedes. Don’t try to climb the cliff.
Do not sit under cliffs, or climb them. They may look solid but many cliffs are
constantly eroding into the sea. Even a small falling rock can cause injury.
Note warning signs and where lifesaving equipment is located. A red flag means
danger – do not enter the water. When red/yellow flags are flying, use the area
between them as this is patrolled by Lifeguards. A single red/yellow means
Lifeguards on duty.
Bathing – the sea is cold (even in summer), so do not swim when you are really hot,
soon after a meal or after drinking alcohol. Swim along the shore, keeping within
your depth and get out of the water when you start feeling cold.
Inflatables should always be tethered to shore. Airbeds are beds, not boats, and
should not be used on the water. If your dinghy/beach ball, etc. gets carried out to
sea, don’t swim after it.
Kite sports – Power kites, kite boards and kite surfing can be hazardous to users
and threatening to other beach users. Get training and insurance, check the weather
forecasts before you go, and above all, please be considerate to other beach users.
If the beach is busy, choose another venue or day.
Unidentified objects on the beach could be dangerous. Do not touch them and
report your find to police.
Fishing - when fishing off rocks, keep well above the height of even the highest
wave and never venture onto exposed or slippery areas.
Page | 30Ask advice about local conditions: contact Pembrokeshire Coast National Park
Authority on 0845 345 7275, Oriel y Parc Visitor Centre, St Davids on 01437 720392,
or Pembrokeshire County Council’s beach section on 01646 602105.
In an emergency
Dial 999 for Police, Fire, Ambulance or Coastguard
Page | 31Appendix 6: Dog Byelaws
Date Made By Title Beach Concerned Description Penalty
Byelaw
came into
Force
18th June South Regulation of (a) The beach between First Point and Between 1st May - 30th September Offending persons
1990 Pembrokeshire Dogs on the the end of the Pier being part of the inclusive in any year every person in shall be liable on
District Council Seashore and beach known as North Beach and (b) charge of a dog (other than registered summary conviction
the Promenades the beach between the Quay and the blind persons in charge of a dog) who to a fine not
and Roads Pier known as Harbour Beach. - Tenby. without reasonable excuse permits exceeding Level 2 on
Tenby the dog to enter or remain on the the Standard Scale.
beaches shall be guilty of an offence
5th Sept Preseli Dogs on the The area known as Whitesands Beach Between 1st May - 30th September Offending persons
1991 Pembrokeshire Beach at or Traethmawr, St Davids including any inclusive in any year every person in shall be liable on
District Council Whitesands slope or staircase leading on to the charge of a dog (other than registered summary conviction
Beach beach. blind persons in charge of a dog) who to a fine not
without reasonable excuse permits exceeding Level 2 on
the dog to enter or remain on the the Standard Scale.
beaches shall be guilty of an offence
1st Feb South Dogs on the An area of beach at Amroth between Between 1st May - 30th September Offending persons
1994 Pembrokeshire Seashore and an imaginary line at 90 degrees from inclusive in any year every person in shall be liable on
District Council the Promenades the westernmost groyne situated 120 charge of a dog (other than registered summary conviction
and Roads in the meters west of the road bridge over the blind persons in charge of a dog) who to a fine not
Community of stream at the west end of the village as without reasonable excuse permits exceeding Level 2 on
Amroth far as the mean low water mark and an the dog to enter or remain on the the Standard Scale.
imaginary line at 90 degrees from the beaches shall be guilty of an offence
Page | 32second eastern most groyne situated
90 meters west of the road bridge over
the stream at the east end of the village
as far as the mean low water mark. This
includes any slope or staircase leading
to the beach.
10th Aug Pembrokeshire Dogs on the An area of the seashore - hatched blue Between 1st May - 30th September Offending persons
1998 County Council Seashore and on the annexed plan - and includes any inclusive in any year every person in shall be liable on
Promenades at slope or staircase leading on to any of charge of a dog (other than registered summary conviction
Newgale the beach. blind persons in charge of a dog) who to a fine not
without reasonable excuse permits exceeding Level 2 on
the dog to enter or remain on the the Standard Scale.
beaches shall be guilty of an offence
1st June Pembrokeshire Dogs on the An area of the seashore - hatched blue Between 1st May - 30th September Offending persons
1999 County Council Seashore and on the annexed plan - and includes any inclusive in any year every person in shall be liable on
Promenades at slope or staircase leading on to any of charge of a dog (other than registered summary conviction
Lydstep the beach. blind persons in charge of a dog) who to a fine not
without reasonable excuse permits exceeding Level 2 on
the dog to enter or remain on the the Standard Scale.
beaches shall be guilty of an offence
1st Dec Pembrokeshire Dogs on the An area of the seashore - hatched blue Between 1st May - 30th September Offending persons
2000 County Council Seashore and on the annexed plan - and includes any inclusive in any year every person in shall be liable on
Promenades at slope or staircase leading on to any of charge of a dog (other than registered summary conviction
Poppit Sands St the beach. blind persons in charge of a dog) who to a fine not
Dogmaels without reasonable excuse permits exceeding Level 2 on
the dog to enter or remain on the the Standard Scale.
beaches shall be guilty of an offence
1st Jan Pembrokeshire Dogs on the An area of the seashore - hatched blue Between 1st May - 30th September Offending persons
2001 County Council Seashore and on the annexed plan - and includes any inclusive in any year every person in shall be liable on
Promenades at slope or staircase leading on to any of charge of a dog (other than registered summary conviction
South Beach the beach. blind persons in charge of a dog) who to a fine not
Tenby without reasonable excuse permits exceeding Level 2 on
the Standard Scale.
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