Residents link hands to protest plan for 20m structures at beauty spot
Radar plans may allow Trump to dominate space from Wales – say campaigners
There are major plans to build 27 radar dishes at Cawdor Barracks in Brawdy but residents are not happy
https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/residents-link-hands-beach-protest-32219420
A large number of locals came together to link hands on a Pembrokeshire beach in a protest against plans for “huge” structures overlooking the coastline. There are plans to build 27 radar dishes at Cawdor Barracks in Brawdy to monitor satellites and other objects in space, something which many residents object to.
Residents attended the protest on Newgale Beach on Sunday, August 3, with the linked chain of people stretching from one side of the beach to the other.
Newgale sits underneath a hill which the dishes, which would be as tall as four London buses, part of the Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability (DARC) project to track satellites, could be erected on. They will be 68ft (21m) high and 49ft (15m) wide and will be situated close to the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.
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Locals established the PARC Against DARC pressure group last year when the plans were announced, creating a petition and lobbying politicians. The petition has gathered over 17,000 signatures and opposes the plans on health and environmental grounds. It says that DARC would “drive a wrecking ball through our tourism industry.” Defence Secretary John Healey last year said the proposed redevelopment of Cawdor Barracks “secures jobs at home and defence capabilities for the future.”
Following the recent protest, a PARC Against DARC spokesperson said: “It’s overwhelmingly clear to us how much opposition there is both to DARC radar and to the proposed Newgale bypass road, which has just seen a flood of objections in its public consultation that went well over 90% against.
“It’s almost universally believed here that the road, which would decimate the Brandy Brook valley and cost tens of millions, would be required for both the construction and operation of DARC.” A public consultation for a Newgale bypass road is ongoing but the Ministry of Defence has not requested such a road as part of its plans.
Tim Rees, director of local annual Pembrokeshire music event Unearthed Festival, raised concerns about the impact the proposed dishes would have on local businesses.
Speaking at the demonstration, he said: “We have a beautiful coastline which the National Park has done a great job of preserving, and we’re about to turn a blind eye to decades’ worth of preservation, for what? For something we don’t have a say in, that won’t benefit tourism, and will directly impact me in my business.
“I run a music festival as well as some hospitality businesses, and this isn’t going to help. The money that’s invested, we won’t see that as local people.” The Ministry of Defence has already begun an environmental impact assessment for the proposed redevelopment which will include examining its impact on the skyline, wildlife, local people and communities, businesses, as well as the wider landscape and heritage.
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In 2023 the UK, US and Australian security pact signed in 2023, when the three states agreed to build a system which could identify potential “targets” up to 22,000 miles away from Earth where many military satellites are positioned. DARC is not directly part of the partnership but involves collaboration between Australia, the UK and US.
PARC Against DARC say many local residents are concerned about the health impacts they claim are associated with the radiation DARC radar would produce.
“There’s staggering scientific evidence that shows elevated cancer rates in people who work in radar stations that are exactly the same, using the same wavelengths as the one that would be at DARC,” said Emma Tannahill.
“Those people who got cancer were not sitting on the radar dishes at their lunch breaks: they were people who were working at the stations, and they were not directly in front those beams.”
A Ministry of Defence Spokesperson said: “The Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability (DARC) programme will secure long-term jobs in Pembrokeshire, Wales and help protect essential satellite communication and navigation networks.
“We are engaging with the local community on proposals to redevelop Cawdor Barracks to host DARC, which will be operated by UK personnel.
“We are following processes agreed with Pembrokeshire Country Council and have already begun a comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment, including to ensure the project has minimal impact on the local skyline.
“We continue to hold public information events in Pembrokeshire to hear views and answer any questions. We respect people’s right to peaceful protest.”