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Keep out of rugby row, Hain told Keep out of rugby row, Hain told
(about 1 hour later)
Welsh Secretary Peter Hain was warned by his officials to stay out of a planning row over Llanelli Scarlets rugby club, BBC Wales has learned.Welsh Secretary Peter Hain was warned by his officials to stay out of a planning row over Llanelli Scarlets rugby club, BBC Wales has learned.
Plans to build 450 homes on Stradey Park have been "called in" by assembly planning minister Carwyn Jones. Plans for 450 Stradey Park homes have been "called in" by assembly government planning minister Carwyn Jones.
E-mails show Mr Hain went against his officials' advice when he met the club and wrote to Mr Jones.E-mails show Mr Hain went against his officials' advice when he met the club and wrote to Mr Jones.
But the Wales Office said Mr Hain made clear that it was a matter for the local council and Welsh assembly.But the Wales Office said Mr Hain made clear that it was a matter for the local council and Welsh assembly.
We would strongly advise against any such meeting Extract from Wales Office official's e-mail BBC Wales' Dragon's Eye programme has obtained the internal Wales Office e-mails under the Freedom of Information Act.We would strongly advise against any such meeting Extract from Wales Office official's e-mail BBC Wales' Dragon's Eye programme has obtained the internal Wales Office e-mails under the Freedom of Information Act.
They revealed that officials warned Mr Hain not to write to Mr Jones as it was "already a highly controversial planning application".They revealed that officials warned Mr Hain not to write to Mr Jones as it was "already a highly controversial planning application".
The officials also said that "as it is a devolved matter, called in for determination by the assembly, our advice is that you do not comment."The officials also said that "as it is a devolved matter, called in for determination by the assembly, our advice is that you do not comment."
But Mr Hain went ahead and wrote the letter. In it he said he accepted that this was "entirely a matter for the assembly government" and that all issues should be "properly considered".But Mr Hain went ahead and wrote the letter. In it he said he accepted that this was "entirely a matter for the assembly government" and that all issues should be "properly considered".
However, he also said that the Scarlets were "of vital importance to the future of Welsh rugby".However, he also said that the Scarlets were "of vital importance to the future of Welsh rugby".
He warned that "the outcome of the planning application and the timescale involved could have significant financial implications for the Scarlets, and I feel that those need to be carefully considered, together with the protection of local concerns..."He warned that "the outcome of the planning application and the timescale involved could have significant financial implications for the Scarlets, and I feel that those need to be carefully considered, together with the protection of local concerns..."
Peter Hain believes the Scarlets are vital to the future of Welsh rugbyWhen the Welsh secretary planned to meet the Scarlets' chief executive, Stuart Gallacher, a Wales Office official said "we would strongly advise against any such meeting".Peter Hain believes the Scarlets are vital to the future of Welsh rugbyWhen the Welsh secretary planned to meet the Scarlets' chief executive, Stuart Gallacher, a Wales Office official said "we would strongly advise against any such meeting".
The e-mails showed that another official believed he would go ahead anyway and they should "minimise potential fallout."The e-mails showed that another official believed he would go ahead anyway and they should "minimise potential fallout."
Another e-mail concerns the possibility of Mr Hain raising the Scarlets' plight in a meeting he was due to have with assembly First Minister Rhodri Morgan.Another e-mail concerns the possibility of Mr Hain raising the Scarlets' plight in a meeting he was due to have with assembly First Minister Rhodri Morgan.
'Strong supporter''Strong supporter'
It contains the warning: "Any further intervention risks him being drawn into a legal challenge by the opponents of the application..."It contains the warning: "Any further intervention risks him being drawn into a legal challenge by the opponents of the application..."
But the assembly government said that Scarlets issues was not raised in the meeting between Mr Hain and Mr Morgan.But the assembly government said that Scarlets issues was not raised in the meeting between Mr Hain and Mr Morgan.
A spokesman for Peter Hain said: "The Secretary of State for Wales is a strong supporter of Welsh rugby and regards the strength and viability of the Llanelli Scarlets as a matter of great importance to the sport as a whole.A spokesman for Peter Hain said: "The Secretary of State for Wales is a strong supporter of Welsh rugby and regards the strength and viability of the Llanelli Scarlets as a matter of great importance to the sport as a whole.
"In that context, he has had a number of discussions about the Scarlets' plans for a new stadium with both the club and the WRU."In that context, he has had a number of discussions about the Scarlets' plans for a new stadium with both the club and the WRU.
"However, the Secretary of State has made consistently clear that any planning application is a matter for the local authority and the National Assembly for Wales."However, the Secretary of State has made consistently clear that any planning application is a matter for the local authority and the National Assembly for Wales.
"The Secretary of State will continue to speak up for Welsh rugby, reflecting its immense importance to national life in Wales.""The Secretary of State will continue to speak up for Welsh rugby, reflecting its immense importance to national life in Wales."
The Scarlets have warned the rugby club faces closure without planning approval.The Scarlets have warned the rugby club faces closure without planning approval.
Local residents argue the plans contravene planning regulations as the majority of the area is listed as a flood plain by the Environment Agency.Local residents argue the plans contravene planning regulations as the majority of the area is listed as a flood plain by the Environment Agency.
But the club has said the agency's latest advice was that floods could be managed on the site.But the club has said the agency's latest advice was that floods could be managed on the site.
Dragon's Eye is on BBC2W at 2100 BST on Thursday, and on BBC One Wales at 2235 BST on Thursday.Dragon's Eye is on BBC2W at 2100 BST on Thursday, and on BBC One Wales at 2235 BST on Thursday.