Community

Haverfordwest houses for homeless will not be used for asylum seekers

Published

5 months ago

July 9, 2025

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

PROPOSED housing for the homeless at the site of a former Haverfordwest school will not be used for asylum seekers despite comments circulating on social media, senior Pembrokeshire councillors heard.

At the July 7 meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet, members were asked to back the early stages of a proposal to locate up to 30 modular homes over two phases at the former Mount Airey school site, Augustine Way.

In a report presented by Cabinet Member for Housing Cllr Michelle Bateman, said: “Mount Airey primary school has been vacant since 2022. There have been incidences of vandalism and entry to the building. The building structure includes asbestos, and recommendation is that the school needs to be demolished at the earliest opportunity.

“The proposal is to explore the opportunity to develop Modular Homes at Mount Airey due to the high level of one-bed need on the housing register, together with the continued high costs of B&B and continuing pressures to source suitable 1 bed Temporary Accommodation (TA) for the homeless.”

It said other areas of Wales have progressed with such modular homes, including Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan councils.

“It is recognised that in order to make significant inroads into reducing temporary accommodation costs, we need to continue to bring forward accommodation to reduce the reliance on B&Bs. The proposal is therefore to bring forward a meanwhile site of up to 30 one-bed (possibly few two-bed) self- contained modular homes over a two-year period from 2025-2027/8.”

It said costs of B&B and hostel accommodation left an annual ‘cost’ to the local authority of £1.865 million on its core budget.

Members heard a blend of grant and match funding would be required, with an estimated grant level of 63 per cent on a worst-case estimation total site development cost of £6 million, with the demolition and asbestos removal costs estimated at £280,000.

The report said it was expected the scheme was expected to pay itself back in eight years “based on the temporary accommodation costs from reduced reliance on B&B accommodation we are currently experiencing, and the savings in revenue from the B&B would fund the additional borrowing required for the capital allocation”.

It finished: “It is recognised that such a development could raise concern with the local community; and if the proposal is agreed by cabinet it is our intention to carry out community drop in events to explain the proposal and to receive feedback from the local community residents.”

Backing Cllr Bateman’s move to approve the scheme, Cllr Alistair Cameron said: “This is for local people on the housing list, anybody who’s suggesting anything else is just being misleading.”

Cllr Bateman responded by saying they would be for people on the housing register despite online comments they would be used for asylum seekers, which comes under the Home Office not the local authority.

Leader Jon Harvey said: “I wouldn’t say they are swish, but they are certainly of a reasonable quality. It never fails to amaze me how you say it’s black and they say it’s white; there’s a lot of misinformation on the sphere of social media.”

Members backed officers proceeding with scoping the early stages of the proposal to locate up to 30 modular homes at the site, along with community consultation, with further cabinet decisions being required in accordance with financial procedure rules/contract procedure rules at the point of contract tender and award.

Community

Annual charity carol service raises funds for good causes

Published

18 hours ago

December 13, 2025

Tom Sinclair

MID and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service held its annual Charity Carol Service on Wednesday (Dec 10) at Ebeneser Baptist Chapel in Crymych.

The event brought together members of the local community alongside Fire Service staff for an evening of carols, readings and festive refreshments, marking the Christmas season in a warm and inclusive atmosphere.

This year’s service supported two important charities — the Fire Fighters Charity and Cancer Research Wales — with all proceeds going directly towards their ongoing work.

A total of £597 was raised on the night, which will be shared equally between the two charities.

The Service thanked the congregation at Ebeneser Baptist Chapel for hosting the event, as well as everyone who gave their time, support and generosity to make the evening such a success.

Community

3 Amigos toy bike run under way across Pembrokeshire

Published

19 hours ago

December 13, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Castle Inn fun runners back festive charity event

THE ANNUAL 3 Amigos Christmas toy bike run is under way this afternoon (Saturday), with hundreds of motorcyclists setting off from Pembroke to raise funds for children’s services.

Riders gathered at The Commons car park in Pembroke from around midday before departing shortly after 1:00pm. The festive convoy is travelling along its traditional route, taking in Pembroke Dock and continuing through parts of the county including Neyland, Milford Haven and Haverfordwest.

The event is organised by the 3 Amigos and Dollies Motorcycle Group and has become a much-anticipated Christmas tradition in west Wales, with toys and donations collected for children receiving care within the Hywel Dda University Health Board area.

Also supporting the event are fun runners from the Castle Inn in Pembroke, who have been fundraising in aid of the 3 Amigos. The group are pictured alongside participants from today’s run.

The 3 Amigos have been raising funds for children’s wards and health charities for more than twenty-five years, with their Easter and Christmas events continuing to make a positive difference to young patients and their families.

Organisers have thanked the public for their support and asked road users to be mindful of the large convoy as it passes through towns and villages this afternoon.

Photo caption:
Festive fundraising: Fun runners from the Castle Inn, Pembroke, pictured supporting the 3 Amigos Christmas toy bike run (Pic: Martin Cavaney/Herald)

Community

Special delivery of thanks as MP visits Haverfordwest sorting office

Published

2 days ago

December 12, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Christmas cheer for posties working through the festive rush

A CHRISTMAS message of thanks was delivered in person this week as Preseli Pembrokeshire MP Henry Tufnell paid a visit to Royal Mail staff at Haverfordwest Sorting Office.

The MP met postal workers during one of the busiest periods of the year, praising staff for their hard work in ensuring cards, parcels and gifts reach homes across Pembrokeshire in the run-up to Christmas.

Mr Tufnell said postal workers were going “above and beyond” throughout the year, but particularly during the festive period when demand is at its highest and delivery rounds are often made in challenging weather conditions.

He described postal staff as “unsung heroes”, highlighting their role in keeping communities connected and helping families stay in touch at a time when it matters most.

Speaking after the visit, Mr Tufnell said: “Our posties play a vital role in our community, and at Christmas that importance is felt more than ever. They work incredibly hard to make sure gifts and cards from loved ones arrive safely and on time.”

Staff at the Haverfordwest site were pictured alongside the MP, with some embracing the festive spirit in Christmas jumpers and seasonal outfits while continuing their daily work.

The MP also extended his thanks to postal workers across the whole of Pembrokeshire, acknowledging the dedication required to keep services running smoothly during the seasonal rush.

Royal Mail experiences its highest parcel volumes in December, with thousands of additional items passing through local sorting offices each day as Christmas approaches.

Delivering Christmas cheer: Henry Tufnell MP with staff at Haverfordwest Sorting Office during a festive visit (Pic: Facebook).