ST KATHARINE and St Peter’s Church in Milford Haven hosted its annual Candlelit Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, bringing together members of the community for a traditional celebration of Christmas.

The service featured readings from the Mayor of Milford Haven, representatives of the Soroptimists, Milford Haven Amateur Operatic Society, the Headteacher and Head Prefects of Milford Haven School, Milford Haven Town Band, and NCI Wooltack Point.

Music for the evening was provided by organist Seimon Morris, Milford Haven Town Band and the Milford Haven Cluster Band, whose performances added to the atmosphere of the candlelit service.

The Friends of St Katharine and St Peter’s Church thanked all those involved and wished the community a happy Christmas.

A SCHEME for a gypsy traveller site near a south Pembrokeshire village will be decided by councillors rather than officers after a call for it to do so was narrowly backed.

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, Ryan Boswell and family seek permission for two traveller family pitches, and associated works, at Greenwells, Cosheston Bridge, near Pembroke Dock.

A supporting statement through agent Hayston Developments & Planning Ltd says: “The applicant and his father’s lifestyle and traditions fall within the statutory definition of Gypsies as defined in Welsh Assembly Government Circular 005/2018 ‘Planning for Gypsy, Traveller and Showpeople Sites’.

“Following the death of the applicant’s mother he, and his family need to return to cultural and traditional accommodation living in caravans. This site has been purchased by the applicant and is available for immediate occupation to enable the family to live in a tranquil and safe environment close to friends and acquaintances.

“There are no public or private pitches available within the county and unlikely to be so in the immediate future. The applicant has therefore identified and demonstrated an urgent need for appropriate alternative accommodation.”

It said it was not considered “this small-scale development for one family pitch for two static units in this location will cause any significant harm considering the more permissive approach provided by [planning circulars]”.

A call for a decision on the scheme to be made by councillors at a future planning committee rather than being delegated for officers was made at the December 16 meeting of the council’s planning delegation panel by local member Cllr Tessa Hodgson.

In her submission, Cllr Hodgson said:  “This application has implications for the whole of Pembrokeshire, and this is reflected in recent decisions to refer earlier similar applications to committee.”

Her submission included references to a similar scheme at Pincheston, south Pembrokeshire, which had been referred to committee.

Cllr Hodson’s submission added: “This application for two gypsy traveller pitches will have an impact on the local community and is finely balanced between the competing interest of providing gypsy traveller sites against development in open countryside on a site which is not within the identified development boundaries in either the currant local development plan or LDP 2.”

It was recommended a decision on the scheme remain delegated to officers; a report for members outlining a list of criteria where it could be decided by committee, which it said were not met.

Speaking at the meeting, Cllr Hodgson said there was little difference between this scheme and some other applications in the Cosheston area which had gone to committee, suggesting it warrants committee consideration on the grounds the proposed scheme, which has attracted a petition of concern of some 178 signatures, was outside the settlement boundary, in the open countryside.

Councillor Phil Kidney moved Cllr Hodgson’s call be approved, against officer recommendation, so both sides could have their say.

“There’s community concern regarding this; I think if it goes to committee it gets a fair hearing all sides can make their representations. Sometimes these applicants are demonised, it gives an opportunity to make their case at committee. I’m quite happy to support it going to committee so everyone can get a fair hearing.”

Cllr Kidney’s call, against the recommendation of officer delegation was supported by three votes to two, with one abstention, Cllr Hodgson, on the grounds she had made the call.

The application will be heard at a future planning committee.

A PLEA for councillors to not act as “judge, jury and executioner” when the potential closure of fire-ravaged Manorbier is decided upon next year was heard at full council.

At the December meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council, members received a petition opposing the potential closure of Manorbier School.

Manorbier Church in Wales VC School and its adjoining schoolhouse was severely damaged by a fire on October 11, 2022, which broke out in the school roof space.

After that, a ‘school from school’ was set up in Jameston Village Hall.

It had been hoped the school would be rebuilt, but earlier this year members of Pembrokeshire County Council backed a report of the School Modernisation Working Group which, amongst other recommendations, included a statutory consultation on proposals to discontinue Manorbier Church in Wales Voluntary Controlled School.

The decision attracted strong local opposition, with more than 1,500 people signing a petition on the council’s own website calling for the school to be rebuilt, meaning it passed the threshold for a formal hearing by members of the council.

The formal consultation for the discontinuation of Manorbier closes in just a few days on December 19.

Manorbier community councillor Richard Hughes

However, many of the council’s figures, especially on the level of surplus places at the school, have been strongly disputed.

Speaking at the December meeting, Richard Hughes, of Manorbier Community Council, said the council consultation was “deeply flawed and unlawful,” the quoted capacity figures after the fire damaged the original building “null and void,” with a true surplus of some 21 per cent.

“The school is clearly thriving under less-than-ideal conditions, your report claims 59 per cent [surplus], it’s misleading and artificial.”

He said the council was acting as “judge, jury and executioner” in its “deeply flawed” consultation.

Cllr Phil Kidney

Local member Cllr Phil Kidney said the staff, parents and pupils had been “living this process for three years,” adding: “At worst light we were misled for three years, living under this shadow, it’s not fair.

“We’ve been promised all along ‘we will rebuild this school; no matter what we do we will have to spend on this school, we have to hand it back in [a useable] condition.

“How members of staff have worked under these conditions for three years is amazing, the service they are providing in that school is fantastic.”

He criticised the consultation wording, feeling it painted Manorbier in an unfair light, saying it was stacked heavily in favour of St Florence school in a submitted question heard later at the meeting.

“We do feel there’s a hidden agenda, nothing more than a boost for St Florence school; we were led to believe was all about the positives and the negatives for the school; we have lost the trust in the director of education, we still feel we’re not been listened to.”

He said it was important councillors, when a final vote on Manorbier’s future, expected in March, keep an open mind “not just going along with the narrative: ‘We can’t afford it, and the figures are going down’.”

He went on to say: “We want to get the right vote, the moral vote, and get the school rebuilt.”

Cllr Guy Woodham

Cabinet member for education Cllr Guy Woodham praised the work at the school following the fire, saying he intended to “set the facts out” when it came to a final decision.

Leader of the independent group Cllr Huw Murphy said: “It just doesn’t sit right with me to close a school that has burned to the ground. Yes, we will respect the decision in March, however we haven’t handled the decision well. We need to do what’s right, and we haven’t done what’s right for Manorbier.”

Members agreed to note receipt of the petition prior to the final report before council in 2026.

Later in the meeting, Cllr Woodham disputed Cllr Kidney’s submitted question claim, Cllr Kidney telling Cllr Woodham: “We’ve put a lot of trust and faith in you on this consultation to make sure it’s fair and transparent. St Florence was referenced more times than our school, for a consultation I think it’s misleading.”

Cllr Woodham responded: “I will do my utmost to give a balanced report when I bring it back to full council.”