A NEW community banking service is set to be established in Tenby as part of a decision to relocate the town’s council offices.

Plans to move the town council into a vacant café building to improve access and allow a community hub and banking service to be created has been approved by national park planners yesterday.

Tenby has been left without a high street bank since the closure of HSBC last April.

In an application submitted to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, the town council sought permission for a change of use of the café, empty since late 2022, to allow for the relocation of the town council office from its current location off the entrance corridor of the 1970s De Valence Pavilion building, Upper Frog Street, to the vacant cafe area at the front of the Pavilion to increase service provision through a community information hub.

The application also sought permission to install a One Banx machine in association with the Principality Building Society to provide access to cash deposit and withdrawal services across all banks who are part of the Open Banking Network.

In a supporting statement, Tenby Town Council said the new offices “will enable Tenby Town Council to provide office space that is more inclusive; it will be spacious, well-lit and step free, with wide access doors, ensuring people with mobility issues, visual impairment, cognitive challenges and other disabilities find the premises physically accessible,” as well as being visible and directly accessed from Upper Frog Street, in Tenby’s town centre; people with visual impairment no longer needing to navigate through the De Valence Pavilion’s corridor in order to locate the office.

It added: “Tenby Town Council is committed to providing an accessible, welcoming and equitable space for everyone as far as we can, and our new office is designed, and will be run, with this intention.

“While we appreciate there will always be space for improvements, we will continue to learn, adapt and improve the accessibility and quality of our office and public interactions in the future.”

An officer report recommending approval said: “The proposal will enable a community information hub and shared use facility with Principality Building Society to provide financial services. Banking staff would be present Monday to Friday 9.30am–4.30pm with an hour closure for lunch. The building would not be open on weekends.

“The proposal would not impact on the concentration of non-A1 uses in the primary retail area of Tenby due to the site’s existing permitted A3 use. The proposed mixed use of A2 and B1 uses would maintain an active frontage within the primary retail area, contribute to meeting the needs of local communities, and preserve Tenby Conservation Area.”

The application was conditionally approved by park planners.

MID and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service (MAWWFRS) will be carrying out a realistic Search and Rescue training exercise on Monday (Apr 7), aimed at enhancing emergency response capabilities.

The exercise, named ‘High & Dry’, will take place between 6:30pm and 8:30pm at Crown Buildings, Church Street, Llanelli. The session will allow crews to practise specialist rescue techniques, including Rescue from Height using the Turntable Ladder.

To ensure a lifelike environment, synthetic smoke will be used during the training. Members of the public may notice smoke escaping from windows and doors, or see emergency vehicles and personnel at the scene. The fire service is reassuring residents that there is no cause for concern.

Watch Manager Gavin Wilkins said: “It’s vital to utilise real buildings as it provides a realistic environment and opportunity to prepare our crews to effectively deal with incidents of this nature. We would like to thank the owners of Crown Buildings in Llanelli for the use of the premises for this exercise.”

The service also thanked the public for their cooperation and understanding while crews undertake this important training.

PARENTS and guardians across Pembrokeshire are being urged to take part in a statutory consultation on major infrastructure changes planned for Newgale.

The Newgale Coastal Adaptation Project: Phase 1 Proposals are currently out for public consultation from April 14 to May 11 2025, and the project team is especially keen to engage with families in the local school community to raise awareness of the long-term changes being proposed.

The Herald understands that AtkinsRéalis, the firm leading the project on behalf of Pembrokeshire County Council, has contacted schools across the area asking them to help distribute information to parents and carers.

The proposed works involve the construction of a new inland section of the A487, with a bridge over Brandy Brook, to replace the vulnerable coastal stretch of road currently running through Newgale. That section of road has suffered repeated flooding in recent years, and experts say it will become increasingly unsustainable due to sea-level rise and extreme weather linked to climate change.

Once the new inland road is in place, the existing coastal route would be permanently closed and removed.

In addition to the realignment of the A487, the plans include:

• The reclassification of Newgale Hill and Wood Hill, with adjustments to local traffic management;
• A short-term access road (in place for up to ten years) to serve beachfront commercial properties;
• Improved bus stop facilities and turning areas;
• The creation of a traffic-free Shared Use Path, which would replace a portion of the Wales Coast Path, helping to maintain pedestrian and cyclist access through the area.

The works are part of a wider strategy to manage coastal change in a sustainable way, while maintaining access and infrastructure for residents, visitors, and businesses.

Full details of the proposals, including maps, supporting documents, and environmental assessments, can be viewed online at:
https://newgalecoastaladaptation.co.uk/#/Statutory_PAC

Those without internet access can view the documents at St Davids Library, City Hall, St Davids, SA62 6SD, during the following times:

• Tuesday: 10:00am – 1:00pm and 2:00pm – 5:00pm
• Thursday: 10:00am – 5:00pm
• Saturday: 10:00am – 12:00pm

Anyone wishing to make representations about the proposals must do so in writing before 11th May 2025, either by email to Newgale@atkinsrealis.com, or by post to:
Newgale Coastal Adaptation Project Team
AtkinsRéalis
Floor 4, West Glamorgan House
12 Orchard Street
Swansea
SA1 5AD

The Herald will continue to follow developments on this important project as they progress.