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Tourism and community business hub plan for former motel

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A DERELICT ‘eyesore’ motel close to the Pembrokeshire seaside village of Newgale could soon be redeveloped as a tourism and community business hub.

A Pre-Application Consultation was launched on September 15, by Nick Neumann of Newgale Holidays on plans to redevelop the former Roch Gate Motel to a mixed commercial and community use hub called ‘The Gate,’ including a village shop/post office, bistro/takeaway, conference facilities and business units together ancillary works, and a separate tourism development of up to 25 holiday lodges.

The consultation – and a supporting statement – has been submitted with agent Andrew Vaughan-Harries of Hayston Developments & Planning Ltd ahead of any formal application to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.

The application relates to the former motel site, recently purchased by Mr Neumann, and adjacent farmland at Rainbolts Hill Farm on the edge of the village of Roch.

The former motel – dubbed an “eyesore” in previous applications – closed back in 2008 and has a history of later approved planning schemes, including as a bespoke hotel and an affordable housing scheme, but none have come to fruition.

Agent Andrew Vaughan-Harries of Hayston Developments & Planning Ltd, in a supporting statement, said: “The former motel site has laid vacant for several years and is now derelict and largely abandoned. Despite an application being granted for its redevelopment as a bespoke hotel and a more recent application for an affordable housing scheme being recommended for approval by the authority (subject to the completion of a legal agreement) neither of these schemes have materialised.

“These schemes were submitted by the previous owner of the site and clearly failed to deliver.

“The application proposal comprises different business, commercial, community and tourism elements. Since purchasing the site more recently, the applicant seeks to present a different and exciting mixed-use redevelopment on the site which would be of significant benefit to the local community.

“The authority has previously accepted that the site is unlikely to return to its previous use as a motel/hotel. Roch has sadly recently lost its only village shop/post office and fish and chip shop. The shop/post office closed in the last 12 months and the fish and chip shop several years ago.

“The proposed business/community hub would include the provision of a replacement village shop/post office, a bistro with small food takeaway facility, rooms that would be available for conferences and local community uses, together with three small business units.”

The statement added: “In addition to the business/community hub, it is also proposed to create a modest tourism development comprising up to 25 holiday lodges on part of the adjacent field to the southwest. This tourism development forms part of the overall business plan for the site and to provide an income stream in support of the main redevelopment site.”

Mr Vaughan-Harries said the applicant also wants “to give back to the local community” with the introduction of a community garden, open to all, including being offered out to local playgroups and schools for learning and development in the outdoors.

Following the launch of the pre-application, Mr Neumann said: “Today is the first notable milestone on our journey to redevelop the former Roch Gate Motel site. Today we launch our Pre-Application Consultation (PAC) and ask for initial feedback to our vision and development plans for the site.

“It’s taken us nearly eight months to get this far and we thank Hayston Developments & Planning Ltd and Landsker Business Solutions Ltd for their support and tenacity.

“The purpose of this Pre-Application Consultation is for everyone to have their say whether good, bad or ugly, as we believe the richness of feedback will only but help us improve upon the scheme.”

All relevant documentation surrounding the proposals is available on the Hayston Development & Planning Ltd website.

Anyone who wishes to make representations about this proposed development must do so by October 20, with the formal consultation period commencing on Monday, September 18.

Responses should be emailed or posted to Hayston Development & Planning Ltd, of Planning Studio, Hayston Bridge, Johnston, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, SA62 3HJ. Tel: 01437 891817 Mobile: 07515 851704.

 

Local Government

Armed Forces flag flies over County Hall

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THE ARMED FORCES flag is flying proudly at County Hall this week ahead of Armed Forces Day on Saturday, June 27.

Leader of Pembrokeshire County Council, Cllr Tessa Hodgson, and the Council’s Armed Forces Champion, Cllr Simon Hancock were among those who marked the flag raising on Monday morning (June 22).

Also present were the Chairman of Council, Cllr Delme Harries, the Chief Executive, Will Bramble and the Regional Armed Forces Covenant Liaison Officer, Hayley Edwards.

Cllr Hancock said: “It is always a very proud moment to see the Armed Forces Flag flying over County Hall.

“Armed Forces Day is a chance to show our deep appreciation for the men and women who serve, as well as the families and communities who support them.

“Our county has a rich history of connection with the Armed Forces, and we are proud to uphold and strengthen that bond.

“As a Council we are committed to ensuring that members of the Armed Forces community in Pembrokeshire receive the recognition and support they truly deserve and we are proud to be a Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award holder.”

 

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Crime

Accused Milford Haven rapist to stand trial at Crown Court

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A MILFORD HAVEN man has appeared before magistrates accused of rape and sexual assault.

James Kershaw, 46, is charged with raping a woman in Milford Haven between February 1, 2013, and March 31, 2014.

He also faces a charge of sexually assaulting a female over the age of 13 by penetration with his finger between December 1 and December 30, 2012.

Kershaw appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (Jun 23) by video link and denied both charges.

Due to the seriousness of the allegations, magistrates declined jurisdiction and sent the case to Swansea Crown Court, where Kershaw is due to appear for a pre-trial hearing on July 24.

He was released on conditional bail, with the sole condition that he must not contact the complainant.

 

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News

Bus overturns in major incident near Kidwelly

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All passengers rescued as emergency services remain at scene

A BUS overturned on the A484 between Kidwelly and Ferryside on Tuesday (Jun 23), prompting a major emergency response and lengthy road closures.

The incident happened shortly after 12:20pm near the Kidwelly roundabout at Parc y Bocs.

Emergency services, including firefighters from Kidwelly, Carmarthen and Tumble, were sent to the scene following reports of a serious collision involving the bus.

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that all passengers were safely removed from the vehicle.

A spokesperson said: “All passengers have been safely removed from the bus and are receiving appropriate care.”

A rest centre has been established at the John Burns Centre in Kidwelly, where welfare arrangements are being made for those involved.

The scale of the incident led Dyfed-Powys Police to declare a major incident earlier in the day, with officers urging members of the public to avoid the area.

The A484 remains closed between the Kidwelly roundabout at Parc y Bocs and Llandyfaelog while emergency services continue their response and carry out investigations into the cause of the crash.

Police, ambulance and fire crews remain at the scene.

Motorists are being advised to find alternative routes and are warned that the road is expected to remain closed for a considerable time.

Emergency services have also issued advice for drivers caught in congestion during the hot weather, urging people to stay hydrated, keep vehicles ventilated and never leave children, vulnerable adults or pets inside parked vehicles.

The cause of the incident has not yet been confirmed.

The Herald will provide further updates as more information becomes available.

 

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