Community
Holiday let yacht in Pembrokeshire garden refused
Plans for a holiday accommodation yacht in a Milford Haven garden have been turned down by Pembrokeshire County Council.
In an application to county planners, Phil Howe, through agent Hughes Architectural, sought permission to site the Sea Ray 290 yacht in the garden of The Cellar, Cellar Hill, near the foreshore to Castle Pill.
An officer report, recommending refusal, said: “The application seeks planning permission for the installation of a Sea Ray 290 yacht to be permanently mounted within the side garden, to provide holiday accommodation. Foundations would be constructed, and bracing pillars provided to support the yacht. The yacht would comprise two bedrooms gallery, and toilet/shower on the lower deck with steps to the upper deck.”
It adds: “The proposed yacht would be small and simple in scale. The site is clearly visible, however, during the planning site visit it was observed that the foreshore and coastline of Castle Pill contains a mixture of boats of different shapes and sizes which are anchored or stored there. Given the context of the site and its location, it is considered that the proposal would be viewed within the context of the built form and the nature of the waterway and would therefore have a limited visual impact.”
However, it says that, while the proposal would provide economic benefits through additional tourism facilities, it would lead to a “loss of green infrastructure as a result of the development,” with officers saying proposed ecological mitigations are insufficient.
The report also says there are insufficient parking spaces available for the proposal, and it “fails to demonstrate that acceptable foul drainage has been provided”.
The application was refused on grounds including foul waste disposal concerns, the site being in a flood zone without a Flood Consequences Assessment, insufficient parking provision, and the scheme “fails to demonstrate how green infrastructure has been incorporated into the design of the proposed development,” adding: “Furthermore, the application proposes the loss of green infrastructure as a result of the development and the proposed ecological mitigations are not considered to be sufficient for the scale of the development proposed.”
Business
Saundersfoot 72-home development work set to begin
PLANS by one of the UK’s largest housebuilders to build 72 homes, 25 of them affordable, on the outskirts of a Pembrokeshire seaside village have been given the final sign-off, with works due to start in the spring.
Back in 2022, Persimmon Homes applied to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park for the scheme on a 2.26 hectare area of land adjoining the northernmost houses of a long-established Sandyhill Park residential estate, Saundersfoot.
The application, including 47 open market dwellings, proposed a variety of detached, semi-detached, terraced and apartment properties to create an “attractive and integrated extension to Saundersfoot”.
The application was given delegated approval when it came before the national park’s July development management committee, with conditions including the completion of a Section 106 legal agreement relating to the affordable housing.
The affordable housing units will be split into four low-cost ownership units and 21 socially rented units, the report for national park planners said; the 35 per cent affordable percentage taking precedent over an affordable housing policy requirement of 50 per cent as it is designated as an allocated site.
As well as the affordable housing element and an open space provision, the scheme included a financial contribution to cover the contribution towards Active Travel Routes within the local area (Saundersfoot Harbour to New Hedges).
After that approval, Persimmon Homes West Wales and Pembrokeshire Coast National Park have now signed the S106 agreement and Persimmon is planning to begin groundworks next Spring, with sales launching soon after ahead of the summer season.
Welcoming the agreement, Persimmon Homes West Wales’ Managing Director, Stuart Phillips, said: “We’re pleased to have finalised the S106 agreement that will allow us to deliver 72 new, high-quality homes for local people in Saundersfoot.
“The development will provide a wide range of zero-carbon ready homes that will be of particular help to young families and first-time buyers, who otherwise might struggle to get onto the housing ladder in Pembrokeshire.
“Throughout the planning process, we have worked closely with officers and stakeholders to ensure that our homes are in keeping with – and enhance – the local area, and I’m thankful to officers and the project team for their collaborative efforts throughout.
“The scheme will deliver substantial community benefits, including new facilities, enhanced green spaces, and significant investment in public infrastructure, as well as the transfer of 25 properties to a local housing association.
“Persimmon has a proud record of delivery in Pembrokeshire, and we are excited about this latest development as we continue to build the best-value homes in sustainable and inclusive communities for local people.”
Local community council Saundersfoot had objected to the scheme on a number of grounds, also asking for a caveat that no property is bought for second-home holiday use.
Community
Support and advice reminder as winter approaches
PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL and partner organisations are reminding residents of support and advice available for those impacted by the cost of living as Winter approaches.
A number of organisations can help signpost anyone struggling to support and advice, along with practical advice on access financial support where eligible.
Pembrokeshire County Council has dedicated webpages to signpost to support for those with concerns about education and school costs, health and wellbeing, help for older people, claiming benefits and household and energy bills.
It also links to Pension Credit information, which is worth on average £3,900 per year and unlocks additional support including Winter Fuel Payments, help with Council Tax, NHS dental care and glasses and for those over 75, a free TV licence.
Find out if you are eligible by contacting the Pension Service at www.gov.uk/pension-credit/eligibility. You can also apply by telephoning: 0800 99 1234, lines are open Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm. Before you apply have details of your and any partner’s national insurance number, all income and savings.
You must apply for Pension Credit by 21 December 2024 to qualify for the 2024 – 2025 Winter Fuel Payment.
The Pembrokeshire Community Hub is a one-stop-shop for all sorts of information from events, community activities, making connections to cost of living resources.
You can contact the Hub via its website, social media or by calling 01437 723660.
PAVS launched a Live Well for Less programme earlier this year that aims to help people take steps to maximise income and reduce expenditure using a range of tools and services. This can also be accessed through the Community Hub.
Cabinet Member for Social Services Cllr Tessa Hodgson said: “There are a number of resources available for those concerned about heating and energy bills and I would encourage anyone with concerns or looking for advice to contact the Pembrokeshire Community Hub as soon as they can.
“I would also highlight that residents can also check whether they are eligible for pension credits which can open doors to further financial help.”
Community
Quayside building and community hub works approval expected
PLANS to refurbish a quayside building in Haverfordwest’s conservation area with works including an outdoor terrace, as well as works to the existing Haverhub community hub are expected to be approved next week.
The application, by Gitti Coats, for the refurbishment and extension of Haverfordwest’s Quayside Building to form multi-functional community spaces, along with an extension to the bar building to create a first-floor terrace at Quay Street is recommended for conditional approval at the November 5 meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee.
A report for planners says: “The application site comprises of two existing buildings and associated outdoor area located within the Quayside area of Haverfordwest. One of the buildings is known as the Quayside Building, which fronts the quayside and is currently vacant. The second building, which currently addresses Quay Street to the west, is known as the ‘Haverhub’ community hub.”
The Grade-II-listed Haverhub building, is a former post office, described as “a finely designed neoGeorgian Post Office in Bath stone,” built in 1934-6 for the General Post Office (GPO), and “is an example of the high quality neo-Georgian post offices of the inter-war period”.
A report for planners says the Quayside building would increase in height from approximately 7.9 metres to 11.7 metres with the creation of a second floor and accommodation within the roof space, the ground floor utilised for space in connection with a performance space within the Haverhub building.
To the first floor would be a multi-function room, which would also connect to a proposed bar area and associated first floor terrace which includes outdoor seating. The second floor of the Quayside building would include a second multi-function and meeting room.
The main Haverhub building would be extended to provide a gallery and entrance lobby. The existing bar and kitchen would also be extended.
“The proposed development would still allow the Haverhub building, including its ornate features, to be viewed within the context of the wider conservation area, whilst protecting the setting of the listed building and the surrounding conservation area,” the report says, adding: “It is considered that the scheme creates an important and attractive enhancement to this part of the Conservation Area.”
The Haverhub building was granted a change of use to a community hub in 2018, with the use and building benefiting from a ground floor internal outdoor courtyard area, which is located below the proposed first floor terrace.
The report says that, as there is already an outside space for the community hub to utilise “the addition of the first-floor seating area would not create a significantly greater impact in terms of noise generation or impact on amenity than the existing outdoor area to the ground floor”.
The proposal is recommended for conditional approval.
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