Transforming Towns programme backs regeneration in Haverfordwest and Pembroke

TOWNS across Pembrokeshire are being backed by more than £10 million of Welsh Government investment as part of efforts to breathe new life into local high streets and boost the economy.

Since 2021, the Welsh Labour Government has provided £10,050,000 to Pembrokeshire County Council through the Transforming Towns programme, funding key regeneration projects including the Western Quayside development in Haverfordwest and the South Quay project in Pembroke.

The latest funding figures were released following the Welsh Government’s announcement last week of a further £31.5 million for the Transforming Towns fund in 2024/25. Councils across Wales can now bid for this year’s funding, with an additional £10.8 million earmarked for four local authorities in South West Wales in 2025/26.

The Transforming Towns programme aims to help local authorities regenerate town centres and create vibrant, sustainable places. Since its launch in 2020, the programme has delivered more than £314 million in grant and loan funding across all 22 Welsh local authorities.

In Pembrokeshire, the funding has already supported the Western Quayside redevelopment at the site of the former Ocky White’s department store in Haverfordwest. The scheme will deliver new restaurant and leisure facilities, complementing the town’s existing retail offering on Bridge Street and Riverside Quay.

The council has also purchased the Riverside Shopping Centre in Haverfordwest for future redevelopment and is progressing the South Quay regeneration project in Pembroke, located beside the iconic Pembroke Castle.

Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government, Jayne Bryant, said: “Transforming Towns isn’t just a snappy slogan or government jargon – it’s real investment going directly to communities who know how best to renew their local areas. Working in partnership with Pembrokeshire County Council, we’re helping bring new life to the county’s historic town centres.”

Labour Senedd Member for Mid and West Wales, Joyce Watson MS, added: “Our towns and high streets are the beating hearts of our communities. They provide jobs, attract visitors, and grow the local economy – helping put money back into people’s pockets.”

Pembrokeshire MS and First Minister Eluned Morgan also welcomed the investment: “The £10 million already provided by the Welsh Labour Government has helped transform key local sites. These projects will protect and enhance our towns for future generations to enjoy.”

Green Man urged to drop Irish group amid Gaza comments and terror charge controversy

A MEMBER of Northern Irish rap group Kneecap has been charged with a terrorism offence, prompting a political backlash and renewed calls for the group to be removed from the line-up of Wales’ Green Man Festival.

Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, who performs under the name Mo Chara, is accused of displaying a Hezbollah flag at a London gig last November. The 27-year-old is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on June 18, charged under anti-terror legislation. The Metropolitan Police said the flag was allegedly displayed “in such a way or in such circumstances as to arouse reasonable suspicion” of support for a proscribed organisation.

The Belfast-based trio, who rap in Irish and are known for their anti-establishment lyrics, strongly deny the charge and say the case amounts to “political policing” aimed at silencing their criticism of the Israeli government’s war in Gaza.

In a statement released on Thursday (May 22), Kneecap said: “14,000 babies are about to die of starvation in Gaza, with food sent by the world sitting on the other side of a wall, and once again the British establishment is focused on us. This is a carnival of distraction. We are not the story — genocide is.”

The group added that they would “vehemently contest” the charge, which they claim is designed to restrict their ability to travel and perform. They said: “This is an attempt to silence artists who dare speak out.”

The charge comes after Kneecap used a recent performance at California’s Coachella festival to denounce Israel’s military action in Gaza. The group has been the subject of controversy in the UK press, with videos circulating from earlier performances that appear to show provocative political statements and banners referencing banned organisations.

While the group has distanced itself from any formal support for Hamas or Hezbollah, it continues to face criticism from campaigners and politicians.

In Wales, Shadow Minister for Culture and North Wales, Gareth Davies MS, has called for the Green Man Festival to remove Kneecap from its 2025 line-up. He previously wrote to the festival’s organisers on April 28, citing concerns over “violent and extremist rhetoric” and warning that platforming the group risks damaging the festival’s reputation.

Following the announcement of the terror charge, Mr Davies renewed his demand, stating: “It’s deeply concerning that Green Man have remained silent even after terror charges have been brought against a member of this group.

“There is a clear pattern of violent and extremist rhetoric associated with Kneecap that has no place at a respected cultural event in Wales. The festival acted quickly in 2019 to remove Meic Stevens over anti-Muslim comments. The same consistency should be applied here.”

Organisers of the Green Man Festival have yet to respond publicly.

Meanwhile, in the Republic of Ireland, Tánaiste Simon Harris declined to comment on the specific case but condemned the actions of Israel in Gaza, stating that recent attacks amounted to a “consistent pattern of war crimes” and that “we’re very much now in the space of genocidal activity”.

The Campaign Against Antisemitism, which reported Kneecap to the police, welcomed the prosecution and called for “the law to be enforced”.

The case is likely to further inflame tensions over freedom of expression, political activism, and public performances in Wales and beyond, particularly as summer festivals prepare to welcome artists with diverse — and often controversial — viewpoints.

A CALL to allow a Pembrokeshire village dog grooming salon to keep running as the applicant didn’t realise he needed planing permission, has been backed by county planners.

Andrew Bird, in an application to Pembrokeshire County Council through agent Matthew Hitches Architectural Services, sought permission for a retrospective change of use of a domestic outbuilding at Roslyn Hill, Stepaside, to a dog-grooming salon, along with access alterations.

The change of use was completed last October.

Amroth Community Council has raised no objection to the scheme, other than concerns about its retrospective nature, and has welcomed the access improvements proposed, having previously raised concerns about road safety in the immediate area.

A supporting statement accompanying the application for the part-time business said: 2The applicant has been using the building for this purpose for several months and was unaware of the need to apply for planning permission, as the business is located within an existing outbuilding on the property.”

It added: “The salon is currently used on a part time basis, three days per week.  The salon has just one appointment in the morning and one in the afternoon.  So, the maximum number of visitors to the property would be six per week.  The applicant has no intention of expanding the business any further.

“The vast majority of the applicant’s current clients live within Stepaside and Pleasant Valley and most will journey to the salon on foot.  Although the business is situated within the countryside, it is considered essential that this business be situated in this location as it offers a valuable service to the local community.

“If the business were to be located elsewhere, this would mean local residents would need to travel by car to use such services. The number of customers arriving by car is minimal and there is considerable space for parking and turning within the property, if needed.  It is therefore considered there will be no detrimental effect on highway safety.”

An officer report recommending approval said: “Whilst the proposal would not derive inputs from the land and would not be an enterprise for which a countryside location is essential.  It is considered that due to the re-use of an existing building, associated noise effects a countryside location away from an urban environment would be acceptable.

“Furthermore, it can be considered that an urban/industrial setting is considered to be counterintuitive to the welfare of dogs could result in additional noise.  As such, in this instance in can be considered that a countryside location may be acceptable subject to the acceptability of detailed considerations.”

The application was conditionally approved by county planners.