Community

Haverfordwest quayside scheme approved by planners

Published

1 month ago

November 7, 2024

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A SCHEME to refurbish a quayside building in Haverfordwest’s conservation area, along with works to the existing Haverhub community hub has been backed by county planners.

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 was recommended for conditional approval at the November 5 meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee.

A report for planners said: “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 said 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 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 said 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”.

Speaking at the November 5 meeting, Gitti Coates said Haverhub had spent the last eight years “recognising the real value of abandoned buildings,” with “a desire to see something positive happening for the town”.

She said the “iconic” quayside building had been purchased with “a significant contribution from Pembrokeshire County Council’s Enhancing Pembrokeshire fund”.

Committee chair Cllr Simon Hancock, who moved approval, described the scheme as “marvellous,” saying it would be “a distinct improvement” to the area, with Haverhub “doing the most remarkable job in trying to regenerate the town”.

Cllr Mark Carter said: “A wonderful scheme, something the town is going to be proud of.”

The application was unanimously approved by members.

Community

Welsh Government introduces new Bill to tackle mining legacy

Published

6 hours ago

December 9, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE WELSH GOVERNMENT has today (Dec 9) introduced a landmark Bill to address safety issues arising from Wales’s disused mining tips. The Disused Mine and Quarry Tips (Wales) Bill, spearheaded by Deputy First Minister and Minister for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies, proposes the creation of a dedicated Disused Tips Authority for Wales.

If enacted, the Authority would oversee the management, monitoring, and safety of disused coal and non-coal tips across the country. This would make Wales the first in the UK to establish a comprehensive framework for tip safety.

The proposed body would be a Welsh Government-sponsored organisation tasked with ensuring disused tips no longer pose risks to human welfare due to instability. It would handle the assessment, registration, monitoring, and long-term management of these sites.

A response to devastating landslides

The Bill follows a series of incidents, including the catastrophic landslide at Tylorstown in February 2020, when storms Ciara and Dennis triggered the collapse of a disused tip. Over 60,000 tonnes of debris fell into the Rhondda Fach River, leading to the creation of the Coal Tip Safety Task Force.

In its evaluation, the Law Commission concluded that existing legislation is inadequate for managing disused coal tips, recommending a comprehensive legal overhaul.

Tylorstown visit marks key moment

To mark the introduction of the Bill, Huw Irranca-Davies visited Tylorstown, the site of the 2020 landslide. Speaking from the location, he said:

“Wales has a proud mining heritage, and it is imperative that we have a structured approach to managing disused coal and non-coal tips to ensure they are safe and not a threat to our communities.

“These landslides, as well as the recent incident at Cwmtillery, illustrate the potential risks and concerns that disused tips present to the people living in their shadow.

“This Bill is about keeping communities safe and is part of a wider programme of work to improve the safety of disused coal tips. I look forward to working with MSs and stakeholders on the Bill’s proposals in the coming months.”

The scale of the challenge

Wales is home to 2,573 disused coal tips, with estimates suggesting there are more than 20,000 additional disused tips across the country. The proposed legislation is set to create a unified and proactive approach to managing these sites, safeguarding communities while preserving the country’s industrial legacy.

Community

Choir celebrates Christmas at annual fundraising concert

Published

7 hours ago

December 9, 2024

Tom Sinclair

A NARBERTH-BASED ladies’ choir is gearing up to headline a festive evening of music and cheer at the Regency Hall, Saundersfoot, on Friday, December 20.

Serendipity Ladies’ Choir, led by musical director Juliet Rossiter, will be joined by baritone Martyn Davies, young singers from Saundersfoot Primary School, and trombonist Ianto Evans for the seasonal celebration.

Founded eight years ago, the choir has grown to include 50 members who meet weekly for rehearsals in Narberth. Juliet, who has been with the choir for seven of its eight years, praised the group’s resilience, recalling the one Christmas concert she missed due to undergoing a kidney transplant.

“The choir managed brilliantly without me, of course,” said Juliet. “This year, we’ll be performing classic favourites like O Holy Night as well as some new pieces that are sure to amaze the audience.”

Serendipity’s Christmas Concert takes place at 7:30pm on Friday, December 20.

Tickets are £12 and will be available at the door.

Pictured above: Serendipity Ladies’ Choir from Narberth, pictured with musical director Juliet Rossiter (Pic: Supplied).

Community

Leisure centres open until 9:00pm to support those affected by Storm Darragh

Published

1 day ago

December 8, 2024

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKESHIRE’S Leisure Centres are stepping in to provide essential services for those left without electricity or utilities following Storm Darragh. All centres, except Fishguard, will remain open until 9:00pm on Sunday, December 8, offering warm spaces and more to residents in need.

Facilities available include:

Warm spaces with free hot drinks.
Charging stations for electric devices.
Hot water, with visitors encouraged to bring flasks for filling.
Shower facilities for public use.

Locations and availability Leisure centres in the following areas will remain open:

Crymych
Haverfordwest
Milford Haven
Pembroke
St Davids
Tenby

Fishguard Leisure Centre remains closed due to storm damage. As an alternative, Letterston Memorial Hall will offer limited facilities until 9:00pm.

Normal service resumes tomorrow

From Monday, December 9, all centres will resume their usual opening hours, with the exception of Fishguard, which will remain closed until repairs are completed.

For further updates, visit the Pembrokeshire Leisure website.

(Cover image: Martin Cavaney)