THIS week, local businesses and industry leaders from across Wales gathered at a Confederation of British Industry (CBI) event in Cardiff to discuss Wales’ journey toward a Net Zero future.

Among those championing the potential for West Wales was local Senedd Member Samuel Kurtz, who serves as the Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Energy.

The event featured a panel discussion, with Mr. Kurtz joining other key speakers, including Luke Fletcher MS and representatives from major Welsh energy projects. Together, they highlighted the exciting opportunities that renewable energy investments could bring to Wales and discussed ways to overcome the challenges of infrastructure and development in this sector.

A major focus was the critical role that Pembrokeshire will play in Wales’ transition to renewable energy. Local projects such as the Celtic Freeport, developments at the Port of Milford Haven and key local employers such as RWE, Valero and others were showcased as vital components in the nation’s Net Zero strategy. Luciana Ciubotariu, CEO of Celtic Freeport, and Steve Edwards from Green Gen Cymru were on hand to share insights on how Pembrokeshire’s ports and energy projects are set to bring economic benefits and clean energy to the region.

Following the event, Mr. Kurtz expressed his enthusiasm for the role that West Wales can play in supporting sustainable economic growth through green initiatives:

“It was fantastic to see such a strong turnout of business and industry leaders all focused on a shared goal for Wales’ Net Zero ambitions. A partnership between government and industry, grounded in smart investment, is essential if we are to secure both our energy future and sustainable jobs in our communities.

“Here in West Wales, we have a huge opportunity to create skilled, well-paid jobs in areas like hydrogen fuel, floating offshore wind, and through the Celtic Freeport project. With the right support, these initiatives can deliver lasting prosperity for our communities.

The CBI event in Cardiff emphasized the importance of local investment and collaboration to make Wales a leader in renewable energy. By leveraging the strengths of Pembrokeshire’s natural resources and local talent, Mr. Kurtz and fellow attendees underscored that West Wales is ready to play a leading role in building a cleaner, greener economy for future generations.

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.

A CALL to convert a former Pembrokeshire church, which has served its community since almost the start of its town’s creation, has been approved.

In an application recommended for conditional approval at the Pembrokeshire County Council planning committee meeting of November 5, Mr and Mrs Davies sought permission for a change of use of the former Zion Presbyterian Church, High Street, Neyland to two dwellings.

Zion Presbyterian Church was one of the first built in Neyland and is evident on the 1862 Ordnance Survey (OS) map identified as a Calvinist chapel with the date above the north door. It was later extended in 1871.

A report for planners said the church, in the town’s conservation area, closed in July 2023 due to the condition of the building and the lack of funding to ensure its maintenance, and was bought by the applicants in June of this year; the only interested parties, the price being lowered during the marketing exercise due to there being no demand.

It would be converted into two units, the first in the original church building, and the latter in a rear extension of the building.

Members at the November 5 meeting heard the congregation was now attending Gilead chapel, Maidenwells and Ebenezer church, Haverfordwest.

Moving approval, committee chair, local councillor, and historian Cllr Simon Hancock said: “I know this chapel very well, it’s in my electoral ward.

“In some ways its quite sort of poignant, it was built in 1861 designed by W H Linsey who was a noted local architect at the time when Neyland had only been a town five years; it’s served the community for 160 years and closed in the summer of 2023, it didn’t create even the merest ripple in the community, which is really sad, but I believe there’s a chapel closing in Wales every week.

“It’s really, really, sad; all the generations that have been associated with and affiliated with this chapel and the contributions it has made to the social and religious life of the community.

“As things are, that’s the increasing trend, so a historic building will only survive if it has an end use, I’m really pleased the outside treatment of this building is going to be carefully maintained,” adding: “I think it’s really important the outside of this building remains as unaltered and authentic as it can be.”

The application was unanimously approved by committee members.