PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL says it is pleased to confirm the award of a Pre-Construction Service Agreement for the Brynhir housing development in Tenby.

Morgan Construction of Carmarthen has been appointed following the evaluation of a two-stage tender.

Morgan Construction is currently due to begin work on the site in summer 2025.

This will be subject to discharging planning conditions, consideration to ecology periods and minimising disruption during the height of the tourist season.

Eight phases are currently planned, allowing for homes to be available sooner. It is expected that the development will be completed in 2029.

In total, 125 homes will be constructed by Pembrokeshire County Council at Brynhir.

These homes will range in size and consist of 93 affordable housing (social and intermediate rent), 16 shared ownership, and 16 open market sale.  

This development will also include a range of formal and informal play and recreational areas throughout the site, with direct links into the town.

Anyone who is interested in the properties are advised to complete a housing application form to join the Choice Homes housing register.

However, if you are already on the housing register, you do not need to do anything else at this stage.

To join the housing register, please see: www.choicehomespembrokeshire.org/new-customers/how-to-apply

There will be a local connection requirement applied to this housing development.

The criteria for this will be developed closer to the time, ahead of the first phase completion.

Cllr Michelle Bateman, Cabinet Member for Housing said: “I am delighted that we have reached this stage, and I look forward to seeing the site take shape.

“This is a significant development for Tenby and the surrounding area, providing much needed affordable housing.”

If you have any questions about this, or any other development, please contact the Housing Development Team via [email protected] or 01437 764551.

Caption: Artist’s impression of the forthcoming Brynhir development.

THE PEMBROKESHIRE COAST NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY has approved plans to introduce an Article 4(1) Direction to remove permitted development rights for 28-day camping, caravan and mobile home sites within the National Park.

The Park said that the decision, made at a meeting on Wednesday (Dec 11), marks a significant step in managing the impact of unregulated temporary camping on the National Park’s protected landscapes and ecosystems.

The new measures follow a public consultation exercise, which revealed strong support for increased controls.

The Park said that their consultation had highlighted concerns about visual impacts on the landscape, risks to biodiversity, and pressures on local infrastructure. Many respondents, particularly local residents, raised issues such as noise, traffic congestion, and other disturbances affecting those living near temporary camping and caravan sites.

Introducing the Article 4 Direction will allow the Authority to require planning permission for temporary 28-day camping, caravan and mobile home sites, ensuring that their location and operation are carefully managed to protect the National Park’s unique environment.

The Article 4 Direction, which will take effect on Wednesday 1 January 2026, will include a transition period to allow landowners and site operators sufficient time to understand the new requirements and submit planning applications. Planning applications for these sites will not incur fees, and the Authority will aim to prioritise applications to minimise delays. Existing sites that have planning permission or those sites that operate under an exempted organisation certificate will not be affected by the Article 4 Direction.

A six-week public consultation on the Article 4 Direction will run from Friday 10 January to Friday 21 February 2025, providing an opportunity for individuals and organisations to share their views on the proposed measures.

The proposal has drawn criticism from various quarters, particularly among local farmers and the National Farmers’ Union (NFU), who argue that such restrictions could have a detrimental impact on the local economy. Many landowners in Pembrokeshire have come to rely on the income generated from seasonal camping to support their primary agricultural activities, especially in the face of economic challenges and rising costs.

Local farmer Rhys Jones expressed his concerns about the potential loss of income. “For many of us, these 28-day campsites are a lifeline. The extra income helps keep our farms afloat, especially during difficult years. If we have to go through the planning process, it’s going to add time, cost, and uncertainty,” he said.

The contrast with regulations in England, where the permitted development period has been extended to 60 days, further complicates the issue. Critics argue that the proposed changes in Pembrokeshire could put Welsh landowners at a competitive disadvantage compared to their English counterparts.

Environmental concerns have also been voiced by local residents. John Davies, a resident of St Davids, stated, “The National Park is a unique landscape that needs to be protected. Allowing these campsites to pop up without oversight could lead to irreversible damage.”

In addition to the Article 4 Direction, the Authority will engage with exempted organisations to develop a voluntary Code of Conduct. This initiative will help ensure that exempted sites continue to operate responsibly and in accordance with local and national policies, fostering a collaborative approach to safeguarding the National Park.

Further details on the consultation can be found at www.pembrokeshirecoast.wales/public-consultations.

A £335 million package to help businesses with their rates bills in 2025-26 was unveiled by the Welsh Government today (Dec 11), including continued support for retail, hospitality, and leisure businesses for the sixth consecutive year.

As the Draft Budget was published this afternoon, Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Mark Drakeford, highlighted Welsh Labour’s commitment to economic growth, job creation, and decarbonisation. Key funding allocations include £144 million for all-age apprenticeships and an extra £6.5 million for the Flexible Skills programme, focusing on sectors linked to green growth.

The Draft Budget prioritises record investments in flood prevention and coal tip safety. This includes an additional £25 million for 2025-26 from the UK Government, complementing the £65 million coal tip safety programme running from 2021 to 2025. The publication coincides with the introduction of a new Coal Tip Safety Bill.

Key highlights of the budget include:

• £88 million in capital funding for city and growth deals.
• £23 million to develop employment sites and property to create new jobs.
• £5.15 million to support Trydan Gwyrdd and local energy plans.

For the first time, Welsh Labour is leveraging collaboration with the UK Government to allocate over £3 billion in capital funding. Every department will see an increase in funding, enabling significant investments in infrastructure and services across Wales.

This marks a shift from the difficult budget decisions of previous years, with an additional £1.5 billion earmarked for public services, aiming to restore growth and resilience.

The funding reflects the First Minister’s priorities, focusing on job creation in sectors addressing climate change, restoring nature, and supporting families.

Specific allocations include:

• £3.7 million to address planning system delays.
• £5 million for Natural Resources Wales to expand land and marine consenting capacity.
• £4.5 million for Green Business Loans to assist SMEs with energy efficiency and decarbonisation projects.

First Minister Eluned Morgan said:
“Welsh businesses are the heartbeat of our economy, and this is a budget for a brighter future, supporting those businesses to thrive and survive.

“It is also an opportunity to build on our outstanding green and renewable energy sector, underpinning our unashamed support of new renewable energy projects to meet our electricity demands.”

Cabinet Secretary for Finance Mark Drakeford added: “This Draft Budget is for a brighter tomorrow. With two Labour governments working together, we can provide long-denied investment to public services, put Wales back on the path to growth, and start to reverse the damage inflicted over the last 14 years.

“It is a budget of hope and growth for Welsh businesses and the green sector. The First Minister’s priorities, those issues which matter most to the people of Wales, are reflected in this funding.”