News

Application submitted to rebuild weather-damaged wall at historic Blackpool Mill

Published

1 year ago

February 3, 2025

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

AN APPLICATION has been submitted to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park planners to rebuild a weather-damaged riverside wall at the historic Blackpool Mill, now a restaurant.

Bluestone Resorts Ltd is seeking permission to replace a collapsed riverside retaining wall at the Grade II*-listed Blackpool Mill, located at Blackpool Bridge near Narberth.

A supporting statement from agent Graham Frecknall Architects states: “Blackpool Mill is a Grade II*-protected heritage asset located on the south bank of the Cleddau River at Blackpool Bridge.

“The property was granted formal planning and listed building consent in 2020 to convert the former museum into a restaurant with ancillary on-site facilities, and it opened to the public in July 2023.

“In October 2023, following a period of heavy rainfall and high tides, a large section of the existing stone-faced riverside retaining wall—situated immediately adjacent to the main mill building and the rear gable of the store—collapsed into the Cleddau River. In November 2023, after discussions with conservation and NRW officers, temporary works were installed to prevent further collapse and erosion while a permanent solution was sought.

“The proposals for the new retaining wall aim to recreate the coursed stone façade of the pre-collapse structure using modern, structural materials, designed and coloured to match the basement stone façade of the main mill building.”

The restaurant opened in 2023 after Bluestone CEO William McNamara secured permission in 2020 to restore the historic mill. A total of £3 million was spent on preserving, restoring, and transforming the Georgian building and its grounds.

The 210-year-old mill was renovated by skilled craftspeople and engineers, who worked to preserve its historical character. The restoration included the installation of 53 traditional sash windows in keeping with Georgian architecture, as well as custom-made staircases. Original milling equipment, including connecting rods and braces, was also restored to reflect the mill’s industrial heritage.

The restaurant’s opening created 35 new jobs across both front and back of house.

The latest application will be considered by park planners at a later date.

News

Hakin motorist banned after driving 14 times over drug limit

Published

6 hours ago

June 9, 2026

Sarah-Jane Absalom

A HAKIN motorist has been banned from driving for three years after being caught behind the wheel with cocaine and benzoylecgonine in his system.

Mark Briskham, 53, of Waterloo Square, Wellington Road, Hakin, was stopped by police on January 5 as he drove a Ford Kuga along Steynton Road, near Milford Haven.

Blood tests carried out at the police station showed he had 800mcg of benzoylecgonine in his system. The legal limit is 50mcg.

He also had 64mcg of cocaine in his system. The legal limit is 10mcg.

Briskham pleaded guilty to two drug-driving charges when he appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.

Magistrates disqualified him from driving for three years, taking into account a previous drug-drive conviction from 2020.

He was also fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £48 surcharge.cr

Crime

Begelly man remanded over alleged May Day assault

Published

6 hours ago

June 9, 2026

Sarah-Jane Absalom

A PEMBROKESHIRE man has been remanded in custody following an alleged May Day assault against a woman in Begelly.

Tomas Baker, 34, of Ty Dee, New Road, Begelly, is accused of assaulting the woman, causing actual bodily harm, at an undisclosed location in Begelly on May 1.

Baker appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week by video link from Swansea Prison.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge.

His trial will take place at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on June 22.

Crime

Waterston man denies child rape and sexual assault charges

Published

6 hours ago

June 9, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A WATERSTON man has appeared before magistrates charged with 13 sexual offences against children, including three allegations of raping a girl under the age of 13.

Chaisee Price, 25, of Biggins Hill, Waterston, Milford Haven, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.

He faces three charges of raping a girl under 13, eight charges of sexually assaulting girls aged between five and eight, and two charges of intentionally inciting girls under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

The offences are alleged to have taken place between 2014 and 2019.

Price denied all charges.

Because of the seriousness of the allegations, magistrates declined jurisdiction and the case will now proceed to Swansea Crown Court on July 10.

Price was released on conditional bail.

The conditions include a daily electronically monitored curfew between 6:00pm and 6:00am, no contact with the prosecution witness, no unsupervised contact with children under 18, and a requirement to surrender his passport to police.