News
Derelict site next to Llawhaden castle could be transformed
A SCHEME to convert a disused care home next to a Pembrokeshire castle to a house has been submitted to county planners.
In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, Carwyn Rees seeks permission for the conversion of the former Castle View Rest Home, Llawhaden, near Narberth; the property vacant since 2021 and no longer run as a care provider.
The property is situated next to medieval Llawhaden Castle, within the village’s conservation area.
A supporting statement says: “As part of this application, there are no proposed physical changes to the exterior of the property therefore there would be no detrimental impact on local amenity in terms of visual impact. Regarding residential amenity, it is considered unlikely that the proposed change of use would increase the number of visitors to the building from the historical use of the property.
“The access and parking is to remain the same, it is likely there will be a large reduction in traffic from its use as a care home.”
It adds: “This application is for residential development which would have positive economic and social benefits through employment generation and additional housing stock built to improved environmental standards. The proposed development makes use of an existing building without external alteration.
“The residential home closed down in April 2021 and has been on the market for sale for some time with no interest in being re-opened as a residential care home.
“In addition, the property would require complete renovation and alterations to the room sizes to meet the new regulations as set by any residential care facility under new registrations with Care Inspectorate Wales.”
The application will be considered by county planners at a later date.
The nearby castle was built by the bishops of the Diocese of St David in the 13th century, later abandoned in the 16th century, with some of its stone removed for local building projects.
Crime
Uxbridge motorist banned after Pembrokeshire drug-drive stop
Driver was heading home after visiting former girlfriend when police stopped him on the A477
A WEST London motorist has been banned after being caught driving on the A477 in Broadmoor with a cocaine metabolite and cannabis in his system.
Danny Small, 32, was stopped by police carrying out routine checks at around 11:30am on January 28.
After providing a positive roadside drug swipe, Small was taken to a police station, where blood tests showed he had 157mcg of benzoylecgonine in his system. The legal limit is 50mcg.
He also had 2.9mcg of Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol in his system. The legal limit is 2mcg.
Small, of Little London Close, Uxbridge, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week, where he pleaded guilty to two drug-driving offences.
Probation officer Julie Norman told the bench that Small had been visiting his former girlfriend in Pembrokeshire and was driving home to Uxbridge at the time of the offence.
Ms Norman said Small was a regular cannabis and cocaine user.
“This helps treat his undiagnosed ADHD,” she said.
“He didn’t think the drugs would still have been in his system, as he’d consumed the drugs several days earlier. But drugs can often remain in the system for several weeks.”
Small was sentenced to a 12-month community order, during which he must complete 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days.
He was fined £80 and ordered to pay a £114 court surcharge and £85 costs. He was disqualified from driving for 15 months.
News
Uxbridge motorist banned after Pembrokeshire drug-drive stop
Driver was heading home after visiting former girlfriend when police stopped him on the A477
A WEST London motorist has been banned after being caught driving on the A477 in Broadmoor with a cocaine metabolite and cannabis in his system.
Danny Small, 32, was stopped by police carrying out routine checks at around 11:30am on January 28.
After providing a positive roadside drug swipe, Small was taken to a police station, where blood tests showed he had 157mcg of benzoylecgonine in his system. The legal limit is 50mcg.
He also had 2.9mcg of Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol in his system. The legal limit is 2mcg.
Small, of Little London Close, Uxbridge, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week, where he pleaded guilty to two drug-driving offences.
Probation officer Julie Norman told the bench that Small had been visiting his former girlfriend in Pembrokeshire and was driving home to Uxbridge at the time of the offence.
Ms Norman said Small was a regular cannabis and cocaine user.
“This helps treat his undiagnosed ADHD,” she said.
“He didn’t think the drugs would still have been in his system, as he’d consumed the drugs several days earlier. But drugs can often remain in the system for several weeks.”
Small was sentenced to a 12-month community order, during which he must complete 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days.
He was fined £80 and ordered to pay a £114 court surcharge and £85 costs. He was disqualified from driving for 15 months.
Crime
Carpenter banned after drug-driving in camper van
Pembroke Dock man was five times over the cannabis limit
A PEMBROKESHIRE carpenter has been banned from driving after being caught behind the wheel of his camper van while five times over the drug-drive limit.
James Toulouse, 35, was stopped by police shortly before midnight on December 20, 2025, as he drove his white Mercedes Vito along Buttermilk Lane in Pembroke.
“There was a strong smell of cannabis coming from the vehicle and the driver, who was James Toulouse, appeared glazed, as his eyes were red and bleary,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court.
A roadside drug swipe proved positive. Further tests showed Toulouse had 11mcg of Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol in his system. The legal limit is 2mcg.
The court heard this was Toulouse’s second drug-driving offence in ten years.
Toulouse, of Clarence Street, Pembroke Dock, pleaded guilty to drug-driving.
He was represented by solicitor Michael Kelleher, who said the defendant works as a carpenter.
“Obviously it’s not going to be easy for him to carry on with his work, but he’s fully intending to do so,” he said.
Toulouse was disqualified from driving for 36 months. He was fined £350 and ordered to pay £85 court costs and a £140 surcharge.
-
Crime6 days agoMilford Haven man jailed for breaching domestic violence protection order
-
News6 days agoCrash on Freeman’s Way causes school-run chaos across Haverfordwest
-
Health4 days agoWoman jailed assaults on police, harassment and XL Bully possession
-
Crime4 days agoMilford Haven woman spared jail despite string of shop thefts
-
Crime6 days agoPortfield Gate man faces careless driving allegation after Tufton crash
-
Community3 days agoThe gentle giant behind the tattoos
-
Local Government6 days agoPembrokeshire faces accessible housing shortage as 403 people wait for homes
-
News7 days agoBrexit at 10: How Britain was sold a dream that cost us dearly




