News

Hayscastle Cross housing approved after five-year wait

Published

6 months ago

June 5, 2025

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A PEMBROKESHIRE village housing scheme, first lodged half a decade ago, has been given the go-ahead.

In an application recommended for approval at the June meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee, Mr and Mrs Down sought permission for a hybrid application for the erection of one dwelling, along with outline permission for two more on land east of Ty Gwyn (Y Bwthyn), Hayscastle Cross, near Haverfordwest.

The scheme had been brought to committee as it was recommended for approval despite being contrary to the authority’s development plan, a sticking point being a small part being outside the settlement boundary.

The scheme includes a commuted sum contribution to affordable housing, in the case of Hayscastle Cross set at 10 per cent, of the development value, amounting to £15,262.50.

Affordable housing contributions in the county vary from as low as five per cent in Fishguard and Pembroke Dock to as high as 25 per cent in towns like Narberth.

Five letters of objection raised concerns including drainage, traffic generation, housing need, flooding and it being a linear development.

An officer report concluded: “The proposal would result in residential development over a small area of the countryside location in conflict with the requirements [of policies]. However, the minimal area of land involved and the ability it provides to facilitate development of the site are material considerations which outweigh the identified policy conflicts.”

Speaking at the meeting, agent Andrew Vaughan-Harries of Hayston Developments & Planning Ltd said he was “shocked at the time” that had passed since the application was first lodged some five years ago.

He said the scheme had faced “a lot of hurdles” since it was submitted, including the Covid-19 pandemic, delays over addressing phosphate concerns and there being a nearby SSSI.

He said the scheme, with its £15,000 affordable housing contribution, would “enhance this little bit of Haycastle Cross”.

The application was moved by Cllr Brian Hall, with new committee chair Cllr Mark Carter, whose own ward is nearby, saying: “This to me, is just a natural progression of the village which has expanded over the years; it’s just joining the rest of the row.”

The application was unanimously approved by committee members.

Crime

Man charged with strangulation and assault offences after October incident

Published

3 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

A MAN recorded in court as having no fixed abode has appeared before magistrates charged with intentional strangulation and two further assault offences.

Michael Sudbury, 50, whose address was not read out in court, but in Herald records is Glan Hafan, Llangwm, appeared before the bench facing multiple charges.

The charges relate to an incident on 22 October 2025 and include:

Intentional strangulation, contrary to section 75A of the Serious Crime Act 2015
Common assault
Assault by beating

No further details of the alleged incident were opened in court, and no plea was entered at this stage.

Sudbury was remanded on conditional bail, with the case listed to return to magistrates later this month.

Crime

Haverfordwest man sent to Crown Court on multiple serious charges

Published

3 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

Defendant remanded in custody

A HAVERFORDWEST man has been sent to Swansea Crown Court to stand trial on a series of A 49-year-old Haverfordwest resident has been committed to Swansea Crown Court to face trial on multiple serious charges deemed too grave for magistrates to handle.

David Guy, of Market Street, Haverfordwest, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates facing a series of allegations stemming from a single case. The charges, which were not detailed in open court, include:

Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
A second count of assault
Criminal damage
An additional allegation of interpersonal violence
A public order offence

Magistrates declined jurisdiction, determining that the matters exceeded their sentencing powers, and sent the case in its entirety to Swansea Crown Court.

Guy was remanded in custody pending his next appearance. The court register notes: “Sent to Crown Court for trial in custody – next hearing at Swansea Crown Court.”

A date for the initial Crown Court hearing will be set administratively. Guy will remain in custody until then.

The Pembrokeshire Herald will provide further updates as the case progresses in the Crown Court.

Crime

Castlemartin man back before magistrates over multiple alleged assaults

Published

3 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

Defendant remanded on conditional bail ahead of further hearing

A CASTLEMARTIN man has appeared repeatedly before magistrates this month over a string A 40-year-old man from Castlemartin has made repeated appearances before magistrates this month in connection with a series of serious alleged offences, including assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH), intentional non-fatal strangulation, common assault, and criminal damage.

Anthony Alcock, of Pwll Street, Castlemartin, is facing six linked charges stemming from incidents said to have occurred earlier this year. These appear to relate to the same complainant in what is understood to be a single ongoing domestic abuse prosecution.

During recent administrative hearings at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court, Alcock did not enter pleas while matters of bail and case management were addressed.

Charges Include:

Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
Intentional non-fatal strangulation
Common assault on a woman
Criminal damage in a domestic context
Additional assault allegations involving the same complainant
Breach of bail conditions

Alcock was initially granted conditional bail but was subsequently brought before the court on two occasions for alleged breaches. On those instances, magistrates remanded him in custody ahead of further hearings. He was later re-granted conditional bail, subject to strict conditions such as no contact with the complainant and exclusion from specified locations.

Magistrates have now declined jurisdiction, ruling that the case—particularly the more serious charges involving non-fatal strangulation—is too grave for summary trial. It has been committed to Swansea Crown Court for plea, trial, or sentencing.

No detailed evidence has been presented in open court at this preliminary stage. Alcock remains on conditional bail pending his next appearance at the Crown Court.