News

Milford Haven function centre outdoor dining area refused

Published

6 months ago

June 10, 2025

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A RETROSPECTIVE scheme for an outside dining area on a listed building in the most prominent street in Milford Haven’s conservation area, brought before planners after potential enforcement action was started, has been refused once again.

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, Lee Bridges sought retrospective permission for works to provide an external dining area at the Grade-II-listed Masonic Hall, Imperial Function Centre, Hamilton Terrace, Milford Haven, the works having started in May 2021.

The application was supported by Milford Haven Town Council, but objections had been raised by the council’s Head of Infrastructure and Historic Buildings Conservation Officer, along with three letters of objection from the public.

***How it was: New seating area replaced scruffy overgrown area (Pic: Herald)***

The scheme was indirectly brought before planners after an enforcement investigation was started in July 2021 to look into a breach of conditions of a previously approved scheme for a new external door to provide an external dining area, an officer report saying the development was not being carried out in accordance with the previously approved plans.

That led to a 2023 application as a form of regularisation, broadly similar to the current one, which was refused in late 2024.

An officer report recommending refusal for the current scheme says submitted plans “are not an accurate illustration of the ‘as built development’”.

It added: “This application seeks to regularise the proposal, however, it does not address all the reasons for refusal as set out within [the previously refused] planning application,” going on to say: “In respect of environmental impacts, the visual impact of the proposed development harms the setting of the Masonic Hall, a Grade-II-listed building. The proposal also fails to preserve or enhance the character and appearance of the Conservation Area.”

***Outdoor seating area: Vital for venues since the smoking ban introduced (Image: Herald)***

Objections from the public, two from the same person, raised concerns including impact on residential amenity, and the conservation area, and not addressing issues raised in the enforcement notice.

The officer report concluded: “It is considered that the application would not comply with the policies of the Pembrokeshire Local Development Plan. The proposal fails to have special regard to preserving or enhancing the historic environment, therefore does not comply with the duty under The Historic Environment (Wales) Act 2023 and planning permission shall be refused.”

The scheme was refused on grounds including “a harmful visual impact on the character and appearance of the listed building and this part of the Milford Haven Conservation Area,” the development being of an unacceptable design, and the lack of a Green Infrastructure Statement.

Back in February, a call for the scheme to be decided by councillors rather than planning officers was narrowly turned down, after the committee’s chair cast a second vote.

Members voted three in favour of it being decided by committee, and three against; chair Cllr Guy Woodham casting a second vote in the event of a tie, again voting against the call, meaning it was later decided by officers.

Crime

Man charged with strangulation and assault offences after October incident

Published

10 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

11 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

11 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.