Local Government

Fears Pembroke diner could sell alcohol as late as 5am

Published

10 months ago

August 29, 2025

A CALL to allow a service hatch at a Pembroke diner to serve alcohol as late as 5am at weekends, which has raised concerns raised it will lead to an increase in drunken behaviour, is to be heard by councillors.

The September meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s licensing sub-committee will consider an application for a variation of previous conditions at Parkside Diner, Commons Road, Pembroke.

A previously granted license allows the sale of alcohol from 10am-11pm, with an 11.30pm closure.

The application seeks to amend this to include a serving hatch for late night refreshments and sale of alcohol (on and off sales) between midnight and 5am Friday and Saturday, along with sales of alcohol to midnight each other day, and opening hours of 6am-12.30am.

Four objections, along with six letters of support have been received; those objecting include the council’s pollution officer on the grounds of public nuisance, the police’s licensing raising the potential of a “migration of patrons” late at night from the town’s Main Street nightclub, and local county councillor for Pembroke Monkton and St Mary South Cllr Jonathan Grimes.

Cllr Grimes, who raised concerns about the original application, said the call for hours as late as 5am “is totally unsuitable and would lead to a rise in antisocial behaviour”.

“As a joint elected member for the ward, I have again been contacted by residents with concerns over this licensing application variation made by Parkside Diner – especially those living in close proximity to the premises.

“As well as this, I myself have serious concerns over the application variation. In my role as county councillor, I am frequently approached by residents of the ward with concerns over anti-social behaviour in the area around The Commons in Pembroke as well as the Main Street itself. This is often linked to the drunken behaviour as well as the misuse of drugs.

“I therefore believe that a business selling alcohol late at night in this particular area would only be detrimental to the peaceful existence of the adjacent residential properties and the wider community. It would encourage people to dwell in the immediate vicinity of the premises and possibly encourage drunken behaviour.”

Supporters of the proposals raised comments including: “The Parkside Diner has been open now for over a year and has had no anti-social behaviour issues and no police visits. I live very close and don’t see there being a problem with them serving alcohol later than they already do.”

Another said: “There is nothing, absolutely nothing, like this business in the area and it should be given a chance to operate for the later hours, even if it is for a trial period. If properly managed and it doesn’t cause any visiting anti-social behaviour, then it could be a benefit for the area.”

Another said: “I appreciate that concerns may be raised around antisocial behaviour, but in my view, allowing a responsible, well-managed business to operate within a clear licensing framework is preferable to unregulated or informal alternatives.”

The decision on the application, and any conditions if backed, will be made at the September meeting.

Education

Two more rural schools face closure as statutory notices issued

Published

15 hours ago

June 16, 2026

Tom Sinclair

TWO MORE rural schools in west Wales could close by the end of the year after Carmarthenshire County Council published statutory notices proposing the closure of Ysgol Meidrim and Ysgol y Fro.

The move follows growing concern over the future of small rural schools across the region, after The Herald reported yesterday on separate school closure proposals in Pembrokeshire.

Carmarthenshire County Council confirmed on Tuesday (Jun 16) that statutory notices had been issued under the School Standards and Organisation Act 2013.

Members of the public now have 28 days to object, with the deadline set for July 14, 2026.

Objections can be submitted through the council’s online surveys for Ysgol Meidrim and Ysgol y Fro, by emailing [email protected], or in writing to Owain Lloyd, Director of Education and Leisure, County Hall, Carmarthen, SA31 1JP.

Cabinet decision

The decision to issue the statutory notices was agreed by Carmarthenshire County Council’s Cabinet on Monday, June 1.

If the proposals are approved, both closures would take effect from December 31, 2026.

From January 1, 2027, pupils currently attending Ysgol Meidrim would be expected to attend either Ysgol Griffith Jones or Ysgol Hafodwenog, depending on parental preference and the council’s admissions arrangements.

The catchment area of Ysgol Gynradd Meidrim would also be re-designated and absorbed into the existing catchment areas of Ysgol Griffith Jones and Ysgol Bancyfelin.

Under the proposals for Ysgol y Fro, pupils would attend Ysgol y Dderwen from January 1, 2027, again subject to parental preference and admissions arrangements.

Its catchment area would be re-designated and included within the existing catchments of Llangunnor Primary School, Llanddarog VC Primary School, Ferryside VC Primary School, Gwynfryn Primary School, Ysgol Gymraeg Gwenllian, Ysgol Gynradd Mynyddygarreg and Ysgol y Castell.

Rural school concern

The council says both schools have been identified under viability criteria set out in its Modernising Education Programme, which was approved by Cabinet on November 18, 2024.

The publication of statutory notices marks a formal stage in the closure process and gives parents, residents, governors and other interested parties the opportunity to object before a final decision is made.

The proposals come amid wider concern about the future of small rural schools, with communities across west Wales warning that closures can have a lasting impact on village life, Welsh-language education, transport arrangements and young families.

The council has said objections received during the statutory notice period will be considered before any final decision is taken.

Local Government

Security privately arranged by Mayor at Beating of the Bounds

Published

22 hours ago

June 16, 2026

Tom Sinclair

HAVERFORDWEST TOWN COUNCIL has confirmed that security personnel seen at this year’s Beating of the Bounds were privately arranged and paid for by the town’s Mayor.

The council issued a statement on Tuesday (June 16) following queries about the presence of security staff at the civic event.

It confirmed that the arrangements were made by the Mayor and Admiral of the Port, Councillor Randell Thomas-Turner, and were not commissioned by the council.

The statement said the decision was taken by the Mayor as a personal precaution in response to safety concerns connected with his role as a councillor.

NO SPECIFIC THREAT

The council stressed that the presence of security personnel should not be interpreted as an indication of any specific threat to the event, participants, or members of the public.

It added that the event “proceeded safely and successfully” and that there were no incidents of concern during the day.

The Beating of the Bounds is one of Haverfordwest’s oldest civic traditions, with the Mayor and Sheriff travelling to the White Stone, the historic boundary marker of the Port of Haverfordwest, to reaffirm the ancient boundaries and rights of the town.

Hundreds of people attended this year’s event, which included a flotilla, music, entertainment, stalls and family activities along the riverside.

COUNCIL CONDEMNS ABUSE

In its statement, the council said it remained committed to ensuring civic events were “welcoming, inclusive and family-friendly” occasions.

It said appropriate planning and risk management arrangements were undertaken for all public events so residents and visitors could attend with confidence.

The council added: “While the security arrangements were a personal matter for the Mayor, the council recognises the importance of supporting the wellbeing and safety of all elected members and staff.

“The council condemns all forms of abuse, intimidation and threatening behaviour directed towards those serving their communities.

“Respectful public discourse is fundamental to local democracy, but there is no place for conduct that seeks to harass, threaten or intimidate others.”

The council thanked everyone who attended and contributed to what it described as another successful Beating of the Bounds, celebrating Haverfordwest’s history, traditions and community spirit.

Image: Darth Marty Media

Local Government

Major improvement works completed at Fleming Crescent

Published

1 day ago

June 16, 2026

Tom Sinclair

NEW roofs, structural upgrades and solar panels have been installed across three residential blocks at Fleming Crescent as part of a major housing improvement scheme.

Pembrokeshire County Council said the project has delivered safer, warmer and more energy-efficient homes for residents, with the full replacement of roofs serving 54 flats.

The works also included structural improvements designed to support the long-term performance of the buildings, alongside the installation of solar panels to help improve energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions and lower energy costs for tenants.

The council received a funding contribution from the Welsh Government through the Optimised Retrofit Programme, which supports energy-efficiency improvements alongside wider investment works.

The scheme was completed on schedule, with W B Griffiths & Son Ltd appointed as the main contractor.

Cabinet Member for Housing, Cllr Michelle Bateman said: “Delivering a project of this scale on schedule is a significant achievement.

“The new roofs and external upgrades will help reduce future maintenance issues and improve the long-term resilience of the buildings, while the solar panels form an important part of our wider decarbonisation programme.

“By working closely with W B Griffiths & Son Ltd, we have delivered high-quality improvements that will benefit tenants both now and in the future.

“Pembrokeshire County Council continues to invest in housing improvements across the county, ensuring homes remain safe, modern, energy efficient and fit for the future.”

The project has also received national recognition after being shortlisted for a Constructing Excellence in Wales Award.

Neil Griffiths, Managing Director of W B Griffiths & Son Ltd, said: “We are proud to have delivered this important project at Fleming Crescent to a high standard and within the agreed timescales.

“The combination of full roof replacement and solar panel installation will provide long-term value, improve the performance of the buildings and support better outcomes for residents.

“It has been a pleasure to work in partnership with Pembrokeshire County Council on this scheme.”