AN APPEAL has been lodged against the refusal of plans for a takeaway food kiosk at a former lifeboat store in Tenby’s seaside harbour, despite planning officers recommending the scheme for approval.

Last March, members of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority development management committee rejected proposals to site a takeaway food kiosk at the former RNLI lifeboat store at Penniless Cove, Tenby Harbour.

The application, submitted by Ruby Goodrick, sought permission to convert the old store into a takeaway cold food outlet operating seven days a week from 10:00am to 10:00pm.

The scheme came before councillors rather than being determined under delegated powers after Tenby Town Council objected to the proposal.

Despite the objection, planning officers recommended the scheme for approval, even though it represented a departure from the adopted development plan.

An officer report said: “Whilst it is acknowledged that the proposed use would introduce a retail element to this area of the harbour, on balance officers consider that no significant harm would be caused to the character of Tenby Harbour as a result of this development.

“The use proposed occupies a relatively small floor area and would not be a destination in and of itself. Rather, it would rely on the existing footfall within the harbour.”

Speaking at the meeting in March (2025), Alistair McKay, representing Tenby Sailing Club, warned the proposal could create potential conflicts with other harbour users.

The applicant told councillors she was “more than happy” to adjust the proposed opening hours. Ms Goodrick said the business would build on the success of her mother’s former sandwich shop in the town, Truly Scrumptious.

The proposed outlet, called Truly@The Harbour, would “contribute positively to the local economy,” she said.

However, committee members raised concerns including congestion in the harbour area and the handling of waste.

Members eventually voted by 12 votes to three to refuse the application.

The applicant has now lodged an appeal with Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW).

In a statement supporting the appeal, Ms Goodrick said: “The proposal is modest in scale, does not harm the retail hierarchy, is in close proximity to the town centre, and has received no objections from the majority of the statutory consultees.”

The appeal statement adds that the refusal was based on the kiosk being outside the defined town centre boundary.

However, it argues that the building is located only around 25 metres outside the retail centre boundary and would otherwise represent a use considered acceptable within the town centre.

Claims about puppies arriving through Pembrokeshire port emerge as licensing probe continues

FISHGUARD has been named in allegations linked to an ongoing investigation involving one of the UK’s largest dog rescue organisations.

Animal Licensing Wales confirmed it is conducting an investigation after inspectors visited Many Tears Animal Rescue near Cefneithin in Carmarthenshire on Tuesday (Mar 10).

Officers from Dyfed-Powys Police attended the premises during the visit but stressed they were present only in a supporting capacity.

A spokesperson for the force told The Herald: “Officers attended the premises in a supporting capacity only, to prevent any breach of the peace. The visit took place without any need of police involvement or intervention.”

The licensing authority has declined to comment further.

In a statement, Animal Licensing Wales said: “We are unable to comment on this matter due to an ongoing investigation.”

Fishguard transport claims

Reports circulating online have linked the investigation to allegations involving puppies arriving through Fishguard port from Ireland before being transported to the rescue centre in Carmarthenshire.

The claims include concerns relating to transport conditions, vaccination records and veterinary documentation.

These allegations have not been proven.

Fishguard is one of the main ferry routes between Wales and Ireland, with regular sailings connecting Pembrokeshire to Rosslare.

Animal welfare authorities have previously highlighted Irish Sea ferry routes as key points for monitoring the movement of dogs entering Britain.

Rescue response

Many Tears Animal Rescue has confirmed that inspectors visited the site to obtain paperwork and records.

A spokesperson for the organisation said: “On Tuesday, March 10, representatives of Animal Licensing Wales visited the rescue to retrieve paperwork and records.

“No animals were removed from the premises during the visit and no concerns were raised about the condition or care of the animals on site.”

The RSPCA Cymru has confirmed it did not attend the inspection.

Many Tears Animal Rescue, founded by Sylvia and Bill Van Atta, operates from the former Cawdor Kennels site near Llanelli and rehomes thousands of dogs each year.

The nature of the investigation has not yet been disclosed.

Man believed to be from Carmarthenshire claims meeting followed years of online contact and payments for sexual images

A MAN believed to be from Carmarthenshire who was paid tens of thousands of pounds for sexual images by former BBC newsreader Huw Edwards has claimed the pair did meet in person and spent a night together at a Cardiff hotel.

The man, now aged 22, said he stayed overnight with the disgraced broadcaster at the Marriott Hotel in Cardiff after Edwards allegedly threatened to stop sending him money.

The claims were made in an interview published by The Sun.

According to the report, Edwards had already paid the then-teenager at least £35,000 in exchange for sexual images before the meeting took place.

The man said the pair had been communicating online for around two years before they finally met.

He told the newspaper that he had been relying on the payments and felt pressured to meet Edwards.

“He said if I didn’t come he wouldn’t help me any more,” the man said.

Recalling the meeting, he said Edwards was waiting outside the hotel when he arrived.

The man said he felt extremely nervous when the pair went up to the room and struggled to speak.

He claimed Edwards tried to place a hand on his shoulder but he froze and said he eventually lay on the bed and pretended to sleep.

According to the account, Edwards left the following morning.

Both Edwards and the man involved are reported to have links to Carmarthenshire, although the individual has never been publicly identified.

The allegations come amid wider revelations about Edwards’ criminal case.

In September 2024, the former BBC presenter admitted three offences relating to indecent images of children and was handed a six-month prison sentence, suspended for two years.

He was also placed on the sex offenders’ register for seven years.

Court proceedings previously heard that Edwards had been sent dozens of illegal images by a 41-year-old man named Alex Williams.

The images included some of the most serious category of abuse material involving young children.

It has since been reported that Williams helped connect Edwards with the teenager through a dating app.

According to the interview, the man was first contacted by Williams in 2020 when he was 17.

He later began communicating directly with Edwards, who allegedly sent him £500 within minutes of their first conversation before moving the discussion to WhatsApp.

Over the following three years Edwards is said to have paid him tens of thousands of pounds while requesting explicit material during video calls.

The claims add further detail to the scandal that brought down one of Britain’s most recognisable television news presenters, who for many years fronted the BBC’s flagship news bulletins before leaving the corporation following the investigation and subsequent criminal case.