THE FIRST phase of a major redevelopment programme at Portfield School in Haverfordwest has been completed, marking a significant step forward in specialist education provision in Pembrokeshire.

The project has been jointly funded by the Welsh Government and Pembrokeshire County Council through the Sustainable Communities for Learning programme, which aims to deliver modern, high-quality learning environments for pupils across Wales.

Developed in partnership with construction firm Morgan Sindall, the scheme has focused on accessibility, sustainability and the creation of spaces tailored to a wide range of learning and therapeutic needs.

Portfield School supports children and young people aged three to nineteen with additional learning needs. The new facilities provide modern, flexible and inclusive spaces designed to support pupils’ development while helping meet growing demand for specialist education provision in the county.

Headteacher Sarah Hartley said the new accommodation represented an important step forward for the school community.

She said: “We are delighted with the new provision for our pupils at Portfield School. It represents a significant step forward in ensuring every pupil has access to an inclusive, supportive and inspiring learning environment where they can thrive.

“As Headteacher I am incredibly proud of how well the pupils have transitioned into the new site and adapted so quickly to their new learning environment. I am very excited to be working alongside a dedicated team of staff who share the same passion for inclusive education. Together we will build a school community where every young person can flourish.”

The new building includes specialist facilities such as sensory rooms and improved outdoor areas designed to promote physical activity, social interaction and emotional wellbeing.

Cabinet Secretary for Education Lynne Neagle said the development would help support learners with additional needs across Pembrokeshire.

She said: “All learners deserve environments that nurture, challenge and support them. I am pleased to support learners with additional learning needs in Pembrokeshire through our Sustainable Communities for Learning programme. The specialist spaces will help us meet a wide range of needs and ensure every learner feels valued and able to thrive.”

Leader of Pembrokeshire County Council, Cllr Jon Harvey, described the completion of the first phase as an important moment for the school and the wider community.

He said: “This is an exciting moment for the school, the families we support, and the wider community. The new facilities will provide pupils with the high-quality, nurturing environment they deserve, and the first phase brings us closer to delivering the full vision for this exceptional school.”

Robert Williams, Area Director for Morgan Sindall Construction in Wales, said the company was proud to help deliver the project.

He said: “It’s a real privilege to hand over the new Portfield School SEN facilities. This milestone reflects the hard work and commitment of our Morgan Sindall team, and it has been fantastic to work with Pembrokeshire County Council to bring the project to life.

“The new facilities will make a lasting difference, providing children with a high-quality learning environment that offers the support pupils need to thrive and be inspired.”

Work on the next stage of the redevelopment has already begun. This will include refurbishment of the former Tasker Milward H Block for post-16 pupils, demolition of the existing primary school building, reinstatement works, the construction of a new respite care unit, and refurbishment of Holly House.

The overall scheme represents a long-term investment in specialist education and aims to ensure that children with additional learning needs across Pembrokeshire have access to the support and facilities they require.

COUNCILLORS have approved plans for a new housing development of 48 homes, including ten affordable properties, on a west Wales estate.

The scheme at Maes y Dderwen in Cardigan was granted planning permission at the March 11 meeting of Ceredigion County Council’s Development Management Committee.

The application, submitted by TID Holdings Ltd through agent Trevor Hopkins Associates Ltd, forms part of the third phase of development at the Maes y Dderwen estate.

In total, the scheme will deliver 48 homes, ten of which will be affordable units in line with the council’s policy requiring 20 per cent affordable housing.

Cardigan Town Council supported the application but requested that a higher proportion of affordable housing be included.

One member of the public objected to the plans, arguing the development represented an overdevelopment of the site. Concerns were also raised about whether there was sufficient local demand for the homes, suggesting they could be purchased by buyers from outside the area, as well as raising questions about the impact on local infrastructure.

However, planning officers advised councillors that outline permission for residential development at Maes y Dderwen had first been granted in 1992, and the site has been subject to several planning applications since then.

The latest proposal includes 38 open-market homes comprising six three-bedroom bungalows, twelve four-bedroom detached houses, ten three-bedroom semi-detached houses, four three-bedroom terraced homes, and six two-bedroom flats.

The affordable housing element will consist of six three-bedroom semi-detached houses, one three-bedroom detached house, and three terraced homes, including two two-bedroom properties and one three-bedroom unit.

Planning officers said the mix of housing types would help meet a range of local housing needs.

The report stated that the inclusion of bungalows was “particularly positive” as it supports accessibility and lifetime homes principles, providing suitable housing for older residents and people with mobility needs. Flats and smaller terraced homes would provide options for first-time buyers and smaller households, while larger detached and semi-detached properties would help meet family housing demand.

The scheme also includes provision for communal accessible open space and a natural play area.

Responding to objections, the report noted that the site is allocated for housing within the development plan and that the proposed density is below recommended guidelines.

Officers added that planning policy cannot control who ultimately purchases the homes and confirmed that no statutory consultees had raised concerns about infrastructure capacity.

Members of the committee unanimously approved the development, subject to the completion of a Section 106 legal agreement and approval of the associated play space.

Affordable housing proportion rises as apartment plans replaced with family homes

AMENDMENTS to the final phase of a housing development in Saundersfoot have been approved, reducing the overall number of homes while increasing the proportion of affordable properties on the site.

Morgan Construction (Wales) Limited, through agent Evans Banks Planning Limited, sought permission to reconfigure the third phase of a residential development at Whitlow, Narberth Road, Saundersfoot.

The application was recommended for approval and came before members of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park’s Development Management Committee at its March meeting.

The original scheme, granted permission in 2023 and already partly built, allowed for a total of 54 homes. Under the revised proposals the number will be reduced to 47.

A planning officer’s report explained that the development is being built in phases. Phase one consists of 16 market homes, while phase two includes 19 affordable properties.

The application concerned the final stage of the project, known as phase three.

Under the original consent, phase three would have delivered 19 one- and two-bedroom apartments located in the centre of the site. However, the revised plans replace those flats with a mix of houses.

The new layout will include two three-bedroom detached houses, three two-bedroom detached bungalows, four two-bedroom terraced townhouses and three three-bedroom terraced townhouses.

This change reduces the number of homes in phase three from 19 apartments to 12 houses.

Although the number of affordable homes across the development will remain unchanged, the reduction in market housing increases the proportion of affordable properties on the site from 35.1 per cent to 40.4 per cent.

The applicants told planners that demand for the previously approved apartments had been limited. They said there was already a considerable supply of such properties in the lower part of Saundersfoot, while demand locally appeared stronger for homes suited to young families and for older residents wishing to downsize into smaller bungalows.

The report added that without the changes the final phase of the development could remain unbuilt, leaving future residents living on a partially completed site.

Committee members agreed to grant delegated approval to planning officers, subject to the completion of legal agreements covering planning obligations.

These include provisions to secure the affordable housing in perpetuity, along with financial contributions towards library services, recreational open space and sustainable transport.