Community

Council to back purchases of 10 more houses in Rosemarket

Published

8 months ago

October 7, 2025

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

PEMBROKESHIRE council could have 10 more social housing units in its stock within the year after a housing purchase call was backed by senior councillors.

At the October 6 meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet, members backed the purchase of the new build homes, a mixture of two and three-bed houses, currently under construction at Rose Haven, Rosemarket; the final agreement delegated to senior officers.

This follows the backing of the purchase between 37 and 41 houses agreed at the September meeting.

A report at the October meeting, presented by Cabinet Member for Housing Cllr Michelle Bateman said: “The council has a corporate priority that aims to increase the supply of affordable and social homes and is seeking to expand its housing stock and satisfy local housing need. These ‘off-the-self purchase’ opportunities would help towards both the council’s 300 new home target and also Welsh Governments 20,000 new homes target.

“In the context of housing development, an Off the Shelf purchase (OTS) consists of newly completed properties, offered on the open market by a contractor/developer for a fixed price on the basis of a single conveyancing contract.

“The OTS opportunity would provide the council with up to 10 properties built to a modern specification which are fossil fuel free and benefit from PV panels and air source heat pumps.

“The site will provide the opportunity for a mix of social and intermediate rent housing.”

It added: “Currently there is no match funding grant assigned to this potential acquisition however enquiries have been made with both the Social Housing Grant (SHG) and Transitional Accommodation Capital Programme (TACP) teams.

“If cabinet agreement is given, and subject to due diligence checks, it is hoped that acquisition of these 10 units could be completed within this financial year. Any purchase will be dependent on suitable SHG or TACP funding being secured with the match provided from the Housing Revenue Account.

“The need to provide additional affordable and social housing is a high priority for the council and if acquired, these new homes will be let at rents in line with the council’s rent policy, making the homes affordable for those in need.”

Members unanimously backed the delegated purchase of the housing.

At the September Cabinet meeting, members backed the acquisition of up to 16 new build housing units as an off the shelf deal at Harcourt Close, Hook, and entering into a package deal arrangement for the purchase of 21 affordable homes, along with an option for four ‘intermediate’ affordable units on land at Sandyhill, Saundersfoot.

Community

Man found dead near Carmarthen railway line died from hypothermia

Published

42 minutes ago

June 17, 2026

Court Reporter

A 32-YEAR-OLD man found dead near Carmarthen Train Station died after taking shelter on a bitterly cold night, an inquest has heard.

Edward Mark Owen, originally from Birmingham but living in Ystradgynlais, was discovered in a field beside the railway line on the approach to Carmarthen station on Saturday, January 10.

A Transport for Wales train driver had spotted what appeared to be a body lying face down near the track shortly after 8:30am.

Police and railway staff attended and found Mr Owen lying face down and topless in the field. His coat, T-shirt, phone and cigarettes were found nearby.

Police initially treated the death as unexplained.

Movements traced

The inquest heard that officers later traced Mr Owen’s movements from his home in Ystradgynlais to Carmarthen.

He had nowhere to stay in the town and had taken shelter under a bridge near the railway station during a particularly cold night.

The coroner said Mr Owen had “sadly succumbed to the effects of hypothermia”.

The fact that he had removed his T-shirt and coat was said to be consistent with a confused state brought on by hypothermia.

A conclusion of misadventure was recorded.

The coroner found that Mr Owen died sometime on January 10, 2026.

Community

Milford Haven firefighters prepare for key assessments

Published

56 minutes ago

June 17, 2026

Tom Sinclair

ON-CALL firefighters at Milford Haven Fire Station have been put through their paces as part of their weekly drill night.

The crew’s development firefighters were pictured carrying out a “drill by numbers” squad exercise ahead of upcoming assessments.

New firefighters spend their first 24 months in a development period, which is split into four stages and focuses on different operational skills and competencies.

At the end of each stage, firefighters attend a divisional training centre where their progress is assessed against the standards required by Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service.

Over the next two weeks, members of the Milford Haven crew will take part in a Stage 2 interim assessment and a Stage 4 final assessment.

One firefighter is hoping to complete the final stage and qualify as a fully competent firefighter.

The station said Wednesday nights remain an important part of training for the on-call crew, helping firefighters maintain the skills needed to respond to emergencies across the Milford Haven area.

Community

Armed Forces Day exhibition opens at VC Gallery’s new Riverside home

Published

6 hours ago

June 17, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A UNIQUE exhibition bringing together military history, art and veterans’ stories will open to the public in Haverfordwest as part of Armed Forces Day celebrations later this month.

The VC Gallery will host a special open day at its new Riverside Gallery on Saturday, June 27, inviting the community to explore an exhibition featuring works from the Imperial War Museum alongside historic wartime artefacts, trench art and pieces connected to celebrated Welsh artist Augustus John.

The event will also showcase contemporary artwork created by Armed Forces veterans who served in conflicts including Korea, Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan.

Organisers say the exhibition highlights not only military history and remembrance, but also the role creativity can play in supporting mental health, wellbeing and recovery.

Throughout the day, visitors will be able to meet members of the VC Gallery team and learn more about an ambitious new project aimed at supporting veterans, families and the wider community.

The exhibition combines nationally significant historical works with personal stories of service and resilience, offering a rare opportunity to view military history through the eyes of those who experienced it.

Families are particularly welcome, with guided family art tours available by advance booking.

The event begins at 10:00am and takes place at the VC Riverside Gallery in Haverfordwest.

Anyone wishing to reserve a place on a guided family tour should email [email protected].

The VC Gallery said it is looking forward to welcoming visitors as it commemorates Armed Forces Day while celebrating the power of art, heritage and community to bring people together.