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64-metre North Pembrokeshire wind turbine set for approval

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FRESH plans for a replacement wind turbine in north Pembrokeshire, submitted after a previous scheme which saw concerns by the Met Office was withdrawn, are expected to be approved despite objections from the local community council.

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, Surrey-based Constantine Wind Energy Limited, which manages some 200 turbines throughout Great Britain, had initially sought permission for a 102-metre-high wind turbine at Sarnau Farm, near Trelech.

That application would replace an existing 45-metre-high turbine, granted permission in 2014.

In a supporting statement, Wilmslow-based agent Axis PED Limited said any visual impact would be “outweighed by the beneficial contribution the replacement turbine would make in the transition away from fossil fuels and the ability to meet UK Net Zero targets in line with the Government’s commitments”.

Local community council Clydau strongly objected to the first proposal, raising concerns including the size is more than double that existing, and potential visual and noise impacts.

The Met Office raised concerns about the impact on the nearby Crug-y-Grollwyn weather radar, just over four kilometres away, saying: “Wind turbines have been shown to have detrimental effects on the performance of Met Office weather radars.  These effects include the blocking of radar data in the vicinity of the turbines and the creation of false ‘clutter’ returns which can imitate or obscure real precipitation signals.”

After the previous scheme was withdrawn, the applicants have now submitted plans for a smaller turbine, some 64 metres in height, which is being recommended for approval at the November meeting of the council’s planning committee

A supporting statement through the agent said that while the MET Office did object to the previous application for the 102m tip height turbine, the lower turbine meets their operational requirements for the location.

Local community council Clydau has objected, saying the scheme has no real local benefit, raising  potential impact of the development on the landscape, the local environment and amenity, most notably noise, shadow flicker and visual intrusion, and potential devaluation of nearby properties.

There were also 37 objections from members of the public, raising concerns including location and size of the proposed turbine, proximity of residential properties, visual impact, impact on the historic environment, impact on biodiversity, noise, shadow flicker, highway implications, waste generation, hydrological implications, impact on health, the lack of local financial benefit, impact on television reception and impact on property prices.

An officer report ahead of the November meeting says that, while the agent has identified minor landscape harm associated with the development, it is considered this is not sufficient to make the development environmentally unacceptable.

Business

Pembrokeshire Great Wedlock deer park up for sale for £4m

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A PEMBROKESHIRE deer farm park attraction, which has expanded with several developments recently approved by councillors despite repeated officer recommendations of refusal, is now on the market for a cool £4m.

Great Wedlock Farm and Deer Park, at Gumfreston, some three miles from Tenby, is being marketed through estate agents Fox Grant with a guide price of £4m.

“Great Wedlock Farm and Deer Park were established in 2020 by the current owner, has invested well to create a viable business situated an easy drive from Tenby or Saundersfoot, meaning that it is an established tourist destination in the summer months for families,” it says.

Among the assets it lists:

  • An Established and Popular Tourist Attraction. Set in 173 Acres.
  • 5 Bedroom Farmhouse, 3 Bedrooms En Suite.
  • Deer Barn: Café, Shop and Buggy Park
  • Cinema Barn: Cinema, Tractor Maze & Soft Play.
  • Stone Barn: Golf Putting with second part for restoration.
  • The Makers Market Barn with Trader Stalls, store & toilets.
  • Planning permission for 15 holiday homes.
  • Agricultural barn, Further outbuilding and workshop.
  • Deer Fencing all round.
  • 2 miles fenced walk, parking for 200 cars
  • Outside Playground with some 28 pieces including gym equipment.
  • Planning for Event Centre.
  • Outside seating for 100.
  • Amazing views across the Bristol Channel.
  • Perfect for wind turbines, subject to planning permission.
  • Monopolistic Trading Position

Since the June 2022 approval of the deer park attraction itself, there have been further applications by Mr and Mrs Evans of Great Wedlock, both repeatedly recommended for refusal by officers, and both ultimately approved by full council after being repeatedly backed by the planning committee.

In December 2023, a change of use of a former agricultural barn to a trading barn for up to 35 traders selling local produce and crafts was approved by approved by 43 votes to one, against officer concerns including the potential for negative impacts on the existing provision of local shops in nearby rural settlements.

In May of this year, plans for 15 disability-friendly holiday lodges, a scheme the applicants had previously priced at some £2.3m to develop, were approved.

At the time local member Cllr Rhys Jordan said the material considerations of “ethically right and economically sound” sustainable tourism and the disability-friendly lodges outweighed officers’ reasons for refusal, which included it was outside of an identified settlement boundary in a countryside location, and was considered to have an adverse impact on visual amenity.

Fox Grant says of the site now up for sale: “The organic pastureland is grazed by the deer, which consist of three breeds: Red Deer, White Red Deer and Fallow Deer, during the summer months, there is the option for tourist to go on Deer Safaris in the buggies, after paying the entrance fee.”

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Business

A Haverfordwest landmark: Mike’s Bikes celebrates thirty-six years

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Family-run shop marks milestone after three generations keep wheels turning

LIFEBOAT crews, farmers, schoolchildren, club cyclists and thousands of local families have all passed through the doors of Mike’s Bikes in Prendergast. Now the much-loved shop is celebrating its thirty-sixth birthday, marking more than three decades as one of Haverfordwest’s most recognisable independent businesses.

The distinctive blue-fronted building has become a local landmark for anyone travelling through Prendergast. But behind it is a story rooted in family, hard work and a passion for cycling that has carried the business through changing times.

The shop began as the dream of founder Mike, who took early retirement from the water board in the late 1980s to follow his lifelong love of bikes. He found what the family still describe as “the perfect location” in Prendergast, opening the doors for the first time on November 16, 1988.

As demand grew, Mike brought in his close friend Mark as a partner, expanding into the entire lower floor of the building. The pair quickly built a strong reputation for honest advice, repairs done properly, and an old-fashioned customer service that kept people coming back.

Mike retired in 2000, with Mark taking over as sole owner. Under his leadership, the business went from strength to strength, surviving the recession, competition from big retail chains, and the shift towards online sales.

In 2008 the next generation stepped in when Mark’s son Shaun joined as a trainee mechanic. Originally intending to stay only while searching for a carpentry job, he quickly found he “absolutely loved” the work and decided to remain. Shaun is now a director, working alongside his father to steer the business into its fourth decade.

Today Mike’s Bikes is one of the best-known cycling shops in the county, stocking everything from children’s first bikes to high-end road and mountain models, as well as offering servicing and repairs. For many Pembrokeshire families, it’s the first stop whenever a tyre bursts, a bike is outgrown, or a child needs their first two wheels.

The shop thanked its customers in a message posted ahead of the anniversary, saying: “We would like to say a massive thank you to each and every one of you that has supported us over the years. Here’s to another 36 years.”

With three generations connected to the business and countless memories tied to the shopfront on Prendergast, Mike’s Bikes remains a rare example of a true independent business still thriving in Haverfordwest — powered not by trends, but by loyalty, community and a deep love of cycling.

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Twr y Felin Hotel unveils new bespoke couple’s spa

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TWR Y FELIN Felin Hotel, Wales’ first contemporary art hotel, has announced the opening of its new bespoke couple’s spa – an exclusive sanctuary designed to restore balance, renew the senses, and bring calming wellbeing to both body and mind.

The new private spa space combines modern wellness design with gentle natural elements, offering a serene environment for couples or small groups seeking deep relaxation. Centred on the therapeutic power of water, the spa provides a cocoon of tranquillity and indulgence just moments from the heart of St Davids.

Guests can unwind in the deep whirlpool bath, enjoy the circulation-boosting benefits of the infrared sauna, or cleanse and detoxify in the steam shower. The space also includes heated loungers and a private terrace, complemented by soft lighting and soothing music – creating an ideal backdrop for an hour or more of restorative escape.

One-hour spa sessions

Perfect for guests seeking a shorter break from the everyday, the spa offers one-hour sessions:

  • Monday – Thursday: £50 per person
  • Friday – Sunday: £60 per person

One-hour sessions can be booked online. Longer visits can be arranged directly with the hotel and are subject to availability.

Guests can also extend their wellness journey with a wide menu of treatments, including aromatherapy massage, therapeutic body massage, Indian head massage, body exfoliation rituals, and Twr y Felin’s signature Encapsulate treatment.

“Our vision was to create a space where guests can slow down, breathe, and indulge in a restorative experience that leaves them feeling renewed,” said Emma Bowen, General Manager. “The spa complements our philosophy of creating exceptional experiences inspired by art, culture, and the surrounding Pembrokeshire landscape.”

Booking information

The spa is open daily, with one-hour sessions available to book online. Packages and extended stays must be booked directly with the hotel’s reception team. Please note that the spa is an adults-only environment and is not suitable for pregnant guests.

For information, bookings, and full terms and conditions, visit:
https://twryfelinhotel.com/treatments/

About Twr y Felin Hotel

Located in Britain’s smallest city, St Davids, Twr y Felin Hotel is Wales’ first contemporary art hotel. The award-winning retreat offers luxurious accommodation, fine dining at Blas Restaurant, and a unique collection of specially commissioned artworks inspired by the dramatic Pembrokeshire coast.

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