PLANS for a gymnasium and café occupying the majority of Pembroke Dock’s ferry terminal building have been given the go-ahead.

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, Lee Brookes of Westside Fitness Ltd, through agent William Beynon, sought permission for a change of use of part of the existing ferry terminal building, Pembroke Dock to a gymnasium and café.

A supporting statement dealing with a flood consequence assessment, by Francis Saint Ltd, said: “It is proposed to convert part of the existing Pembroke Dock Ferry Terminal Building (75 per cent) into a Gymnasium and café area while retaining the remainder of the building for its current use (25 per cent).”

It added: “The building, however, lies in a Zone 3 flood area, as shown on the Flood Maps For Planning, and shown to be potentially at risk of tidal flooding during a one-in-200-year event, with 100 years of climate change. Francis Sant were, therefore, asked to undertake a Flood Consequence Assessment to evaluate the risk. Even with 100 years of climate change the site is not at risk of flooding from a river or from surface water, during a 1-in-1000-year event.

“In addition, the site is also not expected to be at risk from reservoir failure and the risk of ground water flooding is considered to be low.”

It went on to say: “Located within the Haven, the site is protected from the more severe wave action. In addition, the plateaux to the north of the site would provide additional protection causing the waves to break onto the plateaux before reaching the building. Any water or spray reaching the building or the surrounding area is likely to flow back into the Haven posing a minimal risk to the development.

“As the building already exists there will be no loss of flood storage capacity, even if the building was at risk of flooding, and, as a surface water drain is already in place, there will be no increase in the rainfall runoff rate.”

The application was supported by Pembroke Dock Town Council.

An officer report recommending approval said: “The proposal represents the sustainable reuse of an existing building within a defined settlement and would provide a beneficial community leisure facility. No significant impacts are identified in respect of design, amenity, highways, flood risk or ecology, subject to conditions.”

The application was conditionally approved.

A FORMER Pembrokeshire county councillor who owns many hostelries in the county has been given the thumbs-up for plans to rejuvenate a “tired” seaside village pub.

In an application to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Mike Evans of Harbwr Brewery, a former county councillor and national park authority member, sought a partly retrospective permission for works at the Old Chemist Inn, The Strand, Saundersfoot.

The works include proposed internal alterations to the basement and ground floor, a new rear balcony area to replace the existing one, improvements to the front facade, a change of use of shop space to food/drink, and installation of seating booths in the rear garden.

It says the changes proposed will increase the number of staff employed to 15 full time and 10 part-time.

No objections to the proposal were raised by local community council Saundersfoot.

A supporting statement through agent David J P Morgan RIBA Architect, says the 19th Century pub “has endured many alterations during its lifetime and at present it needs improvements to echo the recent upgrading of the village, both in the general tourism support facilities, as well as the new innovative harbour development,” with the  appearance and interior facilities “tired” and needing “works both inside and outside to enable the inn to achieve and provide the high levels of cuisine and facilities now expected”.

It added: “The Inn has been purchased by a local company who have a number of establishments within Saundersfoot and Tenby. The company is owned by local people, they use local produce, they employ local labour and work actively with local communities to achieve the high standards expected.”

It went on to say: “The rear ‘beer garden’ will be improved to allow more space and comfortable seating areas. The applicant is well known for the extensive use of external plotted plants in open areas at their establishments and the garden area will give the opportunity of using such to soften the garden area whilst giving greater habitat opportunities for birds and insects.”

There were initial objections from the Park’s buildings conservation officer who considered the proposed front elevation of the building “out of character and inappropriately grandiose,” and by four members of the public to some of the parts of the design, a 2025 application being withdrawn early that year.

Since then, amended and simplified plans were later submitted, with no subsequent objections by the officer or members of the public received.

An officer report recommending approval said: “The existing shopfront exhibits traditional and appropriate architectural detail and the proposed scheme replicates this character for all three door openings in the front elevation.

“This removes the less favourable 20th century elements and enhances the appearance and character of the building overall. The proposed scheme for the rear of the building alters the window design and enlarges the openings to enable sliding doors, in addition to an enlarged terrace, new balustrading and steps. This aspect of the proposal is considered to improve the appearance of the building when viewed from the Wales Coast Path or wider beach.”

It finished: “The revised design approach is considered to preserve and enhance the character and appearance of Saundersfoot Conservation Area and will improve elements of the existing building, whilst respecting the special qualities of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.”

Welsh Labour attacks appointment of Corey Edwards as adviser to Reform Wales leader after Senedd campaign controversy

REFORM UK in Wales is facing fresh criticism after a former Senedd candidate who stood aside during an election controversy was reportedly appointed to a senior advisory role close to the party’s Welsh leadership.

Corey Edwards, who had been selected as Reform UK’s lead candidate for Pen-y-bont Bro Morgannwg during the Senedd election campaign, stepped back earlier this year after images circulated online appearing to show him making a Nazi salute.

At the time, Edwards denied wrongdoing and said the image had been taken out of context. He claimed it was intended either as a reference to a scene from the comedy series Fawlty Towers or to a well-publicised incident involving Wales goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey.

He later withdrew from the campaign, citing concerns over his mental health.

However, reports from BBC Wales and political news outlet Nation.Cymru now suggest Edwards has returned to frontline politics after being appointed as a senior adviser to Reform Wales leader Dan Thomas.

According to reports, Edwards has been seen inside the Senedd estate and is understood to be working in Thomas’s office in an advisory capacity.

The appointment has sparked criticism from Welsh Labour, which questioned Reform UK’s judgment in handing a senior role to a figure who stepped back during a major public controversy.

A Welsh Labour spokesperson said: “Reform UK didn’t have the decency to deem Corey Edwards unfit to be a candidate. He stepped back himself after the truth came out.

“Now they think he is fit to advise their leader in Wales.

“Reform have shown yet again they haven’t learned their lesson and their values do not align with the people of Wales.”

The development is likely to reignite debate around Reform UK’s vetting procedures in Wales, which came under scrutiny during the Senedd election campaign following several candidate controversies.

Reform UK made major gains in Wales at the Senedd election, becoming one of the largest parties in the chamber and establishing itself as a significant force in Welsh politics.