News

Sainsbury’s gets the green light

Published

10 years ago

February 5, 2015

Tom Sinclair

Local eyesore: To be replaced by new retail unit.

CONTROVERSIAL plans to for the development of a new retail unit in Narberth have been given the green light by Pembrokeshire County Council (PCC).

In a planning meeting of this week the application, put forward by Abbeymore Estates, was voted for unanimously by the county councillors as the fight by Narberth traders to prevent a Sainsbury’s convenience store opening seems to have failed.

Speaking on behalf of the developers, Gareth Davies spoke to the committee, saying: “We made a successful in bid in October 2013 and our success was based on the quality of the scheme in conjunction with the Authority. The aspirations of the Authority were to turn the partly derelict school into a high quality mixed retail and residential development. The key words are vitality and commercial strength which are our guiding principles in order to revitalise the northern end of town providing colour and visual interest. The scheme is of a high quality using traditional materials to compliment the local townscape and conservation area. The access route-way will be enhanced with a new and reconfigured car park that will improve existing provision, replacing the temporary parking with 50 permanent spaces. The retail units have been designed to meet the aspirations of Narberth’s niche retail offer, but more aligned with the demands of 21st century retail. It has been done in accordance with PCC planning strategy and with the planning department and other local departments.”

Gordon Barry was due to comment on behalf of the Narberth Future Forum (NFF) group, objecting to the proposals, but had to pass his statement over to Town Councillor Moorcross, after health issues forced him to leave the proceedings. In summary the statement read that there were apprehensions with regards to the development, chiefly the concern of the loss of parking. The NFF said that the developer says there would be a net loss of 20 spaces, but that that didn’t take into account additional parking demand for employees of the new retail park. The statement went on to say that parking was at a premium in Narberth and there needed to be additional parking and this demand should be addressed. The statement also said that the current mix of independent shops was not enhanced from the proposed retail development. The NFF also raised concerns over the loss of the old playground area, currently a temporary parking area, that has, it said, been enjoyed by the community for events and festivals over many years.

Town Councillor Moorcross then spoke himself on behalf of the town stating that there had been just one presentation to the Town Council from the developers in April of 2014 and that no meaningful consultation or true dialogue had taken place since then. He further stated that Narberth offered a renowned ‘quality shopping experience’, and that this new development would take away the ‘essence’ that he said presently exists. He finished by stating that a local Sainsbury’s could not be described as ‘small’ if it had a floor area of 4000 square metres and was offering the same fare as local stores, stating this would not be ‘complimentary’ to the town’s current retail provision.

Narberth County Councillor, Wynne Evans, spoke in favour of the application, stating: “I am very proud of Narberth and what has been achieved there over many years. We have an old school building – empty for 5 years – which is a source for vandalism and graffiti. It’s not good for the town, it’s frowned upon and it’s right at the entrance to Narberth. The housing allocation provides 14 affordable houses for people with a local connection who live in Narberth. They need to be in the town and have their children go to school in the town. There are lots of opportunities to look at possibilities of new sites in Narberth (in relation to extra parking) and to move forward and work together. We must invest in the future and in Narberth. I am looking for a small supermarket with some retail units and housing, and I have put together, in the last few weeks, a new working party. Narberth is growing and growing, but we must move forward.”

Simon Montgomery, opinions editor at ‘OneNarberth’, an independent community platform for the town, said after the result: “The development will mark the most significant re-alignment of the town for a generation. The issue at stake with regard to the development is the question of accountability. I agree with what Gordon Barry, the secretary of the Narberth Future Forum has said. He explained his dismay about the lack of any community consultation. From talking to a number of key stakeholders in the town today, it is clear that along with dismay, there is also a degree of shock about the outcome of the development process. Perhaps a legal challenge will now follow. Exactly what will happen next is yet to be seen. The majority of people that I have talked to today about the matter agree that what seems certain is that the voice of the town will now be heard. What is remarkable, given the significance of the development to the town and its future, is that there has been no public consultation of any description.”

Crime

Man accused of witness intimidation remanded in custody

Published

2 hours ago

November 18, 2024

Court Reporter

A PEMBROKESHIRE man accused of intimidating a witness in a legal case involving him has been remanded in custody following a hearing at Aberystwyth Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Nov 14).

David Rees, 62, of St Dogmaels Road, St Dogmaels, is charged with intimidating a witness, contrary to Section 51(1) and (6) of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994.

The alleged incident occurred on October 30, 2024, near Aberystwyth Magistrates’ Court, where Rees was attending a hearing for allegations of possession of an offensive weapon and common assault.

The original charges against Rees stem from a dramatic incident in St Dogmaels on September 16, 2024, which prompted an armed police response. Rees is accused of assaulting a man at a local building plot and being in possession of a concealed weapon—a sword stick, a bladed weapon hidden inside a walking stick. The episode resulted in a significant police presence, including armed officers, canine units, and a helicopter, in the usually tranquil village.

At his initial court appearance on October 9, Rees did not enter a plea to these charges. The hearing was adjourned for clarification from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), and Rees was granted conditional bail, with restrictions preventing him from visiting certain addresses or contacting named individuals.

Prosecutors now allege that on October 30, while on bail, Rees approached a key witness in his case, Tom Long, at Harbour House in Trefechan, near the court.

Rees is accused of telling Long to withdraw his complaint, an act intended to intimidate him and interfere with the course of justice, the CPS allege .

At Thursday’s hearing, prosecutor Eurgain Lloyd argued against granting bail, citing the defendant’s alleged actions while on conditional bail and the risk of further interference with witnesses. Defence solicitor Geraint Parry, of Geraint Jones and Co., contested the remand, but magistrates Mrs M Hambidge, Dr M Morel Du Boil, and Mr H Davey rejected the application.

The court determined that the seriousness of the charges and the potential risk to the administration of justice warranted remanding Rees in custody. The magistrates cited the alleged offending on bail as a key factor in their decision.

Rees will remain in custody until his next court appearance, scheduled for November 20, 2024, at Aberystwyth Magistrates’ Court. This mention hearing, estimated to last 10 minutes, will take place at the Aberystwyth Justice Centre. A trial on the intimidation charge is set for December 19, 2024, with an estimated duration of 20 minutes.

The charges and the nature of the allegations have drawn significant local attention. The earlier alleged incident in St Dogmaels left the community shaken, with a heavy police presence continuing into the evening to reassure residents.

The subsequent charges of witness intimidation further complicate the legal proceedings against Rees, as the court seeks to ensure the integrity of the justice process.

This case continues to develop, with key hearings scheduled in the coming weeks.

News

Police appeal after fatal collision on A48 near Cross Hands

Published

3 hours ago

November 18, 2024

Tom Sinclair

DYFED-POWYS POLICE are appealing for information following a fatal road traffic collision on the A48 eastbound between Cross Hands and Cwmgwili.

The incident occurred at approximately 5:05pm on Friday (Nov 15).

A grey Isuzu D-Max was involved in the crash, which tragically resulted in the death of a 55-year-old man at the scene. His family has been informed and is being supported by specialist officers.

Emergency services closed both the eastbound and westbound carriageways while attending the scene.

The westbound carriageway and one lane of the eastbound carriageway reopened at midnight, with the eastbound carriageway fully reopening at 12:30pm on Saturday (Nov 16).

Police are urging anyone with information that could assist their investigation to get in touch. You can contact Dyfed-Powys Police via the following:
🖥️ | Submit information online
📧 | Email: [email protected]
💬 | Direct message on social media
📞 | Call: 101

Please quote reference: 24*970191.

Education

Haverfordwest High VC School raise £12,775 for Children in Need

Published

3 hours ago

November 18, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THIS week students at Haverfordwest High VC School have raised a record breaking £12,775 for Children in Need. The week has been led by an incredible group of Senior Prefects and their Year 12 and 13 Children in Need Army. The Sixth Form events have consisted of:

150 students taking a Big Dip at Broadhaven Beach.
Bushtucker Trial – where students went up against HHVCS staff to eat some gruelly delights.
Buffee and Barnes’ Wednesday Night Takeaway – a quiz night held at Haverfordwest RFC.
A carwash – where staff, pupils and brave members of the public had their cars washed.
Our Head Boy Harry shaved and dyed his hair. Closely followed by Year 12 Oscar and Kayden shaving their heads in front of the entire Sixth Form Block
Senior Prefects Katie and Ffion conducted a half marathon around Haverfordwest and were joined by Head Boy Harry and Deputy Head Boy Finn.
Year 12 Libby and Year 13 Molly held a sponsored silence – it was a lovely day!
Netball and football matches
A bake sale
Sweet shop led by Year 12 Leah, Queenie and Chloe.
Cyclathon – where students cycled all day outside the Sixth Form Block on spin bikes.
Leg waxing – Brave Year 12 and 13 boys had their legs waxed in front of the whole school.
Fun Run – which involved pupils from across the whole school.
Teddy and Pudsey ears sale.
The younger year groups also played a huge part in the fundraising efforts with Achievement Leaders planning a range of events including:
Year 7 danceathon – where students danced all day to some disco classics. Led by Senior Prefect Lucy and her sidekicks Brianna and Carys.
Year 8 Awesome Auction – hosted by Year 8
Year 9 Quiz
Year 10 and 11 football and bingo

The week was topped off with a whole school fancy dress. We couldn’t be more proud of what our pupils and staff have achieved. This amount of money will make a huge difference to children in need.