FURTHER work at a Pembrokeshire seaside village pub have been given the go-ahead following a previous approved works scheme aimed at addressing “adverse comment from members of the community”.

In an application to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park approved late last year, Unicorn Fairs Pension Scheme, through agent Flora MacRae, sought permission for works, including replacement of existing veluxes with dormers to the rear roof and the installation of roof lanterns to the existing flat roof, at The Royal George, 13 High Street, Solva.

The Royal George is a public house, but has not been in use for several years now and is in need of renovations and modernising, the applicants said, with works having started last May.

A supporting statement accompanying the application said: “The Royal George is an hotel with associated bar and restaurant in the conservation area of Upper Solva, it is not listed. The owners leased the property on a full repairing lease for a period in excess of 10 years before the tenant unfortunately died.

“Subsequent to this event the owners spent most of 2023 and 2024 trying to sell the property without success.

“Following adverse comment from members of the community the owners decided that they would try to improve the external appearance of the building.”

After that approval, a further application by the same people was made to the Park, seeking amendments to the rear of the pub, including new sliding doors and large windows to the rear facade, extending the terrace area and the installation of a slatted timber screen.

An officer report recommending approval said: “The proposed works affect the rear of the premises which is not readily visible from the public realm.

“The ground floor of the building has been significantly extended with bar extensions, the proposed alterations to the glazing (including the insertion of bi-fold doors) having minimal impact on character.

“Similarly, the enlargement of the rear terrace and the proposed timber screen have little impact, the terrace taking in a section of the existing car park.”

It said one letter had objected to the scheme, raising an objection to the loss of parking spaces for the public house, but said the Royal George has no parking requirements.

The latest application was conditionally approved by Park planners.

A CALL to allow the expansion of a Pembrokeshire waste recycling business of over 25 years standing has been submitted to county planners.

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, TBS Skips, through agent Harries Planning Design Management, seeks retrospective permission for the expansion of an existing recycling processing yard, waste storage and engineering works to form an earth bund at Waterston Industrial Estate, near Milford Haven.

A supporting statement accompanying the application says: “The applicants have run a successful skip hire and waste/recycling separation and recovery facility from the adjacent site for over 25 years.

“The business accepts waste from skips and scrap metal, separates the materials collected, stores the separated material until it is collected to be processed. As modern recycling processes have advanced the availability to separate and collect more materials for recycling has increased and this has led to the requirement to have additional space to store separated materials.”

It goes on to say: “This application seeks approval for the retrospective extension of the existing recycling processing yard, waste storage and the formation of an earth bund. This expansion includes the change of use of the unallocated land to the east.”

It says there is now a requirement for more space “to provide suitable separation and to encourage best practice”.

“The proposal involves the concreting of the portion of the yard, with concrete walling to contain both the yard and materials to prevent spillage into the adjacent land areas. Further to this, the proposal seeks an oil separator and silt trap to ensure no leaching of any liquids or oils from the site. Both will be built to the relevant specifications to ensure safe working.

“An earth bund has been formed along the eastern boundary to screen the existing and extended site from neighbouring views into the site. The proposal seeks to plant native species along this bunding to provide additional screening and encourage biodiversity enhancements. Additionally, significant native planting is proposed to the southern boundary to screen the proposal from the neighbouring business.”

It finishes: “The development will therefore underpin the continued operation of a successful enterprise in a sustainable manner, without harming the sensitive character of Waterston. It has been deemed that this business will not introduce a use incompatible with the area and has been designed to reduce visual harm. Overall, it will contribute to a diverse and resilient rural economy.”

The application will be considered by county planners at a later date.

WELSH CONSERVATIVES have called on the Welsh Government to explain who knew what, and when, about reported delays to Tata Steel’s new electric arc furnace at Port Talbot.

Shadow Economy, Energy and Planning Minister Janet Finch-Saunders MS raised the issue in the Senedd during an emergency statement following the recent fire at the steelworks.

While much of the focus has been on the fire, reports have suggested that separate concerns about delays to the electric arc furnace may have been known for several weeks.

It was reported on June 7 that Tata Steel had discussed potential delays linked to National Grid connectivity issues with “investors” during a conference call around a month earlier.

Mrs Finch-Saunders is now seeking clarity on whether those investors included the UK Government, which is investing £500m towards the £1.25bn project.

The previous UK Conservative Government also established an £80m transition fund to support workers at risk of losing their jobs. The Welsh Conservatives say they want clarification on whether any of that funding remains available if delays create further financial pressure for affected workers.

Mrs Finch-Saunders said: “If UK Government Ministers were aware of the issue a month ago, were Welsh Government Ministers informed?

“If Welsh Government Ministers were not informed, why not? If they were informed, why did the Economy Minister tell the Senedd that he only became aware of the delay on Monday?

“We now need a clear timeline setting out exactly when concerns first emerged and who was told.

“Port Talbot workers and their families deserve answers.”