News

Controversial wigwams approved

Published

11 years ago

March 19, 2015

wigwam COUNTY COUNCILLORS have gone against the recommendations of officers as they were minded to approve an application to build twelve wigwams at a site in Jameston, Tenby. The plans were recommended for refusal by officers but members of the National Park’s Development Management Committee gave their approval by nine votes to six.

The applicant, Mr W Staniland, has applied for a diversification of his own business, Brumwells Garden Machinery, with the addition of 12 wigwam lodges. Highlighting reasons for approval, Cllr Bob Kilmister said that it was in the social and economic interests of the community to do so. Cllr Reg Owens said he fully supported the application and added: “I am keen to support small communities within Pembrokeshire. The services that these communities have got are struggling to survive, out of the summer season it is very difficult for them.

This is a very modest development and it will be a boost to the village. We’re being told about the excess of caravans in Pembrokeshire but not everybody wants to stay at a caravan site. I really feel this would be an extra string in the bow of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park if we approve this. It would give visitors something different to come to and I move that we approve this application.” Cllr Tony Wilcox added: “This sort of enterprise is going to attract people 52 weeks a year and we should be encouraging this.

I can honestly see nothing wrong with this. This cannot be seen as blight on the landscape. No one is objecting to this other than ourselves. This is as much removed from a caravan and I would like to second Reg’s approval.” Cllr Bob Kilmister said: “This is a very different market and I’m not aware that anyone else in Pembrokeshire has got this.” Ted Sangster added: “In my view, there are sufficient material considerations that outweigh the reasons why the officers have made their recommendations.

There is full support for this in the community because it would bring significant economic benefit all year round to the village. It would improve the quality of the range of accommodation available within the National Park and it will keep a business together.” Mr Allan Archer then seconded the motion to refuse the application and Cllr Michael Williams added: “We’ve held a line for many years on new caravan sites and we’ve always said no. There is an excessive supply and I don’t think we need any more camping facilities.
I think we would be contributing to the destruction of the very thing we are duty-bound to protect. This would be creating an awful precedent. This is a very small area of the National Park and we are duty bound to protect it.” Councillors were asked to come up with valid planning reasons for accepting the plans and Cllr Bob Kilmister put forward the following: “This is within the curtilage of the property and it is in the social and economic interests of the community and it does not harm the special characteristics of the National Park.” That was deemed acceptable and nine members voted to approve with six voting against and two abstaining.

Crime

Man charged with strangulation and assault offences after October incident

Published

12 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

A MAN recorded in court as having no fixed abode has appeared before magistrates charged with intentional strangulation and two further assault offences.

Michael Sudbury, 50, whose address was not read out in court, but in Herald records is Glan Hafan, Llangwm, appeared before the bench facing multiple charges.

The charges relate to an incident on 22 October 2025 and include:

Intentional strangulation, contrary to section 75A of the Serious Crime Act 2015
Common assault
Assault by beating

No further details of the alleged incident were opened in court, and no plea was entered at this stage.

Sudbury was remanded on conditional bail, with the case listed to return to magistrates later this month.

Crime

Haverfordwest man sent to Crown Court on multiple serious charges

Published

12 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

Defendant remanded in custody

A HAVERFORDWEST man has been sent to Swansea Crown Court to stand trial on a series of A 49-year-old Haverfordwest resident has been committed to Swansea Crown Court to face trial on multiple serious charges deemed too grave for magistrates to handle.

David Guy, of Market Street, Haverfordwest, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates facing a series of allegations stemming from a single case. The charges, which were not detailed in open court, include:

Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
A second count of assault
Criminal damage
An additional allegation of interpersonal violence
A public order offence

Magistrates declined jurisdiction, determining that the matters exceeded their sentencing powers, and sent the case in its entirety to Swansea Crown Court.

Guy was remanded in custody pending his next appearance. The court register notes: “Sent to Crown Court for trial in custody – next hearing at Swansea Crown Court.”

A date for the initial Crown Court hearing will be set administratively. Guy will remain in custody until then.

The Pembrokeshire Herald will provide further updates as the case progresses in the Crown Court.

Crime

Castlemartin man back before magistrates over multiple alleged assaults

Published

12 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

Defendant remanded on conditional bail ahead of further hearing

A CASTLEMARTIN man has appeared repeatedly before magistrates this month over a string A 40-year-old man from Castlemartin has made repeated appearances before magistrates this month in connection with a series of serious alleged offences, including assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH), intentional non-fatal strangulation, common assault, and criminal damage.

Anthony Alcock, of Pwll Street, Castlemartin, is facing six linked charges stemming from incidents said to have occurred earlier this year. These appear to relate to the same complainant in what is understood to be a single ongoing domestic abuse prosecution.

During recent administrative hearings at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court, Alcock did not enter pleas while matters of bail and case management were addressed.

Charges Include:

Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
Intentional non-fatal strangulation
Common assault on a woman
Criminal damage in a domestic context
Additional assault allegations involving the same complainant
Breach of bail conditions

Alcock was initially granted conditional bail but was subsequently brought before the court on two occasions for alleged breaches. On those instances, magistrates remanded him in custody ahead of further hearings. He was later re-granted conditional bail, subject to strict conditions such as no contact with the complainant and exclusion from specified locations.

Magistrates have now declined jurisdiction, ruling that the case—particularly the more serious charges involving non-fatal strangulation—is too grave for summary trial. It has been committed to Swansea Crown Court for plea, trial, or sentencing.

No detailed evidence has been presented in open court at this preliminary stage. Alcock remains on conditional bail pending his next appearance at the Crown Court.