PLANS for a bungalow behind a Pembrokeshire village shop have been refused by the county council, in part due to concerns about foul waste disposal and no formal affordable housing financial commitment being offered.

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, Cathy Williams of Bwlchygroes Shop & Farm Feeds sought outline permission for a dormer bungalow in a garden area to the rear of the shop.

An officer report recommending refusal said: “The proposed development would provide new open market housing within the settlement boundary of Bwlchygroes, which would benefit the economy by providing work within the construction industry and generate income for material suppliers and distributors.

“New housing can have both social and environmental benefits in terms of improving the condition and size of housing stock to meet modern needs and improve living conditions and constructing to modern building standards.

“ However, detailed matters considered in the remainder of the report conclude that environmental impacts have not been adequately addressed by the submission, and as such, the development fails to accord [with policy].”

It adds: “Although the proposed residential development would be located in a sustainable location, the applicant has not submitted a Unilateral Undertaking in order to secure a financial contribution towards affordable housing.

“The settlement of Bwlchygroes currently stands at a 10 per cent affordable housing contribution fee for the area, equating to £5,087.50 per proposed dwelling.”

Officer concerns were also raised about the disposal of foul waste, the site being within the catchment of the Afon Teifi Special Area of Conservation (SAC), with “insufficient information has been provided to reasonably conclude that the proposal would not have an adverse impact on the integrity of the SAC”.

The application states that a cesspool would be used for the disposal of foul waste, but, officers say it “fails to provide sufficient information to demonstrate that a package treatment plant is unable to be accommodated”.

It also says: “The application scale parameters, even at the minimum extent, would not appear to leave sufficient room within the site to accommodate an acceptable foul and surface water disposal system”.

The application was refused by planning officers.

A CONTRACT of more than £0.5m has been awarded for urgent repairs to a Pembrokeshire seaside school where more than 700 building defects were found.

A special individual Cabinet member meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council saw leader Cllr Jon Harvey award a contract to Trident Engineering GBR Ltd to carry out urgent Concrete Repair and Protection works at Ysgol Greenhill, Tenby.

A survey report by Trident identified 750 faults at the school following a survey in July 2024, with further inspections this February.

A total of 750 defects were recorded, including spalled concrete, cracks (horizontal and vertical) in concrete slabs, beams, columns and soffits, failed repairs, failed coatings, honeycombing to concrete, damage / cracks in panels, cracking to brickwork, with an increase in defective areas across the structure since the July survey.

“We have observed an alarming acceleration in corrosion-related degradation due to the saline environment, leading to further concrete fracture, spalling, and delamination,” the report said.

It added: “This deterioration poses a significant risk, as sizeable debris has been witnessed falling from the structure, endangering pedestrians and potentially damaging vehicles and surrounding infrastructure.

“Our recent revisit surveys indicate that the cracks are expanding monthly, and the overall degradation is expected to worsen as thermal movement increases in response to climatic changes.

“We recommend undertaking the necessary remedial works with immediate effect. If we delay initiating the works, we will incur additional surveillance costs, which could have been avoided. Moreover, it is of utmost importance to note that some columns have lost enough structural mass to bring their integrity into question.

“Trident cannot endorse the continued use of the structure unless emergency repairs are initiated promptly. We strongly advise that these works be categorised as urgent and immediately necessary to restore safety and suitability for use.

“Should this critical advice not be followed, Trident will not accept liability for any subsequent developments.”

The value of the contract, at £555,946.17, includes the provision of a 15-year manufacturer’s warranty for the works undertaken.

THE FIRST four-nations study of broadcasting policy in a devolved UK is set to begin following the awarding of a major research grant to a Welsh expert.

Leading the study, Professor Jamie Medhurst from the Department of Theatre, Film and Television Studies at Aberystwyth University will work alongside Dr Phil Ramsey from Ulster University, Dr Inge Sorensen from the University of Glasgow, and Dr Tom Chivers from Goldsmiths, University of London.

Many policy areas, such as health and education, are the responsibility of the devolved governments in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

However, the legislative and ministerial powers for broadcasting remain in Westminster; held by the Secretary of State for the UK-wide Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

There is growing pressure from political parties in the devolved nations for broadcasting powers to be devolved, most recently in the Plaid Cymru and Scottish National Party manifestos for the 2024 General Election.

Professor Jamie Medhurst from the Department of Theatre, Film and Television Studies has been awarded a £79,600 Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) Curiosity Grant to conduct the research.

Professor Medhurst said: “The concept of the UK – as a unitary state, made up of four nations – is coming increasingly under pressure, and the issue of how broadcasting both reacts to and shapes these debates is a growing issue on policy, political and academic horizons.

“This two-year project will provide a unique and novel forum for discussion, knowledge exchange and cooperation on current and future broadcasting policy in an evolving UK, with a focus on the devolution of broadcasting powers to Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.”

Dr Patrick Finney, Pro Vice-Chancellor for the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at Aberystwyth University said: “This research will make an important and timely contribution by helping to inform future debate and decision-making; benefitting policymakers, researchers, stakeholders and wider public understanding at a critical moment in the future of UK public service broadcasting.”

The research team will hold a workshop in each of the nations, bringing together academics, policymakers, politicians, and broadcasters to consider how broadcasting might operate in a more devolved United Kingdom.

Following each workshop, a briefing paper will be produced, drawing together the main issues discussed, together with policy recommendations.

In April 2027, a UK-wide conference will be held, where the final project report will be published.  The report will reflect on the findings of the project and will provide a strong evidence base for decision making and policymaking going forward.