News
Pembrokeshire ‘hobbit house’ saved from demolition
A GLANDWR family’s bid to save their home from demolition has succeeded. In 2012, Megan Williams and Charlie Hague built their own form of sustainable development from scratch using only natural and local materials. Their family home, popularly called ‘the Hobbit house’ will now avoid the diggers and bulldozers and be theirs to live in.
When Pembrokeshire County Council refused their application for retrospective planning permission, Charlie Hague and Megan Williams were issued with a demolition notice that would have rendered them homeless.
At a hearing at Hermon on May 19, the couple took the opportunity to appeal that decision. The appeal was heard by Ms Kay Sheffield, a member of the Planning Inspectorate.
Submissions made to the Planning Inspectorate by the Council claimed that the development did not meet the technical criteria to be considered as a ‘One Planet Development’ (OPD).
However, the Planning Inspector, Kay Sheffield, decided that, subject to conditions requiring the couple to report annually to the Council in relation to performance against an OPD management plan, and the submission of plans for the turning and parking of vehicles that must relate only to the development within two months, the appeal should be granted.
In dismissing the Council’s objections and granting the appeal, Ms Sheffield noted that when Ms Williams and Mr Hague provided an unqualified undertaking relating to the development that the Council had raised no objection to it.
The couple had gained support from people all over the world for their eco-house and their Facebook page ‘Charlie and Meg’s Roundhouse’ has over 14,000 likes.
Crime
Court hears man exposed his flaccid manhood ‘by accident’
A 21-YEAR-OLD Pembrokeshire man has appeared before magistrates charged with intentionally exposing his genitals in a public place.
Thomas Jones is accused of carrying out the act at a property in New Moat, Clarbeston Road, on November 9, 2022.
“The defendant knocked on the door of a female and offered his gardening services,” Crown prosecutor Nia James told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.
“She accepted his offer and moved her car so that he could move his van, but when she turned around, she could see his flaccid penis was outside his trousers. When she pointed this out to him, he said he didn’t know that it was exposed.”
Jones denies the charge. He was released on unconditional bail to await his trial at Haverfordwest magistrates court on January 6.
Crime
Regular cocaine user from Milford Haven taken off the road
A MILFORD HAVEN resident who admits to being a regular cocaine user has lost his driving licence after being found behind the wheel when he was 15 times over the legal Benzoylecgonine limit.
Teifion Morse, 41, was stopped by officers just before midnight on May 1 following reports that he was driving his Vauxhall Insignia along the A477 at excessive speeds.
“The vehicle was travelling westwards towards Kilgetty, and Teifion Morse was the driver and the sole occupant, “ Crown Prosecutor Nia James told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.
A roadside drugs wipe proved positive while further blood tests carried out at the police custody suite showed that Morse had 800 mcg of benzoylecgonine in his system (the legal limit is 50), and 20 mcg of cocaine. The legal limit is 10.
Ms James said that when Morse was spoken to by officers, he told them that he knew the readings would be positive. “I’ve done stupid amounts today,” he said.
Morse, of Hawthorn Path, Milford Haven, pleaded guilty to two charges of drug driving. A probation report stated that since leaving the military five and a half years ago, Morse has suffered from mental health issues.
He’s been using cocaine as a coping mechanism,” said the probation officer. “He freely admits that he uses cocaine to help him cope, but it’s spiralled and is getting more and more out of control. He would like support to kick this habit.”
Morse chose to be legally unrepresented when he appeared before magistrates.
“It was my stupid fault and I’m trying to take the correct steps to get on the right path,” he said in mitigation.
Morse was sentenced to an 18-month community order during which he must carry out 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 150 hours of unpaid work. He was disqualified from driving for 15 months and must pay a £140 court surcharge and £85 costs.
News
Haverfordwest motorist ‘was well and truly over the limit’
A MOTORIST , described by the Crown Prosecution as being ‘well and truly over the limit’, has been banned from driving by Haverfordwest magistrates.
Police were called to the County Hall car park, Haverfordwest just before midnight on Hallowe’en following reports of the way in which an Alfa Romeo was being driven along Old Hakin Road.
When officers arrived, they discovered Ashley Horrocks, 32, behind the wheel.
“When officers spoke to him, he was displaying the demeanour of someone who was intoxicated,” said Crown Prosecutor Nia James.
A roadside breath test was positive and subsequent breath tests carried out at the police station showed that Horrocks had 78 mcg of alcohol in his system. The legal limit is 35.
“He was well and truly over the limit,” added Ms James.
Horrocks, of Rack Hill Terrace, Hawthorn Rise, Haverfordwest, pleaded guilty to the drink-drive charge. He was legally represented by Mr Michael Kelleher.
“It was an incredibly stupid decision on his part to drive, but he hasn’t drunk any alcohol since,” he said.
Horrocks was fined £250 and ordered to pay £85 court costs and a £100 surcharge. He was disqualified from driving for 20 months.
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tomos
July 15, 2015 at 9:38 am
GREAT news, PCC always seem to be giving councillors (who you might think would know the sysytem) retrospective planning permission so no new precident is there ?