News

Johnston: When good fences don’t make good neighbours

Published

9 years ago

August 7, 2015

A DISPUTE in Johnston has escalated after a landowner erected fencing to prevent cars from passing and repassing over the access to his home.

Greg Bishop, the owner of Johnston Hall, spoke to The Herald earlier this week to express his exasperation about the way he has been vilified by Johnston Community Council, who he has accused of not bothering to respond to proposals he advanced in February of this year.

In the kitchen of Johnston Hall, Greg Bishop laid out a series of maps, plans, and charts dating back to the middle of the nineteenth century. The maze of lines and markings show the changing face of the village and the division and subdivision of land over time.

From Mr Bishop’s perspective, the situation is as clear as the lines on the map, which he says show that a car park on Church Road was originally part of the access way to the Hall.

“I want to make it clear,” Mr Bishop told our reporter, “I’m not claiming the land on which the car park is. People can keep on using the car park. All I am saying is that I don’t want people parking their vehicles across my gateway or blocking my access route to and from my property.”

Mr Bishop expressed his grievance that his motives and intentions had been both misinterpreted and misrepresented within the village.

“At no time have I said I will stop people using the car park as a car park, but it is being used as a turning circle or roundabout, and when vehicles come out of the end of the car park nearest Johnston Hall, they are blocking and damaging my property.

“The Community Council certainly doesn’t own the car park. It certainly doesn’t own the access to my property. And yet members of the Community Council have taken it upon themselves to stick their oar in.”

“I approached the Community Council and when I got nowhere trying to speak with them, my solicitor wrote a letter in February of this year. I didn’t get an answer, either from the Community Council or any solicitors acting on their behalf. Instead a petition misrepresenting everything that letter said was circulated at the Polling Station in Johnston Institute and round the village on the day of the General Election.

“The content of that petition was untrue from start to finish. It was actively canvassing people to subscribe to a version of events to support a legal dispute in which the Community Council has managed to involve itself without any legal claim to the land in question. Again, what business is it of theirs? They don’t own the land, they don’t even claim to own the land. I tried talking with them, I made sensible proposals which they ignored. I have been advised to block off the end of the car park and I am considering my position on that.

“It is amazing to me that the solicitor who acted for Mr Evans when he sold the land to me, who acted when Mr Evans sold parts of the land to other people, finds himself able to act for the Community Council when Mr Evans has provided a witness statement in my ongoing application to the Land Registry.”

Mr Bishop reserved his sternest criticism for local County Councillor, Ken Rowlands, former Chair of Johnston Community Council who still sits as a member upon it: “I had gathered witness statements from three long standing Johnston residents. People who have been here a damned sight longer than me, and certainly longer than Mr Rowlands. One of them took his witness statement to show Ken Rowlands. Suddenly he decided that everything he had originally written in the statement was either untrue or he was not prepared to stick by it. What business was it of Mr Rowlands to interfere? It was nothing to do with him. As far as I am concerned, he has caused this dispute to arise. He is responsible for it.”

We spoke to Cllr Ken Rowlands about the dispute. Cllr Rowlands told us. His take on events was somewhat different: “What’s happened is that Mr Bishop made an approach to the community council about people parking in his gateway. We agreed to look at it, possibly arranging to paint some chevrons to prevent inconsiderate users of the car park from blocking his gates.

“Mr Bishop told us he would talk to his solicitors about it. The next thing we knew we had a letter laying claim to the car park and other land. That was completely unacceptable to us as a Community Council and we instructed our solicitors to respond.”

We pointed out that it was only after the previous landowner, Merrick Evans, had conveyed the land on which Fairfield Nursing Home sat, that the ‘car park’ area had been tarmacked by the Fairfield’s owner in the 1990’s. . At the time Fairfield had been built, the Hall’s then owner had imposed a condition regarding the maintenance of the roadway to adjoin Church Road. The existing pavement to the car park’s front had only been in position since 2006.

If the Community Council did not own the land and was not responsible for its upkeep, we asked Councillor Rowlands who was: “In light of the current situation, I have asked the Highways Department to adopt the roadway as a matter of urgency using its powers under S.31 of the Highways Act. There will shortly be an emergency meeting of the Community Council to discuss recent developments.”

He continued: “What I am concerned about here is that a facility that has been used for many years and is important for the flow of traffic has now been blocked off at one end. People using the surgery are having to reverse out of the car park.

“The end has now been fenced off and I had Council officers come out late at night to make sure it was safe and to erect high visibility signs around the fence which has now been put up.”

Mr Bishop told us: “I have followed my solicitor’s advice and put up a fence to protect my rights. I have said before, the Community Council’s attitude and the way I have been misrepresented is behind all of this. I have made generous offers that would place me to expense. The Community Council seems to think that it can do and say what it wants. It has inflamed the situation.”

Community

Internet outage for two villages after exchange box destroyed

Published

1 hour ago

November 24, 2024

Tom Sinclair

RESIDENTS of Clunderwen and Llandissilio have been left without internet access following the destruction of an Openreach exchange box just outside Llandissilio village.

The incident occurred yesterday (Nov 23) when the box was reportedly demolished by a vehicle. The damage has resulted in a complete loss of internet services for the two villages, with repairs expected to take at least a couple of days.

Local residents have expressed frustration over the disruption, as the outage affects home businesses, remote workers, and households relying on internet connectivity for day-to-day tasks.

Openreach engineers have cordoned off the site, and work is ongoing to assess the extent of the damage. A spokesperson for Openreach has been contacted for comment but had not responded by the time of publication.

The vehicle involved in the incident has not yet been identified. Anyone with information about the collision is urged to contact the local police.

With repair timelines unclear, affected residents have called for increased communication from service providers to manage expectations during the outage.

“Bringing the community back online is a priority,” a local resident said. “We’re hoping Openreach can resolve the issue quickly and ensure it doesn’t happen again in future.”

Business

Plans unveiled for new fitness hub in Charles Street

Published

2 hours ago

November 24, 2024

Tom Sinclair

A PLANNING application has been submitted for the transformation of The Original Factory Shop building on Charles Street, Milford Haven, into a state-of-the-art fitness and well-being centre.

The proposal, put forward by Inner Tiger Fitness, aims to offer a range of facilities, including areas for yoga and fitness classes, a protein bar, sunbeds, and a fitness-focused retail space.

Samantha and Darren Winn, co-founders of Inner Tiger Fitness and lifelong residents of Pembrokeshire, see this project as a chance to breathe new life into the town centre while addressing the growing demand for health and fitness services in the community.

***The proposed floor plan of Inner Tiger Fitness Centre*** (Image: PCC)

Focus on community and well-being

In a public statement, the applicants emphasised their vision of creating more than just a gym. Samantha Winn explained: “We don’t class ourselves as a gym, but as a centre for health, fitness, and care. We aim to build a friendly, non-judgmental space where people of all ages and abilities can improve their physical and mental well-being.”

The facility will provide a range of offerings designed to appeal to both seasoned fitness enthusiasts and beginners, including modern gym equipment, group training areas, and classes such as Pilates and yoga. There will also be a dedicated space for those nervous or hesitant to use the main gym floor. Samantha and Darren Winn hope to foster a welcoming environment where individuals can connect, socialise, and embark on their fitness journeys with confidence.

The protein bar, a key feature of the new facility, will serve pre- and post-workout drinks and snacks, such as healthy smoothies and protein shakes. The owners were keen to clarify that this would not be a café in the traditional sense. “We will not be serving teas, coffees, cakes, or sandwiches,” they stated, countering concerns about competition with other local establishments.

Addressing high street challenges

The building on Charles Street has been on the market for a year, with no other substantial interest shown in its lease. The applicants argued that their proposal offers a solution to the decline of retail in town centres, a trend seen across the country. “Retail is dying on the high street. Town centres must adapt and evolve, or they risk becoming derelict,” they said. “We believe a busy, thriving facility like ours will attract more people to Milford Haven and benefit surrounding businesses.”

They also noted that no exterior changes to the property are planned, apart from essential maintenance and improvements. With peak hours expected to fall outside traditional retail times, they reassured residents that parking would remain adequate, with spaces available in nearby authority-run car parks.

Creating opportunities for Pembrokeshire

Inner Tiger Fitness plans to operate as a family-run business initially, with Samantha and Darren at the helm. As the facility grows, they aim to create both full- and part-time jobs, including roles for coaches, retail assistants, and receptionists. They also hope to establish career paths for young adults in the fitness industry by supporting apprentice trainers and helping them gain the qualifications needed to succeed in their careers.

“Our goal is to make a meaningful investment in Pembrokeshire, not just financially but also socially,” said the couple. “We care deeply about creating opportunities for local people and providing a space that helps everyone feel healthier and happier.”

Responding to public feedback

The proposal has generated mixed reactions on social media, but Inner Tiger Fitness has welcomed the discussion, encouraging residents to share their opinions via the planning consultation process. In a Facebook post, they addressed concerns raised by some members of the community, particularly regarding the future of the current tenant, The Original Factory Shop.

“We are not responsible for any decisions made by the Factory Shop or its internal communications with staff,” the post read. “The building has been on the market for over a year. If retail businesses were thriving, the property would not have been available. Our vision is to bring this space back to life and offer something unique that meets the needs of the community.”

Inner Tiger Fitness also clarified that their facility would not compete directly with existing gyms or leisure centres, such as the Meads. “The Meads offers a range of facilities that we do not, such as swimming, tennis, and squash. Our focus is entirely different. We are building something new and innovative,” they said.

Looking ahead

If the planning application is approved, the facility could open as early as 2025. Samantha and Darren Winn remain optimistic about the project’s potential to make a positive impact on Milford Haven. “We would rather try and fail than never try at all,” they said. “We want to create a space where people can improve their fitness, build friendships, and feel part of a supportive community.”

Residents are invited to view the plans and submit their feedback online. Samantha and Darren concluded: “For those who support us, we are truly grateful. For those with reservations, we hope to change your mind. Our vision is about more than just financial gain—it’s about building something meaningful for Pembrokeshire.”

The Original Factory Shop recently announced it was closing its Haverfordwest Branch, but it was widely assumed that the Milford Haven shop was going to remain open, despite speculation earlier this year that it was to shut down.

It has been reported that The Original Factory Shop is struggling financially, with several restructures having recently taken place in an attempt to keep the firm solvent.

Business

Fresh flavours at new eatery in St Davids

Published

8 hours ago

November 24, 2024

Tom Sinclair

A NEW brunch spot has opened its doors in St Davids, promising a delicious twist on classic dishes in a welcoming and vibrant setting.

The Brunch House, a passion project by hospitality duo Hannah Bowie and Adam Sawyer, opened at Oriel Y Parc Visitor Centre on Saturday (Nov 16), drawing over 250 visitors on its first day.

With more than two decades of combined industry experience, Hannah and Adam have transformed the space through extensive renovations, creating an inviting environment for locals and visitors alike.

Hannah, who previously ran 35 Main Street in Solva, shared her excitement: “Brunch is my favourite meal of the day, and bringing The Brunch House to life has been a dream come true. We’re thrilled to offer something fresh and unique to St Davids.”

The menu features an inspired blend of Middle Eastern flavours from Hannah’s heritage alongside brunch staples like the Full Welsh and Pancake Stack. Standout dishes, such as chicken and waffles drizzled with house-made hot maple sauce, have already earned rave reviews.

Ben Richardson, one of the first customers, said: “The chicken and waffles were absolutely delicious. We’re already planning our next visit.”

The eatery’s warm atmosphere and quality cuisine have struck a chord with the community. Bethany Ellison, a local customer, remarked: “What Hannah and Adam have created here is phenomenal. The ambience, combined with the exceptional food, makes this place truly special. I wish them every success.”

Adam added: “We’ve worked hard to make The Brunch House our own, and the support from locals and holidaymakers has been incredible. It’s been amazing to see so many people walk through our doors already.”