Community
Brains has no drains
TWO prominent Milford Haven businessmen have contacted The Herald to explain how a neighbour’s dispute with the owners of a now-closed public house led them to remove its drain pipes.
The Alma Hotel, on Priory Street, Milford Haven, was recently closed after the police sought removal of the licensee of the premises, concerned over the way the premises had been run.
The Herald reported last year that in the police papers presented to the council’s Licensing Committee it stated member of the public had reported ‘twelve-year-olds snorting cocaine off the tables’ – a claim that was never substantiated.
However, the closure of the premises has not been the end of the problem for the owners of adjoining properties. Hugo Henricksen, who owns the HSBC Bank building at 12 Hamilton Terrace, and Tom Newing & Sons Ltd who own 13 Hamilton Terrace say that they have suffered loss and damage due to the actions of Brains, the Alma Hotel owners.
Last year solicitors acting for the landowners affected wrote to Brains. The Herald has seen the letter, which stated: “Many tons of debris have now been removed from our clients’ properties, including the removal of waste which had been used as a sort of foundation to the structures constructed at the rear of The Alma Public House. The property belonging to Messrs Tom Newing has suffered damage from patrons frequenting your Public House and you have a duty to restrain their behaviour and are thus responsible for the costs of repair to the premises.”
“Further, drainage pipes have been laid through the property formerly belonging to HSBC Bank. This land now belongs to Mr Henricksen. No permission had been given for the laying of the pipes. This has resulted in many years of raw sewage and other toiletry items being deposited into the garden of the former HSBC Bank premises due to faulty and inappropriate toilet pipes being installed.”
The letter went on: “Substantial expense has been incurred as a result of the actions of your former Licensee and reimbursement of that expense will be required from your company… We would request that someone from your Department attend at the site in order to discuss matters.”
Mr Henricksen told The Herald: “When The Alma Hotel was rebuilt several years ago instead of removing the old materials, the owners dumped them into the bank’s garden and into Mr. Newing’s garden. We are talking about tons of rubbish, debris and pub fittings including brewery pipes.”
He added: “The sewerage drains coming from the Alma Hotel were poorly fitted, and had collapsed and human waste was pouring into the bank’s garden. The closure of the pub meant an end to the bad smells but the rubbish still remained. I removed the pipes because not only had the drains collapsed, and posed a health hazard on my land but there was no permission for the drains to be laid on the land in the first place.”
Solicitors acting for Tom Newing & Sons Ltd first contacted Gareth Johns, Head of Estates at Brains in January 2010. Brains had built, according to solicitor Gareth Lewis, a smoking shelter on Newing’s land and placed a lock on their back gate. A site visit which took place in November 2008 had not resolved the issue.
Mr Henricksen concluded: “Brains are now auctioning the Alma Hotel, but the new owners will need to lay new drainage and ensure that the hotel’s structures are built on land that is owned by them, and not land belonging to Mr Newing or myself. I hope that the new owners sort these important issues quickly”
At the time of going to press Brains were not available for comment.
Community
Burned down hotel to be used for social housing
A SCHEME to build 38 affordable and social housing units on the site of the fire-ravaged former Cleddau Bridge Hotel, Pembroke Dock is expected to be backed by senior Pembrokeshire councillors next week.
Members of Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet, meeting on April 22, are recommended to support a contract with developer Castell Group Ltd for the mix of affordable homes and social housing units at the site, with the actual contract details expected to be discussed in a private and confidential session.
A report for members ahead of the meeting says: “The potential development site on the former Cleddau Bridge Hotel site, Pembroke Dock has been up for sale for some time, and its purchase by Castell Group Ltd (‘Castell’) is now imminent.
“Following completion of their purchase, Castell will submit an application for planning consent to develop the land for affordable and social housing. It would see the development of a high-profile site with visual impact on surrounding areas that has sat dormant for many years.”
Castell has approached the housing service to determine whether there is an interest in working with them to bring forward the development as a housing site, the report says.
Castell Construction Ltd, the delivery arm of Castell, specialises in the construction of affordable / social housing, typically for registered social landlords across south Wales.
An initial proposal says the development, if backed, would see 12 one-bedroom flats, 15 two-bed houses, five three-bed, two four-bed, and four two-bed bungalows, the report adding: “This site would help towards both the council’s 300 new home target and also Welsh Government’s 20,000 new homes target.”
It adds: “The proposal by Castell Construction Ltd is for a development programme of 18 months following planning permission being secured. Castell Construction Ltd estimate commencing the development in March 2025, which would mean completion in autumn 2026.”
Delegation of the decision to enter into the works contract to the Director for Social Services and Housing is sought, and Cabinet is also being asked to delegate the decision to proceed with the land acquisition to the Assistant Chief Executive.
The development package would be part-funded from the housing revenue account, the remainder from the Social Housing Grant and/or second homes premium for affordable housing if it becomes available for the Housing Service to use in this manner.
The proposals would be subjected to an as-yet unsubmitted planning application; if granted Castell Construction Ltd hopes to start the development in March 2025, finishing in autumn 2026.
In 2023, an unrelated application by a different applicant, to demolish the remnants of the hotel and replace it with a care home was approved.
In a prime location at one of the entrances to Pembroke Dock the former Cleddau Bridge Hotel has been derelict since a fire in March 2019, which brought emergency services from as far afield as Ammanford, Aberystwyth and Swansea.
Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service previously said the fire was started by a deliberate act.
Following a fire investigation, Dyfed-Powys Police said they found there to be insufficient evidence to identify a suspect.
Community
Tesco shoppers in Pembs called to help raise funds for food allergy charity
SHOPPERS in Pembrokeshire are being encouraged to help an in-store fundraising campaign from Monday 22nd to Sunday 28th April to support medical research into food allergies.
For the fifth year running, Tesco is working with The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation, the UK’s food allergy charity, to help raise awareness and support clinical research into food allergies by contributing 10p from every own brand Free From product bought in stores and online, as well as providing customers with the opportunity to round up their shopping at self-service tills throughout the week.
All money raised will help Natasha’s Foundation to continue its research into reducing the risks of food allergies and further developments into the management of allergies.
In addition to the funds being raised, the campaign aims to increase awareness in Pembrokeshire about the importance of understanding food allergies and clearly highlighting ingredients in food which can cause allergic reactions.
Natasha’s Foundation was founded in 2019 by Tanya and Nadim Ednan-Laperouse following the tragic loss of their daughter Natasha who had a fatal allergic reaction to a baguette that contained sesame seeds that were not listed on the packaging.
Tanya Ednan-Laperouse OBE, said: “We’re thrilled that Tesco is supporting us for the fifth year running. Allergen awareness is so important, and money raised in previous years has helped to fund clinical research exploring the management of food allergies.”
Oonagh Turnbull, Head of Health Campaigns at Tesco, said: “The work that Natasha’s Foundation has done to date has been fantastic and we are delighted to be able to support this for a fifth year.
“There are now 175 products in our Free From range, from meals and desserts to snacks, all created with great taste but without any of the allergens. We welcome any shoppers in Pembrokeshire to try these products or kindly round up their shopping at the self-service tills to help raise money for a fantastic cause.”
Natasha’s Foundation is committed to raising awareness and funds for critical food allergy research. But the real impact of the charity’s work lies in the lives it can change.
Millions of people live with food allergies in the UK and must navigate a world where seemingly simple acts, like grabbing a quick bite to eat, can become fraught with danger. It can affect anyone, at any age.
Billie Hoque, a commercial manager for a maritime security company, from Luton, has three allergic children – Jess, aged 7, Jude, 4, and Jayde, three months.
Billie, 35, said: “Food allergies first entered our lives when my son Jess was born in February 2017. From birth, Jess was presenting symptoms of allergies, yet I didn’t know it at the time. His constant discomfort and breathing troubles led to numerous doctor visits only to be dismissed as new-mum worries, and I felt unheard and alone.
“The switch from breastmilk to formula was a turning point. After initial acceptance, Jess refused all feeds for three days. When he finally ate, he became violently ill and struggled to breathe. Calls to an emergency doctor offered little help, and when he was prescribed “thicker milk” it triggered a terrifying reaction. This was his first anaphylactic reaction, and the first time the doctor diagnosed him as having a severe milk protein allergy.
“The loneliness and isolation I felt from becoming an allergy parent were all-consuming. The family and friends who I had been closest to, quickly became the ones who made me feel the most alone. They didn’t understand or seem to take seriously what I was going through.
Billie continued: “Life changed for me in June 2021 when I found The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation. I found a community – parents united by the fight for awareness. Meeting Nadim and Tanya, who lost their daughter Natasha to allergies, laid bare the heartbreaking truth of this condition. Yet, their strength resonated deeply.
“Though every single allergy story and experience shared through Natasha’s Foundation was different, the community all had one thing in common; we understood the fear, the loneliness, and the exhaustion of the continuous battling needed to keep our children alive. This community transformed me. No longer alone, I found strength and inspiration among these incredible people.
“Today, my purpose is clear. With this supportive network and a collective voice, we can raise awareness and fight for a future free from food allergies. This journey not only saved my sons, but it has also saved me too. I’d urge everyone to support the fantastic work of The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation and their goal of making food allergies history through research and raising awareness of food allergies.
“Tesco’s Free From range offers my children a chance to be included in all the tasty treats other children enjoy. Their clear labelling on the front of the packaging is not only helpful to me but is easy enough for my 7-year-old to clearly see that a food is safe for him. This limits the anxiety he has around eating new foods.”
Community
Cardigan Radio launches daily live broadcasts
Cardigan Radio/Radio Aberteifi says it is excited to announce a new line up of daily live broadcasts starting every evening from 7 PM at www.cardiganinternetradio.wales. Live shows will be hosted
by founder and presenter Bobby Kelly and other dedicated volunteer members.
The Cardigan Radio stream is constantly alive with great music that spans various genres, providing something for everyone. Listeners are encouraged to tune in and experience the quality and diversity of
Cardigan Radio’s programming for themselves.
You can listen 24/7 not only through their website www.cardiganinternetradio.wales but also on platforms such as Online
Radio Box and Radio Garden.
Online Radio Box: https://onlineradiobox.com/uk/cardiganinternet/
Radio Garden: https://radio.garden/visit/cardigan/DyV8OcNC
Interested in getting more involved? Cardigan Radio is always looking
for passionate volunteers to join our team. Whether you’re keen on
presenting, handling tech, or engaging with the community, we’d love to
hear from you. Contact us at [email protected] or call
01239 543025.
Connect with us on Facebook for updates and more information:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/friendsofcardiganradio
https://www.facebook.com/RadioCardigan
Tune in to Cardigan Radio and discover your new favourite sound!
If you’re interested in being a guest on our station, whether remotely
or in one of our member’s studios, we’d love to hear from you!
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