News
East Williamston: Wind turbine narrowly refused
A PROPOSED wind turbine was narrowly refused by members of the Planning and Rights of Way Committee.
It was proposed to build the 77m turbine on Prouts Park Farm in East Williamston, near Tenby.
The planning application came before the committee on Tuesday, November 10, with a recommendation for approval.
However, the turbine was described as ‘monstrous’ by one councillor and ‘detrimental to the area’ by another.
When it was put to the vote eight councillors voted for refusal of the turbine compared to seven voting against.
Objecting to the plans, Mary Sinclair said that the turbine would impact on the entire community area of East Williamston and added: “You won’t learn from this report that elements in the wind industry itself suggests that a turbine of this type should be located no nearer than 500m from a dwelling in order to avoid noise problems. Two homes are closer to it than that.
“The developers have used a methodology to assess the impact of their turbine which is contained in general advice on renewable energy schemes and is not specific to wind turbines.
“That explains the anomaly that the developers can claim that their turbine will have only a moderate adverse impact between 400-870m from it, and the same moderate impact at Clayford Road at 1700m, and Pentlepoir at 2,500m.
“At 77m this turbine will be difficult to conceal unless there are trees of the same height in East Williamston.
“I am disappointed but not surprised that Natural Resources Wales has not asked for a flight path survey for the protected Barn Owls in the area.
“I beg the committee to insist on a condition to force the applicants to act on shadow flicker. It is a completely devastating phenomenon in people’s homes, even for a short period.”
Speaking on behalf of East Williamston Community Council, Councillor Jacob Williams said: “Community Councillors have vote unanimously against support for this application as it would be detrimental to the residents of East Williamston. “This would be looming over the outskirts of a small community.
“Feasibility studies have returned negative results and we don’t know about spend to date in the form of public money. This should be refused as the area is not suitable for this turbine.”
Cllr Williams added: “I am against this turbine. The officer has come down on the side that the harm is not sufficient to warrant refusal. That is dependent on where you are looking at it from.
“There are no turbines in the immediate vicinity and the turbine would be mounted higher than on the land where we stood on the site visit. This is theoretically visible from Haverfordwest so this is a really big turbine.
“This would have an adverse effect on the landscape, the turbine is noisy and these are sound cases for refusal. This is a monstrous turbine.
“This isn’t a community turbine; there are supporters from Saundersfoot, Fishguard, Goodwick, Newcastle Emlyn and many more; this isn’t a community effort and the name is giving a false impression.”
Cllr Williams proposed that the turbine should be refused and that was seconded by Councillor Tony Brinsden.
Cllr Brinsden added: “The site visit was a waste of time. There was nothing to show us how tall the structure is going to be. This turbine would be a huge structure and it is going to be there for 25 years spoiling the landscape of the county.”
Councillor Brian Hall had move the recommendation for approval which was seconded by Councillor Ken Rowlands.
However, when it came to the vote, the council’s legal officer, Mrs Claire Incledon, wanted to take the vote for acceptance first.
Councillor Jacob Williams said that his motion to refuse the turbine should have been taken first as it should not be negated by another motion.
After a five minute adjournment, the legal officer conceded that the motion from Cllr Williams should be taken first.
The vote to refuse the turbine was won by eight votes to seven.
Business
Port of Milford Haven now official ‘a great place to work’
THE PORT of Milford Haven has been officially accredited as a Great Place to Work-Certified™ organisation. As the first Port Authority in Britain to secure this Certification™, it is a significant achievement.
“We are very proud to be Great Place to Work-Certified™,” said Vidette Swales, HR Director at the Port of Milford Haven. “It means so much that our employees have reported a consistently positive experience with their colleagues, their leaders and their jobs. Offering a positive employee experience is not only beneficial for the people who work with us but is also key for our continued business success.”
Tom Sawyer, CEO at the Port of Milford Haven added: “Our team is operating the UK’s leading energy port, and it is of the utmost importance that we do that safely, responsibly and effectively. We’re striving for excellence and aim to provide a world class service to our customers as well as supporting sustainable coastal communities for the prosperity of future generations. Our employees are clearly at the centre of this which is why I’m delighted that they feel supported in their role. I’m especially proud that this Certification™ demonstrates our core values of Safety, Excellence, Collaboration and Sustainability so perfectly.”
“We congratulate the Port of Milford Haven on achieving their Certification™,” said Benedict Gautrey, Managing Director of Great Place to Work® UK. “Organisations which put the employee experience at the heart of their business gain their employees’ trust and, in turn, are truly able to build a great workplace culture that delivers outstanding business results.”
Find out more about careers at the Port of Milford Haven here: www.mhpa.co.uk/about/careers-at-the-port/.
News
Fresh questions over fire that ravaged Manorbier school
A senior Pembrokeshire councillor is to be quizzed on what progress has been made in recouping a £200,000 insurance excess paid by the council following the 2022 fire at a Manorbier school.
Manorbier Church in Wales VC School and its adjoining schoolhouse was severely damaged by a fire on October 11, 2022, which broke out in the school roof space.
Pupils and staff were successfully evacuated with no injuries, and a “school from school” was set up in Jameston Village Hall, after a brief period of sanctuary at the nearby Buttyland caravan site.
Pembrokeshire County Council’s insurers have previously said the fire was accidentally started while “hot works” were being carried out by contractors to renew an adjacent flat roof, but, as has previously been stressed, no liability had been accepted to date.
Councillors have previously heard the majority of costs were likely to be met from the council’s insurers, with the caveat of the unknown issue of liability and its effect on the £200,000 insurance excess.
A submitted question, by Councillor Aled Thomas, to be heard at the full council meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council on May 9, will ask Cabinet Member for Education and Welsh Language Cllr Guy Woodham “to update the chamber on what progress the Cabinet have made in recouping the £200,000 insurance excess paid following the devastating non-fault fire at Manorbier school”.
Councillors have previously been told by Cllr Woodham: “The legal issues are not straightforward but will be robustly taken forward.
“At this stage it’s still subject to legal discussion. The excess will be covered by a fund the council holds for insurance excess.”
He said that, if liability was found or accepted, the council would “pursue for the full maximum claim of the costs associated with the fire”.
Crime
Dafydd Llywelyn retains his post as our local commissioner
THE result of the election for the Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Commissioner election has been declared.
Plaid’s Dafydd Llywelyn retains his role as commissioner. He has held the role since 2016.
The result of the election is as follows:
- Justin Mark Griffiths (Lib Dem) 7,719
- Ian Harrison 19,134 (Con)
- Dafydd Llywelyn 31,323 (Plaid)
- Philippa Thompson (Lab) 18,353
Before the election, Dafydd Llywelyn promised: “As your current Commissioner, operational, front-line policing has, and always will come before party politics. I have a strong track record of delivering on my promises and of listening to the communities of Dyfed Powys. I am proud of what I have achieved since 2016, but there is still so much to do.
“I am an approachable individual and I believe in listening to all members of the community in order to shape a successful police force.
“Since 2016, I have increased resources whilst also retaining the lowest council tax levels in Wales. During that time, we’ve seen:
150 more Police Officers;
- 150 more Police Staff;
- A CCTV system that is monitored 24/7 by police staff;
- A dedicated rural crime team;
- A focus on county lines drug dealing to target organised crime;
- Investment in Youth Offending Teams to divert young people away from crime;
- A new Offender Diversionary Scheme to reduce re-offending.
If re – elected:
- I will safeguard Neighbourhood Policing resources retaining a visible local policing presence;
- I will invest in the Communications Centre to ensure an accessible service;
- I will continue to put the victim at the heart of the service and develop a truly victim led service;
- I will work with operational staff to keep local police stations open;
- I will invest in a new and refreshed School Police programme to deliver early intervention and preventative work;
- I will prioritise working in partnership with organisations and agencies to safeguard the most vulnerable in society.
“Your safety is my top priority. I want to ensure that the Dyfed Powys Police Force remains one of the safest places to live in Wales and England.”
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