PEMBROKE’S Lantern Parade lit up the night on the Commons this evening, bringing the community together for a magical celebration of creativity and togetherness. Hosted by the Pembroke Town Team, the event showcased the vibrant spirit of the town, with lanterns crafted by locals under the expert guidance of Sand Palace Arts.

Leading the way was Brig Y Don, setting the tone for a parade filled with glowing woodland creatures and majestic swans, enchanting all who joined. Attendees were invited to the Tanyard Project to begin their illuminated journey around Pembroke, culminating at The Foundry House, where a spectacular fire display awaited.

Hot food, drinks, and festive music added to the warm atmosphere, as residents gathered to chase away the winter blues. The wishing tree, a highlight of the evening, offered a moment of reflection and hope, as attendees hung their Christmas wishes before heading home.

Thanks to funding from the MHPA Community Fund, UK Government, and Pembrokeshire Pride, the much-loved Lantern Parade was brought to life once more. This year’s event built on the success of previous parades, showcasing the continued dedication of the Pembroke Town Team, who also organised the popular Pembroke Festival earlier this year.

The team expressed gratitude to all contributors, sponsors, and volunteers who helped make the evening a success, ensuring the tradition continues to light up the hearts of Pembroke residents.

(Pics: Martin Cavaney/Herald)

PLANS for a new estate of 54 homes in a south Pembrokeshire seaside village are expected to get the go-ahead from National Park planners, with a condition restricting 13 properties to not being second homes.

The application for the mixtures of 27 houses and 27 flats/apartments – together with ancillary works – at agricultural land north of Whitlow, Saundersfoot, is made by Morgan Construction (Wales) Limited and Barcud Housing Association.

The application, which includes a mix of 19 affordable properties, meeting the Saundersfoot area requirement for 35 per cent of such properties – is recommended for conditional approval when it comes before Pembrokeshire Coast National Park planners at their September 6 development management committee.

No objection to the plans was received by local community council Saundersfoot, other than concerns regarding the possibility of properties being sold as second homes.

Several letters of objection were received, raising concerns including the potential for the new dwellings to become holiday lets, loss of privacy to neighbouring properties, loss of views, and the impact on existing property values.

A report for planners said that there was an assumption that just under 29 per cent of properties in Saundersfoot could be categorised as second homes or holiday lets, which could lead to 71 per cent of the apartments – the most likely to be viewed as suitable for second homes – having a sole or main residence condition on them.

This would mean 13 of the 19 open market apartments would have a ‘C3’ main use condition, separate from the affordable housing requirement.

Agent Evans Banks Planning Limited, in a supporting statement, said a pre-application enquiry to the national park had elicited a positive response, leading to the formal application.

“The proposals have undergone considerable pre-application negotiations and discussions with National Park Authority Officers. It has become apparent that the Authority expect the capacity of the allocation as shown in the LDP to be met in full.

“Such an expectation can present challenges if a site also has to be formed over undulating topography and accommodate surface water measures which met future adoption criteria of the Adoption Authority.

“The scheme has evolved from initial concepts where there was an emphasis on a lesser density to reflect the semi-urban/edge of village character of the site.

“To achieve a capacity of 54 units as quoted in the LDP, can only be achieved if residential apartments are introduced, as a significant proportion of the unit type mix. A total of 27 apartments have therefore been introduced in the development to ensure that the remaining 27 dwellinghouses are all afforded sufficient amenity and parking space.”

The application is recommended for approval, with a list of conditions including the ‘C3’ restriction.

A PEMBROKESHIRE hotel that has been used as accommodation for migrant agricultural workers since March, may continue despite concerns about antisocial behaviour.

A retrospective ‘application’ submitted last month by Recruitment service Pro-Force Ltd and Pembrokeshire agricultural business Puffin Produce Ltd informed county planners the Nant Y Ffin Hotel, Llandissilio is being used to house up to 67 seasonal workers.

The hotel has been used for accommodation for seasonal migrant workers since March, with up to 48 there at any one time.

Agent Geraint John Planning Ltd, in a statement submitted to county planners, felt there is no need for an actual planning application as the accommodation for workers at the hotel did not represent a change of use of the building.