News

Motorworld building to be demolished

Published

10 years ago

May 16, 2016

PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL have made the decision that the ‘Motorworld building’ at 70A-80A Charles Street, Milford Haven, should be demolished and passed onto a developer to be turned into housing.

At Monday’s (Apr 24) cabinet meeting at County Hall, members of the Cabinet said that the premises was not attracting any commercial interest, and that all the units in the dilapidated premises were empty.

Cllr Keith Lewis said to Cabinet:

“This is a site which was held in lease by a company by Libra. We agreed as Cabinet that we should take the building back into our control at some cost.

“This site is an eyesore in Charles street. We have failed to find anyone who is interested in these premises commercially. There was some interest shown by town council, and the police, but that has come to nothing.”

Cllr Lewis added: “I would like to see this morning that we authorise the director of development to move forward.

“We should demolish the building. We should pass this on to a developer as 100% residential development. We are paying money out. We cannot allow this waste to continue.

“We can finance this via the Town Centre Loan Fund”

Leader Jamie Adams added: “We have explored commercial opportunities for this site. It has long been an eye sore. It will provide some valuable accommodation. It will improve the street scene and put people in the heart of the town where all goods and services can be supported as well. It is a pragmatic solution at this juncture, rather than hanging onto this site any longer. It is time for action.”

The Cabinet passed the recommendation that the building be demolished and passed over to a housing association for redevelopment into new residential properties.

The decision has come as a shock to some business people in Milford Haven. The Mayor, Cllr Stephen Joseph told The Herald that he was not convinced that there had been enough effort to find commercial occupants for the property.

Speaking after the Milford Haven Town Council meeting on Monday night, Cllr Joseph said: “I have been keeping my eye on this property for a number of years. The last thing that I heard was that the police were going to take it over as a police station. I don’t know what happened to that proposal. I did not attend the Cabinet meeting, but I was surprised that the decision has been made so easily to turn this into a residential premises.”

“I think that the Council just want to sign it over for a £1 and then there will minimal costs to them.”

“The Council already have been offered £1.5m funding from the Welsh Government to re-develop the property commercially, but now we can expect that this money will be transferred to other projects.”

He added: “You can bet that if this property was in Haverfordwest, then more would have been done about it sooner. My view is that the Council have delayed getting things done because they were not sure what to do with the place. They should have got the property back sooner, before things got this bad.”

Charity

Donation gives Stackpole Quay book trailer fresh new look

Published

4 hours ago

February 9, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A COMMUNITY donation will help spruce up a popular summer book trailer at Stackpole Quay after members of the Pembrokeshire National Trust Association handed over more than one thousand pounds to support the project.

The Pembrokeshire National Trust Association presented a cheque for £1,095 to the National Trust at Stackpole Quay this weekend.

The cheque was formally given to Rhian Sula, General Manager for the charity’s Pembrokeshire and Carmarthen Bay portfolio, by association chairman Jane Mason during a National Trust information coffee morning at the Stackpole Centre.

The money will be used to refurbish the well-known second-hand book trailer which operates at the quay during the summer months. The trailer allows visitors to pick up a holiday read while making a donation, with proceeds supporting local conservation and access projects.

Last year alone, the trailer raised more than £1,500.

Jane Mason said the association had originally funded the purchase of the trailer several years ago and wanted to build on its success.

“Our new donation from members’ support will improve the trailer with updated imagery and design,” she said. “This will help the National Trust present a more professional, welcoming and brand-aligned offer, and potentially grow donation income.”

The Pembrokeshire National Trust Association runs a programme of talks, visits and guided walks in support of local Trust properties. Membership of the National Trust is not required to join the association. Annual membership costs £5 for individuals and £8 for couples.

At its AGM in November, the group announced £3,000 in additional donations for local projects, including replacement willow hurdles at Tudor Merchants House, footpath improvements at Little Milford, and a new bench, tree planting and path works at Southwood.

With the latest contribution towards the book trailer, the association’s donations for the current financial year now exceed £4,000.

Photo caption:

Jane Mason presents a cheque for £1,095 to Rhian Sula at Stackpole Centre (Pic: supplied).

Crime

OAP admits stalking woman with emails, posters and letters

Published

5 hours ago

February 9, 2026

Court Reporter

A HAVERFORDWEST man has admitted stalking a woman by sending repeated unwanted emails, putting up posters and contacting third parties about her.

Michael Lockheart, aged 80, of Daisy Lane, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Feb 9) for sentencing, having previously pleaded guilty to stalking.

The court heard that between July 27 and September 10 last year, Lockheart pursued a course of conduct which amounted to the stalking and harassment against a female.

His behaviour included sending numerous unwanted emails after being told to stop contact, distributing defamatory posters in public places, and sending malicious correspondence to her GP and the local authority.

Lockheart admitted the offence, contrary to Section 2A of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.

Sentencing was adjourned to allow a pre-sentence report to be prepared.

He was granted conditional bail with strict restrictions. He must not contact the complainant directly or indirectly, including through third parties or social media, and must not enter any address where she lives.

Lockheart is due back before magistrates for sentence at 10:00am on Monday, March 9.

Crime

Pensioner back in court over persistent nuisance calls

Published

5 hours ago

February 9, 2026

Court Reporter

A TEMPLETON pensioner has appeared before magistrates again after admitting repeatedly using the phone network to cause distress and inconvenience.

Ann Gateley, aged 79, of Chapel Hill Lane, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Feb 9) for sentencing, having already pleaded guilty to a communications offence.

The court heard that between November 24 and November 26 last year, at Templeton near Narberth, Gateley persistently made use of a public electronic communications network for the purpose of causing annoyance, inconvenience or needless anxiety to another person.

She admitted the offence, contrary to Section 127 of the Communications Act 2003.

Magistrates adjourned sentencing to a later date and granted conditional bail.

As part of her bail conditions, Gateley must not contact 999 unless there is a genuine emergency.

Gateley is well known to the courts and has appeared on numerous occasions over recent years for similar communications-related matters.

She will return to the magistrates’ court at 10:00am on Tuesday, February 17 for sentencing.