News

Councillor bemused as 24 new homes approved

Published

10 years ago

June 7, 2016

Extremely disappointed: Cllr Tudor

A PLANNING application to build 24 new homes on land off Slade Lane, Haverfordwest, has been approved despite concerns from the local councillor.

Cllr Tom Tudor appealed, in a letter sent to the Planning and Rights of Way Committee, for members to vote for a site visit so they could see the issues posed.

However, the committee, which met on Tuesday (May 17), felt that there was no problem with the site and approved the plans by a majority.

Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Tudor said:

“I am extremely disappointed that the committee members did not take on board and act on my suggestion of a site visit so that they could see for themselves the dangerous highway and traffic issues that will undoubtedly arise from this development.

“I am also bemused as to why the committ ee failed to take on board previous recommendations as development on this site was considered and rejected in 2001 by Mr John D Wallis, Planning Inspector for the then Welsh Office Planning Inspector when he presented a report in respect of the Appeal by Hillwest Ltd in relation to application 97/0808/ PA to build 9 houses and or bungalows on land at the north-western edge of Slade Lane, in fact Mr Wallis does clearly state in his report:

“I agree with the Council that further housing with vehicular access off Slade Lane, St Martins Park or Crowhill Road should be discouraged as a matter of policy.”

The planning application from 2001 was also highlighted as this had been refused with a planning inspector stating in a report that both directions on Slade Lane were ‘potentially extremely hazardous’.

Cllr Tom Tudor’s letter, read out by Cllr Tom Richards, stated: “The main concerns voiced to me largely focus on the negative highway and traffic issues that would develop if this application is approved.

“The traffic congestion which takes place on a daily occurrence at the bottom end of Slade Lane in the North Crescent area, will undoubtedly exacerbate with the introduction of more cars generated from the new development, and as such jeopardise pedestrian and motorists safety, which I am sure you would agree is something we all would wish to avoid.

“This area of road also suffers from poor forward visibility especially at peak periods resulting in traffic congestion and queuing.

“Alternative access to this development could also be gained from the Crow Hill road B4330 and through St Martins Park, which also has the issue of poor forward visibility for drivers on the junction as one leaves St Martins park on to Crow Hill. These serious inadequacies were fundamental issues raised in 2001 which resulted in a similar planning application to be rejected.

“Whilst I appreciate major works have been undertaken on the Churn Works junction, this in no way has helped to alleviate the traffic problems at the top of Slade Lane and St Martins Park, and if this development were to proceed those traffic issues would as previously stated exacerbate even further.

“Other issues of concern focus on the poor drainage of surface water which Slade lane suffers on a frequent basis. The drains cannot cope with the surface water coming from the proposed development site and bridleway, which often leads to flooding on the highway infrastructure.

“Also an important note, in the event of this development taking place, under no circumstances can I allow, as the local county councillor, any development vehicles ranging from heavy plant machinery to small construction vehicles gaining access to the site via Slade Lane, Crow Hill or St Martins Park.

“Any access to the site for construction development must be via the new access points which have been created on the St David’s road roundabout or via the newly created access point on Thomas Parry Way. Any further disturbance to the residents of Slade lane and St Martins Park will not be accepted; also further heavy plant machinery will damage the road infrastructure which has occurred in the past when building development has taken place.

“In terms of a pedestrian and cyclists safety analysis, this aspect of the plan needs to be risk assessed at the earliest opportunity, particularly when one considers that only part of Slade Lane has a public footpath and no part of Slade lane actually has an official cycle route.

“As a responsible authority I call on Pembrokeshire County Council and its planning committee to convene a site visit with myself so I can appraise and show the committee members the highway and traffic problems that will undoubtedly occur if access to this development is gained via Slade Lane.”

Councillors asked a number of questions about the site but Cllr Keith Lewis said: “I think that it would be wrong of us to cherry pick this particular area for refusal.

“It’s part of the whole package that is agreed within the LDP and should be approved. I accept the restraint in terms of the full development until other items are put in place but I see no problem with this site.”

When it was put to a vote Councillors voted in favour of the application with two abstentions.

Cllr Tudor also revealed that he has contacted his Assembly Member to have this planning application called in by the Welsh Assembly Government.

Crime

Man charged with attempted murder after Carmarthen park incident

Published

13 hours ago

February 4, 2026

Tom Sinclair

57-year-old due in court following alleged knife and stalking offences

A MAN has been charged with attempted murder following a serious incident in Carmarthen town centre last week.

Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed that James McKenna, aged 57, from Carmarthen, has been charged with attempted murder, possession of a bladed article in a public place, and stalking.

The charges relate to an incident in Carmarthen Park on Thursday (Jan 29), which prompted a significant emergency services response and caused concern among residents.

Police have not yet released full details of the circumstances, but officers were seen in and around the park area for several hours following the incident while enquiries were carried out.

McKenna is due to appear before Llanelli Magistrates Court on Thursday (Feb 5).

The Herald understands the case involves allegations of both violence and targeted behaviour towards an individual, with stalking listed among the charges.

Public concern

Carmarthen Park is a popular and busy public space used daily by families, dog walkers and joggers, and incidents of this severity are rare.

The news has prompted concern locally, particularly as the alleged offences include possession of a knife in a public place.

Residents have previously raised questions about safety in parks and open spaces across west Wales, especially during darker winter evenings.

Court proceedings

At this stage, the charges remain allegations and the case will now proceed through the courts.

Magistrates will decide whether the case is sent to Crown Court due to the seriousness of the attempted murder charge.

Further details are expected to emerge during Thursday’s hearing.

The Herald will be attending court and will provide updates as they become available.

Crime

Sex offender jailed after living off grid in Pembrokeshire and refusing to register

Published

14 hours ago

February 4, 2026

Court Reporter

Man walked into police station after months avoiding authorities

A CONVICTED sex offender who told police he intended to live “off grid” rather than comply with legal monitoring rules has been jailed after handing himself in at a Pembrokeshire police station.

Christopher Spelman, aged 66, of no fixed address, appeared for sentence at Swansea Crown Court after admitting breaching the notification requirements of the sex offenders register.

The court heard Spelman was released from prison in Dorset on July 4 last year but immediately refused to provide police with an address, despite being legally required to do so within three days.

Instead, he indicated he planned to buy a tent and live outdoors.

Prosecutor Brian Simpson said officers subsequently launched a nationwide search when Spelman failed to make contact with police. Public appeals were issued and his case featured on the television programme Crimewatch.

Detectives believed he had been travelling around the UK using public transport and staying at campsites. He was known to have links to several areas including Merseyside, Manchester, Devon, Cornwall and Hampshire.

His whereabouts remained unknown until January 3 this year, when he walked into Haverfordwest police station and was arrested. It is unclear how long he had been in Pembrokeshire.

Spelman previously served seven years in prison after being convicted in 2014 of 12 counts of sexually assaulting a girl under the age of 14. He was placed on the sex offenders register for life.

The court heard this was not the first time he had failed to comply with the rules. After an earlier release in 2016, he again failed to register his address and avoided police for around five years before being caught.

He has 11 previous convictions for 29 offences.

Defence barrister Andrew Evans described the case as unusual and said his client had long disputed his original conviction and had expressed a wish to live “outside society”.

However, he said Spelman had gradually accepted that he remained subject to court orders and now wanted more stable accommodation and a chance to rebuild his life. The defendant asked the court to impose a custodial sentence so arrangements could be made for his future release.

Judge Geraint Walters noted there were signs Spelman wished to change but warned that any further breaches would result in longer prison terms.

With credit for his guilty plea, Spelman was sentenced to 10 months in prison. He will serve up to half in custody before being released on licence.

Crime

Former Wales rugby star admits Christmas Day drink-driving offence

Published

19 hours ago

February 4, 2026

Sarah-Jane Absalom

Ex-Ospreys captain was almost twice over limit in Pembroke town centre

Former Wales back row Jonathan Thomas has admitted driving through Pembroke town centre on Christmas Day when he was almost twice over the drink-drive limit.

This week Haverfordwest magistrates heard that Thomas, 43, was stopped by officers as he drove his Mercedes CLA 220 along The Green, Pembroke, at around 5pm on Christmas Day.

“The officers were very concerned at the manner of his driving, as the car was being driven erratically and was swerving to the other side of the road,” said Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan.

“When Jonathan Thomas got out of the car, the officers could see that he was having difficulty standing and was unsteady on his feet.”

Subsequent breathalyser tests showed Thomas had 62 mcg of alcohol in his system, the legal limit being 35.

Thomas, who has no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to the drink-drive charge and was represented in court by solicitor Jess Hill.

“He has family in the area and had travelled to spend time with them on Christmas Day,” she told the magistrates. “He’s very remorseful for his actions and hugely regrets his decision that day.”

Jess Hill concluded by saying that Thomas is currently “between jobs and living off his savings”.

Thomas, who gave his address as Main Road, Bredon, was disqualified from driving for a total of 18 months.

“The length of your disqualification reflects the fact that you were more than a little bit over the limit,” commented the presiding magistrates when imposing sentence.

He was fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £48 court surcharge.

The former Wales back row left his role as Swansea RFC head coach at the beginning of December 2025 as a result of ongoing health concerns. He was forced to retire from playing in 2015 on medical advice after being diagnosed with epilepsy and is one of the 390 former rugby union players currently taking part in a concussion lawsuit against the sport’s authorities.

“Long-standing issues linked to the head trauma have caused me some concern recently and it has been impossible for me to give the role everything it needs,” he said in a previous interview with the BBC.

His rugby career started out with Pembroke RFC juniors before moving to Swansea RFC, which he captained when he was 19. He then joined the Ospreys where, over a ten-year period, he won four league titles and an Anglo-Welsh Cup. He was the youngest player to captain the Ospreys and, at the time of leaving, was the joint highest appearance holder, together with Andrew Bishop, on 188 appearances.

His international career saw him play for Wales at Under-16, Youth, Under-19, Under-21 and Sevens levels. He made his senior international debut against Australia in 2003, featured at the 2007 Rugby World Cup and was part of two Six Nations Grand Slam-winning sides in 2005 and 2008. Between 2004 and 2011, Thomas was included in every Wales Six Nations squad. In his appearances for Wales, he scored seven tries.