News

Councillor bemused as 24 new homes approved

Published

8 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.

News

2024 Sport Pembrokeshire Awards Finalists announced

Published

3 hours ago

November 15, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE finalists for the 2024 Sport Pembrokeshire Awards have been announced.

In total, 252 nominations were received and, following a selection meeting, the judging panel has named 39 finalists.

Matt Freeman, Manager of Sport Pembrokeshire, said: “I want to thank everyone who has taken the time to provide nominations.

“Every year it gets harder to narrow the nominations down to three finalists and once again the quality of the nominees was enormously high.

“The number and quality of nominees just shows the strength of the sporting scene here in Pembrokeshire.

All the finalists will be invited to a grand presentation ceremony at Folly Farm on Friday, November 29th, where the winners will be announced.

The ceremony will also reveal the winners of two further categories – the Lifetime Achievement Award and the Chairman’s Special Achievement Award.

The awards are organised by Sport Pembrokeshire, Pembrokeshire County Council’s sport development team.

They are sponsored by Sport Pembrokeshire, Valero, Folly Farm and Pure West Radio.

The awards aim to recognise those people who have excelled in sport over the last 12 months, or who have given their time to coaching and organising grass roots sport.

Sport Pembrokeshire Awards 2024 – Finalists

(In alphabetical order)

Coach of the Year

Francesca Morgan (Swimming)

Philippa Gale (Netball)

Tom Richards (Tennis)

Female Sporting Achievement

Gracie Griffiths (Race Walking)

Helen Carrington (Powerlifting)

Seren Thorne (Shooting)

Male Sporting Achievement

Jeremy Cross (Tennis)

Rhys Llewellyn (Athletics)

Sam Coleman (Powerboat Racing)

Boys (U16) Sporting Achievement

Carter Heywood (Football)

Hugo Boyce (Cycling)

Ned Rees-Wigmore (Hockey)

Girls (U16) Sporting Achievement

Cerys Griffiths (Swimming)

Chloe John-Driscoll (Shooting)

Ffion Bowen (Football)

Disability Sport Award

Evelyn Thomas (Powerlifting)

Jules King (Crossfit)

Marc Evans (Cricket)

Junior (U16) Disability Sport Award

Finnley Walters (Boxing)

Jac Johnson (Gymnastics)

Lewis Crawford (Boccia)

Unsung Hero

John Laugharne (Rugby)

Owen Shanklin (Pool)

Sue Christopher (Surf Lifesaving)

Team Achievement of the Year

Alan Evans, Andrew Evans & Michael John (Short Mat Bowls)

Fishguard & Goodwick Ladies Hockey Club

Pembrokeshire County Bowls Team

Junior (U16) Team Achievement of the Year

Chaos Thunder U12’s Netball Team

Hakin United AFC u16’s

Neyland Yacht Club Junior Sailing Team

Young Volunteer of the Year

Anna May (Tennis & Surfing)

Caitlin Chapman (Netball)

George Richards (Cricket)

Club Organiser

Nadine Tyrrell (Gymnastics)

Nick Shelmerdine (Cricket)

Paul Hudson (Short Mat Bowls)

Club of the Year

Camrose AFC Women & Girls Football

Haverfordwest Gymnastics Club

Strength Academy Wales Cymru

Pictured above: The 2023 Club of the Year winner – Pembroke Cricket Club.

Crime

Man jailed for Pembroke Dock cannabis farm involvement

Published

5 hours ago

November 15, 2024

Madeline Knox

AN ALBANIAN man, Armando Beti, 37, was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison at Swansea Crown Court on Friday (Nov 15) for his role in producing class B drugs.

Beti, who has prior convictions in 2022 and 2023, was arrested on October 3, 2024, at 10:00am after police found him hiding in a neighbouring building’s attic. The arrest followed a raid on the former Woolworths building on Dimond Street, Pembroke Dock, where officers discovered three rooms containing 594 cannabis plants. The crop was described as part of a wholesale operation, with an estimated street value of between £64,000 and £196,000, depending on yield.

Using an aerial drone, police tracked Beti as he attempted to escape by crossing two rooftops. He pleaded guilty immediately after his capture, claiming the cannabis farm was already operational when he arrived 10 days earlier. Beti described himself as merely the gardener, tasked with watering the plants, and alleged he was coerced into the role by individuals he met at an immigration detention centre to repay a debt.

Beti’s defence counsel stated: “He is under no illusion regarding the seriousness of his offending. He is eager to start his prison sentence so he can ultimately reunite with his wife in Albania.”

However, Judge Geraint Walters rejected Beti’s claims, citing a pattern of similar excuses in previous cases. The judge noted that Beti had been convicted in Cardiff in 2022 for cultivating over 600 cannabis plants, during which he also claimed to be a coerced gardener with little knowledge of the operation.

In delivering the sentence, Judge Walters said: “People like you need to understand that judges are not completely naive. We know what is going on. We are well aware of the activities of criminal Albanian gangs in this country, as are you.”

Police believe the operation uncovered in Pembroke Dock is linked to a wider network of organised crime targeting rural locations for cannabis cultivation.

Community

Pembs Agricultural Society’s Christmas Fair expands to an all-weekend event

Published

9 hours ago

November 15, 2024

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKESHIRE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY’S Christmas Fair will be an all-weekend event next month. The Christmas shopping extravaganza is all set to take place on Saturday, 14 December as well as Sunday, 15 December.

The Parkhouse building on the Haverfordwest Showground will be transformed into a Christmas paradise. There will be even more stalls this year with a wide variety of quality local businesses exhibiting as well as festive music, Santa in his Grotto and an outdoor food court.

Judith Roach and Emma Thomas, the event organisers, said, “We are excited to be able to announce that our Christmas Fair will be on for two days rather than just one this year. We continue to build on the success of last year’s event with twice the opportunities to attend and even more stallholders. It will be the perfect start to the festive season as the Parkhouse Building will be transformed into a one-stop-shop for those preparing for Christmas.”

The Fair will be open from 10am until 4pm and admission is free. Visitors will find unique gifts, handmade decorations, art and beautiful homeware. Some of the county’s very best food and drink producers will also have stalls to give visitors the opportunity to stock up on all their festive treats. From decadent chocolate brownies, fudge, festive spirits to Welsh cheeses, there’s something to tantalise everyone’s tastebuds. There will also be a range of outlets for ‘on the go’ eating and drinking.

One special guest at the event will be everyone’s favourite bearded gentleman in red – Santa will be taking time out from his busy schedule to attend the event. There will be a charge of £3 per child to visit Santa and all proceeds will go directly to Sandy Bear charity to support their work. Each child will receive a small gift from Santa as part of their visit. Parents can book in advance via the website: www.sandybear.co.uk/santa

Adam Thorne, Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society’s President is looking forward to the festive event. He said, “The Society would like to thank Judith and Emma for all the hours they have put in, voluntarily, to organise the two-day Christmas event. We’re delighted to be able to offer visitors the opportunity to do all their Christmas shopping whilst enjoying the festive atmosphere.”

Follow Pembrokeshire County Show’s Christmas Fair event page on Facebook for a full list of stallholders in the run up to the event.