PLANS to demolish a former bowling alley at Pembrokeshire’s Cawdor Barracks have been given the go-ahead.

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, VIVO Defence Services Ltd, through agent CDB Planning and Architecture, sought permission for the demolition of a single storey pitched roof building at Cawdor Barracks, Brawdy.

Supporting documents accompanying the application, supported by Brawdy Community Council, said the building is no longer in use and, due to dilapidation, requires demolition

An officer report recommending approval said: “The site is located within the open countryside and comprises of a British Army Ministry of Defence Site, known as Cawdor Barracks.  The application site comprises of a derelict building, formerly used as a bowling alley for the MOD.  The building is a single storey masonry building with metal sheet pitched roof and is located at the entrance of the site.

“This application seeks the prior approval for the demolition of the building.  Following the demolition of the building to the existing concrete slab, the slab would remain as additional hardstanding area.  There are no proposed redevelopments for the site.

“Any future redevelopments of the site may be subject to separate planning permission.   Prior approval is required with regard to method of demolition of the building for the protection of protected species.”

The report said the building “supports a nonbreeding summer day roost for common and soprano pipistrelle bats and nonbreeding day and nights roost for brown long eared bats” protected under regulations, but a bat survey in support of the application proposed mitigation measures.

“The council’s ecologist and NRW have both been consulted on the application and comment that the proposed recommendations and mitigations are welcomed.  It is considered that the development is not likely to be detrimental to the maintenance of the population of the species concerns at a favourable conservation status in its natural range.  It is recommended that a condition is imposed on any consents to secure the proposed mitigation measures.”

The report also said the building was used by nesting bird, recommending a condition to ensure their protection of nesting birds during the demolition phase.

The application was conditionally approved by officers.

Images: Gareth Davies/Hidden Pembrokeshire

Motorist stopped in Milford Haven after officers noticed poor driving

A PEMBROKEHIRE carpenter has been banned from driving after being caught behind the wheel while over the drink-drive limit.

Nathan Edwards, aged 28, was stopped by police as he drove his black BMW along St Peters Road, Milford Haven, on December 5.

“He was stopped as a result of his manner of driving,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

“He was followed for a short distance and when officers stopped the vehicle, they observed that his eyes were glazed and that he appeared nervous.”

Ms Vaughan said Edwards admitted to officers that he had consumed two pints of lager prior to being stopped.

Subsequent breathalyser tests showed he had 41 micrograms of alcohol in his system. The legal limit is 35.

His solicitor, Tom Lloyd, told the court: “That reading puts him only just over the limit.

“But the consequences are going to be absolutely huge for him, as he is a self-employed carpenter.

“He thought he was probably okay to drive and he took that foolish risk, which he deeply regrets.”

Edwards, of Charles Street, Neyland, was disqualified from driving for 12 months and fined £400. He was also ordered to pay a £160 court surcharge and £85 in costs.

Driver stopped in early hours after police detected smell of cannabis

A MILFORD HAVEN motorist has been convicted of drug-driving after being stopped by police in the early hours of the morning.

John Hilton, aged 42, was pulled over just before 1:00am on October 19 after officers observed him driving at excessive speed along Langford Road, Johnston.

When the vehicle was stopped, officers detected a strong smell of cannabis coming from inside. Hilton told police that he had consumed cannabis the previous day.

Blood tests later carried out at the police station showed that Hilton had 16 micrograms of Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol in his system. The legal limit is 2 micrograms.

Appearing before Haverfordwest magistrates this week, Hilton, of Oaklands, Milford Haven, pleaded guilty to the drug-driving offence.

His solicitor, Tom Lloyd, told the court that Hilton had been using cannabis as a form of self-medication.

“But I’m pleased to say that he no longer uses the drug,” said Mr Lloyd.

The court heard that Hilton is already disqualified from driving for three years following a previous drink-driving conviction in 2021.

Magistrates fined him £120 and ordered him to pay a £48 court surcharge and £85 in costs.