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News

Site change agreed despite concerns

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Cllr Jacob Williams: “In an ideal world it would be used as a nature trail”

Cllr Jacob Williams: “In an ideal world it would be used as a nature trail”

COUNCILLORS have unanimously agreed to a change of use of the former Pentlepoir School site for the sale and display of mobile homes.

The application came before the Planning and Rights of Way Committee on Tuesday, December 13, after local member Cllr Jacob Williams successfully argued for it to come to the Committee.

Residential homes surround the site and those living closest had a number of concerns about the proposed development.

However, the agent for the application said he was happy to meet with residents to explain the proposed site operations in detail and other issues including fencing.

One of the main concerns relates to a loss of privacy but the agent also mentioned the possibility of putting a fence up to protect residents.

There will also be a warehouse on the site which will be used for small repairs and not heavy mechanical repairs as had been feared.

The site was previously tested for residential housing and a planning application was approved in 2013 but this never came to fruition.

Objecting to the new plans, Mr Peter Scougall said: “As you will know from the petition and letters sent to the planning director, residents in properties which completely surround the site do not want a seven-day commercial enterprise established next to their homes.

“It is therefore hoped that you do not grant approval but should you grant approval, I would ask that you impose the following conditions to satisfy the concerns of the residents; no weekend hours of business – the former school was obviously a Monday-Friday operation; no two-storey building for the office cafe and no workshop taller than a bungalow.

“Allowing these would contravene existing approval and set a wrong precedent. Any security lighting should be limited so the site is not completely floodlit and the access to be gated for the purpose of security and locked at close of business.

“Screening in a form acceptable to residents to be provided. This is a major issue and the site layout plan does not show the closeness of surrounding properties. There is a huge visual impact and the site is visible from the rear of many properties.

“This proposal will not contribute to the regeneration of the community and would add to the traffic problem on a busy main road.”

Cllr Jacob Williams said: “There have been concerns with the redevelopment of the site. I never foresaw that this site could be used for this use; in an ideal world it would be used as a greenfield or nature trail but the council cannot dictate what the land is used for.

“This is a very unusual site to become available; it is surrounded by housing and it is a prime site for the use they are proposing. We are where we are and I am somewhat reassured today that the applicant said this isn’t going to be used for industrial use that I feared when I heard there was a warehouse there.”

Cllr Williams added that he could not see any additional traffic problems and that he was pleased to see the lay-by at the entrance to the site kept.

Cllr Brian Hall suggested deferring the matter to see if issues could be resolved but this was not supported and he went on to ask if the officers could discuss with the applicants the possibility of reducing the height of some of the buildings.

Head of Planning Mr David Popplewell said that there would be discussions with the applicant following the meeting.

Cllr Hall then moved the recommendation with the matters regarding fencing and drainage and lighting be brought back to the Committee at a later date.

Cllr Myles Pepper also asked whether the hours of the cafe also proposed for the project could be limited to the same hours for the sale of caravans.

It was pointed out that they could do this but the applicant had not submitted any hours at this time.

Cllr Keith Lewis said: “It seems that this ticks all the boxes and I see no real reason why we should bring this scheme in delegating the areas that are listed. I would like to see this scheme approved as or otherwise.”

Cllr Williams responded: “What I have been doing is trying to alleviate the concerns in the way of attaching conditions and also asking for it to come back to the Committee.”

The application, with the three issues of fencing, drainage and lighting to come back to the Committee, was approved by a unanimous vote.

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News

A40 closed after serious crash near Wolfscastle

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AIR AMBULANCE LANDS AT SCENE AS TRAFFIC DISRUPTED

THE A40 between Wolfscastle and Haverfordwest was closed in both directions on Friday afternoon (Apr 11) following a serious road traffic collision.

The crash, which was first reported at 12:10pm, prompted a significant emergency services response, including Dyfed-Powys Police and the Wales Air Ambulance, which was seen landing at the scene shortly after the incident.

AA Roadwatch confirmed that the road was shut in both directions, with slow-moving traffic and congestion reported in the surrounding area for several hours after the collision.

Police urged motorists to avoid the area and to seek alternative routes while emergency crews dealt with the incident.

At the time of writing, no official update has been given on the number of vehicles involved or whether there were any injuries. Dyfed-Powys Police have been approached for comment.

Traffic disruption remains ongoing, with live road maps showing long delays approaching Haverfordwest from the east.

More updates will follow as information becomes available.

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Crime

Police investigate alleged assault at Milford Haven property

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OFFICERS from Dyfed-Powys Police have been maintaining a presence at a property on Marble Hall Road, Milford Haven, as part of an ongoing investigation into an assault.

The Herald understands that the front door of the property has been boarded up with plywood, prompting concern and speculation from local residents.

A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police said: “Officers have been undertaking scene preservation in relation to an investigation of assault.”

No further details have been released at this stage, and it is not yet known whether any arrests have been made.

Residents told The Herald they noticed police activity at the address earlier this week, with officers attending the property and cordoning off the area.

The Herald will provide further updates as more information becomes available.

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Business

Haverfordwest opticians celebrate 100 years of long service

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WALES’ LARGEST Specsavers store is celebrating a series of individual long service milestones, with nine team members collectively marking a century of long service in 2025.

At the heart of the celebrations is Andy Britton, ophthalmic director at Specsavers Haverfordwest, who has worked at the company for 20 years.

Since becoming a partner in 2006, Mr Britton has overseen the store’s transformation from a small site with just four test rooms to a state-of-the-art £1.2 million premises at 21 Riverside Quay. The enhanced store now boasts 14 test rooms equipped with cutting edge technology and a significantly larger team, growing from 11 to 45 employees.

Haverfordwest residents benefit from Mr Britton’s clinical expertise – he holds multiple postgraduate diplomas that allow him to prescribe medication directly to customers, helping to ease pressure on local GP surgeries and hospitals. He has also led the introduction of enhanced services, including glaucoma monitoring, ensuring more people can access specialist care closer to home.

Reflecting on his career, Mr Britton says: ‘It’s been a privilege to serve the Haverfordwest community over the last 20 years. I’m proud of the team we’ve built and the progress we’ve made – all with the aim of delivering the best possible care for our customers.’

Mr Britton’s anniversary was celebrated alongside colleagues Elise Evans, Gareth Riley and Carrie Lewis-Jones – each marking 15 years with Specsavers – as well as other team members celebrating 10 and five-year milestones.

Fellow director, Wayne Jones, was among those celebrating five years with the business, after joining the Haverfordwest store in 2020. He was named a finalist for Optometrist of the Year at the Optometry Wales Awards in 2023 and then in 2024, joined forces with Mr Britton as retail director of the store.

Commenting on the milestone, Mr Jones says: ‘Our team’s experience and dedication are what makes Specsavers Haverfordwest so special. Reaching 100 years of individual long service milestones in 2025 is something we’re incredibly proud of. It’s a real testament to the commitment of our colleagues, and we look forward to many more successful years ahead.’

To mark the occasion, the directors hosted an in-store awards ceremony, presenting certificates and bottles of champagne to the nine long-serving team members celebrating.

Specsavers Haverfordwest is open seven days a week. To find out more information about Specsavers in Haverfordwest, request an appointment or browse the online store, visit https://www.specsavers.co.uk/stores/haverfordwest.

Additionally, to make eye health accessible to all, the store offers a Home Visits service for those unable to leave their homes unaccompanied due to disability or illness.

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