News

Narberth: Council favours splitting school site

Published

8 years ago

February 6, 2017

A COUNTY-WIDE report on retail in Pembrokeshire has found that continuing with a retail development on Narberth’s former school site will lead to an oversupply of retail space in Narberth and have an adverse account on town centre trade.

In fact, there is no forecast need for new retail floor space in the town, which is highlighted as a well-performing town centre, appealing to the tourism market.

The troubled development site is the subject of a Council Committee meeting on Friday (Feb 3), at which a number of options for the development will be considered.

Among the issues the committee will consider is the demolition of the building, which we understand is unlikely to be done before March 31 – not least as the former development partners the council selected for the former school site had not even carried out a full asbestos survey of the premises in all the time they had control of it.

In addition, a check of the planning record has revealed that since two years have elapsed since the last bat survey of the old school building, there will need to be a fresh survey before any works can take place.

These factors effectively make demolition of the school unlikely in the short term, meaning that the originally suggested levelling of the whole site to create a temporary car park is a non-starter.

The council favours demolishing the buildings, retaining the playground parking area as a permanent extension to Town Moor Car Park and offering the remaining front part of the site for development. However, the council will consider offering the property to the market or redeveloping the site as a joint venture with either a commercial or residential developer.

However, such a project would proceed with no guarantee that a developer will be interested in a joint venture or even that a retail partner would be available. Worryingly, it appears that its development directorate, headed by Dr Steven Jones, lacks the ability or skills to deliver a scheme without being wholly reliant on its partner from start to finish. That conclusion has implications for other schemes the council is undertaking and funding and its relationships with development partners.

As a sop to the local community, the council will also hold a consultation event to discuss the options.
However, one option that has been ruled out is retaining the building for community use on the grounds.

The Herald can report that among the reasons for ruling out the community option is the very poor condition of the building, which it is proposed makes refurbishment prohibitively expensive, and would raise expectations of a free community asset transfer.

Moreover, the council consider it is unlikely the community can raise sufficient funds to refurbish and maintain the building and that even if it did, the funding could take years to obtain, by which time the building will have deteriorated even further.

Whichever option the council ultimately follows, it suffers the risk of reputational damage resulting from the failure to secure the original development – even at a reduced price and with the developer being offered a seven-figure loan by the council on terms that the public are not allowed to know.

Community

Lord Nelson Hotel refunds lucky couple the full cost of their wedding day

Published

4 hours ago

December 24, 2024

Tom Sinclair

WHAT an amazing Christmas present!

In an extraordinary gesture of generosity, the Lord Nelson Hotel delighted one lucky couple by refunding the full cost of their 2024 wedding. Abby and Simon Hooper, who tied the knot at the historic venue on August 3, were thrilled to learn they were the winners of this year’s giveaway.

The initiative was part of a special promotion open to all couples who celebrated their weddings at the Lord Nelson in 2024. The winners were selected through a random draw using a fair generator system, with the Hoopers emerging as the fortunate recipients.

The hotel has announced plans to continue the tradition in 2025, offering next year’s couples the same opportunity to win their wedding costs back.

A spokesperson for the Lord Nelson Hotel said: “If you’re planning to get married in 2025, it’s not too late to book with us and secure your spot in next year’s draw.

“We are thrilled to celebrate love and create moments to cherish, and this is just one of the ways we give back to our incredible couples.”

Known for its elegant venue spaces and exceptional wedding team, the Lord Nelson Hotel remains a top choice for couples seeking a perfect wedding day. This annual giveaway further cements their commitment to delivering unforgettable experiences.

Abby and Simon Hooper shared their gratitude after their special day: “From start to finish, the team at the Lord Nelson Hotel was incredibly helpful, and nothing was too much to ask.

“The day went smoothly, the food was fantastic, and the staff were polite, hardworking, and attentive. Mia and Jenna, in particular, stood out for their thoughtfulness and attention to detail.

“We couldn’t have asked for a better experience.”

***What a pleasant surprise: The fantastic news is delivered (Pic: Lord Nelson Hotel)***

***The Lord Nelson Hotel in Milford Haven on carnival day***

Crime

Police hunt driver after dog walker killed in Carmarthenshire hit-and-run

Published

8 hours ago

December 24, 2024

Tom Sinclair

A PEDESTRIAN walking his dog has died after being struck in a hit-and-run collision on a Carmarthenshire road on Monday (December 23).

The incident occurred in Llanpumsaint, near Caer Salem Baptist Chapel, between 6:45pm and 7:45pm.

The road remains closed, and police are urgently appealing for information to locate the driver of a blue vehicle believed to have fled the scene.

A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police said: “We are actively searching for the driver of a blue vehicle with noticeable damage, which was involved in a fatal hit-and-run collision in Llanpumsaint, Carmarthenshire. The driver left the scene, and locating them is now our top priority.

“We are appealing directly to the driver to do the right thing and come forward. Additionally, we urge anyone who may have seen the vehicle or has dashcam footage from the area during the relevant times to contact us immediately.

“This collision, which tragically resulted in the death of a pedestrian, happened near Caer Salem Baptist Chapel between 6:45pm and 7:45pm on Monday, December 23, as the man was walking his dog.

“Our investigation indicates the vehicle was travelling northbound through Llanpumsaint at the time of the incident.”

The road is expected to remain closed for some time while enquiries continue. Police stress that any piece of information, no matter how small, could be crucial in identifying and locating the driver. Anyone with information is urged to contact Dyfed-Powys Police immediately using the details provided in the comments.

News

Pembrokeshire County Council invites public feedback on budget plans

Published

20 hours ago

December 23, 2024

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKESHIRE County Council is calling on residents to share their views on the upcoming budget as it faces significant financial pressures.

The consultation, open until January 5, aims to identify which services are most valued by the community and where savings could be made.

An update on the provisional funding settlement from the Welsh Government was presented to the full council last week. Councillor Joshua Beynon, Cabinet Member for Finance and Efficiencies, noted that while the 3.6% increase—equating to an additional £8.1 million—was more favourable than expected, it still leaves a funding gap of approximately £28.1 million.

Councillor Beynon said: “Difficult decisions lie ahead despite the improved settlement. We need to prioritise services that matter most to our residents.”

Detailed reports on the settlement’s impact and the projected funding shortfall will be discussed by the cabinet and scrutiny committees early next year, before being presented to the full council in February.

Residents can have their say by completing an online response form available on the council’s website. A budget modelling tool is also provided for public use.

Paper copies of the response form can be requested by calling 01437 764551 or emailing [email protected].

All responses must be submitted by January 5.