MILFORD HAVEN is set to benefit from a £6 million investment in a major new transport project aimed at transforming the town’s connectivity.

The Welsh Government has announced funding for the Milford Haven Public Transport Interchange as part of a wider £27 million investment in transport infrastructure across South West Wales.

The funding will kickstart construction on the long-anticipated project to redevelop Milford Haven train station, creating a modern transport hub that will include a dedicated bus interchange, taxi rank, improved public realm areas, and new active travel links for pedestrians and cyclists.

The scheme, led by Pembrokeshire County Council, received an additional £1.4 million in capital funding from the local authority earlier this year. It forms part of broader efforts to enhance access to and from the town, supporting both residents and visitors.

Deputy council leader Paul Miller said: “We have been working closely with Welsh Government, Network Rail and the train operating companies for some time now, and I’m delighted we’re in a position to move these proposals forward.

“This project is important in its own right, but it’s also a key enabler for dramatically improving rail connectivity for Milford Haven and Pembrokeshire as a whole.”

The plans include relocating the existing rail platform to improve integration with other forms of transport, a formalised car park, and a new layout connecting the station directly with the nearby retail area.

Mr Miller added: “A new station will do much more than simply improve the station. It will also allow for more frequent services to and from Milford Haven.”

He confirmed that the council is continuing discussions with both the Welsh and UK Governments, as well as Great Western Railways, to restore direct high-speed intercity services to the town.

The new interchange will also link with the Port Authority’s initiatives to improve walking and cycling access to the Milford Haven Dock, supporting tourism and future urban development.

Councillor Rhys Sinnett, cabinet member for residents’ services, said: “If this bid is approved by Welsh Government, it will be fantastic news for Milford Haven and go a long way towards increasing and improving transport connectivity — not just for visitors but, more importantly, for our residents.

“The associated works will enhance safety, improve parking, and provide a much-needed focal point for public transport in the town.”

The project will be delivered by Pembrokeshire County Council.

PLANNERS are to visit a proposed new ‘traveller site’ on the outskirts of a Pembrokeshire village, which has seen a petition of nearly 300 objections, before making any formal decision.

Nearly 300 people have signed a petition against the creation of one traveller site incorporating one static caravan, one touring caravan, day/utility room and ecological enhancements (partly retrospective) on land at Froghall Yard, Moreton Lane, Saundersfoot.

The objection to the site is also being shared by the village’s community council.

Around 50 people attended a recent meeting of the community council when members voted unanimously to object to the application.

The application is made by Dai Evans of Pontypool, through agents Hayston Developments & Planning Ltd.

Saundersfoot Community Council is recommending that the plans are turned down.

Members have pointed out that the site is agricultural land, with no caravan or other use in over 30 years.

There was also concern that the site – where two previous planning applications had been rejected – is overlooked from Incline Way above and cannot be screened,

Members have said granting permission “would be gross overdevelopment setting a precedent for development literally anywhere throughout the national park”.

The community council’s objection finished: “The applicant lives in Pontypool and claims no connection to the area.  There is no rationale as to why the applicant chose a site approximately 100 miles away from their home.”

A supporting statement accompanying the application states: “The applicant belongs to a long-standing Romany Gypsy family and generations have lived a traditional and cultural lifestyle living in caravans all their lives.

“Mr Evans and his partner currently reside on an overcrowded Traveller site in Pontypool where living conditions are poor. They currently only live in rented accommodation and its brick and mortar and not in keeping with their cultural preference, as they prefer to live in a caravan.”

It says Mr Evans and family have stayed in a touring caravan at the site during the summer months since the late 1980s when it was owned by another gypsy family, later purchased by Mr Evans in 2023, clearing and refurbishing the site.

“The application’s aspirations are to continue his Gypsy culture and traditions residing in a caravan on site.”

At the April 9 meeting of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park’s development management committee, members backed a recommendation to agree to a site visit ahead of any formal decision on the scheme, on the grounds of public interest.

The application will now be heard at a future national park meeting.

A CALL to allow a Pembrokeshire seaside village hair salon to be changed to an apartment has been approved, but will not be allowed to be used as a holiday let or second home.

In an application recommended for approval at Pembrokeshire Coast National Park’s development management committee meeting of April 9, Mrs Allsop sought permission for a change of use of a salon to an apartment dwelling at The Old Brewery, Ocean Hair, Brewery Terrace, Saundersfoot.

An officer report for members said: “As the property is located within Saundersfoot’s Retail Centre, the proposal is deemed to be a departure from the Local Development Plan as the C3 residential use is not included within the use classes that would be deemed acceptable within this shopping centre.

“However, given that the property is accessed via an alleyway between two buildings and does not form part of a retail frontage and given the focus from Future Wales on town centres as multi-functional places and which are appropriate locations for new homes, the change of use from Class A1 to Class C3 is considered to be acceptable.

“The property is also located within Saundersfoot’s Conservation Area. It is not considered that the proposal would harm the character or appearance of this Conservation Area. No adverse comments have been received from consultees.”

It was recommended the application be delegated to the Chief Executive, Director of Place and Engagement or to the Development Management Manager to issue consent subject to the receipt of a Unilateral Undertaking Agreement addressing the provision of a commuted sum towards off-site affordable housing.

One of the conditions was the ‘C3’ housing designation.

In October 2022 Welsh Government made changes to the planning legislation and policy to introduce three new use classes, C3 for dwelling houses, C5 for dwelling houses used as second homes, and C6 for the short-term lets.

“These developments are particularly relevant to the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority as a Local Planning Authority,” the report said, adding: “The Authority agreed to introduce consideration of this issue on a case-by-case basis to assess whether, under certain circumstances, to apply a C3 occupancy condition on dwellings.”

Members agreed to back the officer recommendation of delegated conditional approval.