News

Residents furious at wind turbine ruling

Published

11 years ago

March 28, 2014

A JUDICIAL REVIEW challenge against a decision by Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee to grant permission for two wind turbines to be built at Princes Gate has been lost by campaigners.

Objectors mounted the legal challenge last year on two grounds.

They claimed that the officer’s report to the committee was flawed as it did not find the proposal contrary to the Local Development Plan. They also claimed that the Environmental Impact Assessment Screening Opinion was defective.

However, at the High Court in Cardiff last week, Judge Hickinbottom backed the Council’s handling of the application. Dismissing the first ground Judge Hickinbottom noted that in assessing the potential impact on the historic environment, the Committee report had been prepared with “patent care” and that it weighed and balanced the competing policies within the Plan.

He also dismissed the second ground.

In refusing the claim, the Judge made an order of costs in favour of the Council and refused the claimants leave to appeal. Princes Gate Spring Water applied for permission to build two 800kw wind turbines at Middleton Top near Ludchurch.

The Planning Committee agreed to the development in May last year on the basis that the benefits in terms of the contribution to the generation of renewable energy outweighed any adverse impacts. Local residents now say they are devastated to lose their long and costly battle. They say that homes only 400m from the site will have direct views of the turbines from their living rooms, bedrooms and amenity areas.

One campaigner told The Herald: “Residents” amenity is so severely compromised that at least one house will have wind turbines from this and other sites in view from every window and every aspect of the house and garden.”

“The turbines will dominate residents’ lives. Residents had previously supported Princes Gate Spring Water and their investment in renewable energy and requested that they locate their turbines on ground they own, adjacent to their water bottling plant.”

“The only response from the planners was to pretend that residents wanted the turbines in the factory car park.”

Dave and Isabel Scourfield, of the Belle Vue Equestrian Centre, say they are devastated. They have already seen their specialist equestrian insurance withdrawn when the insurers saw how close the turbines would be to their horses. They have tried to habituate their highly strung competition horses to wind turbines but failed, leaving their horses disturbed and frightened and their riders in danger. Horses from this small centre have previously enjoyed national and international success. As the turbines will overlook their entire holding, and are located only 200m from fields in which they break in and train them, their business is now in jeopardy.

Local campaigner Mary Sinclair said: “The developers themselves highlighted the extent of the shadow impact from the blades on Belle Vue fields and explained the special problems that moving shadows on the ground cause to horses. Yet the Planning Authority has set no condition to protect the Centre, nor was any background noise monitoring undertaken there, nor at any other home directly affected by the development.”

She added: “Councillor Tony Brinsden, when addressing the planning committee told councillors bluntly, before the Council’s Legal Officer ordered him to stop, that he ‘did not think it was the job of Pembrokeshire County Council planning department to wipe out people’s businesses’. But apparently, if in doing so it promotes someone else’s business, it is.”

Charity

Letterston dog show raises over £750 for local charities

Published

3 hours ago

December 25, 2024

Tom Sinclair

ON SUNDAY (Dec 22), Letterston Ring Craft successfully raised £755.55 for two Pembrokeshire-based charities during a fun dog show event. The funds were equally split between South Pembrokeshire Cat Rescue and Letterston Memorial Hall.

The event featured a variety of well-attended classes, including child handling and fancy dress, drawing participation from dog enthusiasts of all levels.

This fundraiser marked the first charitable event supporting South Pembrokeshire Cat Rescue. Founded and managed by Lizzy Austwick, the rescue organisation aids unwanted, feral, and sick cats across Pembrokeshire and responds to urgent cases in Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion. The rescue provides neutering support for stray and feral cats, directs owners to available resources, and specialises in helping stray cats with severe injuries, raising essential funds for their care.

For assistance, Lizzy can be contacted via the rescue’s Facebook page or at 07575 131443.

Letterston Ring Craft welcomes new members interested in training and showing their dogs, from local companion shows to prestigious events like Crufts. The club meets every other Sunday in Letterston, and further details can be found on their Facebook page.

Looking ahead, the next fun dog show is scheduled for early next year and will support Belle’s Story Charity. For more information or to get involved, contact Gentle Lowe at 07956 653401.

Charity

£3,800 donated to services across Withybush Hospital

Published

5 hours ago

December 25, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE CAMROSE VINTAGE WORKING DAY team has donated £3,800 to services across Withybush Hospital.

Their 37^th annual event raised a record breaking £25,000, which has now been distributed among 26 local charities.

They donated the funds to the Stroke Ward, Specialist Respiratory Team, Chemo Day Unit and Heads Up! Hair Loss Initiative at Withybush Hospital. Each service received £950.

The Heads Up! initiative provides a person-centred, holistic hair loss service for cancer patients. It brings together healthcare and haircare professionals from local communities to give patients the knowledge and products needed to manage their hair loss with dignity and choice.

Katie Hancock, Fundraising Officer, said: “Thank you to Andrew, the team and the supporters of the Camrose Vintage Working Day for your generosity once again. Your donation to each service is amazing and will make a big difference. We are hugely grateful for your wonderful support.

“The support of our local communities enables us to provide services over and above what the NHS can provide in the three counties of Hywel Dda and we are extremely grateful for every donation we receive.”

Pictured above: Andrew James, Chairman of Camrose Vintage Working Day with Withybush Hospital staff from the Stroke Ward, Specialist Respiratory Team, Chemo Day Unit, Heads Up! Hair Loss initiative.

Community

Neyland Community Christmas Lunch a festive success

Published

5 hours ago

December 25, 2024

Tom Sinclair

NEYLAND TOWN COUNCIL rolled up their sleeves to support this year’s Community Christmas Lunch, spreading festive cheer and warm hospitality to attendees on Christmas Day at the Alumchine.

Councillors Steve Campodonic, David Devauden, Steve Thomas, and Brian Rothero began their efforts as early as 7:30am, working tirelessly to ensure the event ran smoothly.

The dedicated organisers, including Trish Campodonic, Pam, and Lloyd Hamilton, along with other volunteers, created a welcoming space filled with festive spirit and a delicious meal with all the trimmings.

The event brought together members of the community who might otherwise have spent the day alone, highlighting the warmth and generosity that Neyland is known for.

A heartfelt ‘Well done’ to everyone involved for making this Christmas lunch a resounding success and spreading joy to so many.