News

Merlins Bridge: Care home application sent to Committee

Published

8 years ago

March 5, 2018

A PLANNING application for the change of use of two dwellings to a care home in Merlins Bridge has been sent to the Planning Committee to be determined.

The application had been listed under the scheme of delegation for officers to determine but a request from Merlins Bridge Cllr John Cole to have it sent to the Planning Committee was supported.

The Council’s Planning Delegation Panel met today (Mar 5) to discuss whether or not the application should be moved.

Officers were of the opinion that none of the criteria had been met for the application to be sent to the Committee.

However, Panel members said they were ‘amazed’ and ‘surprised’ that this had not automatically been sent to the Committee because of the ‘considerable change of use’.

In his submission Cllr Cole highlighted that there were a number of concerns relating to traffic on St Issells Avenue, where the application would be located, street lighting and concerns about security.

Cllr Cole also felt that the application would benefit from a public examination of the merits because of its proximity to St Mark’s VA Primary School.

It was also highlighted that the authority had received a petition with 29 signatures, all of whom are concerned about the development.

Cllr Reg Owens said: “A lot of the issues that Cllr Cole has brought before us are matters that should be considered by the Planning Committee. We only have to decide whether or not this should go before the committee.

“I am surprised due to the considerable change of use, an important change of use, that it has been allowed to be delegated.

“I am surprised that it wasn’t automatically sent before the Planning Committee. The magnitude of this change of use warrants it going before the Committee.”

Cllr Tom Tudor highlighted that when he had a similar application in his ward, there was widespread concern about that application and a public meeting was held before it went to the Committee.

Cllr Steve Yelland added: “I am amazed that something of this scale has been brought before the Delegation Panel and not straight to the Planning Committee, I find that really strange.”

Cllr Cole said there had been no public meeting yet and added he was hopeful it would be sent to the Committee so that members of the public would be allowed to have their say on the application.

Cllr Tudor moved that the application be sent to the Committee saying: “I think it would right and proper that this be referred to the Planning Committee so that they can discuss all the issues of concerns and come to a proper and right decision.”

That was seconded by Cllr Owens who added that the issues raised should ‘only be dealt with by the Planning Committee’.

The proposal was supported by a clear majority with the next meeting of the Planning Committee scheduled for Tuesday, March 13.

Crime

Jury told to continue deliberations in historic child sex abuse trial

Published

41 minutes ago

December 18, 2025

Rieve Nesbitt-Marr

Judge says majority verdict may be accepted after jurors report deadlock at Swansea Crown Court

A JURY has been told to continue its deliberations in the trial of a Milford Haven man accused of historic child sex offences after indicating it could not reach a unanimous verdict.

Thomas Kirk, aged 50, of Meyler Crescent, Milford Haven, is on trial at Swansea Crown Court accused of oral rape and sexual assault of a child. The offences are alleged to have taken place in Pembrokeshire between 2007 and 2009, when the complainant was aged between thirteen and fifteen.

At midday on Wednesday (Dec 18), the jury returned to court to say they were unable to reach a verdict on which all jurors agreed.

Judge Paul Thomas KC told the jury that while he would be prepared to accept a majority verdict if at least ten jurors were in agreement, he still wanted them to continue deliberations in an effort to reach a unanimous decision.

The jury was then sent back out to continue considering its verdict.

The trial continues.

Crime

Police appeal to locate 69-year-old man wanted in harassment investigation

Published

1 hour ago

December 18, 2025

Tom Sinclair

DYFED-POWYS POLICE are appealing for information to help locate a man from the Ammanford area who is wanted in connection with a harassment offence.

Alan Tait, aged 69, is being sought by officers as part of an ongoing investigation.

Police believe he may currently be in the Derbyshire area, but say he also has links to South Wales and Gwent.

Anyone with information that could assist officers in locating him is urged to contact Dyfed-Powys Police.

Charity

Bluestone Foundation marks year of impact with more than £60,000 for local causes

Published

1 hour ago

December 18, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THE BLUESTONE FOUNDATION, the charitable arm of Bluestone National Park Resort, has marked a significant year of community investment after raising and distributing more than £60,000 to support projects across Pembrokeshire in 2025.

Run in partnership with the Pembrokeshire Association for Voluntary Services (PAVS), the Foundation has continued to expand its reach, backing a wide range of charities and community organisations working at the heart of the county.

During the year, the Foundation’s Community Fund delivered three rounds of grants, supporting projects focused on wellbeing, inclusion, creativity, and environmental protection.

Environmental organisations including BlueGreen Cymru, Greener Growth CIC and Sea Trust Wales received funding, alongside wellbeing and inclusion groups such as ASD Family Help, Get the Boys a Lift, No Shame Foundation and Silbers CIC.

Creative, youth and heritage organisations including Little Grebe Creative CIC, Pater Hall Community Trust, Milford Haven Community Society, Urdd Gobaith Cymru and VC Gallery also benefited.

In total, £32,968.57 was awarded through the Community Fund in 2025.

Fundraising events held at the Blue Lagoon Water Park generated a further £19,500 in unrestricted income. Under the Foundation’s funding model, 75 per cent of that money is passed directly to charities, with the remaining 25 per cent placed into a flexible fund to support causes that fall outside the Community Fund’s criteria.

Flexible funding totalling £4,500 was used this year to support initiatives including Sport Pembrokeshire’s Fit and Fed project, refurbishment work at Martletwy Young Farmers Club hall, Bloomfield Bus and Green Dragon Bus services, and Nacro’s Christmas appeal, providing food, warm clothing and essential items to people in crisis.

The Foundation also supported the PATCH Christmas Toy Appeal, encouraging staff and visitors at Bluestone to donate gifts for families referred to the charity during the festive period.

In addition, more than one hundred fundraising events across the region were supported through prize donations from the Foundation, including over 200 family passes to the Blue Lagoon Water Park, 32 overnight spa breaks and nine Bluestone holiday breaks.

Marten Lewis, Chair of the Bluestone Foundation said: “This year’s achievements reflect the heart of who we are at Bluestone. The Foundation exists to uplift the people and places that make Pembrokeshire such a special community.

“The impact of our partners, grant recipients and fundraising efforts in 2025 shows what is possible when we work together, and we are proud to see the difference it continues to make across the county.”

Looking ahead to 2026, the Foundation has confirmed continued support for Sport Pembrokeshire’s Fit and Fed project and will act as gold sponsor of the DPJ Foundation’s Macchu Picchu trek.

Five further Blue Lagoon fundraising events are already scheduled between February and August, supporting Local Cadets, Belles Story, Martletwy YFC Hall, Blue Horizons Coastal Adventure and Friends of Portfield School.

Tickets for those events are available via the Bluestone Foundation’s Eventbrite page.

For more information about the Bluestone Foundation, visit the Bluestone website.