News

Substation built without planning

Published

12 years ago

March 31, 2014

Residents concern about solar farm development

LOCAL residents in Lower Thornton, Milford Haven, have expressed concerns about a solar power development that will engulf three farms and may have an adverse effect on the health of those closely situated to it.

Speaking with The Herald, local campaigner Lynne Hughes described the situation: “We knew of the development, but this was supposed to be located some way further down the field facing my home. However, six weeks ago we saw the company, Good Energy Generation Ltd, had started to build the electricity sub-station a hundred metres from our house. We understand this was because they were originally too close to the Murco pipeline.”

She went on to question whether or not the energy company had planning permission for this move.

“I spoke to planning officer Simon Hughes who said he didn’t know anything about it. He advised us he would take pictures and refer it back to his office and overseeing case officer Mike Simmonds.

“Eventually, after sending them two emails, they came back to me advising that they had applied for planning permission and we, the residents, had until the April 3 to contest this. This gave us just four weeks which we question. Is this a long enough period and, indeed, as this is surely an industrial project, should we not be entitled to a longer period of consultation before planning permission is granted?”

Lynne Hughes said she was surprised that on the original planning application a question asking whether local residents had been contacted or not had been ticked ‘No’ by Good Energy and that “they appear to have just gone ahead and built it anyway”.

She told The Herald that a petition signed by over a hundred residents that was handed in to a council planning meeting was ‘just ignored’.

Asked what her concerns over this development were, she said:

“The question to the council is are they aware of the potential health risks posed by this development?”

In response to these concerns, Pembrokeshire County Council responded: “The application by Good Energy Rose Cottage for a Solar Photovoltaic Farm on land at Rose Cottage Farm, Woodson Farm and Tierson Farm at Tiers Cross, was approved by the Planning and Rights of Way Committee on October 1, 2013, and included the building of an electrical sub-station.

“However, although they had been consulted prior to the application being considered and raised no objections, Murco subsequently voiced concerns that the sub-station was within 10 metres of a pipeline. As a result, Good Energy submitted an application on February 18 to re-site the sub-station a further 120 metres from the pipeline. That application is currently being considered. If work has begun on constructing the sub-station prior to the issuing of planning permission, then that is at the developer’s own risk”.

Scientific surveys have suggested that solar power can pose certain health risks to people with special disabilities, including adverse effects on children with ADHD. Mrs Hughes pointed out that she has family that could be directly affected by this.

A meeting has been arranged for all residents to have their say on the matter next Wednesday, March 26, at the Christian Fellowship Church in Milford Haven.

Charity

Donation gives Stackpole Quay book trailer fresh new look

Published

9 hours ago

February 9, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A COMMUNITY donation will help spruce up a popular summer book trailer at Stackpole Quay after members of the Pembrokeshire National Trust Association handed over more than one thousand pounds to support the project.

The Pembrokeshire National Trust Association presented a cheque for £1,095 to the National Trust at Stackpole Quay this weekend.

The cheque was formally given to Rhian Sula, General Manager for the charity’s Pembrokeshire and Carmarthen Bay portfolio, by association chairman Jane Mason during a National Trust information coffee morning at the Stackpole Centre.

The money will be used to refurbish the well-known second-hand book trailer which operates at the quay during the summer months. The trailer allows visitors to pick up a holiday read while making a donation, with proceeds supporting local conservation and access projects.

Last year alone, the trailer raised more than £1,500.

Jane Mason said the association had originally funded the purchase of the trailer several years ago and wanted to build on its success.

“Our new donation from members’ support will improve the trailer with updated imagery and design,” she said. “This will help the National Trust present a more professional, welcoming and brand-aligned offer, and potentially grow donation income.”

The Pembrokeshire National Trust Association runs a programme of talks, visits and guided walks in support of local Trust properties. Membership of the National Trust is not required to join the association. Annual membership costs £5 for individuals and £8 for couples.

At its AGM in November, the group announced £3,000 in additional donations for local projects, including replacement willow hurdles at Tudor Merchants House, footpath improvements at Little Milford, and a new bench, tree planting and path works at Southwood.

With the latest contribution towards the book trailer, the association’s donations for the current financial year now exceed £4,000.

Photo caption:

Jane Mason presents a cheque for £1,095 to Rhian Sula at Stackpole Centre (Pic: supplied).

Crime

OAP admits stalking woman with emails, posters and letters

Published

9 hours ago

February 9, 2026

Court Reporter

A HAVERFORDWEST man has admitted stalking a woman by sending repeated unwanted emails, putting up posters and contacting third parties about her.

Michael Lockheart, aged 80, of Daisy Lane, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Feb 9) for sentencing, having previously pleaded guilty to stalking.

The court heard that between July 27 and September 10 last year, Lockheart pursued a course of conduct which amounted to the stalking and harassment against a female.

His behaviour included sending numerous unwanted emails after being told to stop contact, distributing defamatory posters in public places, and sending malicious correspondence to her GP and the local authority.

Lockheart admitted the offence, contrary to Section 2A of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.

Sentencing was adjourned to allow a pre-sentence report to be prepared.

He was granted conditional bail with strict restrictions. He must not contact the complainant directly or indirectly, including through third parties or social media, and must not enter any address where she lives.

Lockheart is due back before magistrates for sentence at 10:00am on Monday, March 9.

Crime

Pensioner back in court over persistent nuisance calls

Published

9 hours ago

February 9, 2026

Court Reporter

A TEMPLETON pensioner has appeared before magistrates again after admitting repeatedly using the phone network to cause distress and inconvenience.

Ann Gateley, aged 79, of Chapel Hill Lane, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Feb 9) for sentencing, having already pleaded guilty to a communications offence.

The court heard that between November 24 and November 26 last year, at Templeton near Narberth, Gateley persistently made use of a public electronic communications network for the purpose of causing annoyance, inconvenience or needless anxiety to another person.

She admitted the offence, contrary to Section 127 of the Communications Act 2003.

Magistrates adjourned sentencing to a later date and granted conditional bail.