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£8 million investment for Tenby schools

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8 millionEDUCATION CHIEFS at County Hall are celebrating following news that their plans for £8.37 million investment into Tenby primary schools have been approved.

The exciting proposals by Pembrokeshire County Council will result in two new schools: a new 3-11 English medium Voluntary Controlled Primary School in a brand new building, to be constructed next to the current Junior school; a new 3-11 Welsh medium Community Primary School on the site of the current Junior school.

The total cost of £8.37 million will be shared between the County Council and the Welsh Government’s 21st Century School programme.

“This is amazing news for Tenby,” said Councillor Ken Rowlands, Cabinet Member for Children and Schools.

“These two new schools will provide children in the area with the very best educational start in life.

“It also demonstrates the investment which County Council is determined to continue to make into the education and future of our young people.”

The proposals were approved by Huw Lewis, Minister for Education and Skills, who said: “The establishment of the new schools will promote a high standard of education provision, with purpose-built facilities for 21st century schools.”

His approval follows consultation by the County Council with parents, staff and governors of the Tenby VC Infants School and Tenby Junior Community School in 2012 and the publication of a Statutory Notice in 2013.

The Welsh Government also said the Minister was satisfied the local authority had dealt with the five objections satisfactorily. The new primary schools’ catchment areas will remain the same as the areas currently shared by the present schools. Planning permission will be sought for the new build for the English medium school, which will have capacity for 318 pupils.

The school will have a designated religious character and will maintain the role of the church in the provision of primary education in Tenby. It will have a two-classroom unit for children with Special Educational Needs, a 30-place nursery classroom and 15 places accommodated within a mixed nursery/reception classroom. There will also be provision for an early years’ playgroup. The capacity of the Welsh medium school will be 210 pupils, plus a 30-place nursery classroom, a quiet area and outdoor play facilities.

Major refurbishments took place in 2006, as a result of which all classrooms have direct access to the outside environment. Some remodelling will be required to accommodate the Foundation Phase pupils. The formation of a Welsh medium primary school comes as a result of a growing trend for Welsh medium education in the Tenby area and the strong record of progression to secondary Welsh Medium.

Tenby VC Infant and Tenby Junior Schools both offer a daily breakfast club and a number of lunchtime and after school clubs. It is proposed to continue this in the new schools, and it is anticipated that there will be potential to further develop the ‘wrap around care’ in the Tenby area. The proposals are due to be implemented with effect from August 31 2016.

From that date, pupils attending Tenby VC Infants School or Tenby Junior School will, subject to the expression of parental preference, transfer to either of the new schools.

The proposals are subject to the Council obtaining planning permission for the new or remodelled school buildings by 31st December 2014.

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Community

Rent in Pembrokeshire rises 7% over past year

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NEW figures reveal that private rental costs in Pembrokeshire have climbed by 7% in the past year, with the average monthly rent reaching £625 in October. This is a significant increase from £582 a year earlier and represents a 22% rise over the past five years, where the average rent was estimated at £511.  

The data, collected by Rent Officers Wales as part of the Housing and Regeneration Division, highlights growing pressure on tenants amidst rising costs. The collection aims to cover approximately 15% of the rental market by gathering data from landlords and letting agents.  

Across Wales, the average monthly rent has risen 8% year-on-year to £766. Cardiff recorded the highest rental cost in the country at £1,062 per month, while Powys had the lowest at £556.  

Sarah Coles, head of personal finance at Hargreaves Lansdown, commented on the challenges faced by renters in a press statement sent to The Pembrokeshire Herald. She said: “Getting good news about your rent is about as common as discovering your housemates have washed up for you, or your landlord suggesting you get a dog. For many, the only way out of the endless cycle of rising costs is to buy, but that’s far easier said than done when rents absorb so much of your income.”  

The situation is compounded by a lack of available rental properties. Nathan Emerson, chief executive at Propertymark, explained: “As we continue to see further increases in rental prices across the UK, our members emphasize the lack of rental stock versus an ever-growing number of tenants. Selling up or turning to the short-term letting market has become a more attractive option for landlords due to challenging legislative changes and increased financial liabilities.”  

Breakdown of Rental Costs in Pembrokeshire

The figures show a range of costs depending on property type and size in Pembrokeshire:  

– A one-bedroom property: £462 per month  

– A two-bedroom property: £576 per month  

– A three-bedroom property: £732 per month  

– Homes with four or more bedrooms: £934 per month  

By property type:  

– Detached houses: £768 per month  

– Semi-detached houses: £653 per month  

– Terraced houses: £629 per month  

– Flats or maisonettes: £521 per month  

In October, the average rent for private properties across Great Britain stood at £1,307 per month—up 9% compared to the same period last year. This equates to an increase of £105 per month.  

As landlords adapt to changing regulations and financial pressures, the shortage of rental properties continues to push prices higher, creating further challenges for tenants across Pembrokeshire and beyond.

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Climate

Pembrokeshire group plans for larger community wind turbine

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A NORTH Pembrokeshire group which has raised more than £76,000 from its community wind turbine for local projects is hoping to expand with a bigger turbine.

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, Abergwaun Community Turbine Ltd, through agent Machynlleth-based Dulas Ltd is hoping to get permission for a larger turbine to replace the existing Abergwaun Community Turbine.

The proposed turbine, in a pasture field at Trebover Farm, to the south of Fishguard, would be 67m tall, the existing 2015 one being 45 metres.

In supporting statements, parent company Transition Bro Gwaun said: “The Community Climate Fund (CCF) is the mechanism by which Transition Bro Gwaun (TBG) is fulfilling our ambition of funding projects in Fishguard, Goodwick and across North Pembrokeshire, using income from the community wind turbine.

“The core themes for grants are climate change mitigation and adaptation, enhancement of biodiversity and improvements to community resilience through promotion of community engagement and resource sharing.”

In 2015, TBG raised its 50 per cent share of capital funding for the project by means of loans from 28 local individuals and four community groups, contributing a total of £286,500, the other 50 per cent contributed by landowners Parc-y-Morfa Farms Ltd.

The statement added: “Profit generated by sale of electricity from the turbine is split 50:50 between TBG and Parcy-Morfa Farms Ltd through the jointly owned trading arm, Abergwaun Community Turbine. By the end of 2022, all loans had been repaid, allowing the launch of TBG’s Community Climate Fund.  This year we have awarded our third round of grants bringing the total amount granted to £76,036.”

In 2022, £15,274 was awarded to seven projects, including Fishguard Sports AFC to install solar panels on their clubhouse as part of their Tregroes Park development, Ysgol Bro Gwaun for their Increasing Biodiversity and Bees project, and Nevern Valley Veg / Llysiau Cwm Nyfer to install a solar powered vegetable  irrigation scheme.

In 2023, £39,85 was made available for seven projects, including Sea Trust Wales to part fund the installation of solar panels on the Ocean Lab roof and to produce a display on solar technology, Letterston Memorial Hall to part fund the installation of an air source heat pump heating system, and Fishguard and Goodwick Rugby Club to install solar panels on their clubhouse.

2024 awards of £20,917 were made to six projects, including Theatr Gwaun to insulate their loft to reduce heating loss, Parc Cerrig Growers for developing a rainwater harvesting system with a pond to irrigate their allotments, Caerhys Organic Community Agriculture for an electric cargo bike for delivering organic vegetables in the Fishguard and St Davids areas, and Nevern Valley Veg to develop wildlife ponds and rainwater harvesting for food production.

The supporting documentation concludes: “The repowering of the existing turbine at Trebover would require a limited increase in turbine size which would result in a very limited change in landscape and visual effects in comparison to the existing Trebover turbine.”

The application will be considered by planners at a later date.

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Community

Council warns of icy conditions as temperatures drop

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ROAD users in Pembrokeshire are being urged to exercise caution tonight as temperatures are forecast to dip below freezing.

Pembrokeshire County Council has announced that road surface temperatures could reach as low as -2°C, with the possibility of sleet or snow on higher ground. In response, precautionary salting of the county’s primary routes will be carried out this evening and overnight.

A spokesperson for the council said: “Road users are advised to take care if travelling on untreated roads.”

Motorists are reminded to plan ahead and drive carefully, particularly in areas that may not have been treated.

Stay tuned to The Herald for updates on road conditions and weather warnings.

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