News

National park visits proposed solar hamlet

Published

12 years ago

June 23, 2014

AT A RECENT meeting of the Development Management Committee of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park a decision was taken to visit a site for a proposed Solar Hamlet.

The application comprises of two detached and four semi-detached Ty Solar type houses. The proposed location for the site to the north of the county is on land adjacent to Glanrhyd House in Glanrhyd near Nevern. Pembrokeshire based Western Solar Ltd have announced their intention to build Wales first Solar Hamlet at Glanrhyd based on their award winning Ty Solar zero energy home. The homes are exclusively for local people to the north Pembrokeshire area. A development application has been lodged by Western Solar Ltd with Pembrokeshire National Parks for consideration to convert the former garage at Glanrhyd to erect six homes. The houses will be manufactured at Brynawelon Farm near Croft by a newly established eco factory that intends to meet, what it hopes will be, growing demand for zero energy housing. The prototype, which stands at Rhosygilwen, was visited by the First Minister Carwyn Jones last year and the company has since been engaged in gearing up its production facilities and finding a suitable site for what will be a showcase for rural contemporary sustainable living in the 21st century. Occupants of the Ty Solar home will be offered an attractive package of free services to address many of the problems of rising energy costs and transport and communications. In addition to free energy, the new super broadband and sewage, residents will be offered low energy kitchen appliances and a subsidised electric car sharing scheme to slash the cost of short distance commuting to nearby Cardigan and Newport. The south facing homes all enjoy passive solar gain and their triple glazed windows and 11 insulated walls give them a top A energy rating which few new houses enjoy in the area. The integrated solar PV roofs will provide more than enough all year round energy to meet domestic demand. The homes are constructed with timber sourced from Wales and the surrounding national parks and supported by a strong network of local suppliers. Western Solar will create 10 jobs before the end of the year with at least half of them being apprentices. Further job creation will result with third party suppliers such as Thomas Joinery in Bynberian who intend to supply the company with its highly specified windows and doors. John Thomas of Thomas Joinery said: “We’re looking forward to the start of the construction of these units as it will allow for our continued growth and expansion. It is great that we have this exciting new venture on our doorstep. Dr Glen Peters, CEO of Western Solar said: “We’re hoping to demonstrate that affordable housing can be supportive of the environment and provide a much needed social benefit in the way of homes for local people who are being driven out of the area because of a lack of suitable dwellings. Further details regarding availability of the units will be published towards the end of this year subject to the scheme being approved by Pembrokeshire National Parks in June. Caption: The planned Solar Hamlet at Glanrhyd.

Crime

Man sentenced for stalking Milford Haven woman

Published

3 hours ago

March 15, 2026

Court Reporter

Restraining order imposed by Haverfordwest magistrates

A MAN has been sentenced after admitting stalking a woman in Milford Haven.

Andrew Richards, 39, of High Street, Neyland, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court for sentence on Monday (Mar 9).

Richards had previously pleaded guilty to stalking without fear, alarm or distress, contrary to section 2A(1) and (4) of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.

The court heard that between December 2, 2025 and February 15, 2026, he pursued a course of conduct which amounted to the stalking of Tamsin Matthias and which he knew, or ought to have known, amounted to harassment.

Magistrates imposed a community order running until September 8, 2027.

As part of the order, Richards must undertake alcohol treatment for nine months under the direction of the probation service.

He must also complete up to twenty days of rehabilitation activity as directed by probation.

Richards was ordered to pay a £120 fine, £500 compensation to the victim, £85 prosecution costs and a £114 surcharge.

The court made a restraining order lasting until September 8, 2027.

Under the order, Richards must not contact the victim directly or indirectly and must not post, or cause to be posted, any material on social media or the internet referring to her directly or indirectly.

The court heard a victim personal statement from the complainant, which was read to the court by the prosecutor.

The case was prosecuted by Dennis Davies, with Richards represented by Mike Kelleher.

The hearing was before magistrates Mrs J Morris, Mr C Pattison and Mr J Steadman.

Crime

Man, 80, sentenced for stalking after campaign of unwanted emails and posters

Published

3 hours ago

March 15, 2026

Court Reporter

Restraining order imposed after Haverfordwest case

A MAN has been sentenced for stalking after admitting a campaign of unwanted contact and harassment in Haverfordwest.

Michael Lockheart, 80, of Daisy Lane, Haverfordwest, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court for sentence on Monday (Mar 9).

The court had previously heard that between July 27 and September 10, 2025, Lockheart pursued a course of conduct which amounted to stalking.

The offence involved sending numerous unwanted emails after being told to stop making contact, putting up defamatory posters in public places, and sending malicious correspondence to the complainant’s GP and local authority.

Lockheart had entered a guilty plea to stalking without fear, alarm or distress, contrary to section 2A(1) and (4) of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997, on January 27, 2026.

Magistrates imposed a community order running until March 8, 2028.

As part of that order, Lockheart must undergo non-residential mental health treatment for 12 months under Dr Cormac Duffy, as directed by probation.

He must also complete up to 25 days of rehabilitation activity.

Lockheart was ordered to pay £1,000 compensation, a £600 fine, £85 costs and a £114 surcharge.

The court also made a restraining order lasting until March 8, 2028.

Under that order, he must not seek, approach or communicate with the complainant by any means, directly or indirectly. He must not knowingly enter any address where she is living, and must not post, or cause to be posted, any material online or on social media referring to her directly or by implication.

A victim personal statement was read to the court by the prosecutor.