News

Dock’s councillors unite against tanker park plan

Published

3 years ago

August 11, 2021

AN IMPASSIONED personal address by Pembroke Dock Central councillor Paul Dowson helped sway Planning Committee members away from backing the creation of a tanker park on Criterion Way, Pembroke Dock.

Councillor Dowson put aside recent controversies to make a cogent and compelling case for rejecting the application, which was supported by the Council’s Planning Department.

Paul Dowson drew attention to the proposed tanker park’s location near a local picnic area and the likely effect of increased traffic to and from the site on Pembroke Dock’s creaking and congested roads.

He observed that the County Council had an unfortunate track record of dumping developments nowhere else in Pembrokeshire wanted onto Pembroke Dock.

Near a local picnic area: Cllr Dowson is against the proposal (Pic BBC News)

He went on to suggest that if there was a development that would create a smell or a public nuisance, it usually ended up in the Town.

Referring jokily to a remark made earlier by Cllr Mark Carter, he suggested that the site’s development would be like storing explosives to break into cashpoints near the town centre.

He found backing from his fellow Pembroke Dock county councillors, Brian Hall and Tony Wilcox.

Speaking with the benefit of forty years in the garage business, Cllr Hall pointed out the proposed tanker park’s closeness to a massive fuel tank at the nearby Asda petrol station, a large tyre business immediate adjacent to the location, a garage nearby, and two supermarkets within fifty yards of it.

Brian Hall said the risk of catastrophic damage to the area in the event of a fire was such that he could not support the proposal.

He insisted that only someone unfamiliar with Pembroke Dock and its huge traffic problems could possibly think locating the site on Criterion Way was a good idea.

As it was impossible for those councillors on the Committee from rural wards, he said that the Committee should come and see the location for itself and assess its suitability for the development proposed.

He also said there was an alternative location, on land already owned by the Port Authority, outside the town at Kingswood.

Cllr Tony Wilcox remarked that he had heard enough to justify rejecting the application without a site visit.

He pointed out that there was more risk from empty tankers full of fumes than there was from full tankers; a provision that formed a key part of the proposals.

He added that on a still day in Pembroke Dock, the smell of nearby refineries and industrial activity pervaded the town.

Cllr George Manning of Pembroke Dock Town Council said the Town’s own Planning Committee was unanimously opposed to the development.

He said that Pembroke Dock’s roads were already struggling to cope with traffic to and from the Port and that, with developments planned for the Royal Dockyard, that traffic would only increase.

There was, Cllr Manning said, a risk of loss of an existing amenity, saying that nobody would choose to go for a stroll or a picnic so near to a truck park.

There would be no economic benefit to the Town. He reminded members that the land nearby was earmarked for leisure and housing development, including the much talked about marina project.
Under questioning from Cllr Mark Carter, the developer’s agent confirmed that the development would create no new jobs for Pembroke Dock.

He added, however, that the scheme would reduce the transit time for deliveries and the number of miles tankers travelled.

Responding to the councillors’ concerns regarding safety, Head of Planning David Popplewell said that potential safety concerns were not a matter for the Planning Committee.

Those issues, he said, were separate considerations with a different set of statutory considerations by other agencies.
Councillors noted that the proposed development also took place in a Conservation Area and questioned the absence of an NRW report on its environmental impact.

David Popplewell explained that no NRW report had been received by the local authority and that there was no indication of when it might arrive.

Councillors remarked that it seemed odd to recommend the scheme’s approval absent an environmental assessment.
Mr Popplewell said that if responsibility for final approval was delegated to officers, the NRW report would be considered at that stage.

He added that even if Planning Committee members were minded to reject the application, the NRW report would still need to come back before them before they reached a final decision.

Committee members decided to go on a site visit to the area before their next meeting in September, at which point they expected the NRW report to be available.

Crime

Man jailed for Pembroke Dock cannabis farm involvement

Published

21 mins ago

November 15, 2024

Madeline Knox

AN ALBANIAN man, Armando Beti, 37, was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison at Swansea Crown Court on Friday (Nov 15) for his role in producing class B drugs.

Beti, who has prior convictions in 2022 and 2023, was arrested on October 3, 2024, at 10:00am after police found him hiding in a neighbouring building’s attic. The arrest followed a raid on the former Woolworths building on Dimond Street, Pembroke Dock, where officers discovered three rooms containing 594 cannabis plants. The crop was described as part of a wholesale operation, with an estimated street value of between £64,000 and £196,000, depending on yield.

Using an aerial drone, police tracked Beti as he attempted to escape by crossing two rooftops. He pleaded guilty immediately after his capture, claiming the cannabis farm was already operational when he arrived 10 days earlier. Beti described himself as merely the gardener, tasked with watering the plants, and alleged he was coerced into the role by individuals he met at an immigration detention centre to repay a debt.

Beti’s defence counsel stated: “He is under no illusion regarding the seriousness of his offending. He is eager to start his prison sentence so he can ultimately reunite with his wife in Albania.”

However, Judge Geraint Walters rejected Beti’s claims, citing a pattern of similar excuses in previous cases. The judge noted that Beti had been convicted in Cardiff in 2022 for cultivating over 600 cannabis plants, during which he also claimed to be a coerced gardener with little knowledge of the operation.

In delivering the sentence, Judge Walters said: “People like you need to understand that judges are not completely naive. We know what is going on. We are well aware of the activities of criminal Albanian gangs in this country, as are you.”

Police believe the operation uncovered in Pembroke Dock is linked to a wider network of organised crime targeting rural locations for cannabis cultivation.

Community

Pembs Agricultural Society’s Christmas Fair expands to an all-weekend event

Published

4 hours ago

November 15, 2024

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKESHIRE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY’S Christmas Fair will be an all-weekend event next month. The Christmas shopping extravaganza is all set to take place on Saturday, 14 December as well as Sunday, 15 December.

The Parkhouse building on the Haverfordwest Showground will be transformed into a Christmas paradise. There will be even more stalls this year with a wide variety of quality local businesses exhibiting as well as festive music, Santa in his Grotto and an outdoor food court.

Judith Roach and Emma Thomas, the event organisers, said, “We are excited to be able to announce that our Christmas Fair will be on for two days rather than just one this year. We continue to build on the success of last year’s event with twice the opportunities to attend and even more stallholders. It will be the perfect start to the festive season as the Parkhouse Building will be transformed into a one-stop-shop for those preparing for Christmas.”

The Fair will be open from 10am until 4pm and admission is free. Visitors will find unique gifts, handmade decorations, art and beautiful homeware. Some of the county’s very best food and drink producers will also have stalls to give visitors the opportunity to stock up on all their festive treats. From decadent chocolate brownies, fudge, festive spirits to Welsh cheeses, there’s something to tantalise everyone’s tastebuds. There will also be a range of outlets for ‘on the go’ eating and drinking.

One special guest at the event will be everyone’s favourite bearded gentleman in red – Santa will be taking time out from his busy schedule to attend the event. There will be a charge of £3 per child to visit Santa and all proceeds will go directly to Sandy Bear charity to support their work. Each child will receive a small gift from Santa as part of their visit. Parents can book in advance via the website: www.sandybear.co.uk/santa

Adam Thorne, Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society’s President is looking forward to the festive event. He said, “The Society would like to thank Judith and Emma for all the hours they have put in, voluntarily, to organise the two-day Christmas event. We’re delighted to be able to offer visitors the opportunity to do all their Christmas shopping whilst enjoying the festive atmosphere.”

Follow Pembrokeshire County Show’s Christmas Fair event page on Facebook for a full list of stallholders in the run up to the event.

Community

Officials announced for 2026 Eisteddfod in Pembrokeshire

Published

15 hours ago

November 14, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE NATIONAL EISTEDDFOD returns to Pembrokeshire in 2026, and organisers have named the officials who will steer this major cultural event over the next year and a half.

With the artistic and local committees already established, meetings to finalise competitions and adjudicators are underway to ensure the List of Competitions is ready by spring. Committee members have also been voting over the past weeks to elect key officials for the Executive Committee.

John Davies, former leader of Pembrokeshire County Council, has been appointed Chair of the Executive Committee. Known for his deep connection to Pembrokeshire and extensive experience with national organisations, Davies aims to make the Eisteddfod a true community event, welcoming involvement from all corners of the region.

Tegryn Jones, Chief Executive of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, takes on the role of Deputy Chair (Strategy). With a strong passion for Welsh culture and language, Jones brings a wealth of experience working with local communities, visitors, and volunteers across three counties.

Deputy Chair (Culture) is Carys Ifan, Director of Canolfan Egin and a seasoned cultural organiser. Based in Llangrannog and originally from Llandudoch, Ifan has led numerous artistic and community projects across the region.

Cris Tomos, a community development veteran with over 30 years of experience, will lead the 2026 Eisteddfod Local Fund. Working with PLANED, a community development charity, Tomos has supported countless community enterprises and co-operatives in Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion, and Carmarthenshire.

Non Davies, recently elected as Executive Committee Secretary, brings extensive cultural management expertise as Ceredigion County Council’s Corporate Manager for Culture. Having chaired the Cardigan Local Fund Committee for the 2022 Ceredigion Eisteddfod, Davies is well-versed in managing cultural projects.

National Eisteddfod Chief Executive, Betsan Moses, said: “We’re looking forward to working with John and the team over the next few months as we prepare for the 2026 Eisteddfod.

“There’s almost a quarter of a century since the Eisteddfod was last held in Pembrokeshire, and we’re very much looking forward to returning to the area. 2026 is an important year for us as we celebrate 850 years since the first Eisteddfod was held in Cardigan Castle in 1176.

“We’re looking forward to working in a new way within a catchment area which includes parts of another two counties, which is, of course, a chance to work with local people in Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire again.”

Further announcements are expected in the coming weeks, including the sale of competition prizes and opportunities to donate the Crown and the Chair.

The National Eisteddfod will be held in Llantood from August 1–8, 2026.