News
New funding for Pembroke regeneration scheme welcomed
PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL has said it is proud to announce the success of its bid to the UK Government Levelling Up Fund for its regeneration project at South Quay in Pembroke.
This £4.1million LUF award will enable the Council to develop phase 2 of the South Quay plans.
“The announcement has given us a welcome opportunity for a progress update on phase 1, and to share our plans for phase 2 of the project,” said Rachel Moxey, Head of Economic Development and Regeneration.
As part of its wider regeneration work across Pembrokeshire, the County Council embarked on an ambitious programme earlier this year to redevelop the historic and prominent South Quay site next to Pembroke Castle.
The work involves the restoration and re-use of three dilapidated Grade II listed buildings on the site, as well as enhancing the surrounding environment and improving access between the town centre, castle and the waterfront.
The first phase of work aims to create a new attraction celebrating the town’s legacy as the birthplace of the Tudor dynasty. The second phase will provide a new community hub for social care, continued education and supported employment. Together, the developments will provide a diverse and sustainable mix of new uses in the town.
Phase 1:
The first phase of works is taking place at numbers 4, 5 and 6 Castle Terrace (the road between Pembroke Castle and the junction to Main Street).
The scheme will provide:
- a new Henry Tudor visitor centre, library and café
- landscaping of the medieval ‘burgage’ gardens to provide tranquil and restful areas in the historic heart of the town
- major improvements to the public realm
“We were under no illusions that this was a very complex scheme, and as is often the case with such projects, a number of challenging issues have arisen as the preparatory works continue,” said Steve Jardine, Regeneration Manager.
Issues have included a roof collapse and clearance of contaminated debris, providing additional support to the existing structure and designing for additional demolition works identified during the enabling stage.
Recent work has included providing a protection system to the vaulted medieval cellars of No.4 Castle Terrace and strengthening the property at basement level, to allow for a safer working area within the front third of the building.
The next stage will attempt to make the building safer, in order to allow further investigation and inspection works to finalise the design of the regeneration scheme. This will include the installation of scaffolding to support the front façade during demolition of some of the walls.
A revised timeline will see the remaining demolition and re-build completed by the end of August next year, followed immediately by the start of the construction of the new heritage centre, café and library, with completion planned for early 2024.
In common with many other schemes taking place at the current time, Brexit and the unforeseen impact of Covid have created time and financial implications for the project. The Council is nonetheless committed to staying on track to deliver on the overall scheme as an essential element of its strategy to breathe new life into Pembrokeshire’s towns.
Phase 1 has benefited from Welsh Government ‘Transforming Towns’ funding and investment from Pembrokeshire County Council.
Cllr Paul Miller, Cabinet Member for Economy, Tourism, Leisure and Culture, said: “Repurposing and transforming our key town centres is one of the core elements of our economic development strategy. We are committed to regenerating the South Quay site into an attractive, sustainable and thriving development, of which Pembroke and Pembrokeshire will be very proud.”
Phase 2:
The second phase of development involves the completion of South Quay’s regeneration scheme and is centred on numbers 7 and 8 Northgate Street. It will provide:
- a community hub over three storeys, including a space for day opportunities , space for digital media, art and heritage craft activities, and learning and skills areas to support independent living for people of all ages
- environmental enhancements, including the restoration of the buildings, a new sunken garden and improvements to the parking area at South Quay
- improved access between the Henry Tudor visitor centre and the waterfront
The development would enable the consolidation of adult social care in South Pembrokeshire, providing a modern, better-integrated, community focussed and more sustainable, inclusive day opportunities model in the heart of the town, and yielding savings to the public sector through the closure of existing, poorer quality facilities.
It will also support employment opportunities, which will be integrated within the operation of the new facility.
Jason Bennett, Head of Adult Social Care, said: “This innovative project is representative of our ambition to modernise social care, by offering inclusive services in the heart of our communities, helping people and families remain connected to their local area.”
Cabinet member for Social Care, Cllr Tessa Hodgson said it was ‘fantastic to see this substantial investment in Pembroke’.
“South Quay is a really innovative scheme designed to benefit all members of the community and is a result of the ambition and drive of Cabinet and the hard work and vision of the regeneration and social care teams at Pembrokeshire County Council,” she said.
Cllr Aaron Carey, County Councillor for Pembroke St Mary South which includes the South Quay site, added: “By introducing an additional offering to the town we can move towards our full potential and offer people, local and visitors alike, reasons to stay in our beautiful town for longer.”
Crime
Motorist jailed over death of popular Tenby taxi driver ‘Mukka’
MOTORIST Mateusz Sikorski, 30, was sentenced to two years and four months in prison at Swansea Crown Court on Friday (Nov 8) for causing death by dangerous driving.
Addressing the court, the judge HH Geraint Walters KC, said: “These cases are amongst the most difficult that courts have to deal with. This wasn’t a momentary crossing onto the other carriageway; you were travelling along there for at least half a mile.”
Sikorski had been staying with friends in Manorbier, Tenby, since June 2024, when the fatal incident occurred.
On September 2, CCTV captured Sikorski driving on the wrong side of the A4139 between Tenby and Penally. Christopher Boyle, 57, was travelling northbound on the same road in his taxi when the two collided head-on.
Prosecutor Dean Pulling recounted Sikorski’s comments at the scene: “I think it may have been my fault, I think I was on the wrong side of the road.” Boyle was pronounced dead at 11:32 pm on September 2, having sustained multiple traumatic injuries.
A heartfelt family statement from Boyle’s sister was read in court, describing the devastating impact of his death: “The loss of Chris has been absolutely devastating. His death has left a profound void that can never be filled.
“He was a son, brother, father, and beloved member of our community. My father has had to endure the unimaginable by burying his own son. For Christopher’s children, they have lost a dad.
“Chris was a much-loved character within the community. His loss has left a hole in the hearts of so many. All of this was caused by a moment of selfish and careless actions, and caused a lifetime of grief.”
In mitigation, James Hartson argued that Sikorski had accepted full responsibility for Boyle’s death and expressed genuine remorse.
Christopher Boyle, affectionately known as “Mukka” was a devoted father, son, brother, partner, and community figure, whose absence is deeply felt by all who knew him.
News
Paul Davies congratulates Pure West Radio on the launch of its DAB service
SENEDD Member Paul Davies has visited Pure West Radio and congratulated them on their expansion to Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB). Listeners of the station can now tune into Pure West Radio on the North Pembrokeshire and South Pembrokeshire DAB multiplexes.
Mr Davies said, “Pure West Radio plays such an important role in broadcasting news, events and programming across west Wales, and I’m delighted that they have expanded to DAB broadcasting on both the North Pembrokeshire and South Pembrokeshire multiplexes.”
“This will enable the station to reach more and more listeners and continue to be a trusted voice of news and entertainment across the county.”
He added, “It was a pleasure to visit the station and join their presenter, Toby Ellis live on-the-air. Pure West Radio is a fantastic community-focused station and I look forward to it going from strength to strength in the future.”
Education
More Pembrokeshire schools championing going mobile phone free
SCHOOLS in Pembrokeshire are leading the way in reducing issues with mobile phones with the Council among the first in Wales to develop a policy to support it.
The rationale behind the policy is the ubiquitous presence of mobile phones and devices that presents significant challenges to how pupils behave and learn in school settings.
Increasingly, there is mounting evidence suggesting that the unchecked use of mobile phones in schools is having a detrimental impact on pupils’ mental health and academic progress, while also draining the energy of school staff who must manage resulting problems.
As well as distraction by normal messaging there are the risks of bullying, sexting or sharing inappropriate chats and images.
Education officers set up a Local Authority and Schools working group to develop guidance on removing mobile phones during the school day following the success Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi had when it was introduced last year.
Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi, Milford Haven School, Haverfordwest High, Pembroke Dock Community School and Gelliswick VC Primary School were involved in the group which has developed mobile phones guidance for schools to introduce this academic year.
Pembroke Dock Community School Headteacher Michele Thomas said: “Establishing good habits in primary school to be mobile free supports the transition into secondary schools with the same policy.
“Nearly all Pembrokeshire schools prohibit the use of mobile phones during the school day, which has helped learners have a clearer focus on their work and reduces distractions. In addition the policy reduces the risk of any inappropriate use. The policy has been working well and will have long term benefits all round.”
Rachel Thomas, Headteacher of Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi added: “The prohibited use of mobile phones and storage of them during lesson time has changed our entire school community’s safeguarding, wellbeing and learning environment completely.
“My latest mantra is that we live in a society where children are banned from playing conkers but are allowed mobile phones and online devices which put their safeguarding, wellbeing and childhood at risk.”
Funds have also been allocated to support schools with the logistics of removing phones, such as storage facilities, and all secondary schools are now implementing or are planning to introduce the policy guidance this year.
Sean Thomas, Assistant Headteacher for Behaviour, Culture and Ethos at Milford Haven School said: “As a school, we anticipated this policy being challenging to implement, at least for the first few weeks. However, the pupils, staff and parents have bought into it fantastically, it has been a huge success.
“Pupils and staff have all commented on an increased focus during lessons, less distractions and a calmer environment.”
The Prefect Team, Communications Team and Headteacher collaborated to create a fun and informative video for social media, addressing concerns about the new mobile phone policy after the pupil voice session to ensure pupils felt heard and informed about the changes ahead.
Headteacher Ceri-Ann Morris added: “I am extremely proud of how our pupils have embraced this positive change. Listening to our pupil voice prior to implementing the new policy has been instrumental in its success as their input and cooperation have helped shape a smoother, more positive transition for everyone.
“The Prefect Team did a wonderful job addressing concerns from our pupil voice in a fantastic video that was released to parents and pupils prior to the new policy being in place. We have seen tremendous positive impact in classrooms as pupils are more focused and an increase in social interactions at break. The feedback from staff, parents, and pupils has been overwhelmingly positive.”
Cabinet Member for Education and the Welsh Language, Cllr Guy Woodham, said: “Our schools are leading the way in improving safety and learning for their learners, this mobile phone policy supports them in this work to protect young people.
“‘I’d like to thank all those involved in developing and implementing this new and effective policy.”
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