News

Port promises to work with council to solve Lower Priory flood risk

Published

3 years ago

December 6, 2022

THE PORT OF MILFORD HAVEN has promised to “stand-by and support” the Local Authority and its consultancy firm Capita in carrying out any recommendations made which could mitigate flooding in Lower Priory.

Tom Sawyer, CEO of the Port, said that he recognised that people who were affected by the floods in 2018 were clearly “desperately upset.”

“Its clear that we stopped communicating [with the flood victims]”, he said.

But the Port now has confirmed it is willing to work with its partners, and those affected, to do what is necessary to improve drainage to mitigate future flood risk.

Whist The Port of Milford Haven still denies any liability for the serious flood four years ago, communications had since improved, he said.

“It’s true that every time it rains heavily, I do worry about Lower Priory and Havens Head” – Mr Sawyer said.

But a meeting has taken place at the now renovated Priory Inn public house – which was also flooded to a height just below the downstairs ceilings – to update residents on progress.

The Port’s management have walked around the Priory Pill with residents, The Herald has been told.

In 2019, Members of the County Council’s Services Overview Committee probed the Port Authority’s actions in relation to the lakes.

The Council heard that a report by civil engineering consultants Atkins had concluded that obstruction of trash screens leading from Lower Priory did not materially contribute to the extreme flooding which took place both there and at Haven Head in November 2018.

Over three days of torrential rainfall, fourteen properties were flooded at Lower Priory and there was significant flooding at Haven Head.

An emotional moment in 2018: Stephen Crabb MP with Ian Bannister from Lower Priory clearly upset by the damage caused as his daughter Natalie looks on (Pic: Herald)

The Port Authority continues to deny any liability for damage caused by the flooding.

However, at the time Hakin Councillor Mike Stoddart pointed out that Atkins’ assessment was based on evidence produced by Milford Haven Port Authority.

Councillor Stoddart alleged that Atkins’ finding could not necessarily be relied upon. He noted that the Port Authority had an obvious interest in saying the trash screens were not obstructed in order to support its claim it was not liable for the damage caused by the flood.

Defending the Port Authority’s position, both Andy Jones and Tim Bownes, said the report found that the major factor in the flooding was the large increase in levels of silt in the lakes at Haven Head and Lower Priory combined with high tides and unprecedentedly levels of rainfall.

Under further questioning from Mike Stoddart, Mr Bownes conceded that the electronic flood warning system had been a casualty of the flooding and had stopped recording the water volumes at Lower Priory well before the peak of the inundation.

When one resident produced photographs of a truck tyre in front of a trash screen taken in February which remained in place six months later, he was tersely told that the presence of the tyre did not count as an obstruction of the trash screen.

The resident shook his head in disbelief, while several councillors wondered what did constitute an ‘obstruction’.

It is obvious to this newspaper that the only viable solution to the flood risk problem would be increased capacity for the culverts under Havens Head Business Park – and this could cost many millions of pounds.

Milford Haven Cllr Stephen Joseph has observed that a large amount of infill had taken place at the lakes.

He suggested that this, combined with the development of Haven Head over a former tidal plain contributes to the risk of flooding.

Some of those affected by flooding were not insured, or their insurance companies have refused to pay out.

Those families or individuals still out of pocket years later, including the landlady of the pub where the meeting took place, are still fighting for compensation.

Stephen Crabb MP visits flooded resident (Pic: Herald)

Crime

Man spared jail after baseball bat incident in Milford Haven

Published

4 hours ago

December 13, 2025

Court Reporter

Judge says offence was so serious only a prison sentence was justified

A 44-YEAR-OLD has been given a suspended prison sentence after admitting carrying a baseball bat in a public place during an incident in Milford Haven.

Ian Parker, of Cwrt Garreg, Cefn Glas, Bridgend, appeared for sentence at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (Dec 9).

The court heard that on Tuesday (Oct 29), Parker travelled to Prioryville, Milford Haven, where he was found in possession of an offensive weapon — a baseball bat — without lawful authority or reasonable excuse.

Earlier hearings were told that Parker believed his son was at risk and had travelled from Bridgend to Milford Haven. During the incident, another man was struck with the bat before Parker left the scene. Parker later admitted the offence and entered a guilty plea on November 18, with sentencing adjourned for a pre-sentence report.

Passing sentence, District Judge M Layton said the offence was so serious that only a custodial sentence could be justified.

Parker was sentenced to 36 weeks’ imprisonment, but the sentence was suspended for 24 months after the court accepted there was a realistic prospect of rehabilitation.

He will be subject to 24 months of supervision and must complete 200 hours of unpaid work within 12 months. The court also imposed a rehabilitation activity requirement of up to 25 days, requiring Parker to attend appointments and take part in activities as directed by probation services.

The baseball bat was ordered to be forfeited and destroyed under the Prevention of Crime Act 1953.

Parker was also ordered to pay £85 in prosecution costs and a £187 surcharge, to be paid in full within 28 days.

The judge warned that any breach of the suspended sentence order could result in the prison term being activated.

Business

Independent brewers join call for business rates relief as pub closures feared

Published

7 hours ago

December 13, 2025

Tom Sinclair

INDEPENDENT brewers have joined growing calls for urgent, pub-specific relief on Business Rates amid fears that community pubs across west Wales and beyond could be forced to close.

The Society of Independent Brewers and Associates (SIBA) has warned that changes announced in the Autumn Budget will see pub costs rise sharply over the next three years, with the average pub facing a 76% increase in Business Rates. By comparison, large warehouse-style premises operated by online and technology giants are expected to see increases of around 16%.

The issue will be discussed at a meeting taking place on Monday in Saundersfoot, where local publicans, small brewers and business representatives are due to come together to examine the impact of rising Business Rates and escalating operating costs. The meeting is expected to focus on the future sustainability of community pubs, particularly in coastal and rural areas where they often act as vital social hubs as well as key local employers.

Independent breweries are particularly exposed, SIBA says, as the vast majority of their beer is sold through local community pubs. Many small breweries also operate their own pubs or taprooms, meaning they are hit twice by rising rates. Some independent brewers have reported rateable value increases of up to 300%, creating new costs they say will be extremely difficult to absorb.

New industry research published on Thursday (Dec 12) suggests that introducing a pub-specific Business Rates relief of 30% from April 1, 2026 could protect around 15,000 jobs currently under threat in the pubs sector and help prevent widespread closures.

The call for action follows an open letter sent last week by SIBA’s board, expressing deep concern at the impact of the Budget’s Business Rates decisions on the hospitality sector.

Andy Slee, Chief Executive of SIBA, said: “The last orders bell is ringing very loudly in our community pubs after the shock changes to Business Rates in the Budget.

“Publicans and brewers feel badly let down by a system that still isn’t fairly addressing the imbalance between big global tech companies and small business owners.

“We were promised proper reform of Business Rates in the Labour manifesto last year and a rebalancing of the tax regime, but this has not been delivered. Pubs therefore need urgent help to address the planned increase in costs through a pub-specific relief, followed by full and meaningful reform.”

Those attending Monday’s meeting in Saundersfoot are expected to consider how local voices can feed into the national debate and press for urgent action to protect community pubs across Pembrokeshire.

Community

Annual charity carol service raises funds for good causes

Published

8 hours ago

December 13, 2025

Tom Sinclair

MID and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service held its annual Charity Carol Service on Wednesday (Dec 10) at Ebeneser Baptist Chapel in Crymych.

The event brought together members of the local community alongside Fire Service staff for an evening of carols, readings and festive refreshments, marking the Christmas season in a warm and inclusive atmosphere.

This year’s service supported two important charities — the Fire Fighters Charity and Cancer Research Wales — with all proceeds going directly towards their ongoing work.

A total of £597 was raised on the night, which will be shared equally between the two charities.

The Service thanked the congregation at Ebeneser Baptist Chapel for hosting the event, as well as everyone who gave their time, support and generosity to make the evening such a success.