News

Appeal against national park refusal dismissed

Published

3 years ago

April 11, 2023

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

AN APPEAL against a national park refusal of what was described as a pioneering development of affordable homes and workshops in Pembrokeshire has been dismissed.

Back in March 2021, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park planners refused an application for the development of six affordable homes and associated workshops in Pantmaenog Forest near Rosebush, which the applicants called ‘a wasted opportunity’.

The planned £2.3 million project was a mixed-use development, of affordable homes with workshops, a community facility and a sawmill, planned with a live/work focus, around the growing and processing of timber-based products within the forest.

The scheme – which was recommended for refusal – was billed by the developers as ‘a new model of living and developing businesses in the same location’.

The plans were submitted by Jill Holding, on behalf of Coed Preseli, which owns and manages the 300-hectare forest.

The scheme, if approved, would have seen houses built sustainably by Down to Earth, an award-winning social enterprise based in Swansea.

Down to Earth would have also delivered training and education in construction during the build process, as well as forestry training within Pantmaenog upon the completion of the construction of the project.

The development was recommended for refusal for three reasons: its position in the open countryside, the proximity of the housing to the industrial production areas and insufficient assessment of the visual impacts of the development on the surrounding historic landscape.

Prior to refusal, Mark McKenna, co-founder of Down to Earth said that if the plans were turned down by the planning committee it would be looked back on as a wasted opportunity.

He said that three planning consultants had looked at the application prior to submission and that he believed it was within policy.

He added: “We are confident that everyone will look back at this as a real lost opportunity, even the planning officers, 20 years’ time or even two years’ time people will say why did we let this go the way it went? They will look at choices that we made with bemusement. This is one of them.”

Following an appeal, Inspector A L McCooey made a recommendation that appeal be dismissed, which was supported, members of the national park’s planning committee will hear at their April 19 meeting.

He said the proposal would be contrary to the development plan and national planning policy and would have an adverse impact on the special features and character and appearance of the National Park.

Image Caption: An artist’s impression of the Pantmaenog Forest development

Crime

Man charged with strangulation and assault offences after October incident

Published

12 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

A MAN recorded in court as having no fixed abode has appeared before magistrates charged with intentional strangulation and two further assault offences.

Michael Sudbury, 50, whose address was not read out in court, but in Herald records is Glan Hafan, Llangwm, appeared before the bench facing multiple charges.

The charges relate to an incident on 22 October 2025 and include:

Intentional strangulation, contrary to section 75A of the Serious Crime Act 2015
Common assault
Assault by beating

No further details of the alleged incident were opened in court, and no plea was entered at this stage.

Sudbury was remanded on conditional bail, with the case listed to return to magistrates later this month.

Crime

Haverfordwest man sent to Crown Court on multiple serious charges

Published

12 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

Defendant remanded in custody

A HAVERFORDWEST man has been sent to Swansea Crown Court to stand trial on a series of A 49-year-old Haverfordwest resident has been committed to Swansea Crown Court to face trial on multiple serious charges deemed too grave for magistrates to handle.

David Guy, of Market Street, Haverfordwest, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates facing a series of allegations stemming from a single case. The charges, which were not detailed in open court, include:

Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
A second count of assault
Criminal damage
An additional allegation of interpersonal violence
A public order offence

Magistrates declined jurisdiction, determining that the matters exceeded their sentencing powers, and sent the case in its entirety to Swansea Crown Court.

Guy was remanded in custody pending his next appearance. The court register notes: “Sent to Crown Court for trial in custody – next hearing at Swansea Crown Court.”

A date for the initial Crown Court hearing will be set administratively. Guy will remain in custody until then.

The Pembrokeshire Herald will provide further updates as the case progresses in the Crown Court.

Crime

Castlemartin man back before magistrates over multiple alleged assaults

Published

12 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

Defendant remanded on conditional bail ahead of further hearing

A CASTLEMARTIN man has appeared repeatedly before magistrates this month over a string A 40-year-old man from Castlemartin has made repeated appearances before magistrates this month in connection with a series of serious alleged offences, including assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH), intentional non-fatal strangulation, common assault, and criminal damage.

Anthony Alcock, of Pwll Street, Castlemartin, is facing six linked charges stemming from incidents said to have occurred earlier this year. These appear to relate to the same complainant in what is understood to be a single ongoing domestic abuse prosecution.

During recent administrative hearings at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court, Alcock did not enter pleas while matters of bail and case management were addressed.

Charges Include:

Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
Intentional non-fatal strangulation
Common assault on a woman
Criminal damage in a domestic context
Additional assault allegations involving the same complainant
Breach of bail conditions

Alcock was initially granted conditional bail but was subsequently brought before the court on two occasions for alleged breaches. On those instances, magistrates remanded him in custody ahead of further hearings. He was later re-granted conditional bail, subject to strict conditions such as no contact with the complainant and exclusion from specified locations.

Magistrates have now declined jurisdiction, ruling that the case—particularly the more serious charges involving non-fatal strangulation—is too grave for summary trial. It has been committed to Swansea Crown Court for plea, trial, or sentencing.

No detailed evidence has been presented in open court at this preliminary stage. Alcock remains on conditional bail pending his next appearance at the Crown Court.