News

Park planners expected to give thumbs-up to injunction on site with multiple breaches

Published

3 years ago

April 12, 2023

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

NATIONAL PARK planners are expected to give the thumbs-up for an injunction on a Pembrokeshire site that continues to see planning breaches despite hefty court fines imposed.

Members of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park’s Development Management committee, meeting on April 19, are recommended to back a call to approve an injunction in relation to land at Highlands View Fold, The Ridgeway, Manorbier Newton.

Following a range of planning breaches, the authority issued two enforcement notices and two temporary stop notices in 2015 to a Richard Scarfe in relation to land at Highlands View Fold.

These were not complied with and in March 2019 the authority commenced a criminal prosecution.

Pembroke Dock man Richard Scarfe admitted developing the land and moving caravans onto it over a four-year period.

Scarfe alleged that he had, since the enforcement action was taken, sold the property to his daughter Brogan Scarfe, but nevertheless accepted responsibility for the breaches.

He also admitted ignoring warnings by Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority.

Local magistrates fined him £15,000 and told him to pay £2,170 in costs and a surcharge.

Scarfe later lodged an appeal to a judge at Swansea crown court before dropping it, accepting the sentence.

Judge Heywood had expressed surprise that the magistrates had allowed Scarfe to pay off the financial orders at a rate that would take him 69 years.

He ordered Scarfe to pay an additional £500 in court costs.

Since then, the situation has not been remedied, a report for Park planners states.

“Despite pleading guilty to the offences, the breaches of planning control have not been remedied. Following a site visit by officers in February 2023 it became clear that the situation has exacerbated since the prosecution in March 2019.

“Officers have sought legal advice and it was identified that there are two options available.

“The first is to take direct action to remove unauthorised development and seek to recover the costs of doing so from the landowner. These costs would be significant, and the exercise would be resource intensive.

“Officers therefore recommend the alternative option of obtaining an injunction, which could result in committal proceedings for the parties involved if there is an ongoing failure to comply.”

The report says that Mr Scarfe has transferred the land to his daughter Brogan but has acknowledged to the authority in writing that he is responsible for activities at the site.

The recommendation before the April 19 committee is to approve the injunction and to delegate to the Director for Placemaking, Decarbonisation and Engagement the authorisation of the authority’s solicitor Mr Charles Felgate and Counsel Mr Matthew Graham Paul to enter the site.

Crime

Police seize off-road bike after anti-social driving complaints in Hakin

Published

2 minutes ago

March 25, 2026

Tom Sinclair

OFFICERS from Milford Haven and Neyland Police have seized an off-road bike following multiple reports of reckless and anti-social driving in the Hakin area.

Members of the public raised concerns about the manner in which the bike was being ridden, prompting police action. The vehicle was seized yesterday (Tuesday) as part of efforts to address ongoing issues linked to illegal off-road biking.

Police have reminded residents that such bikes are not road legal and must only be used on private land with the landowner’s permission.

Officers are urging the public to continue reporting incidents and sharing information to help tackle the problem in local communities.

Anyone with information can contact Dyfed-Powys Police online, via email at [email protected], or by calling 101.

Information can also be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555111 or visiting crimestoppers-uk.org.

Entertainment

Duffy to tell her story in new Disney+ documentary

Published

17 minutes ago

March 25, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Pembrokeshire-born singer to speak publicly for first time about kidnap ordeal

PEMBROKESHIRE-born singer Duffy is set to break her silence about the traumatic events that led to her disappearance from the music industry, as part of a new feature-length documentary for Disney+.

The award-winning artist, who rose to global fame with her hit single Mercy and debut album Rockferry, will speak in detail for the first time about the kidnap and sexual assault she revealed in 2020.

The project was announced at the Series Mania television festival in France by Disney+’s head of content for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Angela Jain, who described the documentary as a “powerful” and sensitive piece.

She said Duffy had “entrusted us with her story,” adding that the platform recognised its responsibility to handle the subject matter with care.

Duffy stunned fans six years ago when she disclosed in a social media post that she had stepped away from music in 2011 after being drugged, kidnapped and raped.

In a later, detailed account published on her website, she said she had been drugged on her birthday in a restaurant before being held captive and taken abroad for several weeks.

She wrote that the ordeal left her fearing for her life, explaining why she did not immediately go to the police.

“It didn’t feel safe to go to the police,” she said at the time. “I felt if anything went wrong, I would be dead.”

She later reported the incident but said she had felt “petrified” ever since.

The singer’s sudden withdrawal from the spotlight at the height of her success had long puzzled fans. Her debut album Rockferry became one of the best-selling records in the UK, earning critical acclaim and multiple awards.

In recent years, there have been tentative signs of a return. In 2025, Duffy appeared briefly in a social media clip promoting a remix of Mercy with dance artist E.motion, sparking excitement among fans.

However, no new official release has followed, and she has largely remained out of public view.

The upcoming Disney+ documentary is expected to shed light on the events behind her decade-long absence and offer insight into her recovery.

Production is due to begin shortly, with no release date yet confirmed.

Community

Tesco grant funds surf therapy for young people in Pembrokeshire

Published

22 minutes ago

March 25, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A £1,500 grant from Tesco Stronger Starts has helped deliver a surf therapy programme for young people facing mental health challenges in Pembrokeshire.

Hywel Dda Health Charities, the official charity of Hywel Dda University Health Board, said the funding enabled Tonic Surf to run a ten-week course aimed at improving wellbeing among those aged 14 to 25.

The programme combined surfing with beach-based activities, using the natural coastal environment as a therapeutic setting. Sessions were delivered in partnership with Walkin’ on Water Surf School and supported by clinicians from the Health Board’s Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).

Participants received guidance from qualified surf coaches alongside mental health professionals, creating a structured and supportive environment designed to build confidence and resilience.

Organisers said the project helped young people develop coping strategies, strengthen social connections, and support their recovery through positive outdoor experiences.

Claire Rumble, Fundraising Officer, said: “Thank you to Tesco Stronger Starts for supporting this local project.

“The support of our local communities enables us to provide services over and above what the NHS can provide in the three counties of Hywel Dda, and we are extremely grateful for every donation we receive.”

Hywel Dda Health Charities said the initiative highlights the value of community funding in providing additional support services beyond core NHS provision.

Photo caption: Community support: Corinda Pengilly, Tesco Charity Champion, with Katie Hancock, Fundraising Officer (Pic: Supplied).