News
Homeowner prosecuted by National Park nearly £3k out of pocket
A PROSECUTION launched against a homeowner who failed to comply with National Park enforcement action, has left him nearly £3,000 out of pocket.
Pembrokeshire Coast National Park officers served an enforcement notice last March due the unauthorised erection of two pole-mounted CCTV cameras and a 2.7metre high metal fence at Overhaven House, Blockett Lane, Little Haven.
Members of the park’s development management committee heard last June that this enforcement notice had not been complied with nor appealed within the relevant timescales and permission was granted to start prosecution proceedings.
A report for Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Development Management Committee members, before their June 7 meeting, says: “The case was heard at the Haverfordwest magistrates court on May 4 in which the defendant [Mark David Chapman] pleaded guilty for the non-compliance of the Enforcement Notice issued on March 23, 2022.
“At the same court hearing, charges had also been brought against the defendant by the National Park Authority concerning the unauthorised display of numerous advertisement signs in contravention of [regulations].
“The defendant also pleaded guilty to 11 charges relating to the unauthorised signage. The defendant pleaded not guilty to a further two charges relating to unauthorised signage, which were dropped. All unauthorised signage had by then been removed and the height of the fence reduced.
“The court imposed a six-month conditional discharge on the defendant and was ordered to pay the full prosecution costs of £2,783.37 to the National Park Authority and a surcharge of £26.”
The report before members adds: “Whilst the Enforcement Notice relating to the CCTV cameras and fence has not been complied with, the defendant has reduced the height of the fence and intimated that it is his intention to appeal against an earlier planning application for retention of the CCTV cameras and the fence at the reduced height which was refused on February 9.”
The report says no written confirmation has yet been received whether an appeal for that decision has been made to PEDW (Planning and Environment Decisions Wales).
“In the absence of a valid appeal being made to PEDW within the allowed timescale, officers will write to the offender reminding him that the Enforcement Notice remains in force and requiring him to remove the CCTV cameras and fence within a short timescale (i.e. 28 days) or face further prosecution in the magistrates court for failing to comply with the Enforcement Notice,” the report adds.
Committee members are recommended to note the contents of the report.
News
Man remanded in custody following alleged assault in town centre
A PEMBROKE man has been remanded in custody following an alleged assault against a woman in Pembroke town centre last Thursday.
Morgan Ralph, 38, is accused of assaulting a female, occasioning her actual bodily harm during the alleged altercation on March 14.
Ralph, who appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates on Tuesday morning via a video link from Swansea Prison, pleaded not guilty to the offence.
His solicitor Tom Lloyd, informed magistrates that Ralph was acting in self defence during the alleged incident.
The matter was adjourned to May 23 when Ralph, of St Oswalds, Main Street, Pembroke, will be tried before Haverfordwest magistrates.
He was remanded in custody.
News
Retaining wall collapse in Haverfordwest crushes van
A RETAINING wall at Spring Gardens Lane, behind the site of the former Pembroke House Hotel in Haverfordwest, has collapsed following a period of heavy rainfall, causing damage to vehicles parked in the vicinity.
The incident has left two vans damaged, one severely.
The collapse of the wall sent debris sprawling across the car park, illustrating the force of the collapse and the substantial volume of water contributing to the structural failure.
Witnesses described hearing a loud rumbling noise before discovering the aftermath of the collapse.
Fortunately, no injuries have been reported.
The collapse serves as a stark reminder of the challenges posed by heavy rainfall and the importance of maintaining and monitoring ageing infrastructure.
Business
People in Wales are worried about running out of money in retirement
FEAR of running out of money in retirement is rising among those in Wales with more than half (55%) concerned their savings will not last them through retirement, new research from Investec Wealth & Investment (UK) shows (please see the attached press release).
In general, women are more worried about running out of money compared to men. More than half (54%) of women surveyed are concerned about how long their money will last in retirement, compared to only 44% of men. Around 46% of men who are not worried about running out of money in retirement say it is because they have a final salary pension scheme – compared to just 38% of women who have this.
The study by Investec Wealth & Investment (UK), part of Rathbones Group, among people with stock market investments including pensions, paints a bleak picture – around 55% of those living in Wales are concerned they do not have enough money for retirement. This is similar to the UK average of 56%.
Women are more worried than men that they do not have enough money for retirement. Almost two thirds (61%) of women surveyed are concerned, with 18% of these very concerned they do not have enough money for retirement. This compares to just over half (53%) of men surveyed, with 14% of these very concerned they do not have enough money for retirement.
The Investec Wealth & Investment (UK) study shows that those living in Wales who have yet to retire are realistic about what will happen to their incomes in retirement – 64% expect their monthly incomes to drop on retirement and 36% did not know.
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