News
Ice cream parlour at public toilets gets go-ahead despite recommendation for refusal
NATIONAL PARK planners have gone against officer recommendations by narrowly backing a scheme to turn surplus public toilets to a takeaway ice cream parlour/coffee bar.
The application, by Mike Harris, included a beach-themed small retail unit and a small rear extension for a kitchen at closed public toilets next to Newgale Campsite.
It was recommended for refusal at the June 7 meeting of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park’s development management committee.
The plans, which included a new seasonal public disabled toilet to be provided by the applicant, have even gained the support of local MP Stephen Crabb and Senedd member Paul Davies, the committee heard.
Speaking at the meeting, applicant Mike Harris said: “Members are actually deciding whether or not there will be public toilet facilities at the busy north beach area at Newgale.
“The takeaway café is secondary in importance, but we feel it makes good use of a derelict building and provides the income to help finance the upkeep and maintenance of the public toilets free at the point of use, and at no cost to the taxpayer. It will retain 100 per cent of the accessible toilets at the busiest area of the beach.”
Concerns were expressed by planners at heavy flooding previously experienced in Newgale, with the road through the village due to be moved back behind it and talk of ‘no managed intervention’ in tackling flooding in decades to come.
Mr Harries described flooding scenes shown to committee members, as one in 50-year events.
Councillor Reg Owens proposed members go against officer recommendations, saying: “There’s a fair distance for disabled people to other toilets; there’s very little facilities in Newgale and yet it’s a popular area, it’s what is needed. I fully support this application and would formally propose approval.”
Cllr Owens’ proposal, seconded by Councillor Peter Morgan, passed by nine votes to seven, with two abstentions.
As the plan is a departure from officer recommendations, planners may only be ‘minded to’ approve it at this stage, meaning it will be heard again at a future planning committee for final ratification, as part of a ‘cooling off’ period.
Refusal was recommended on the grounds the proposal is in a flood risk area, it seeks “to increase and intensify development uses within the coastal change management area” contrary to adopted policy, and other criteria including being outside a retail centre and in a countryside location.
Crime
Banned for sleeping in car whilst over the drink drive limit
A MOTORIST caught sleeping in a BMW in MIiford Haven town centre has appeared before magistrates for being in charge of a motor vehicle when he was over the legal alcohol limit.
Police officers discovered John Steele, 30, soon after 5.30pm on March 9 when he was asleep in his red BMW which was parked in a car park at Hamilton Terrace.
“The engine was running and the lights were on,” Crown Prosecutor Abigail Jackson told District Judge Mark Layton who was sitting at Haverfordwest magistrates court this week.
“Officers smelt alcohol, he was intoxicated and he was slurring his words.”
Officers were unable to carry out a roadside breath test as a result of them not being in possession of a breathalyser at the scene of the incident. Steele was conveyed to a police custody suite where two samples of breath were subsequently taken, the lowest giving a reading of 44 mcg.
Steele, who is employed as a machine technician in Selby, pleaded guilty to the charge of being in charge of a motor vehicle while he was above the alcohol limit.
He was fined £400 and ordered to pay a £160 court surcharge and £85 costs. His licence was endorsed with ten penalty points.
Crime
Shop worked kicked police officer before attempting to bite her
CHRISTMAS festivities turned sour for Haverfordwest shop worker Bryonny Smith after she kicked an on-duty police officer before attempting to bite her.
Police officers, including a firearms officer, were called to an address in Marble Hall Road, Milford Haven, shortly after midnight on December 27. There they discovered Smith, 23, hiding in a garden.
“She was escorted to an unmarked police car but she kept banging her head and tried to bite the officer,” Crown Prosecutor Abigail Jackson told District Judge Mark Layton when he sat at Haverfordwest magistrates court earlier this week.
“The defendant then kicked out at the officer, making contact with her lower right leg.”
Meanwhile probation officer Julie Norman said that the offence was committed after Smith had spent Christmas at her boyfriend’s home in Milford Haven.
“An argument broke out and things got out of hand,” she said.
Smith, of Fleming Crescent, Haverfordwest, pleaded guilty to a charge of assaulting an emergency worker by beating.
She was sentenced to a community order during which she must carry out ten rehabilitation activity requirement days and was fined £150. She was also ordered to pay £50 compensation to the police officer, £85 costs and a £114 court surcharge.
“Biting an officer and assaulting an officer is something that this court does not tolerate,” commented Judge Layton when passing sentence.
“If you come before this court again on a similar charge, you’ll get a custodial sentence.”
Crime
Twelve weeks in jail for stealing computer tablets from McDonald’s
A HAVERFORDWEST man has been jailed after stealing two computer tablets from the counter at the town’s Mcdonald’s restaurant.
Asa Wandelt entered the Haverfordwest branch of Mcdonalds on April 7, walked up to the counter and placed a computer tablet valued at £150 inside his jacket. CCTV footage then showed Wandelt walking out of the restaurant.
Once again on April 16 Wandelt returned to Mcdonalds and stole yet another computer tablet which had been placed on the counter. Once again, he concealed it inside his coat before leaving the restaurant.
This week Wandelt appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates Court where he pleaded guilty to two charges of theft.
Probation officer Julie Norman said the offences were committed whilst Wandelt was the subject of a post-sentence supervision following his release from prison for previous offences.
”He’s disengaged with services over the past few weeks and is not addressing his drug use nor his misbehaviour, issues” she said.
Ms Norman went on to say that Wandelt was recently evicted from the Silverdale hostel in Johnston where he had been granted emergency accommodation following his release from custody. His eviction was the result of his behavioural issues.
District Judge Mark Layton sentenced Wandelt to 12 weeks in custody. He was also ordered to pay a total of £300 compensation to Mcdonalds, a £134 court surcharge and £85 costs.
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