News

New town library safe despite costs increase, say developers

Published

2 years ago

June 27, 2023

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A COMMUNITY library being built as part of the redevelopment of the former community school in Narberth is safe despite a huge increase in costs, planners heard.

Back in 2020, an application from local businessman Andrew Rees, on behalf of a local consortium for the transformation of the “eyesore” former Narberth CP school site was given the green light by councillors.

The proposal included the conversion and redevelopment for two retail units, and a new library for the town, along with eight three-bedroom houses and three one-bedroom apartments.

The library itself is subject to a 125-year lease at a peppercorn rate, listed as £20.

Earlier this year, an application to remove an affordable housing element of the scheme was submitted to planners due to increased costs on the site.

An authority commissioned District Valuer’s Office (DVO) report said the residual land value of the site, which it lists at -£202,759 is substantially below the benchmark land value, listed at £248,001, to make the scheme become viable.

“Evidence has been presented that clearly indicates that the development, that includes commercial space that would be of benefit to the town, a new library and much-needed housing provision, could not proceed if the required affordable housing provision were to be pursued.”

It was recommended to be approved at the April meeting of Pembrokeshire County council’s planning committee, but was deferred in the hope a compromise could be reached on the affordable housing issue.

The application came back before the June 27 meeting of the planning committee, again recommended for approval.

Members heard from joint developer Charles Salmon, who stressed the provision of the library was secure – the initial foundations having been laid – despite a major increase in costs of the development, including some £280,000 towards the library.

“We feel we have carried out our side of the bargain; we can’t pull out anyway, it’s been built,” he said.

He also said the developers were “sensitive to the second homes issue,” the open market housing on what was previously “an eyesore on the gateway to Narberth” being first offered for local over-55s.

Councillor Brian Hall moved the application – which has a long string of conditions including delivery of a scheme of affordable housing provision or a further development viability assessment after two years should no houses be occupied – be approved.

The recommendation was backed by nine votes to one, with one member abstaining.

Crime

Man charged with strangulation and assault offences after October incident

Published

9 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

10 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

10 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.