News

Update on housing developments by Pembrokeshire County Council

Published

3 years ago

July 4, 2023

THERE are new updates for the Pembrokeshire County Council housing development programmes at Old School Lane, Johnston and Tudor Place, Tiers Cross.

Old School Lane, Johnston

Unfortunately, underground investigations have identified faults with the utility infrastructure that provides drainage throughout the site.

Pembrokeshire County Council (PCC) has been working with Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water to resolve these issues before the site is occupied. This will avoid causing extensive disruption and inconvenience to contract holders after completion.

This has resulted in a further delay to the programme, but solutions have been identified allowing the remedial works to commence imminently.

As works are continuing on site, PCC plan a phased handover of the Old School Lane properties and anticipate that the first phase of properties will be available before Christmas 2023.

This will include mainly general needs properties, allowing a selection of homes to be allocated before the development is fully completed.

It is anticipated that the handover of the remaining properties in Old School Lane will take place in Spring 2024, signalling the completion of the development.

Cllr Jon Harvey, Cabinet member for Housing Delivery, said: “We regret that further delays have occurred in completing the Old School Lane development due to circumstances outside our control, but the completion of these works are considered essential in order to avoid any further disruption to contract holders at a later date.

“We have been working closely with the developer to ensure that these final works are completed as swiftly as possible and for these much needed properties to be made available to our residents, hence why we have agreed to a phased handover of properties as they become available.”

This development contains a selection of general needs, adapted and supported living homes. The allocation of the adapted properties has already taken place to applicants who were registered on the Accessible Housing Register in November 2022; both the successful and unsuccessful applicants for the adapted homes will shortly be notified by letter.

When Old School Lane is closer to completion, general needs properties will be advertised via Choice Homes @ Pembrokeshire with preference given to applicants with a local connection to the community council area of Johnston.

Further updates on the development will be shared when they become available.

Tudor Place, Tiers Cross

Work has been progressing well in Tudor Place in recent months, with scaffolding imminently due to be taken down, which will allow for the external hard and soft landscaping to commence. A completion date of Autumn 2023 has been agreed with the contractor.

When Tudor Place is closer to completion, general needs properties will be advertised via Choice Homes @ Pembrokeshire with preference given to applicants with a local connection to the community council area of Tiers Cross.

At this time the Council will also write to applicants who are registered on the Pembrokeshire Accessible Housing Register (PAHR) to ascertain their local connection to the community council area of Tiers Cross. Further updates on the development will be shared when they become available.

Cllr Michelle Bateman, Cabinet Member for Housing Operations said: “As both Old School Lane and Tiers Cross are nearing completion, we expect a lot of interest in these properties and allocations will take place at different times.

“To be considered for allocation, it is therefore important to be registered with Choice Homes @ Pembrokeshire. Keep a close eye out on our social media pages, letters from the council and publicity about allocations of these developments.”

Please follow the PCC Housing Services Social Media for further development updates on facebook.com/PCCHousing.

If you have any queries, please contact the Customer Liaison Team via [email protected] or 01437 764551.

News

Rhun ap Iorwerth to chair first meeting of new Welsh Government Cabinet

Published

8 hours ago

May 17, 2026

Tom Sinclair

New First Minister says government will focus on waiting lists, jobs, education and child poverty

FIRST MINISTER Rhun ap Iorwerth will chair the first meeting of his new Welsh Government Cabinet today, setting out what he says will be an agenda based on action, openness and results.

The meeting marks the formal start of the new government’s programme, with ministers expected to focus on improving public services, supporting families and growing the Welsh economy.

Ahead of the meeting, Mr ap Iorwerth said his Cabinet would work as “one team” and avoid what he described as unnecessary duplication across government.

The First Minister said: “This is a government of action, a government for all, and a government of new ideas. The hard work has now started.

“Our focus is on the issues that matter most to people in every part of Wales – cutting waiting lists, supporting families with the cost of living, creating good jobs, raising standards in education and tackling child poverty.

“As First Minister, I am determined to end siloed working and unnecessary duplication across government. This Cabinet will work as one team, with ministers focused on delivering together in the interests of the people of Wales.

“We will lead with openness and purpose, building trust through practical action and visible outcomes.

“The people of Wales expect a government that listens, that stands up boldly for Wales, and that works together to get things done. That is exactly what this Cabinet is determined to deliver.”

The first Cabinet meeting will be closely watched as the new administration begins to turn election promises into policy, with pressure already mounting over NHS waiting times, household costs and the state of public services across Wales.

Local Government

Road resurfacing works welcomed after repeated pothole complaints

Published

11 hours ago

May 17, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Castle ward councillor thanks residents for patience as long-running issue near St Thomas’ Green finally addressed

ROAD resurfacing works at St Thomas’ Green in Haverfordwest have been welcomed by local county councillor Thomas Tudor, who says a long-standing pothole problem near a bus shelter is finally being resolved.

Cllr Tudor, who represents the Castle Ward, said he was pleased to see progress being made on the improvements, particularly in an area that had required repeated repairs over time.

The works, being carried out by Pembrokeshire County Council and contractors, include resurfacing along part of the road close to the bus shelter near St Thomas’ Green.

Cllr Tudor said the pothole had been reported and repaired on numerous occasions before more permanent resurfacing work was approved.

He said: “As County Councillor for the Castle Ward, which includes St Thomas’ Green, I am pleased to see works progressing very well with the road resurfacing, in particular the area by the bus shelter which had a pothole which I have been reporting and having repaired numerous times.

“Many thanks to Pembrokeshire County Council and the various contractors involved and I would also like to apologise to the residents and thank them for their patience and understanding during these essential works.”

The resurfacing has caused some disruption to local traffic while work is underway, with temporary traffic management measures in place.

Residents have been thanked for their patience as crews complete the improvements, which are aimed at providing a safer and smoother road surface for motorists and pedestrians.

Photo caption:

Improvements underway: Cllr Thomas Tudor pictured at St Thomas’ Green as resurfacing works progress (Pic supplied)

News

Cefn Sidan retains Blue Flag status as one of Wales’ top beaches

Published

11 hours ago

May 17, 2026

Tom Sinclair

CEFΝ Sidan has retained its place among the world’s best coastal locations after being awarded Blue Flag status in the Wales Coast Awards 2026.

The Carmarthenshire beach, located within Pembrey Country Park near Burry Port, has now received the prestigious award 38 times — more than any other beach in Wales.

Cefn Sidan was also the first beach in Wales to receive a Blue Flag when the awards were introduced in 1988.

The awards, announced by Keep Wales Tidy, recognise beaches that meet high standards for water quality, safety, facilities, environmental education and site management.

A total of 48 beaches across Wales were recognised this year, with 20 receiving Blue Flag status.

Cefn Sidan is an eight-mile sandy beach backed by dunes and forms part of Pembrey Country Park, one of Carmarthenshire’s major visitor attractions. The park also offers woodland walks, mountain bike trails, a dry ski slope, toboggan ride, crazy golf, train rides and a family campsite.

Owen Derbyshire, Chief Executive of Keep Wales Tidy said: “We are delighted to see Cefn Sidan once again retaining its Blue Flag Award status and continuing to hold the title of the Welsh beach which has received the most Blue Flags.

“As Wales’ very first Blue Flag Award winner, we appreciate the ongoing commitment of everyone at Carmarthenshire County Council and Pembrey Country Park in ensuring Cefn Sidan meets the high standards needed to gain the Blue Flag Award.”

He added: “These awards recognise high and consistent standards and we would like to thank staff, volunteers and everyone else at sites across Wales who work so hard to protect and preserve our natural landscape in the face of increasingly challenging circumstances.

“All of these places are beautiful but seeing that flag flying means visitors can be assured that they are clean, safe and well-managed with excellent facilities too.”

Other Blue Flag beaches in west Wales include Llangrannog in Ceredigion, Saundersfoot, Tenby South and Poppit Sands in Pembrokeshire.

Thirteen Welsh beaches also received Green Coast Awards, including Mwnt and Penbryn in Ceredigion, Freshwater East and Manorbier in Pembrokeshire.