News
Pentlepoir house plan avoids unexpected extra affordable housing bill
PLANS for a new house in south Pembrokeshire almost incurred more than £1,600 extra in affordable housing costs due to being in a different settlement area to what was initially said.
Applicant Mr Briers sought to build a new four-bedroom home near Laubobange, Hill Lane, Kilgetty, which was recommended for conditional approval at the July 25 meeting of the county council’s planning committee.
A report for members said: “The application site is an area of land which is partly within the settlement for Kilgetty which is accessed from the north via the A478. The application site consists of an existing access driveway running north to south from the A478, which opens out into a rectangular area of land.
“The majority of this area of land, lies outside of the settlement boundary and therefore within the countryside. The main part of the site is fairly level, with a dwelling to the north known as Laubobange (under the ownership of the applicant), with further dwellings (within the settlement) to the southwest and west of the site.”
The report said there was a local needs affordable housing contribution policy in Kilgetty for 20 per cent of dwellings to be affordable on any housing development site.
“As this is a windfall site of one dwelling, a financial contribution of £10,175.00 is required,” the report added.
At the meeting members were told it was incorrect to define the property as being in the Kilgetty settlement area, but was instead in the nearby Pentlepoir area, which would incur a contribution of £12,718.75 instead.
Local county councillor, and committee chairman, Cllr Jacob Williams said he was happy to back the recommendation for approval, but felt the applicant should pay the lower contribution previously agreed.
A counter-proposal to charge the higher rate, made by Cllr Ryan Jordan, failed to gain a seconder.
Members agreed to approve the plans, with the lower contribution rate.
Community
Over 5,600 elderly at risk of Losing winter fuel payments in Pembrokeshire
IN Mid & South Pembrokeshire, over 5,600 residents aged over 80 face the prospect of losing their Winter Fuel Payments. This follows recent government cuts, revealed by the latest official statistics released on the 24th of September.
The Pembrokeshire Liberal Democrats have urged the Labour government to urgently reconsider its stance. The party’s spokesperson, Andrew Lye, highlighted the critical situation, stating that many pensioners are now forced to make a distressing choice between heating their homes and buying food. “Thousands of pensioners here in the Mid & South Pembrokeshire constituency are desperately worried about how they will make it through this winter,” said Mr. Lye. He described the cut as the “completely wrong thing to be doing” in the face of such dire circumstances.
According to the data, 5,622 local pensioners who do not receive pension credit will be affected by the discontinuation of the Winter Fuel Payment—a benefit that previously granted them £300 each to assist with their energy bills during the colder months. Last year, pensioners over 80 in the area received a total of £1,702,500 in support, with a broader constituency figure reaching £4,072,500.
The figures indicate a significant reduction in financial support for the elderly, a demographic that Age UK warns will be in “serious trouble” this winter. The charity has previously reported that across the nation, around 2.5 million pensioners could suffer greatly due to the withdrawal of these essential payments.
The Liberal Democrats have called for a reversal of these cuts, urging the government to protect vulnerable pensioners amid increasing living costs. Mr. Lye emphasized the urgency of the situation: “It is not too late for this new government to change course, reverse these proposals, and protect vulnerable pensioners here in the Mid & South Pembrokeshire constituency, this winter.”
With the local community and advocacy groups raising alarms, the issue has garnered considerable attention, placing pressure on the government to address the potential crisis looming over some of its most vulnerable citizens this winter.
Crime
‘Sheer luck’ that out-of-control car did not hit mother and baby
IN MILFORD HAVEN a woman and her baby were on the way to the local shop on Saturday (Sept 28) when what was described at the scene as a “drunk driver” veered off the road, mounted the pavement, and struck the telegraph pole just next to them.
The pole, in Milton Crescent was damaged, causing heavy duty trunking to break off and hit the pram, damaging it, but narrowly missing the baby.
It seems Deanna Potter and her baby, Danny, were only saved by the fortunate position of the pole – which took a heavy impact – preventing the large black Audi from ploughing into them.
After the collision, the woman said, the driver “attempted to flee”, but her car was too damaged. She then exited her vehicle and walked away, “seemingly indifferent to the near-fatal accident” she had caused.
Police soon arrested the driver, and are investigating the incident.
Mother and baby are said to be doing fine, but are obviously shaken-up by the ordeal.
The police have been asked to comment. (Images: Facebook)
News
Milford Haven honours fishermen with annual memorial service
MILFORD HAVEN held its annual Fishermen’s Tribute Service on Saturday (Sept 28) at The Rath, in a heartfelt event that drew members of the community to honour its maritime legacy.
The Milford Haven Town Band played, adding to the solemnity of the occasion, attended by Mayor Councillor William Elliot, who laid a wreath on behalf of the town.
This year’s service, led by Reverend Samuel Patterson, focused on commemorating those connected to the fishing industry, reflecting on their contributions to the town’s prosperity. The event underscores the challenging conditions faced by fishermen and the pivotal role the fishing industry plays in Milford Haven’s economy and culture.
As part of the ceremony, attendees paid their respects at the memorial, which bears the inscription, “A Tribute to Our Fishermen,” affirming the community’s gratitude and remembrance of their efforts.
(Photos Lloyd Jones / Fiona Galliford)
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