News
Holiday let on water, featured in The Times, gets thumbs-up after refusal

A PEMBROKESHIRE luxury holiday let on a boat, previously refused planning, has been given the go-ahead after its owners proved it had been used for years, even citing articles in the Times and Observer newspapers.
The application for the luxury holiday let, at New Pencoed, part of Little Pencoed Farm, near Lawrenny, which had been recommended for conditional approval in 2019, was turned down by planning officers back in March.
In 2019, retrospective plans for the boat at the south Pembrokeshire organic dairy farm were given a conditional go-ahead after an earlier application was turned down.
Applicant Bruce Carlisle stated works for the holiday houseboat – on a former irrigation pond – had started in 2016 and finished in 2017, the boat being part of a tourism business, including a campsite and shepherd’s hut, supplementing the farm’s income.
Following a site visit to view the boat, delegated approval was given in 2019, subject to conditions including being for holiday occupancy only.
However, in March 2023, the application was refused by officers, a spokesman for Pembrokeshire County Council later saying: “The committee resolution was subject to the applicant entering into a legal agreement, however there were issues in respect of identifying parties with an interest in the land.”
Detailing why the decision had taken some four years, the spokesman said “… resource issues meant that a backlog of applications formed,” adding: “The council is now going through the backlog to clear outstanding cases.”
After that, the applicants said they were working with the council in the hope of “a positive future outcome”.
Since that refusal, agent Gerald Blain Associates submitted a certificate of lawful development for the houseboat, making the case: “…the fact that the houseboat development has been completed for a period in excess of four years prior to the date of this submission is lawful if no formal enforcement action has been taken by the Local Planning Authority within the prescribed four-year period”.
Included in the application was case law, correspondence with the council from 2018, and cuttings from several national newspapers showing the houseboat holiday let was up-and-running back at least as far back as 2018, with an April 2018 article from The Times, and a July 2018 article from The Observer submitted.
Planning officers have now approved the certificate of lawful development, saying: “It is considered that on the balance of probability the building has been erected and occupied continuously for a period of time in excess of four years”.
Crime
‘Yeah but no but’ insult to female officer lands Monkton man with court fine

A MONKTON man who compared a female police officer to TV character Vicky Pollard during a nightclub incident has been fined after admitting causing alarm or distress.
Police were called to the nightclub in the early hours of March 28 following reports of a disturbance.
“It was around 3:00am and a number of police officers were present as a result of a dispute concerning the defendant,” Crown Prosecutor Dennis Davies told Haverfordwest magistrates on Monday (Mar 31). “He believed he’d been the victim of a robbery.”
During the altercation, 28-year-old Boswell pointed at one of the female officers and said he didn’t want to speak to her.
“He called her fat, and likened her to Vicky Pollard,” added Mr Davies.
Boswell was also seen pushing out towards his ex-partner.
“He didn’t make contact with her and no injuries were caused, but he was out of order,” Mr Davies continued.
Boswell pleaded guilty to causing a police officer alarm or distress, and to assaulting his ex-partner by beating. He was represented in court by solicitor Tom Lloyd.
“Being remanded in custody for a number of days since the offence may be sufficient punishment for the defendant,” said Mr Lloyd. “He’s recently been drinking heavily as a result of a family bereavement that’s upset him very much, but he now realises that he needs to sort himself out. His family are not impressed and will not tolerate this sort of behaviour.”
Boswell was fined £240 and ordered to pay a £96 court surcharge and £85 in costs.
“This was a foolish thing to do and has proved a very expensive night out,” commented the presiding magistrate.
Community
Police search for missing Carmarthen man, Liam

POLICE are searching for a 28-year-old man who has been reported missing from the Carmarthen area.
Liam was last seen at around 11:00am on Monday (March 31) in the Burry Port area.
Officers from the Carmarthen, Whitland, and St Clears area say they are concerned for his welfare.
He is described as being approximately 6ft tall, of stocky build, with short dark brown hair and a black beard. He was last seen wearing black Adidas trousers and a black jacket.
Dyfed-Powys Police are appealing for anyone who may have seen Liam, or who has information on his whereabouts, to come forward as a matter of urgency.
Information can be reported online at https://orlo.uk/gzXsk, by emailing 101@dyfed-powys.police.uk, or by calling 101.
Those contacting police are asked to quote reference number 35 of March 31.
Crime
Tenby man fined for failing to carry out unpaid work activity

FAILURE to attend unpaid work sessions following a court order imposed by Haverfordwest magistrates has resulted in another court appearance for Penally resident Cheyne Lloyd.
Lloyd, 30, failed to attend the unpaid work sessions on two separate occasions despite an 18-month community order imposed following a conviction for common assault.
The order was made in July 2023 comprising 25 RAR days and 200 hours of unpaid work, however Lloyd, of Alma Gardens, Penally, Tenby failed to attend the unpaid work sessions on two separate occasions in October 2024 and February 2025.
This week he pleaded guilty to the breach when he appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates.
He was legally represented in court by solicitor Tom Lloyd.
“When he first came before the court he was like a different person who was in a very bad place,” said Mr Lloyd. “It was the worst place he’s ever been in in his life.
“Despite the breach, this is someone who’s made real progress.”
Lloyd was fined £100 for the offence.
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