News
New-build Pembrokeshire home part-collapses raising safety concerns
EMERGENCY SERVICES responded to Oak Grove estate in Twycross on the outskirts of Tenby, when a newly-built home’s side wall collapsed unexpectedly.
This occurred while the owner, Scott Ferney, was fortunately away on holiday. The unsettling incident has sent shockwaves through the community and cast shadows over the safety of the other properties on the estate.
Kevin Ferney, Scott’s father, voiced the family’s distress, stating, “As a parent, we want him [Scott] away from here just in case something else becomes unsafe. If he’d been here, there could’ve been a fatality.” This incident is reportedly the second of its kind in recent months on the estate developed by Mill Bay Homes. Earlier, a porch from a property on the same estate was reported to have detached without any warning.
Pembrokeshire county councillor for the area, Rhys Jordan, who has been fervently active in voicing concerns over the estate’s safety, said he would be “fighting tooth and nail” to ensure the residents have peace of mind about the safety of their homes. Jordan declared his intentions to commission a full structural survey for all the properties in the estate, partnering with the developer, Mill Bay Homes, to determine the cause of the collapses.
Built around 2020, the Oak Grove estate, primarily consisting of privately-owned homes, seems to have been plagued with issues. Residents claim they’ve been grappling with repeated flooding issues in some regions of the estate. Intriguingly, the wall collapse on September 27 preceded the arrival of Storm Agnes. According to Councillor Jordan, it was a fortunate coincidence that the owner was away during the incident, as the tumbling bricks “decimated” a garden cabin, which Scott Ferney typically uses as a workspace during the day.
The emergency response was swift with fire crews from the Mid and West Wales Fire Service attending the scene at around 4.30pm. A representative from the service detailed the damage, stating, “A section of a property’s gable end had collapsed onto a garden building as well as a car parking area on the nearby roadway.” The area was promptly cordoned off, with the electricity supply to the property being cut off and a structural engineer evaluating the extent of the damage.
The local councillor, Rhys Jordan, in an address to the residents of Oak Grove, reassured them saying, “The fire brigade has promptly attended the scene and ensured the area is safe. Further investigation into this incident will commence as soon as the ongoing storm subsides. At this moment, the cause of the property failure is unknown.”
Photos Courtesy: Rhys Jordan
Crime
Jailed for breaching domestic violence protection order
AMY Woolston, 20, of Vine Road, Johnston, Pembrokeshire, has been sentenced to six weeks in prison for breaching a domestic violence protection order.
On 15th May 2024, Woolston was found in the company of a man in a flat at The Farmers Arms, Market Street, Whitland, in violation of the order issued by Llanelli Magistrates Court on 10th May 2024.
The court deemed the offence serious due to the proximity to the original order and a previous breach involving the same victim. Woolston was not in custody and appeared unrepresented in court. Her total sentence length is 18 weeks.
The case was dealt with in Haverfordwest court on May 16.
News
Lease of former Newcastle Emlyn Courthouse approved
Carmarthenshire County Council’s Cabinet has this week approved the transfer of the former Newcastle Emlyn Courthouse to Newcastle Emlyn Town Council.
The Cabinet approved a 21-year lease which will facilitate the Town Council’s plan to bring the premises back into use.
The future of the former Courthouse has been considered in detail, with the Town Council carrying out a public consultation on the community’s requirements, and the sites potential contribution to those local needs. The outcome of the consultation suggested that the local community wanted the building to be retained, refurbished and transformed into a multi- use centre.
Newcastle Emlyn Town Council intend to submit an application for funding from the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund [UKSPF] in order to pay for the necessary restoration work. The funding is conditional upon the Town Council having a lease of sufficient term on the premises.
Carmarthenshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Resources, Cllr Alun Lenny commented: “The building as it currently stands is not needed for further use by the County Council and has been empty for some time. I welcome the Cabinet’s decision to approve the transfer of this asset to Newcastle Emlyn Town Council. The funding will ensure that the building is being used for the benefit of the town’s residents.
“This decision is in line with Carmarthenshire County Council’s Wellbeing Objectives: Enabling our communities and environment to be healthy, safe, and prosperous (Prosperous Communities).”
Crime
Teenagers fled from Pembroke RFC after setting spectators stand on fire
ON MONDAY (may 16) between the hours of 16:25 and 17:00, the spectators stand of Pembroke Rugby Football Club was deliberately set on fire, police have said.
Two males, aged between 17-19, fled from the club grounds immediately after the smoke plumes were noticed.
Both males were on dark framed push bikes and wearing dark coloured hooded jumpers.
Officers are asking if anyone who has any information or has witnessed anyone acting suspiciously in the area around these times, is asked to contact police either online at: https://bit.ly/DPPContactOnline, by emailing [email protected], or by calling 101. If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired text the non-emergency number on 07811 311 908.
Quote reference: 24000446140
Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555111, or visiting crimestoppers-uk.org.
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