News

Claim investment will take a century to recover was ‘headline grabbing’

Published

3 years ago

December 18, 2023

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A CLAIM by the leader of Pembrokeshire’s Tory group that council investment in the Western Quayside redevelopment will take well over a century to recover, has been labelled a headline-grabbing opportunity by the deputy leader.

The food market development on the site of Haverfordwest’s old Ocky White’s department store is expected to be opened next summer.

The three-storey riverside building, a key part of Pembrokeshire County Council’s regeneration of the county town, hit the headlines last year with the unexpected discovery of hundreds of human remains.

In a submitted question, heard at the December 14 full council meeting, Tory group leader and Martletwy councillor Di Clements said: “EJ Hales recently published that it anticipated an annual return of approximately £90,000 a year from renting out the entire floor space in the Western Quayside project.

“The cabinet’s most recent report has an approved budget for this project of £11.35 million.

“This means that without any interest, administration or repair costs, the project will take at least 126 years to recover the cost of the project.

“Therefore, my question to the Cabinet member for Place and the Region [Cllr Paul Miller] is, what is the estimated number of years that he forecasts it will take PCC to recoup its financial investment in the Western Quayside (Ocky White) project, inclusive of loan interest, admin fees, building repairs that are not covered in the tenancy agreements and any other costs associated with the upkeep of the building?”

Responding, Cllr Miller – who also serves as deputy leader – referenced the 126 years claim: “There’s a lot wrong with this question, it’s very much designed to secure the Tory group a headline, rather than actually add any value to the debate.”

He told members the council’s contribution would be nearer £7m than £11.35m, adding that Cllr Clements’ “flat cash income” projections didn’t work, with revenue changing over the period “to our advantage”.

He said the scheme was “never a commercial investment but a regeneration investment,” with private investors unlikely to ever regenerate the area on their own, leaving it “rotting”.

Cllr Miller said both the council and Welsh government saw the need for investment; the area “transformed,” with a private investor now in the process of “a multi-million fit-out,” which would create for than 50 jobs.

“The opposition like to complain loudly about the capital investment in our communities across Pembrokeshire, but my question is what exactly do they offer as an alternative?

“I’ve said before that the alternative – it seems to me – is just abandon our town centres and look the other way; that’s what the previous administration did in Haverfordwest, in Pembroke, in Fishguard, and it’s not a policy that I or any of my colleagues are willing to continue with.”

In her supplementary question, Cllr Clements said that council costs for every £1m borrowed for the project amounted to £70,000 against the backdrop of £90,000 a year in rents, adding: “I’ll leave you to do the maths on that.

“It will cost the taxpayer a lot of money; do you think this is fair for those that pay council tax?”

Cllr Miller conceded there was a cost to the public purse, accepted “at the outset,” but said the upside was the Riverside development occupied and businesses investing in the county.

“The benefits aren’t just pounds and pence on the council’s balance sheet,” he added.

Crime

Man charged with attempted murder after A44 collision near Aberystwyth

Published

13 hours ago

July 3, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A 24-YEAR-OLD man has been charged following a single-vehicle collision on the A44 near Capel Bangor, Aberystwyth.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the incident happened on Tuesday, June 30.

Owen Rhys-Jones, of Dol-y-Bont, Aberystwyth, has been charged with attempted murder, dangerous driving, and controlling and coercive behaviour.

He has been remanded in custody and is due to appear before court.

Police are continuing to appeal for witnesses and are asking anyone who was in the Capel Bangor area at around 8.50pm on Tuesday, June 30, to come forward.

Officers are particularly keen to hear from anyone who witnessed a disturbance in or around Capel Bangor, or who may have phone, video or dashcam footage of the incident.

Anyone with information can contact Dyfed-Powys Police through the force’s dedicated online portal.

The force said: “We would like to thank the local community for their support while officers have carried out extensive enquiries, and to those who have supported our investigation so far.”

News

A40 closed near Llandeilo following collision

Published

13 hours ago

July 3, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A SECTION of the A40 in Carmarthenshire has been closed in both directions following a collision.

The road is currently shut between Llandeilo and Nantgaredig, with traffic queuing in the area and emergency services attending.

Drivers are being urged to avoid the route where possible, allow extra time for their journeys and follow the diversions in place.

The closure is affecting traffic on the A40 between Carmarthen and Llandeilo, including the area around Pentrefelin and the Castle Dryslwyn turn-off.

This is a developing incident and further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

Local Government

Award-winning Saundersfoot sauna faces refusal over location concerns

Published

13 hours ago

July 3, 2026

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

PLANS to allow an award-winning outdoor sauna to remain permanently at Saundersfoot Harbour have been recommended for refusal by Pembrokeshire Coast National Park planners.

Hwyl Outdoor Sauna, run by Kerry Evans, was granted temporary two-year permission in June 2024 for a mobile wood-fired sauna at the harbour.

The business has since become a popular feature with residents, visitors and cold-water swimmers, and was named Sauna of the Year 2026/27 at the Wales Prestige Awards earlier this year.

***Saundersfoot’s cold-water swimmers are sauna regulars. (Image: Hwyl Outdoor Sauna)***

***Hwyl Outdoor Sauna (Image: Hwyl Outdoor Sauna)***

Ms Evans has now applied to make the siting permanent, but officers are recommending refusal when the application goes before the National Park Authority’s development management committee on Tuesday, July 15.

A supporting statement submitted with the application said the sauna had “become a popular and valued amenity for both residents and visitors, offering a space focused on health, wellbeing and community connection”.

It added: “The overall sentiment within the village has been strongly supportive, with many residents recognising the sauna as a valuable asset that enhances the amenities in Saundersfoot.

“Hwyl Outdoor Sauna has received positive attention in regional and national press, helping to promote Saundersfoot as a destination for coastal wellbeing and outdoor experiences.

“Media coverage has highlighted the sauna as an example of the increasing popularity of sea swimming and sauna culture around the UK coastline.”

Saundersfoot Community Council has raised no objection to the application, and most of the 19 letters submitted by members of the public support the proposal.

Supporters have described the sauna as “a major asset to the village,” “a wellness landmark for Saundersfoot,” and “a unique offering that attracts visitors to the beach and harbour”.

However, some objectors have said that while they support permanent consent in principle, they do not believe the sauna should remain in its current position because it “obstructs the view of the beach from the promenade”.

In their report to committee members, National Park officers say the proposal, in its current form and location, would harm the setting of the Saundersfoot Conservation Area.

The report states: “The application, in its current form and with the proposed location of the sauna, is considered to result in a landscape impact that harms the setting of the Saundersfoot Conservation Area.

“The sauna is also located in a position which reduces public access along the existing promenade route, which is considered to prevent appropriate access from being achieved.

“In addition, since the temporary permission was granted, planning advice has been updated and there is now a requirement for a Flood Consequences Assessment in this location. The lack of a suitable Flood Consequences Assessment results in insufficient information to support the current application.”

Officers also note that the latest application includes additional development, including a booking office which has already been installed, meaning the overall scale of the proposal is greater than the scheme approved on a temporary basis in 2024.

The report adds: “Following consideration of the implementation of the temporary permission and given the greater extent of the current proposal, it is considered that the visual impact of the sauna and related booking office has now increased and could be reduced by locating the sauna further back in the car park.

“This would also have the benefit of the sauna not requiring relocation during severe weather and increased flood risk.”

The application is recommended for refusal on the grounds of visual impact, impact on the conservation area, reduced public access along the promenade, and the absence of a suitable Flood Consequences Assessment.

Committee members will make the final decision at the July 15 meeting.