News

‘Best land’ refusal for Pembrokeshire caravan site extension

Published

2 years ago

February 4, 2024

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

PLANS to expand a caravan park at a hamlet near St Davids, using high quality agricultural land previously used as a pitch and putt golfing facility, have been turned down by the national park.

Mr and Mrs Bill Rees sought permission for the change of use for 10 additional mobile lodges/caravans at Tretio Caravan & Camping Park, Tretio, near St Davids.

The main holiday complex currently contains 30 static holiday caravans and pitches for 10 motorhomes as well as 46 tent pitches.

The application, heard at the January 31 meeting of Pembrokeshire coast National Park’s development management committee, was recommended for refusal following a site visit by planners earlier that month.

One of the complications for the applicants was the land was deemed to be “Best and Most Versatile land,” officers also saying the scheme – supported by St Davids City Council – was likely to have a negative impact on the special qualities of the National Park.

A number of neighbour objections have been received to the proposal, including a joint response on behalf of a number of residents, raising a variety of issues including impact on the surround area, and a historic permission requiring its reversion to agricultural use should the current use of the area cease.

A report for members said: “The applicant has stated that the site’s permission for pitch and putt golf course means that the area of land in question is previously developed land.

“Objectors have disputed this and pointed to the condition requiring its restoration for agricultural purposes should this use cease. Officers do not consider the land in question to be previously developed land.”

Reasons for refusal included the proposed extension was not considered to be well screened, the additional pitches and track would result in a visual intrusion into the landscape, and increase in car usage, and the change of the Best and Most Versatile Agricultural Land to a caravan and camping site.

Speaking at the meeting, one of the objectors, neighbour Rhodri Price-Lewis said: “Tretio is a very special place, a hamlet of seven dwellings, a real community of neighbours.

“The proposal would more than double the number of dwellings and change the whole character of the immediate area.”

He said the scheme was “unsustainable for further development,” and would be “wholly car-based,” with no public transport available.

He also raised the issue of the ‘best and most versatile’ land, describing it as “a long-term resource”.

Applicant Bill Rees, speaking at the meeting, said he was disappointed at the recommendation for refusal, and didn’t consider the visual impact a valid objection.

On the issue of ‘best’ agricultural land he said: “This has been a golf course for over 30 years; practically, on a block of land that small, it would cost a lot of money get back into agriculture.”

He told members the are would need to be levelled out, with the only access for heavy agricultural machinery through the existing campsite.

Members voted eight in favour and five against following the officer recommendation for refusal.

“Planning Policy Wales (PPW) requires that BMV agricultural land should be conserved as a finite resource for the future with considerable weight given to protecting it from development,” a report for members stated.

“Such land should only be developed if there is an overriding need for the scheme and either previously developed land or land in lower agricultural grades are unavailable.”

Crime

Police investigate suspicious disappearance of white-tailed eagle in mid Wales

Published

38 minutes ago

December 17, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Appeal launched after satellite tag is found cut from bird and dumped on remote moorland

POLICE and wildlife crime officers are investigating the suspicious disappearance of a satellite-tagged white-tailed eagle in mid Wales after its tracking device was found cut off and deliberately hidden.

Dyfed-Powys Police is working alongside the UK National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU) following the disappearance of the juvenile bird in the Newtown area.

Officers say the satellite tag and harness were recovered from remote moorland and show clear signs of having been removed from the bird using a sharp instrument, most likely a knife, before being concealed in an apparent attempt to dispose of the evidence.

Despite searches in the area, the body of the eagle has not yet been located.

Police are now appealing for information from anyone who may have been in the area at the time and witnessed suspicious activity.

Investigators are particularly keen to hear from people who were:

At or around Gwgia Reservoir, Tregynon, between 11:00am and 1:00pm on Saturday (Sept 13)
On access land near Bryn y Fawnog between midday and 3:00pm on the same day

All potential lines of enquiry are being pursued, including detailed forensic examination for DNA and fingerprints.

Police are working closely with the tag owners, the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation, and Forestry England to analyse tracking data and support the investigation.

The disappearance is being treated as a serious wildlife crime. The persecution of birds of prey remains a national policing priority, with species such as white-tailed eagles, golden eagles and hen harriers fully protected by law.

Satellite tags are widely used for conservation and research purposes, providing vital information about bird movements and survival. Each tag carries contact details so that any recovered device can be returned directly to researchers.

Members of the public who enjoy the countryside are urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity involving birds of prey or their habitats.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dyfed-Powys Police online, by calling 101 quoting reference 25000766626. Alternatively, information can be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

News

£6m Development Bank funding backs new St Clears housing scheme

Published

43 minutes ago

December 17, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Twenty-nine energy-efficient homes nearing completion at Priory Fields development

A MAJOR housing development in St Clears is nearing completion after receiving £6 million in funding from the Development Bank of Wales.

The investment has supported the second phase of the Priory Fields development, led by West Wales housebuilder Obsidian Homes and backed through the Wales Residential Property Fund.

Phase two of the scheme, located to the west of High Street, will deliver 29 new homes. These include seven two-bedroom semi-detached houses, 13 three-bedroom semi-detached properties and nine four-bedroom detached homes.

The latest phase follows the completion and sale of 23 homes during phase one, which finished in early 2024 and was also funded by the Development Bank of Wales.

Obsidian Homes, which now employs around 40 people locally, is leading construction on the site. The company said most of its workforce lives within 10 to 15 miles of the development, supporting employment across the St Clears and wider Carmarthenshire area.

All of the homes are being built using modern timber-frame construction and have been designed to be highly energy efficient. Each property is expected to achieve an A-rated EPC score of around 94 per cent, with features including solar photovoltaic panels, electric vehicle charging points, high-performance insulation and low-impact building methods.

Huw Morgan, co-director of Obsidian Homes, said the project had personal significance, as he grew up close to the site.

He said: “Delivering high-quality homes on our doorstep means a lot to us. In St Clears we’ve already completed over 20 units, with more finishing soon, and the feedback from residents has been overwhelmingly positive. Being able to walk through the site and see people settled and happy in their homes is incredibly rewarding.”

Co-director Paul Rees said maintaining a strong local workforce was central to the company’s approach.

He said: “We now employ around 40 people directly — including our own groundworkers, plumbers, carpenters and bricklayers — and almost all of them live locally. Being able to sustain that level of employment across our schemes is a major part of who we are, and developments like this help reinforce our reputation for quality.”

Karl Jones and Rob Good, property development executives at the Development Bank of Wales, said the scheme was meeting strong demand for housing in the area.

They said: “This project delivers much-needed, high-quality homes in a popular and established community. The strong local supply chain, commitment to sustainable construction and consistent track record of delivery make it a scheme we’re very pleased to support.”

The Development Bank of Wales provides residential, mixed-use and commercial property development finance ranging from £150,000 to £10 million through funds including the Wales Residential Property Fund and the Green Development Incentive.

Crime

Teenager faces multiple charges after series of alleged incidents

Published

56 minutes ago

December 17, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Youth accused of assaults on police, criminal damage and railway trespass

A TEENAGE boy has appeared before the courts charged with a series of alleged assaults, public order offences and criminal damage incidents said to have taken place in Haverfordwest over several days in December.

The youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons due to his age, is accused of multiple offences alleged to have occurred between Wednesday (Dec 11) and Monday (Dec 16).

The charges include several counts of assault by beating, obstructing or resisting a police officer, using threatening or abusive behaviour, and criminal damage involving property valued at under £5,000.

It is alleged that a number of the incidents involved police officers acting in the execution of their duty. One charge relates to alleged trespass on or near a railway, while another concerns an arrest for an alleged breach of the peace.

The teenager appeared before the Youth Court, where reporting restrictions were confirmed under Section 49 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933, preventing the publication of any information likely to identify him.

The court made further directions in the case, and the youth was remanded on conditional bail pending future hearings.

The case remains ongoing.