CASTELL GROUP, in partnership with Pembrokeshire County Council, have completed the sale for the redevelopment of the former Cleddau Bridge Hotel site.

The site in Pembroke Dock was acquired by Castell unconditionally in April 2024.

Planning and Sustainable Drainage Approving Body approval has since been secured, enabling completion to be finalised and move to the next phase in bringing the site back to life.

The site has been vacant following a fire in 2019, which has left the building badly damaged and a blight on the local landscape.

The new development is set to revitalise the site, bringing fresh investment and economic benefits to the area.

Utilising social housing grant from Welsh Government, the site will develop 35 much needed social rented homes to the area.

These 35 homes will range in size and consist of various affordable housing, such as social, supported, and intermediate rent.

All properties will be owned and rented by Pembrokeshire County Council.’

Dorian Payne, Managing Director at Castell Group said: “We are delighted to reach this critical stage in the redevelopment of the Cleddau Bridge Hotel site.

“We are excited to move forward with the construction in collaboration with Pembrokeshire County Council.”

The announcement of the completion of the contracts between Castell Group and Pembrokeshire County Council’s demonstrates both parties’ commitment to delivering high-quality housing and bringing brownfield sites back into use.

The project is expected to break ground shortly.

Cllr Michelle Bateman, Cabinet Member for Housing, said: “This site has been derelict since the fire in 2019 so it’s fantastic news that it will now be developed into high quality affordable housing.

“We are committed to increasing the supply of affordable housing and this development, in one of our largest towns, will play a part in meeting the demand for housing in Pembrokeshire.”

Cllr Joshua Beynon, the local member, added: “I am really pleased to see the Council developing this piece of land that has been left as an eyesore since it caught fire some years ago. Housing is what we need and I’m really pleased to see it happening here.”

Anyone interested in applying for one of the homes will need to have an up-to-date housing application.

If you have any queries please email the Customer Liaison Team at devCLO@pembrokeshire.gov.uk or phone them on 01437 764551, or view Housing’s Facebook page: Pembrokeshire County Council Housing Services | Facebook

NATIONAL PARK planners are expected to back a call to visit a proposed new ‘traveller site’ on the outskirts of a Pembrokeshire village, which has seen a petition of nearly 300 objections, before making any formal decision.

Nearly 300 people have signed a petition against the creation of one traveller site incorporating one static caravan, one touring caravan, day/utility room and ecological enhancements (partly retrospective) on land at Froghall Yard, Moreton Lane, Saundersfoot.

The objection to the site is also being shared by the village’s community council.

Around 50 people attended a recent meeting of the community council when members voted unanimously to object to the application.

The application is made by Dai Evans of Pontypool, through agents Hayston Developments & Planning Ltd.

Saundersfoot Community Council is recommending that the plans are turned down.

Members have pointed out that the site is agricultural land, with no caravan or other use in over 30 years.

They added: “This previously unspoilt location is an important part of the landscape setting of the village.”

There was also concern that the site – where two previous planning applications had been rejected – is overlooked from Incline Way above and cannot be screened,

Councillors were ‘frustrated’ that extensive clearance work had already taken place on site, with multiple mature trees removed and apparently disturbing a badger habitat.

They continued: “‘Permission here would be gross overdevelopment setting a precedent for development literally anywhere throughout the National Park, including the additional land owned by the applicant adjacent to the application site.”

The community council’s objection finishes: “The applicant lives in Pontypool and claims no connection to the area.  There is no rationale as to why the applicant chose a site approximately 100 miles away from their home.”

A supporting statement accompanying the application states: “The applicant belongs to a long-standing Romany Gypsy family and generations have lived a traditional and cultural lifestyle living in caravans all their lives.

“Mr Evans and his partner currently reside on an overcrowded Traveller site in Pontypool where living conditions are poor. They currently only live in rented accommodation and its brick and mortar and not in keeping with their cultural preference, as they prefer to live in a caravan.”

It says Mr Evans and family have stayed in a touring caravan at the site during the summer months since the late 1980s when it was owned by another gypsy family, later purchased by Mr Evans in 2023, clearing and refurbishing the site.

“The application’s aspirations are to continue his Gypsy culture and traditions residing in a caravan on site.”

At the April 9 meeting of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park’s development management committee, members are recommended to agree to a site visit ahead of any formal decision on the scheme, on the grounds of public interest.

If a site visit is agreed, the application will be heard at a future national park meeting.

CARMARTHENSHIRE WOMAN FEARS LOSING HOME OVER PROPOSALS

THE FIRST MINISTER of Wales has once again declined to give her view on controversial plans to cut Personal Independence Payments (PIP), despite mounting concern from the public and members of the Senedd.

During First Minister’s Questions on Tuesday (April 1), Cefin Campbell, Plaid Cymru MS for Mid and West Wales, challenged Eluned Morgan to clarify her stance after hearing from residents in Llanelli affected by the proposed changes.

Mr Campbell told the Senedd he had recently attended a People Speak Up event in Llanelli, where he spoke with constituents worried about the impact of losing their disability payments.

“One woman was concerned she would lose her house. Another said she might have to cut back on food if her PIP was withdrawn,” he said. “This is the seriousness of the situation facing people in our communities.”

He continued: “You were elected, like me, by the people of Mid and West Wales to represent and advocate for them. Can I ask, is this the kind of policy you expected from a Labour-led government in Westminster? A policy that’s going to hit the most vulnerable in our society and push thousands more people into poverty? Is this what you mean by ‘a partnership in power’?”

Despite the direct appeal, the First Minister again refused to offer an opinion on the policy.

Her continued silence follows an earlier refusal to comment during a session of the Committee for the Scrutiny of the First Minister on Friday (March 28), where she also declined to express support or criticism.

This is at odds with recent claims by the Secretary of State for Wales, Jo Stevens, who said that Eluned Morgan welcomed the policy.