Politics

Get to know your candidates for the coming election

Published

1 month ago

May 25, 2024

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

WITH a July 4 date set for the general election, the currently declared candidates for the two new electoral seats of Ceredigion Preseli and Mid and South Pembrokeshire have made their first pitches for your votes.

As part of constituency changes, Pembrokeshire’s seats of Preseli Pembrokeshire and Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, are now no more.

As part of the changes, parts of north Pembrokeshire – including St Davids – are joining the new Mid and South Pembrokeshire constituency, which replace the Pembrokeshire elements of the Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire seat.

Parts of the north of the county are now in the new Ceredigion Preseli constituency, areas including Crymych and Maenclochog joining with Ceredigion.

Current hopefuls for the Mid and South Pembrokeshire seat are Welsh Liberal Democrat Alistair Cameron, with Stephen Crabb for the Conservatives and Henry Tufnell for Labour.

Conservative hopeful Stephen Crabb said: “As a local man who lives and was raised in the heart of Pembrokeshire, I’m committed to providing a strong voice for our county. I understand the needs of our community and have a trusted track record of speaking up for Pembrokeshire. I bring experience, a record of delivering on our county’s priorities, and I always put the interests of Pembrokeshire first.”

“I’ve worked hard to secure the Celtic Freeport which will bring new investment and jobs to the area, improved Broadband, delivered new Levelling Up money to improve our town centres, and boosted the number of police officers to keep our communities safer. Defending Withybush Hospital and local health services against Welsh Labour cuts will always remain a top priority.”

“I am the only candidate at this election who has fought against Vaughan Gething’s Withyhedge landfill scandal which has ruined the quality of life of thousands of Pembrokeshire people. This election is an opportunity for local people to send a message to Welsh Labour that Pembrokeshire must not be turned into a dumping ground.”

Welsh Labour’s candidate Henry Tufnell said: “Today presents an opportunity for the people of Mid and South Pembrokeshire to have their say. They can choose between more of the same of the last fourteen years: scandal, sleaze, economic mismanagement and falling living standards, or a changed Labour Party that will deliver for them.

“I want a fresh start for Mid and South Pembrokeshire, to be a strong voice to stand up for residents and to work hard for them. With a UK Labour Government working hand in hand with our Welsh Government, the people of Pembrokeshire will be better off.”

Alistair Cameron, Welsh Lib Dem candidate said: “I will push for quality local jobs that offer fair wages to help residents and families get by. I will urge the UK government to boost support for offshore wind and green hydrogen industries off our coastline, creating skilled sustainable employment for our region.

“I will also support established industries in our county including tourism and farming. As part of this, I want to make it easier to trade with our nearest neighbours in the European Union.

“Many are frustrated with long waits to access healthcare under the Labour-led system, whether seeing a GP, finding an NHS dentist, or getting hospital treatment for serious illnesses. I will fight to make it much easier to access these vital services. “

Plaid Cymru is yet to select a candidate for the constituency, and other parties are expected to announce their choices in the coming weeks.

Candidates confirmed to date for Ceredigion Preseli are Ben Lake for Plaid Cymru, Liberal Democrat Mark Williams, Welsh Labour’s Jackie Jones, and Conservative Aled Thomas.

Welsh Labour’s Jackie Jones, said: “Fourteen years of Conservative government in Westminster has left families in Ceredigion Preseli worse off. Plaid Cymru won’t be able to provide solutions to the problems the UK faces.

“I’m campaigning for a fresh start for Ceredigion Preseli with a Labour Government. A thriving local economy, a modernised NHS, and opportunities for all, no matter your background. There is an alternative to Conservative chaos and Plaid powerlessness. A UK Labour Government, working with our Welsh Labour Government, will deliver for communities across Wales.”

Plaid Cymru’s Ben Lake said: “It is an honour to stand as the representative for the new seat of Ceredigion Preseli. It has been a privilege to serve the people of Ceredigion for the past seven years, during which I have done my utmost to fight their cause, striving every day to improve the lives of the people I am honoured to serve.

“I hope to be re-elected as your Member of Parliament on July 4, and will work tirelessly to champion the issues that matter most to you. Whether that’s investing in our public services, safeguarding our NHS, or boosting our local economy for the benefit of our communities.

“I will be your champion at Westminster, and I am confident that together we can build a stronger, more sustainable, and prosperous Ceredigion Preseli to enable future generations to thrive.”

Conservative hopeful Aled Thomas said: “It’s an honour of a lifetime to represent residents in North Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion as the Welsh Conservative Candidate for Ceredigion Preseli. Now the starting gun has officially been fired, I’m ready to continue spreading positive messages across the constituency about what has been achieved under a Conservative UK government, with getting the economy growing, the furlough scheme, gigabit internet rollout, national insurance tax cuts, legalising same sex marriage and establishing the Celtic Freeport just to name a few.

“Rural communities across our constituency need stability, and the uncertainty the Plaid Cymru and the Welsh Labour Government have inflicted on Welsh Farmers is unforgivable. As a young farmer, I feel the same pain that our rural communities feel. I will always fight for farmers and wider rural communities, and I know that the Welsh Conservatives share that same value.

“Conservatives also have a strong record in education, and now more than ever, I will be the only voice that speaks up for a generation of children in Ceredigion Preseli – where Labour’s current curriculum for Wales and the Plaid Cymru-run County Council are letting a generation of school children down.”

Liberal Democrat hopeful Mark Williams said: “It is an honour to stand as the candidate for the Liberal Democrats and represent the new constituency – Ceredigion Preseli, in Westminster.

“Having had the privilege of representing the people of Ceredigion for over 12 years as your member of parliament, I had a proven track record of consistently fighting for our community, striving every day to improve the lives of the people I served. I will do so again if I am elected to serve as your next MP.

“On July 4, I seek your support to be elected as the member of parliament. As the choice for change and a better future, I am dedicated to addressing the issues that matter most to you. My focus will be on securing vital investments in our public services, protecting our health service, and boosting our local economy to benefit all our communities.

“I am committed to being a strong and effective voice for you in Westminster. Together, we can build a stronger, more sustainable, and vibrant Ceredigion Preseli that will enable future generations to thrive.”

The two new seats have two Pembrokeshire County Council councillors standing, Alistair Cameron and Aled Thomas.

Business

Legal challenge against £6m expansion of holiday park fails

Published

1 hour ago

June 26, 2024

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A LEGAL challenge against Pembrokeshire County Council for a recently granted approval for a £6m expansion of a south Pembrokeshire holiday park has been turned down, county planners heard.

Back in February, Pembrokeshire planners were informed a legal challenge to a November 2023-granted application for works at Heritage Park, Pleasant Valley/Stepaside had been launched.

The holiday park scheme had previously been backed twice by county planners after a ‘minded to approve’ cooling-off period was invoked as it was against repeated officer recommendations to refuse.

The controversial scheme by Heritage Leisure Development (Wales) Ltd includes the installation of 48 bases for holiday lodges, a spa facility at a former pub, holiday apartments, a café and cycle hire, equestrian stables, a manège and associated office, and associated works.

It is said the scheme, next to the historic remains of the 19th century Stepaside ironworks and colliery, will create 44 jobs.

Officer grounds for refusal, based on the Local Development Plan, included the site being outside a settlement area.

Along with 245 objections to the current scheme, Stepaside & Pleasant Valley Residents’ Group (SPVRG Ltd) – formed to object to an earlier 2019 application which was later withdrawn – also raised a 38-page objection, with a long list of concerns.

A failed legal challenge to try and overturn a council decision to approve three separate planning applications at Heritage Park was launched in 2021 by SPVRG Ltd, which failed in early 2022; the council awarded costs of £10,000 despite external legal fees paid totalled £34,000 plus VAT.

At the June 25 meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee members heard the recent judicial review call by SPVRG Ltd had been refused by the high court, the grounds put forward “not considered to be reasonably arguable”.

Committee chair Cllr Simon Hancock said a council request for SPVRG Ltd to pay costs incurred by the county council in defending the claim had now been submitted.

Education

Portfield School £30m redevelopment unanimously backed

Published

5 hours ago

June 26, 2024

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

AN APPLICATION for a £30m-plus redevelopment of Haverfordwest’s Portfield School has been backed by Pembrokeshire planners.

Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee meeting of June 25 was recommended to approve a council application for the redevelopment of Portfield School, including demolition of the existing Portfield Lower School, a masterplan for the campus, the development of the new primary school building, refurbishment works to the existing sixth form block and associated works.

The proposal will increase student numbers from an approximately 170 to 215, with staff numbers increasing from 108 to approximately 145.

A report for planners said the application site is located on the current Portfield School, an Additional Learning School (ALN) for pupils aged 3-19, site, and part of the former school grounds of Haverfordwest High VC School.

“An overall masterplan for the site has been prepared. The principal elements of the redevelopment comprise the replacement of the existing lower school with a lower school building directly connected to the existing 6th Form block by way of a covered link.

“The 6th Form block and Holly House will both be refurbished but planning permission is not required for these elements of the scheme, bar the provision of a new entrance canopy to the 6th Form Block.”

It added: “The proposed development will lead to the loss of all-weather playing pitches and the Tennis Dome, albeit this is in the context of the council’s decision that this provision be discontinued and that the land should be re-purposed as part of the Portfield School redevelopment.

“The scheme will make provision of a new MUGA [Multi-Use Games Area] and play areas to serve the development. The overall masterplan indicates that the internal site layout will be reconfigured, with the internal access road to Waldo Williams Primary School relocated west, allowing for emergency vehicles and deliveries access to the adjacent site.

“In addition, the existing bus parking space will be utilised for standard parking, with a new access lane off this area leading to the rear of the secondary school, allowing refuse vehicles to access the bins and to accommodate a new drop off point for the Sixth Form Block.”

Moving approval at the committee meeting, Haverfordwest Portfield county councillor Cllr Tim Evans said the redevelopment was “very exciting” for Portfield.

Committee chair Cllr Simon Hancock said the development was “a significant investment” of over £30m.

The scheme was conditionally approved following a unanimous backing by committee members.

Entertainment

Popular dinosaur park gets permission to keep facilities open

Published

5 hours ago

June 26, 2024

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A CALL to allow a south Pembrokeshire dinosaur park attraction to keep some of its facilities running has been given the thumbs-up by county planners.

In an application before Pembrokeshire County Council planners, Simon Meyrick of The Dinosaur Park, Gumfreston sought a certificate of lawfulness to keep three operational buildings at the park, a tourist attraction near Tenby which first opened in the mid-90s.

The certificate relates to three building at the park: a Covered Eating Area, a ‘Dinos Fun House,’ and an ‘Arachno Web’.

An application for a certificate of lawfulness allows an applicant to stay at a development if they can provide proof of occupancy or use over a prolonged period, normally in excess of four years.

A supporting statement, through agent Hayston Developments & Planning Ltd, said each building had been continuously operated since at least April 2020, a period of more than four years, for the purposes of seeking the certificate of lawfulness under the ‘four year rule’.

It added: “The covered eating area has been present almost since the opening of the Park in 1994; completion would therefore have been in 1995 / 1996 when it was used as an amphitheatre and home to puppet shows and fossil hunts. Over the last 3 / 4 years the same structure has been re-purposed to form a covered eating area reflecting a changing set of priorities, firstly to act as protection from rain and sun reflecting climate change and secondly, to provide more space for families to sit in a more open environment while variations of Covid are still present.”

It said the ‘Arachno Web’ was issued with a Certificate of Conformation (European Rope Course Association) in July 2018, and the ‘Dino Fun House’ was constructed at the beginning of 2020 after the required timber had been delivered by Farmplus in November 2019.

“Whilst there is a history of planning consents relating to the establishment of the Dinosaur Park and its development over recent years, no specific consents have been sought or granted for either the Covered Seating Area, the Dinos Fun House or the Arachno Web. This application seeks to remedy the lack of those specific consents,” the statement added.

A report by officers, granting the certificate, stated: “It is considered that based on the evidence available, on the balance of probability, that the buildings / structure edged red have been in operational use for a period in excess of four years preceding the date of the application for this certificate, and is subsequently immune from enforcement action.”