News

Live events licence at Pembrokeshire industrial estate to be heard

Published

5 months ago

August 7, 2024

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

AN APPLICATION for a new premises licence for a Milford Haven business unit to hold live entertainments events venue, which was recently granted planning permission, is to be heard later this week.

In an application before Pembrokeshire County Council’s licensing sub-committee, meeting on August 8, Barty Events Ltd is applying for the licence at The Hangar, Units 4 & 6, Maritime House, Thornton Business Park.

Late last month, Pembrokeshire planners granted permission for a change of use for the units, after hearing the applicant, Steve Bartrum, had “jumped the gun” by previously operating it without permission.

That application followed a planning enforcement notice served in April, a report for the licensing committee said.

The licensing application, submitted in June by Barty Events Ltd, intends the venue will host live bands, DJs, Bingo, boxing matches, live screenings for live sporting events, such as boxing and rugby and dance music events

The applicant has applied for a number of events per year operating as late as midnight, with five special cases to 2am, along with exceptions around the Christmas/New Year period, with agreed conditions relating to CCTV and noise.

The report for committee members says 15 events have been held at The Hangar between September 30 of last year and May 11, all under the authorisation of temporary event notices (TENs), with engagement and communication with the applicant, the licensing authority and other responsible authorities since October.

Health and Safety officers dealt with public safety complaints received following an event in December an inspection was undertaken and advice given, and pollution officers received noise complaints following events held since late December and have undertaken noise monitoring and given advice to Mr Bartram about noise mitigation, the report said.

Objections by council officers have been raised over March and April TENs, on public nuisance, and in May a Licensing Sub-Committee considered the objection to the standard TEN (for a boxing event that month), a counter notice was subsequently served by a licensing subcommittee.

That was later appealed by the applicant at court, the appeal upheld, but the boxing event did not proceed, with two further TENs later submitted for events in July and August.

The report added: “The planning application and premises licence have been running concurrently and during this period the licensing authority and planning officers have worked closely to avoid any conflicts between the planning permission and any potential premises licence.”

Three options are presented to the sub-committee: to grant the premises licence subject only to the conditions that are consistent with the operating schedule accompanying the application and those agreed, grant the licence subject to different conditions or hours, or reject the application.

Community

Tractor run lights up Pembrokeshire and raises funds for charity

Published

13 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE PEMBROKESHIRE ILLUMINATED TRACTOR RUN took place today (Dec 21), raising funds for two vital charities: the Catrin Vaughan Foundation and Wales Air Ambulance.

Starting at Clarbeston Road AFC at 6:00pm, the brightly lit convoy of nearly 200 tractors made its way through Withybush Hospital and Haverfordwest High Street before finishing at the Pembrokeshire County Showground.

The annual event has become a highlight of the festive calendar, drawing large crowds to witness the spectacle of tractors adorned with colourful lights and decorations.

Funds raised from the event will support the Catrin Vaughan Foundation, which provides crucial assistance to families facing hardship, and the Wales Air Ambulance, delivering life-saving emergency medical care across the region.

Organisers praised the dedication of local farmers and volunteers, whose commitment ensures the event’s continued success year after year.

(Image: Nia Marshall/Facebook)

Business

Ferry Terminal ‘extremely busy’ due to ongoing Holyhead closure

Published

20 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKE DOCK Ferry Terminal has been experiencing significant congestion today as ferry services remain under immense pressure following the closure of Holyhead Port earlier this month.

The disruption, caused by storm damage, has rerouted ferry traffic through Pembrokeshire, leading to long queues and crowded facilities at the terminal.

The Herald can confirm that it has been very busy today with cars, lorries, and foot passengers queuing in large numbers. Staff are working tirelessly to manage the influx, directing vehicles and assisting passengers as they prepare to board the heavily booked ferries.

A spokesperson for the Port of Milford Haven said: “We are working closely with ferry operators and local authorities to ensure traffic flows as smoothly as possible, but the sheer volume of vehicles is causing unavoidable delays.”

Travelers are being urged to arrive early for their sailings and to remain patient as the terminal operates at full capacity.

Both Stena Line and Irish Ferries have increased capacity on their Pembrokeshire routes, deploying larger vessels, including the Stena Adventurer and the MV James Joyce, to handle the surge in demand.

From our position at the terminal, our photographer has captured photos showing long lines of vehicles, groups of foot passengers carrying luggage, and port staff coordinating efforts to ease congestion.

Authorities are advising non-essential travelers to consider rescheduling their journeys where possible and to monitor updates from ferry operators closely.

(Photos: Martin Cavaney/Herald)

Community

Festive celebrations at St Davids Cathedral this weekend

Published

21 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

ST DAVIDS Cathedral is set to host two special events on Sunday (Dec 22), offering a blend of joyful participation and traditional carol singing to mark the Christmas season.

In the morning, families are invited to the Scratch Nativity at 11:00am. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed as wise men, angels, sheep, or shepherds and take part in an unrehearsed retelling of the Christmas story. Canon Leigh described the event as: “Complete, wonderful chaos for an hour… but with some poignant, thought-provoking moments to centre ourselves on the real meaning of Christmas.”

Later in the evening, the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols by Candlelight will take place at 7:00pm, featuring the Cathedral Choir. The event, steeped in tradition, will see the cathedral bathed in candlelight as carols and scripture readings fill the historic space.

Doors will open at 5:45pm for those seeking unreserved seating, and a large turnout is expected for this beloved Christmas celebration.