Business
Live events licence for Thornton industrial estate gets thumbs-up
![](https://pembrokeshire-herald.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/venue-hangar.jpg)
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, has been given the go-ahead.
In an application before Pembrokeshire County Council’s licensing sub-committee, meeting on August 8, Barty Events Ltd applied for ta licence at The Hangar, Units 4 & 6, Maritime House, Thornton Business Park.
Late last month, Pembrokeshire planners granted planning 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 licencing authority and planning officers have worked closely to avoid any conflicts between the planning permission and any potential premises licence.”
Three options were 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.
At the August 8 meeting, applicant Steve Bartrum said the December dance event was “very much a learning curve,” and would not be held at the venue again, adding that acoustic panels to subdue noise levels were being installed.
He told members that complaints, with claimed vibration levels affecting gravestones were “proven to be untrue”.
Members heard the maximum number of people able to attend events would be 490, but events would cater for 350-400 people “top whack”.
“We’ve been on top of the noise since the dance event in December, as far as I’m aware there’s not been any legitimate concerns,” he added.
Following a lengthy debate in private session, committee members approved the issue of a licence, with conditions including no off-site sales of alcohol and no sale of alcohol 30 minutes before closing.
Speaking after the meeting, Steve Bartram said: “I am glad that common sense has finally prevailed. I would like to thank everyone who has supported me and the rest of the Hangar staff through this difficult process.
“My mental health has taken a battering due to the actions of one local resident who was determined to stop this venue from operating.
“Now we can look forward to the events coming up which includes the West Presents dance event next weekend and then Flamingo Bingo the week after.
“The boxing event, which was the subject to the appeal in the Magistrates Court will take place the week after that. I hope you can come and support us.”
Business
Ministers set to approve £500m Tata Steel subsidy
![](https://pembrokeshire-herald.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/tata-steel-e1711480361276.jpg)
MINISTERS are expected to confirm an agreement providing Tata Steel with a £500 million grant towards its transition to electric arc furnace technology. The announcement comes as Tata Steel prepares to phase out its blast furnace operations at Port Talbot, one of the UK’s largest steelworks.
The switch to electric arc furnaces, which melt scrap steel, is part of a broader effort to reduce carbon emissions and modernise the UK’s steelmaking industry. The £500 million grant was initially approved by the previous Conservative government, and Labour has pledged to honour the commitment. The formal announcement is expected in the House of Commons later this week.
The transition will bring significant changes to the workforce at Port Talbot. Approximately 2,500 workers are facing redundancy, with an additional 300 jobs expected to be cut in the future. Despite this, Tata Steel and unions have agreed on a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that could see further investments in the facility, including the development of a steel plate production plant for offshore wind turbines.
![](https://pembrokeshire-herald.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/tata-ta.jpeg)
Union sources have confirmed that the MoU includes assurances for the company’s other Welsh sites, such as Llanwern, Trostre, and Shotton, as well as commitments to explore new steel plate technology. This potential new facility in Port Talbot could play a vital role in the UK’s burgeoning offshore wind industry.
Gareth Stace, director general of UK Steel, emphasised the need for competitive electricity prices to support the transition to electric arc furnace technology. “As the steel sector in the UK moves to fully electric arc furnaces, and therefore using an enormous amount of electricity, having competitively priced electricity is critical to the success of our future,” said Mr Stace.
The UK government has introduced schemes to reduce energy costs for major industries like steel, but Stace argued that more needs to be done to bring prices in line with European competitors in France and Germany. He also called on the government to use some of its £2.5 billion steel support fund to help lower electricity costs for producers like Tata Steel.
UK Steel has also urged the government to increase its use of domestically produced steel for major infrastructure projects, reducing reliance on imports. Mr Stace noted that the UK must make investments in facilities like a wide-gauge heavy plate mill to ensure the industry can meet future demands, particularly from the offshore wind sector.
A spokesperson for the Department for Business and Trade said the government was committed to supporting the UK steel industry through its British Industry Supercharger scheme and the recently established Great British Energy initiative, aimed at accelerating the shift to clean energy.
“We’re working in partnership with trade unions and businesses to secure a green steel transition that’s right for the workforce and safeguards the future of the steel industry in Britain,” the spokesperson said. They also reaffirmed the government’s £2.5 billion investment commitment to rebuilding the UK steel industry and supporting affected communities.
Labour’s commitment to honour the previous government’s grant has been welcomed by unions and industry leaders. However, Welsh Conservatives have criticised Labour for taking too long to confirm the funding. Shadow Welsh Secretary Lord Davies of Gower called on the government to expedite financial aid to affected workers.
As Tata Steel and the government navigate the challenges of decarbonising the steel industry, the Port Talbot steelworks remains a focal point of the UK’s industrial future, with both environmental and economic implications at stake.
Business
Port of Milford Haven welcomes new Marine Support Officer to Pembroke Port
![](https://pembrokeshire-herald.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Port-of-Milford-Haven-welcomes-new-Marine-Support-Officer-to-Pembroke-Port-1.jpg)
AS part of its ongoing investments in Pembroke Port, the Port of Milford Haven has welcomed David Stubbins as its new Marine Support Officer focusing on assisting cargo, heavy lift, and renewable vessels on the Milford Haven Waterway.
Tasked with providing dedicated marine expertise and guidance to the Pembroke Port team, David is working closely with Commercial Manager, Sharon Adams, to ensure customers get the most out of Port’s facilities that include a heavy lift quay and a new enlarged slipway.
Speaking on his new role, David Stubbins, Marine Support Officer for Pembroke Port and the Port of Milford Haven, said: “Working on the Milford Haven Waterway is a full circle moment for me after growing up in Milford Haven and joining the Merchant Navy. It’s also a particularly exciting time to join the Port of Milford Haven with its continuing pilotage investment and with the new facilities available at Pembroke Port. I very much look forward to working alongside our customers to ensure they benefit from these investments.”
David will work collaboratively with the team at Pembroke Port, including Sharon Adams the Commercial Manager, to ensure that the level of service to customers in the cargo and renewables sector is excellent. Sharon added: “The new slipway, laydown facilities, workboat pontoons and office spaces created as part of the £60m Pembroke Dock Marine project will create fantastic opportunities for our customers. We recognise that Pembroke Port is an increasingly busy site and David will become an integral part of the team to ensure our customers always benefit from a safe, efficient and reliable operation. We are very excited for the future.”
Find out more about how you can use Pembroke Port on the Milford Haven Waterway at www.pembrokeport.com.
The Pembroke Dock Marine project is funded by the Swansea Bay City Deal through the UK and Welsh Governments, the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government and through private investment.
Business
20mph speed limits could reduce policy costs £50 per year, says insurance firm
![](https://pembrokeshire-herald.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/20mph-sign-1-1-1024x645-1.jpg)
THE average driver could be looking at a £50 saving per year on their car insurance premium if 20mph zones, such as those introduced here in Wales last year, were rolled out in towns and cities across the UK.
The new Government is supportive of local authorities implementing 20mph zones, with Louise Haigh, the Transport Secretary, saying local authorities would have her “absolute support” to introduce the schemes in towns and cities.
In September 2023, the Welsh Government introduced legislation for a default 20mph speed limit on restricted roads with exceptions decided by Local Authorities. Earlier this year, esure reported a 20% drop in claims for car accidents in Wales since this nationwide limit was introduced. Now the firm has found that extending the restrictions across the United Kingdom would result in an average £50 saving for drivers.
esure’s Peter Martin-Simon, Chief Customer Officer, said: “We are already seeing the benefits in places where 20mph speed limits have been introduced. Not only does this make roads safer for drivers and pedestrians, but an extension would also materially reduce the number of car accidents, as well as the severity and cost of those accidents.
Within three months of us identifying a new 20mph zone, we will proactively reduce policy prices for customers like we have already done in Wales.”
esure reduced car policy premiums by c10% for drivers in Wales at the end of 2023.
esure Group partner 20’s Plenty, a Not-for-profit organisation, is asking for a speed limit of 20mph to be normal in residential areas and in town and village centres across the UK.
Reacting to esure’s announcement, Founder Rod King MBE said: “This confirms on a national scale the benefits from lower speeds not only reducing casualties and danger but also providing a benefit to drivers in reduced insurance premiums.
These premium reductions have been delivered in Wales because 20mph is now the norm for urban/village streets. English drivers will continue to face higher premiums until the current patchwork of 20mph limits by exception is consolidated into 20mph as a norm.
We thank esure for their interest and action in identifying and demonstrating these benefits to communities and drivers.”
-
Crime6 days ago
Man who threatened to chop off teenage girl’s ears given community sentence
-
Crime5 days ago
Taxi driver’s death leads to death by dangerous driving charge
-
News2 days ago
Newgale Coastal Adaptation Scheme will include new section of A487
-
Crime6 days ago
Milford Haven woman threatened to rip child’s face off
-
Crime6 days ago
Milford Haven woman assaulted partner and emergency worker
-
News3 days ago
Plans submitted for homes for the elderly in Milford Haven
-
Community6 days ago
Tenby mourns taxi driver ‘Mukka’ after tragic A4139 crash
-
Crime5 days ago
New BBC podcast explores chilling Pembrokeshire mystery