OFFICIAL planning for the signage associated with the new Animal store in Tenby has been given the go-ahead despite concerns raised by the local civic society it ‘grated’ with the Victorian and Georgian character of Tudor Square.

Animal Tenby opened its doors in late November at the Grade-II-listed Tudor House, Tudor Square, which has more recently been used as a café.

Several cafés had run at the site including Oakley’s, Caffi Llyw and most recently, Henry’s.

The new Animal store sells outdoor wear, ski gear, beachwear and robes and kids’, women’s and men’s clothes.

Animal is part of the Mountain Group which incorporates Mountain Warehouse and Eastern Mountain Sports.

The Tenby Animal store was the tenth stand-alone Animal store in the UK.

A November-registered planning application to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, by Holden Signs Ltd on behalf of Animal, covering the store’s signage was approved by park officers under delegated powers yesterday, January 19.

The proposals were supported by Tenby Town Council but Tenby civic Society, while not formally objecting, had raised concerns.

“The new sign lettering is of suitable size and the fascia setting proposed is fine. The Animal house logo-style lettering grates with the Victorian and Georgian character of Tudor Square and the conservation area. We note that nearby proposed Tesco signage was amended to maintain the character of the conservation area, and we feel the logo lettering does not enhance the character of the conservation area.

“It is a brand logo so a check whether they have amended it to fit in other conservation areas is a relevant consideration to put to the applicant.”

An officer report recommending approval said: “Tenby Civic Society whilst having no objection in principle has expressed concern as to the font style.

“Whilst a distinctive and modern font, it is not considered that the character or appearance of Tenby Conservation Area is negatively affected. The impact on amenity is considered negligible.”

PLANS for a new gym, sauna and study, to replace dilapidated existing buildings at a ‘landmark’ listed Victorian Pembrokeshire clifftop house have been given the go-ahead.

In an application to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Andrew Lewis, through agent Acanthus Holden Architects, sought permission for the erection of three outbuildings at the Grade-II-listed Nyth Aderyn, North Cliffe, Tenby.

The applicant seeks to replace a semi-derelict timber ‘pavilion’ with a gym on the upper terrace, a ‘treehouse’ study on the mid terrace, again replacing an outbuilding in serious disrepair, and a sauna on the lower terrace, also replacing a building in disrepair.

The application, in the town’s conservation area, was supported by both Tenby Town Council and Tenby Civic Society.

An officer report recommending approval said: “Nyth Aderyn was designed in 1883 by the prominent London architect Ernest Newton in the fashionable ‘Queen Anne’ or ‘domestic’ Revival.

“Extended under Newton in 1893, the house is characterised by red clay tiled roofs and walls, bay windows with small-paned casements and (prior to listing) fine tall brick chimney stacks.”

It added: “The proposal is regarded as improving the setting of Nyth Aderyn, replacing poor buildings in varying states of repair. The terraced garden occupies a prominent section of the North Cliff, readily visible from the south, including the harbour area. The siting, scale, design and finishes of the buildings acknowledge their fine setting.”

It went on to say: “Nyth Aderyn is noted as a landmark building in the Tenby Conservation Area SPG, the house and its cliff-top grounds prominently visible from the harbour area.

“The proposal is regarded to both preserve and enhance the appearance of Tenby Conservation Area. The proposed buildings are modest, well-screened by existing trees, replacing existing structures of no intrinsic interest.”

The application was conditionally approved by park planners.

Vulnerable households ‘should not have to cut back on washing or flushing the toilet’ to keep bills down, Rhian Bowen-Davies says

THE OLDER PEOPLE’S Commissioner for Wales has hit out at the UK Government after ministers declined to take forward a recommendation to introduce a national “social tariff” for water bills.

Rhian Bowen-Davies said she was “very disappointed” by the decision, which followed proposals from the Independent Water Commission. Campaigners have argued that a social tariff would bring consistent, meaningful support for people on low incomes, rather than the current patchwork of discounts that can vary between areas and companies.

In a statement, Ms Bowen-Davies warned that many households are already rationing basic water use in an effort to keep bills down.

“People on low incomes, including many older people, are already being forced to cut back on washing, laundry and even flushing the toilet to try to keep bills down,” she said.

She described that situation as “simply not acceptable”, arguing that people should not have to restrict water use “just to make ends meet”. She said doing so can increase the risk of illness and infection and can also lead to “stress, stigma, and social isolation”.

Ms Bowen-Davies said a national social tariff would provide “much needed, meaningful and consistent support” and help tackle what she described as a growing problem of water poverty.

She also warned that the issue is expected to worsen over the coming years, with projections suggesting it could affect around a million older households across the UK by 2029.

The Commissioner urged the UK Government to rethink its stance and work with the water industry and other stakeholders to ensure that customers who are struggling financially can access the support they need.