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Pembroke Dock care home with no planning permission for 15 years can stay open

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A PEMBROKE DOCK care home which has been operating without planning permission for some 15 years has been approved by county planners.

Care home specialist Orbis Ltd sought a retrospective change of use for the former house on Stockwell Road to a residential care home for up to five adults, plus staff; the change of use having started in September 2009.

A supporting statement accompanying the application, by agent C2J Architects & Town Planners, said: “The applicant, Orbis Ltd is a sector-leading provider of specialist services for children and adults with complex needs associated with autism.

“Their integrated model of learning and living, combined with a holistic therapeutic approach, ensures that they can offer unique homes for life with continuous community-based learning for adults.

“The applicant’s primary aim is to provide a safe environment that encourages individuality, self-confidence, self-esteem and lifelong learning.  It is a person-centred approach, encouraging adults to learn and develop skills that will enable them to play an active role in their community, supporting them to make their own informed decisions. The applicants work closely with families and carers to support individuals to develop and maintain relationships.”

It went on to say: “Up to five adults would remain at the property as their principal residence. Adults who are in the guardianship of Orbis have been taken into care for a variety of reasons, including fears for their physical wellbeing, learning disabilities or because of emotional or behavioural difficulties.

“The existing dwelling has been in use as a care home and registered with Care Inspectorate Wales for over 15 years, despite not formally having planning permission. It is key to note that given the use (C2) has been in operation for a continuous period in excess of 10 years, in accordance with Section 171B (3) of the Planning and Compensation Act 1991, the current use is immune from any enforcement action.”

A report by planning officers, recommending approval, noted the retrospective nature, but added: “The scale and design of the property would remain acceptable within its setting and the surrounding area. There would be no impact on the residential amenity of the property or neighbouring properties.”

The application was conditionally approved by planning officers.

Community

Welsh Government introduces new Bill to tackle mining legacy

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THE WELSH GOVERNMENT has today (Dec 9) introduced a landmark Bill to address safety issues arising from Wales’s disused mining tips. The Disused Mine and Quarry Tips (Wales) Bill, spearheaded by Deputy First Minister and Minister for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies, proposes the creation of a dedicated Disused Tips Authority for Wales.

If enacted, the Authority would oversee the management, monitoring, and safety of disused coal and non-coal tips across the country. This would make Wales the first in the UK to establish a comprehensive framework for tip safety.

The proposed body would be a Welsh Government-sponsored organisation tasked with ensuring disused tips no longer pose risks to human welfare due to instability. It would handle the assessment, registration, monitoring, and long-term management of these sites.

A response to devastating landslides

The Bill follows a series of incidents, including the catastrophic landslide at Tylorstown in February 2020, when storms Ciara and Dennis triggered the collapse of a disused tip. Over 60,000 tonnes of debris fell into the Rhondda Fach River, leading to the creation of the Coal Tip Safety Task Force.

In its evaluation, the Law Commission concluded that existing legislation is inadequate for managing disused coal tips, recommending a comprehensive legal overhaul.

Tylorstown visit marks key moment

To mark the introduction of the Bill, Huw Irranca-Davies visited Tylorstown, the site of the 2020 landslide. Speaking from the location, he said:

“Wales has a proud mining heritage, and it is imperative that we have a structured approach to managing disused coal and non-coal tips to ensure they are safe and not a threat to our communities.

“These landslides, as well as the recent incident at Cwmtillery, illustrate the potential risks and concerns that disused tips present to the people living in their shadow.

“This Bill is about keeping communities safe and is part of a wider programme of work to improve the safety of disused coal tips. I look forward to working with MSs and stakeholders on the Bill’s proposals in the coming months.”

The scale of the challenge

Wales is home to 2,573 disused coal tips, with estimates suggesting there are more than 20,000 additional disused tips across the country. The proposed legislation is set to create a unified and proactive approach to managing these sites, safeguarding communities while preserving the country’s industrial legacy.

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Community

Choir celebrates Christmas at annual fundraising concert

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A NARBERTH-BASED ladies’ choir is gearing up to headline a festive evening of music and cheer at the Regency Hall, Saundersfoot, on Friday, December 20.

Serendipity Ladies’ Choir, led by musical director Juliet Rossiter, will be joined by baritone Martyn Davies, young singers from Saundersfoot Primary School, and trombonist Ianto Evans for the seasonal celebration.

Founded eight years ago, the choir has grown to include 50 members who meet weekly for rehearsals in Narberth. Juliet, who has been with the choir for seven of its eight years, praised the group’s resilience, recalling the one Christmas concert she missed due to undergoing a kidney transplant.

“The choir managed brilliantly without me, of course,” said Juliet. “This year, we’ll be performing classic favourites like O Holy Night as well as some new pieces that are sure to amaze the audience.”

Serendipity’s Christmas Concert takes place at 7:30pm on Friday, December 20.

Tickets are £12 and will be available at the door.

Pictured above: Serendipity Ladies’ Choir from Narberth, pictured with musical director Juliet Rossiter (Pic: Supplied).

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Community

Leisure centres open until 9:00pm to support those affected by Storm Darragh

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PEMBROKESHIRE’S Leisure Centres are stepping in to provide essential services for those left without electricity or utilities following Storm Darragh. All centres, except Fishguard, will remain open until 9:00pm on Sunday, December 8, offering warm spaces and more to residents in need.

Facilities available include:

  • Warm spaces with free hot drinks.
  • Charging stations for electric devices.
  • Hot water, with visitors encouraged to bring flasks for filling.
  • Shower facilities for public use.

Locations and availability Leisure centres in the following areas will remain open:

  • Crymych
  • Haverfordwest
  • Milford Haven
  • Pembroke
  • St Davids
  • Tenby

Fishguard Leisure Centre remains closed due to storm damage. As an alternative, Letterston Memorial Hall will offer limited facilities until 9:00pm.

Normal service resumes tomorrow

From Monday, December 9, all centres will resume their usual opening hours, with the exception of Fishguard, which will remain closed until repairs are completed.

For further updates, visit the Pembrokeshire Leisure website.

(Cover image: Martin Cavaney)

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