News

Inflation and election hit Pembroke regeneration plan

Published

11 months ago

January 9, 2025

A PLAN to regenerate Pembroke town centre must be cut following delays caused by the General Election and an almost one-third increase in the cost of construction.

The Council’s Cabinet will consider an update on the Westgate to Eastgate scheme on Monday, January 13.

The County Council originally applied for around £11.5m from the Levelling Up Fund in June 2022. Although that bid was unsuccessful, the Council was invited to reapply in a further funding round and succeeded. The £11.5m cost of the project is 90% funded by the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund. The Council is due to contribute 10% of that figure.

However, even though the Council succeeded in resubmitting its application early in 2024, the General Election in July stalled further progress. At the end of November last year, the Labour Government in Westminster issued a final memorandum committing to the expenditure.

In the two years since the original application, inflation has increased the project’s construction costs by 30%, underlining – again – that the consumer price index is a nonsensical measure for determining public authorities’ costs.

The Council contends that interventions at Pembroke would help stimulate the town’s economy. The town is experiencing increasing market failure due to increased vacancies in the retail centre, a poor mix of uses and significant leakage to other centres. The regeneration scheme would strengthen the visitor market and capitalise on the current visitor economy for Pembroke Castle, which bypasses the town centre.

Pembroke has the smallest number of commercial units (81) of Pembrokeshire’s six main towns and a high proportion of vacant units (17.3%).

The Cabinet report says: “The private sector will not provide the improvements to wayfinding and public realm improvements that are required to change the nature of the visitor experience. The lack of private sector development resulting from low values and low demand means that the potential of any private sector contributions is limited.”

In the absence of private sector interest, the Council believes public funding is the only tool it has to regenerate Pembroke’s ailing town centre and support new enterprises.

The project has three work schemes. Its primary focus is improving connections between the Commons Road, where most visitors park, and the town centre. The alleys and cut-throughs will be improved, and visitors will be signposted towards Pembroke’s Main Street and Mill Pond.

To increase visitors’ time spent in the town centre, the Council will improve its public spaces and green spaces and fund the renewal of St Mary’s Bells, a noted feature of Pembroke town.

At the town’s East End, the former school building will be stripped back to a shell state and partially refitted in readiness for future use, while steps will be taken to improve vehicular access along Well Hill.

Crime

Jury told to continue deliberations in historic child sex abuse trial

Published

18 minutes ago

December 18, 2025

Rieve Nesbitt-Marr

Judge says majority verdict may be accepted after jurors report deadlock at Swansea Crown Court

A JURY has been told to continue its deliberations in the trial of a Milford Haven man accused of historic child sex offences after indicating it could not reach a unanimous verdict.

Thomas Kirk, aged 50, of Meyler Crescent, Milford Haven, is on trial at Swansea Crown Court accused of oral rape and sexual assault of a child. The offences are alleged to have taken place in Pembrokeshire between 2007 and 2009, when the complainant was aged between thirteen and fifteen.

At midday on Wednesday (Dec 18), the jury returned to court to say they were unable to reach a verdict on which all jurors agreed.

Judge Paul Thomas KC told the jury that while he would be prepared to accept a majority verdict if at least ten jurors were in agreement, he still wanted them to continue deliberations in an effort to reach a unanimous decision.

The jury was then sent back out to continue considering its verdict.

The trial continues.

Crime

Police appeal to locate 69-year-old man wanted in harassment investigation

Published

43 minutes ago

December 18, 2025

Tom Sinclair

DYFED-POWYS POLICE are appealing for information to help locate a man from the Ammanford area who is wanted in connection with a harassment offence.

Alan Tait, aged 69, is being sought by officers as part of an ongoing investigation.

Police believe he may currently be in the Derbyshire area, but say he also has links to South Wales and Gwent.

Anyone with information that could assist officers in locating him is urged to contact Dyfed-Powys Police.

Charity

Bluestone Foundation marks year of impact with more than £60,000 for local causes

Published

58 minutes ago

December 18, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THE BLUESTONE FOUNDATION, the charitable arm of Bluestone National Park Resort, has marked a significant year of community investment after raising and distributing more than £60,000 to support projects across Pembrokeshire in 2025.

Run in partnership with the Pembrokeshire Association for Voluntary Services (PAVS), the Foundation has continued to expand its reach, backing a wide range of charities and community organisations working at the heart of the county.

During the year, the Foundation’s Community Fund delivered three rounds of grants, supporting projects focused on wellbeing, inclusion, creativity, and environmental protection.

Environmental organisations including BlueGreen Cymru, Greener Growth CIC and Sea Trust Wales received funding, alongside wellbeing and inclusion groups such as ASD Family Help, Get the Boys a Lift, No Shame Foundation and Silbers CIC.

Creative, youth and heritage organisations including Little Grebe Creative CIC, Pater Hall Community Trust, Milford Haven Community Society, Urdd Gobaith Cymru and VC Gallery also benefited.

In total, £32,968.57 was awarded through the Community Fund in 2025.

Fundraising events held at the Blue Lagoon Water Park generated a further £19,500 in unrestricted income. Under the Foundation’s funding model, 75 per cent of that money is passed directly to charities, with the remaining 25 per cent placed into a flexible fund to support causes that fall outside the Community Fund’s criteria.

Flexible funding totalling £4,500 was used this year to support initiatives including Sport Pembrokeshire’s Fit and Fed project, refurbishment work at Martletwy Young Farmers Club hall, Bloomfield Bus and Green Dragon Bus services, and Nacro’s Christmas appeal, providing food, warm clothing and essential items to people in crisis.

The Foundation also supported the PATCH Christmas Toy Appeal, encouraging staff and visitors at Bluestone to donate gifts for families referred to the charity during the festive period.

In addition, more than one hundred fundraising events across the region were supported through prize donations from the Foundation, including over 200 family passes to the Blue Lagoon Water Park, 32 overnight spa breaks and nine Bluestone holiday breaks.

Marten Lewis, Chair of the Bluestone Foundation said: “This year’s achievements reflect the heart of who we are at Bluestone. The Foundation exists to uplift the people and places that make Pembrokeshire such a special community.

“The impact of our partners, grant recipients and fundraising efforts in 2025 shows what is possible when we work together, and we are proud to see the difference it continues to make across the county.”

Looking ahead to 2026, the Foundation has confirmed continued support for Sport Pembrokeshire’s Fit and Fed project and will act as gold sponsor of the DPJ Foundation’s Macchu Picchu trek.

Five further Blue Lagoon fundraising events are already scheduled between February and August, supporting Local Cadets, Belles Story, Martletwy YFC Hall, Blue Horizons Coastal Adventure and Friends of Portfield School.

Tickets for those events are available via the Bluestone Foundation’s Eventbrite page.

For more information about the Bluestone Foundation, visit the Bluestone website.