News

Holiday development plans for Pembrokeshire zorbing centre

Published

1 year ago

May 28, 2025

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

PLANS for a Pembrokeshire holiday development at the site of a former pony trekking and zorbing activity centre, which had to stop due to the impact of the Covid pandemic, have been lodged with the national park.

Zorbing is a sports activity rolling downhill inside an orb, usually made of see-through plastic.

In an application to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Lawson and Penny Owen, through agent Hayston Developments & Planning Ltd, seek a partly-retrospective permission for nine self-contained holiday units and a twin-unit shepherd’s hut, along with associated works, on land south of Nolton Stables, Nolton, Haverfordwest.

A supporting statement says: “There are two distinct elements to the proposal with the larger being the provision of five pods and four lodges which will be accessed by a farm track which leads south towards a former quarry and thence to the shoreline,” adding: “The second and smaller element involves contains a virtually flat area with a separate but adjacent access from the local highway on which a 12 space car park is proposed together with the retention of a Shepherd’s Hut (a unit of holiday accommodation) and its separate garden and parking area.”

The retrospective element refers to a park enforcement officer informing the applicant of a breach in planning control for the shepherd’s hut.

The statement says the Shepherd’s Hut is the most suitable for those with limited mobility as it does not require use of the unpaved track to a pod or lodge.

The total development amounts to only a small proportion of the circa 400 acres across four farms all of which are in the ownership of a partnership comprising two brothers (of which Mr Lawson Owen is one) and their respective families.

The statement adds: “The income from the proposed holiday accommodation will form a smaller proportion than that derived from the agricultural activities undertaken across the four farms – an example of farm diversification where the agricultural activities remain the major element.

“In previous years the applicants operated a pony trekking enterprise and a Zorbing activity as part of a farm diversification strategy.

“Unfortunately, Covid required the cessation of both activities and therefore both a loss of income for the Partnership as well local jobs for those in the Nolton community.”

It says the applicants have previously operated a 2.3 acre campsite which has been managed as an exempted site under license from the Camping and Caravanning Club for over five years, an outside cinema for up to 28 days per year for a period in excess of five years, and the Zorbing experience, and the applicants are considering modifying an existing building within the Nolton Stables complex as a wedding venue.

It concluded: “It should also be noted that this proposal is in substitution for the operation of a successful pony trekking enterprise and a smaller scale Zorbing activity both of which had to be abandoned because of Covid-19 and the associated requirements to minimise personal contact.

“The applicants have a history of diversification of their farming activities in and around Nolton. It is anticipated that this new enterprise will restore those jobs lost due to Covid and hopefully increase opportunities both in the construction industry and in hospitality.”

The application will be considered by park planners at a later date.

Charity

Toy Story fans fill charity toy box at Haverfordwest cinema

Published

5 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Donations pour in for SNAP Specialist Play as families embrace Toy Story 5 launch

A TOY STORY-themed charity appeal at a Haverfordwest cinema has got off to a flying start, with families donating toys to support children with additional needs across Pembrokeshire.

The Palace Cinema has teamed up with local charity SNAP Specialist Play to collect new and pre-loved toys during screenings of the newly released Toy Story 5.

The appeal centres around an “Andy’s Toys” donation box, inspired by the beloved Pixar films, which has already been filled by generous filmgoers.

***Toy Story magic: The Palace Cinema foyer has been transformed with themed decorations to celebrate the film’s release***

Cinema manager Hannah Cramp said the response from the community had exceeded expectations.

Families attending opening screenings have arrived carrying bags of toys, with many children keen to share their own treasured items to help others.

The cinema has transformed its foyer into a colourful Toy Story-themed experience, complete with hand-painted decorations, character silhouettes, bunting and famous film slogans including “Reach for the Sky” and “To Infinity and Beyond”.

Many visitors have also embraced the spirit of the occasion by attending in costume as their favourite Toy Story characters.

***Specialist support: SNAP’s sensory facilities help children with additional needs learn and develop through play***

The toys are being donated to SNAP Specialist Play, a charity based within the Child Health Department at Withybush Hospital.

SNAP supports pre-school children with additional and complex needs through specialist play sessions designed to encourage communication, physical development and sensory learning.

Its facilities include sensory rooms, therapeutic play spaces and bespoke equipment used by speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists.

Project manager Cindy Jenkins said the charity was delighted by the partnership and grateful for the generosity shown by local families.

She said every toy donated would be put to good use, either during specialist play sessions, at family events, or through seasonal initiatives such as Christmas gift boxes for children and their siblings.

The appeal will continue until mid-July, with organisers hopeful that even more donations will be received over the coming weeks.

Anyone attending Toy Story 5 at the Palace Cinema is invited to bring along a new or good-quality pre-loved toy to support the appeal.

Cover photo:

Fancy dress fun: Palace Cinema manager Hannah Cramp helping launch the Toy Story charity appeal.

Health

Medicine shortages now ‘most severe on record’, health leaders warn

Published

5 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

PATIENTS are facing some of the worst medicine shortages ever seen in the UK, with pharmacists warning the situation now poses a serious risk to safety.

The National Pharmacy Association said shortages affecting commonly used medicines are becoming more frequent, lasting longer, and causing increasing disruption for patients, GP surgeries and pharmacies.

The warning comes as Serious Shortage Protocols for Creon, used by people with pancreatic cancer and cystic fibrosis to help digest food, have been in place since May 2024 and have now been extended until July 10, 2026.

HRT treatment Estradot has also been under a Serious Shortage Protocol since December 2024, with the current extension also running until July 10.

Patients travelling between pharmacies

A survey by the National Pharmacy Association found that 98 per cent of pharmacies had encountered patients who had visited several pharmacies in one day to find a prescription.

It also found that 96 per cent of pharmacies believed the current situation posed a serious risk to patient safety, while 89 per cent said they had been unable to dispense a medicine at least once a day because of supply problems.

Some pharmacy teams have also faced anger and abuse from patients unable to obtain medication.

Olivier Picard, Chair of the National Pharmacy Association, said: “Medicine shortages are becoming more frequent, lasting longer and causing increasing disruption for patients.

“These shortages are some of most severe the UK has experienced.

“It is deeply distressing to find patients who have travelled from pharmacy to pharmacy to find the medicines they need without success.”

Calls for urgent taskforce

The NPA is calling on the government to convene an emergency taskforce involving manufacturers, wholesalers, clinicians and pharmacists.

It also wants changes to rules which currently stop pharmacists from making simple substitutions, such as changing a tablet to a capsule or a cream to an ointment, even where a safe alternative is available.

Professor Victoria Tzortziou Brown, President of the Royal College of GPs, said medicine shortages were frustrating for patients, GPs and pharmacists, and added pressure to already stretched services.

She said the College supported pharmacists being able to make limited changes to prescriptions where a medicine is unavailable and a safe alternative exists.

She added: “The most important thing is that patients are able to access the medication they need safely and without delay.”

The Cystic Fibrosis Trust and Pancreatic Cancer UK have also raised concerns about the impact of shortages of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy, including Creon, on people who rely on the medication to digest food, maintain weight and stay well enough for treatment.