Business

Narberth housing scheme which raised nursery fears on hold

Published

5 months ago

July 3, 2025

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A DECISION on a Pembrokeshire housing scheme, which raised fears a local nursery could be forced to close due to an increase in traffic, has been put on hold while planners await updated guidance on a potential impact on water quality.

In an application recommended for approval at the July meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee, having been deferred from the June meeting pending a site visit, Sarah Voaden sought permission to build three houses at Llwynon, 61 St James Street, Narberth, in the town’s conservation area.

It includes an affordable housing contribution in the form of a financial sum of £38,156.25.

The site, just outside the town centre, is accessible from a private lane off Tabernacle Lane, located approximately 20m south-east of the Tabernacle Lane/St James Street Junction.

Narberth Town Council has objected to the scheme on the grounds including insufficient access and highway safety, capacity to accommodate additional foul waste, the development being out of character, and an overdevelopment.

16 members of the public have also raised concerns, including parking and access, the suitability of the lane to accommodate the traffic associated with the additional residential properties, but no concern was raised by highways.

Speaking at the June meeting, agent Andrew Vaughan-Harries of Hayston Planning and Development ltd described the “vibrant” application as a “win-win-win” one which would use vacant land in a poor condition, enhancing the area, with the applicant also offering to resurface a narrow lane, along with an affordable housing contribution of some £38,000, contributing to “affordable housing in this vibrant town”.

Objecting to the scheme at that meeting, Hayley Bowlett of Noah’s Ark Child Care, which has 24 staff and 154 children enrolled, said the narrow lane to the nursery already created traffic issues, with construction traffic if the scheme was granted making the situation worse.

She said that would lead to a situation where the nursery’s legal standards needed for operation were contravened, placing it at risk of having to close.

“We’d leave 20 people without employment and 150 children with nowhere to go,” she told members, adding: “Health and Safety is the biggest concern for our children; children are walking up and down on a daily basis and would be at risk of any construction traffic.”

The scheme had returned to the July meeting, again recommended for approval, but members of the committee were told no decision could be made at that meeting, the item removed.

Members heard this was due to a recently reported due unfavourable condition of the water quality in the Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire Bay Marine Special Area of Conservation, which many schemes under the planning authority’s jurisdiction discharges into.

They heard, under interim advice of the change, the local planning authority does not have sufficient or robust information at this time to undertake or update the assessment of the habitats regulations [in respect of the item] to conclude the development would have no adverse impact.

Members were told the authority’s planners were still digesting the information, and interim advice from Natural Resources Wales, considering it would be “potentially unsound” to make any decision before sufficient information was available.

The application will return to a future committee.

Business

Holiday lets allowed to stay at Narberth dairy farm

Published

22 hours ago

December 5, 2025

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A CALL for a Pembrokeshire dairy farm to keep two “alternative” holiday pods sited without permission as a way of diversifying in an uncertain industry has been given the go-ahead.

In an application recommended for approval at the December meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee, Vaynor Farm Ltd sought retrospective permission for the siting of two self-catering holiday accommodation pods at The Cart House, Vaynor Farm, Bethesda, near Narberth as part of a farm diversification enterprise.

It was before committee members as it was recommended for delegated conditional approval by senior officers despite being against the development plan.

Previous retrospective schemes, for two self-catering pods along with an application to retain a shepherd hut accommodation pod at another farm, a part of the Vaynor Farm farm enterprise, were refused in 2023 and 2025, the latter due to “an unjustified and harmful impact on the character and appearance of the open countryside”.

Detailing the current application, an officer report for members said the pods: Vaynor Farm Pod within the garden of The Cart House, and The Paddock Pod, on the edge of a small paddock, were constructed off-site and have been transported to their current locations, with external decking, hot tubs, a barbecue area and car parking provided for each pod.

It added: “A business plan has been submitted with the application, which explains that due to uncertainties associated with dairy farming, the applicant has sought to diversify the farm enterprise to incorporate tourism accommodation.

“The application makes the case that the proposed development represents farm diversification. It is acknowledged that the development has resulted in the provision of an alternative type of holiday accommodation for which it has been demonstrated there is a demand, contributing to the diversity and quality of accommodation available within the county and supporting an existing farm business, with consequent economic and social benefits.

“Evidence has been provided that demonstrates the extent to which the pods have provided income which has been used to support the farm business.

“However, officers consider that should planning permission be granted, a [planning obligation] will be necessary to ensure that the accommodation pods continue to support the farm business and are not separated from it at some future point in time.”

Delegated conditional approval limiting the use and occupation of the self-catering accommodation pods to short term holiday use only was moved by Cllr Brian Hall and unanimously backed by committee members.

Business

First wind turbine components arrive as LNG project moves ahead

Published

1 day ago

December 4, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THE FIRST ship carrying major components for Dragon LNG’s new onshore wind turbines docked at Pembroke Port last week, marking the start of physical deliveries for the multi-million-pound renewable energy project.

The Maltese-registered general cargo vessel Peak Bergen berthed at Pembroke Dock on Wednesday 26^th November, bringing tower sections and other heavy components for the three Enercon turbines that will eventually stand on land adjacent to the existing gas terminal at Waterston.

A second vessel, the Irish-flagged Wilson Flex IV, has arrived in Pembroke Port today (Thursday) carrying the giant rotor blades.

The deliveries follow a successful trial convoy on 25 November, when police-escorted low-loader trailers carried dummy loads along the planned route from the port through Pembroke, past Waterloo roundabout and up the A477 to the Dragon LNG site.

Dragon LNG’s Community and Social Performance Officer, Lynette Round, confirmed the latest movements in emails to the Herald.

“The Peak Bergen arrived last week with the first components,” she said. “We are expecting another delivery tomorrow (Thursday) onboard the Wilson Flex IV. This will be blades and is currently showing an ETA of approximately 03:30.”

The £14.3 million project, approved by Welsh Ministers last year, will see three turbines with a combined capacity of up to 13.5 MW erected on company-owned land next to the LNG terminal. Once operational – expected in late 2026 – they will generate enough electricity to power the entire site, significantly reducing its carbon footprint.

The Weather conditions were favourable for the arrival of the Wilson Flex IV, which was tracking south of the Smalls at midnight.

The abnormal-load convoys carrying the components from the port to Waterston are expected to begin early next year, subject to final police and highway approvals.

A community benefit fund linked to the project will provide for residents in nearby Waterston, Llanstadwell and Neyland.

Further updates will be issued by Dragon LNG as the Port of Milford Haven as the delivery programme continues.

Photo: Martin Cavaney

Business

Cardiff Airport announces special Air France flights for Six Nations

Published

2 days ago

December 4, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Direct services to Paris-Charles de Gaulle launched to cater for Welsh supporters, French fans and couples planning a Valentine’s getaway

CARDIFF AIRPORT and Air France have unveiled a series of special direct flights between Cardiff (CWL) and Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG) scheduled for February 2026.

Timed to coincide with two major dates — the Wales v France Six Nations clash on Saturday 15 February and Valentine’s weekend — the flights are designed to offer supporters and holidaymakers an easy link between the two capitals.

For travelling French rugby fans, the services provide a straightforward route into Wales ahead of match day at the Principality Stadium, when Cardiff will once again be transformed by the colour, noise and passion that accompanies one of the tournament’s most eagerly awaited fixtures.

For Welsh passengers, the additional flights offer a seamless escape to Paris for Valentine’s Day, as well as opportunities for short breaks and onward travel via Air France’s wider global network.

Cardiff Airport CEO Jon Bridge said: “We’re thrilled to offer direct flights to such a vibrant and exciting city for Valentine’s weekend. Cardiff Airport is expanding its reach and giving customers fantastic travel options. We’ve listened to passenger demand and are delighted to make this opportunity possible. There is more to come from Cardiff.”

Tickets are already on sale via the Air France website and through travel agents.

Special flight schedule

Paris (CDG) → Cardiff (CWL):