Community
Milford Haven parents demand voice in £141m schools redevelopment
GROWING calls are being made for parents and the wider community in Milford Haven to have a greater say in the town’s £141.6m schools redevelopment programme.
At last week’s (Sept 25) meeting of the Schools and Learning Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Pembrokeshire’s Director of Education, Steven Richards-Downes, admitted that while the “school community” had been consulted during a feasibility study, no direct consultation had taken place with parents, families or students.
In this case “school community” referred to the headteacher, senior leadership team and governing body of Milford Haven School — not the parents or pupils whose daily lives will be most affected by the changes.
That revelation has sparked frustration in Milford Haven, where families say they should be at the heart of shaping the future of local education.

Hubberston councillor Vivien Stoddart, who has repeatedly pressed Welsh Government over delays, told The Herald: “Surely parents and students are the most important people? Why were they not invited to contribute their views to the study?”
One parent who emailed The Herald over the weekend following our recent story on the issue said: “How on earth can £140 million be spent — and let’s face it, probably more in the end as these things always go over budget — without talking to the people of Milford Haven? It’s our children who will have to sit in these classrooms for years to come. Parents and pupils should be asked what they actually need, not just told what’s being planned behind closed doors. If this is meant to be an investment in our community, then the community should have a voice in shaping it.”
The £141.6m scheme, approved by Cabinet in July, would deliver a new co-located primary and secondary school on the current secondary site, together with a 40-place Flying Start centre, a 36-place secondary Learning Resource Centre, and a new Welsh-medium 3–11 school. Around £46.5m of the funding will come from the council’s capital programme, with the remainder expected from Welsh Government.
Although the Strategic Outline Case has already been submitted, construction cannot begin before 2027, leaving Milford Haven pupils in schools graded Condition C — poor — with fire safety work and repairs continuing as stop-gap measures.
Cllr Stoddart said the delays and lack of consultation risk undermining confidence in the project: “The progress is a disgrace. The Welsh Government’s bureaucracy is Monty Python writ large, and now we find that families have been sidelined too. It is absolutely scandalous.”
The Herald understands further consultation will be required at the outline and full business case stages, but parents are pressing for their voices to be heard now, rather than years down the line.
Community
New illustrated heritage map unveiled in Narberth town centre
A NEW illustrated heritage and wayfinding map has been installed in Narberth town centre, highlighting the town’s rich architectural history, cultural heritage and key landmarks.
The hand-drawn map has been created by local artist Fran Evans and is part of a wider project aimed at improving interpretation and the visitor experience in Narberth.
The panels have been installed at two prominent locations: the undercroft, also known as Rebecca’s Cell, at the rear of the Old Town Hall, and the existing external display frame at the side of No.47, adjacent to the town’s museum.
Developed and delivered by Narberth Town Council, the project has been funded through the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund, with additional match funding provided by the Town Council.

The illustrated map features detailed drawings of historic buildings, local stories and notable points of interest. It is designed to function both as a practical guide for residents and visitors navigating the town, and as a visual celebration of Narberth’s heritage.
Town councillors say the project forms part of a broader effort to enhance how the town’s history is presented in public spaces, making it more accessible and engaging for those visiting the area.
The Town Council has indicated that further information about the project, including background details and images of the newly installed panels, can be made available, along with comments from the artist and council representatives.
Community
Views sought on Pembrokeshire Age Friendly Communities
PEMBROKESHIRE residents aged fifty and over are being invited to share their views as part of a new consultation on Age Friendly Communities across the county.
The survey focuses on how older people experience life in Pembrokeshire and what helps them maintain a good quality of life as they grow older, both at home and within their local communities.
Participants are asked to reflect on their later years, including how well communities support older residents, and the role played by statutory services, voluntary groups and community organisations.
An Age Friendly Community is defined as a place where people are supported to age well, remain living in their own homes for as long as possible, take part in activities they value, and continue contributing to their communities.
The Age Friendly Communities approach was developed by the World Health Organization in 2007, following consultation with older people worldwide. It is based on evidence about what supports healthy and active ageing and places older residents at the centre of shaping the communities they live in.
Responses from the consultation will help inform the Pembrokeshire Age Friendly Communities Strategy and Action Plan. This will be developed in partnership with organisations including Hywel Dda University Health Board, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, the voluntary sector and Pembrokeshire’s 50+ Forum.
Further information is available on Pembrokeshire County Council’s Have Your Say webpage. The online survey must be completed by February 15, 2026.
Community
Bethlehem Baptist chapel set to undergo expansion
A CALL to extend a chapel and hall near Haverfordwest to provide much-needed space for activities has been given the go-ahead by Pembrokeshire county planners.
Reverend Jenny Gough, through agent Sureline Design Services Ltd, sought permission for an extension to Bethlehem Chapel and its attached hall, in the village of Bethlehem.
A supporting statement said: “Bethlehem Baptist Chapel, located on the outskirts of Haverfordwest has 45 adults in membership of the church at the present time ranging from 19 years to those in their mid-90s. In addition, on a Sunday we have a further 46 adults in regular attendance and 11 regular under 16-year-olds.
“The growth of the church fellowship in the past ten years has necessitated the provision of a portacabin in church grounds which is a temporary measure, intended to be removed once the proposed extension to the church hall is completed.
“Whilst the church is currently providing various community activities, we are limited in the number of people who can attend and often find that we are restricted in the services we would like to provide due to the space available.
“Allied to this, the need to meet public standards for disabilities, parking, health, and safety and the need for an extension becomes ever more pressing. The project aim is to provide a first-class facility that will enhance the community, be a welcome lift to the area, and enable existing and new activities to be undertaken in a pleasant, warm, accessible and welcoming environment.”
It added: “Over the last four to five years it has become increasingly clear that the current building facility could not meet the needs of its users, nor hope to satisfy the ever-increasing regulatory demands placed on facilities that are open to the general public.”
The chapel hosts many activities including adult and toddler/baby group, ladies craft group, community lunch group, bereavement peer support group, dementia support group, primary school children’s holiday clubs, secondary school youth clubs, young adult groups, Christian teaching groups and social events.
“Since many of these activities are well attended, we are often lacking space in the building. For some larger gatherings we are forced to use halls in the communities around us, which increases our workload for holding the events in having to transport necessary equipment.
“The main result is that we are not holding events to our full potential, if more space was available at Bethlehem Chapel, we would be able to hold more events to benefit the wider community with what we are already providing.”
The application was conditionally approved by officers.
-
Community6 days agoCPRW welcomes long-awaited grid report and calls for more transparency
-
Health6 days agoHywel Dda board to consider refreshed health strategy to 2040
-
Health4 days agoHealth Board to decide on future model for nine clinical services
-
Crime6 days agoHaven Master spared jail after River Cleddau kayak crash
-
News6 days agoMilford Haven School placed in special measures after Estyn inspection
-
Health6 days agoWithybush staff fear crèche fee rise will price parents out
-
Local Government7 days agoQuestions raised over horse riding licence fees ahead of scrutiny meeting
-
News6 days agoIPSO rejects complaint concerning Pembrokeshire Herald court report







