AMENDMENTS to a 52-home scheme in Pembrokeshire, which will provide just four affordable homes due to financial viability concerns, are critical for its delivery in a “stagnant housing market,” councillors heard.

In an application recommended for approval at the January meeting of Pembrokeshire County council’s planning committee, Wakefield Developments Pembrokeshire Ltd sought permission for amendments to a previously-granted scheme for a development of 52 homes on land east of Pilgrims Way, Roch.

The £10m mixed units scheme, granted back in 2024, had drawn concerns that only four affordable units would be provided against a 20 per cent requirement, the developer citing viability reasons for the low number.

Amendments proposed to that scheme included a change in some of the house types, including from apartment arrangement to semidetached town houses, changes to some of the sizing, repositioning of some units, an embankment being replaced by a footpath, and a substation being introduced to serve the new housing estate’s electricity supply.

A report for members accompanying the application said: “As previously accepted and again assessed by virtue of [a valuation] the proposed development is not fully policy compliant, insofar as it cannot deliver the indicative 20 per cent affordable housing sought [by policy].

“However, a substantial positive social impact will arise through the provision of housing, including four one-bed affordable housing units, in meeting identified needs for both market and affordable housing.

“Furthermore, financial obligations as agreed and secured by the extant parent application towards the mitigation of adverse impacts in relation to education and highways, remain as being essential to ensuring that the development is acceptable in planning terms and remain unchanged by this S73 application.”

18 objections to the original scheme were received, raising concerns including an “inadequate” affordable housing level, it being a high-density development for a rural area, a loss of green space, the size of some of the homes, and pressures on existing services and facilities, and fears it may lead to an increase in second homes.

Nolton & Roch Community Land Trust had raised its concerns about a lack of affordable homes at the development, calling for a 20 per cent affordable homes element, as recommended by policy.

Speaking at the January 2026 meeting, agent Gethin Beynon welcomed the recommendation of approval, saying the amendments were critical for the delivery of the development, improving its saleability “in what is a stagnant housing market”.

He said the developers were still building 52 units, in what was “one of the very few new housing developments of this scale in Pembrokeshire” due to limitations placed by the ongoing nitrates issue.

Local member Cllr Nick Neumann said the local community council was supportive of the scheme, with the new housing helping the viability of the local school; Cllr Brian Hall later moving approval of the amendments.

The latest application was backed by 11 votes to one.

YOUNG musicians from across the area are being invited to take part in the next stage of Narberth and Whitland Rotary’s annual Young Musician Competition.

The first round of this year’s contest was held at Bethesda Chapel in Narberth, with Rotary members thanking the performers, judges, parents, teachers and caterers for supporting what they described as an excellent evening of local talent.

The Round 1 winners were instrumental performer Lleucu Haf Thomas, who played grand piano, and vocalist Max Morris. Both are students at Ysgol Bro Preseli.

The next round, bringing together winners from other first-round competitions, will take place at Bethesda Chapel on Wednesday (Jan 21), starting at 6:30pm. Admission is free and all are welcome.

Calls for lifesaving kit and better mental health support in west Wales after search ends

FAMILY and friends of a Cardigan man missing in the River Teifi have called for more lifesaving equipment to be installed along the riverbank — and for greater investment in mental health support across west Wales.

Kurtis Brook, 30, is believed to have entered the fast-flowing Teifi in Cardigan in the early hours of Sunday (Jan 4). His family say police were called following what they describe as an apparent mental health crisis, and that officers at the scene witnessed him go under the water and not resurface.

A major multi-agency search was launched, involving Dyfed-Powys Police, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, Cardigan RNLI and HM Coastguard. Specialist resources were also deployed, including drones, search dogs and the force’s marine unit, while local volunteers joined organised land searches in and around the town.

Kurtis is well known locally, having grown up in Cardigan. He has been involved with Cardigan Amateur Boxing Club and, more recently, Maesglas Football Club, where he was described by those close to the team as a respected and much-loved figure.

On Monday (Jan 12), Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed the formal river search had been concluded after more than a week, saying all lines of enquiry had been exhausted. Officers said they would act on any new information that could help locate Kurtis, and asked anyone who can assist to contact police quoting reference 52 of Sunday (Jan 4).

In a statement, the family said they hoped lessons could be learned from what has happened — both in terms of crisis intervention and public safety. They urged the installation of life rings and other safety measures along dangerous stretches of the Teifi, and called for greater resources to be directed towards community mental health teams in west Wales.

They also thanked everyone who has helped with the search and offered support, as efforts continue to bring Kurtis home.