Council confirms negotiations with insurer ongoing following 2022 fire

PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL has confirmed that negotiations with its insurer over the fire that destroyed Manorbier Church in Wales VC School are still ongoing, despite councillors voting to move ahead with the process of closing the school.

The small rural school has been operating from Jameston Community Hall since the original building was badly damaged by fire in October 2022.

Last week, during a meeting of full council on Thursday (Mar 5), members voted to authorise the publication of a statutory notice to discontinue the school.

Insurance negotiations not highlighted during debate

During the council debate on Thursday (Mar 5), councillors were told that the insurance settlement offered following the fire fell “far below” the estimated cost of reinstating the school.

However, no indication was given during the meeting that negotiations with the insurer had not yet been finalised.

The council has since confirmed to the Herald that discussions over the claim are still ongoing and that the final settlement figure has not yet been agreed.

The decision means the formal closure process will now begin, with pupils expected to transfer to nearby St Florence School if the proposal ultimately goes ahead.

However, in response to questions from the Herald, the council confirmed that the insurance claim relating to the fire has not yet been finalised.

A communications officer at the Council said on Thursday (Mar 12) that negotiations with the insurer are continuing.

“The total value of the insurance settlement offered or received in relation to the Manorbier School fire – negotiations with the insurer are ongoing so we are unable to comment,” he said.

The council also confirmed that the insurance claim has not yet been settled.

Rebuild costs estimated at around £2.6m

During the council debate, Cabinet Member for Education Cllr Guy Woodham told councillors that the insurance settlement offered following the fire was “far below the estimated cost of reinstating the school to a suitable operational standard.”

Feasibility work previously presented to councillors suggested the cost of rebuilding or reinstating the school building would be in the region of £2.6 million.

The council has confirmed that the insurance policy carries an excess of £200,000.

When asked whether any insurance funds had been allocated elsewhere within the council’s capital budget, the authority said none had been used.

Campaigners argued insurance should fund rebuild

Supporters of the school have repeatedly argued that insurance money from the fire should be used to rebuild the village school.

The consultation process attracted 252 responses, with 228 opposing the closure and only 20 supporting it.

Many parents and residents also raised concerns that the school had previously been expected to be rebuilt following the fire.

At a Cabinet meeting in March 2023 the council agreed to support the reinstatement of the school subject to feasibility work and the development of a business case.

However, the subsequent analysis concluded that rebuilding the school would not represent value for money in the context of pupil numbers and the wider school estate in the Tenby area.

Questions remain over insurance position

The confirmation that insurance negotiations are still ongoing raises further questions about the financial context surrounding the decision to close the school.

While councillors were told that the settlement offered by insurers falls “far below” the estimated cost of reinstating the school, the council has not yet disclosed the value of the insurance cover that was in place at the time of the fire.

The Herald has asked Pembrokeshire County Council to confirm the insured reinstatement value of the Manorbier School building when the fire occurred in October 2022.

If the building was insured for significantly less than the estimated rebuild cost, it could raise wider questions about insurance cover for public buildings across the county.

The Herald has therefore also asked the council to clarify whether other schools and council-owned buildings are insured at their full reinstatement value, and when those insurance valuations were last reviewed.

For now, the council says negotiations with its insurer are still taking place.

A CALL to change to use of land at Pembrokeshire caravan park from touring to static units has been given the go-ahead by county planners.

In an application recommended for approval at the March 10 meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee, I & J Leisure Ltd, through agent Gerald Blain Associates Limited sought permission for a change of use of land for the relocation of 27 touring caravan to 27 static caravans, with associated works, partly in retrospect, at Stone Pitt Caravan and Camping Site, Begelly.

A supporting statement said the 2025 application follows the granting of a 2021 scheme for a lower number of touring to statics.

It added: “Following approval works had begun on site to implement some of the approved scheme, this work has now ceased. This new application seeks permission for a revised site layout of the approved scheme, regularisation of some works already carried out, and an increase in the number of pitches converted to static units. The increase in static units is facilitated by the removal of twin unit lodges in favour of single static units.

“The proposed development will remain within the same three enclosures as the approved scheme: eastern, central and western. In the western enclosure, eight static caravan bases have already been installed, alongside the construction of a gabion retaining wall between the western and central areas.

“The land has been reprofiled along the southern boundary to create additional space. All units in this enclosure would not be single static units and the number of pitches proposed has been increased from 11 to 13.

“The central enclosure has also undergone works, including the levelling of land and construction of the gabion wall. The size of this enclosure has been increased slightly through the removal of some trees.

“The revised layout proposes seven single units, up from six in the previous scheme. Surrounding the gabion wall, a wildlife garden and replacement tree planting is proposed to enhance biodiversity.

“In the eastern enclosure, the previous proposal for five twin-unit lodges has been replaced with seven single-unit statics. The row of touring pitches to the north of the eastern parcel will be removed and the vacated area will be converted into a landscaped wildlife garden to improve the visual and ecological character of the site.”

An officer report recommending approval said: “Although the planning statement refers to five additional static pitches this appears to be a reference to the difference between the proposal and the previous permission for upgrading of touring pitches to static pitches. There would be no increase in pitch numbers or site area.”

It added: “The proposal would have an acceptable visual impact and would not be detrimental to local amenity or highway safety. The proposal includes biodiversity enhancements and additional landscaping.

“However, it is considered that a further detailed landscaping strategy is required to be submitted for consideration for the western boundary of the site to ensure the proposal complies with the relevant policies of the LDP.”

At the March meeting, approval delegated to the Head of Planning following conditions including the submission of modifications to the landscaping on the west boundary, and an amended plan showing that overall pitch numbers have not been increased, was moved by Cllr Alec Cormack, and was unanimously backed by members.

Structural concerns at privately owned property prompt extended traffic restriction

CRACKWELL STREET in Tenby is expected to remain closed to vehicles for approximately another eight weeks while work continues at a privately owned property overlooking the harbour.

Scaffolding has been erected along the building, with the closure originally introduced to allow the structure to be inspected and repaired safely.

Pembrokeshire County Council confirmed that the road closure was first communicated prior to a formal public notice being issued on Tuesday (Dec 3).

The council said the restriction applies only to vehicles, with pedestrian access continuing along the narrow harbour-side street.

In a statement to The Herald, a council spokesperson said the property is privately owned and that the authority is not directly involved in the structural works taking place.

The spokesperson said: “The property is privately owned and therefore questions relating to the structural issues and the work being undertaken should be addressed to the owner.”

However, council officers remain in contact with the owner while the road closure remains in place.

The council added that the restriction on vehicular access was extended from Sunday (Feb 23) for a further period of approximately eight weeks.

No formal safety notice or structural assessment has been issued by the council in relation to the building, and the authority said it is not aware of any impact on neighbouring properties.

Officials also confirmed that pedestrian access along Crackwell Street remains open despite the traffic restriction.

A council spokesperson added: “Council officers are in dialogue with the property owner as works continue relating to ongoing road closure requirements.

“The property owner and engineers are working to remove the scaffold at the earliest opportunity and allow the road to be re-opened to vehicles.”

Crackwell Street, which links Tenby’s harbour area with the town centre, is one of the town’s most distinctive streets, lined with colourful buildings overlooking the harbour below.

The closure has temporarily restricted vehicle access along the route while engineers continue work on the property.

Photos: Gareth Davies Photography Tenby