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Sainsbury’s gets the green light

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Local eyesore: To be replaced by new retail unit.

Local eyesore: To be replaced by new retail unit.

CONTROVERSIAL plans to for the development of a new retail unit in Narberth have been given the green light by Pembrokeshire County Council (PCC).

In a planning meeting of this week the application, put forward by Abbeymore Estates, was voted for unanimously by the county councillors as the fight by Narberth traders to prevent a Sainsbury’s convenience store opening seems to have failed.

Speaking on behalf of the developers, Gareth Davies spoke to the committee, saying: “We made a successful in bid in October 2013 and our success was based on the quality of the scheme in conjunction with the Authority. The aspirations of the Authority were to turn the partly derelict school into a high quality mixed retail and residential development. The key words are vitality and commercial strength which are our guiding principles in order to revitalise the northern end of town providing colour and visual interest. The scheme is of a high quality using traditional materials to compliment the local townscape and conservation area. The access route-way will be enhanced with a new and reconfigured car park that will improve existing provision, replacing the temporary parking with 50 permanent spaces. The retail units have been designed to meet the aspirations of Narberth’s niche retail offer, but more aligned with the demands of 21st century retail. It has been done in accordance with PCC planning strategy and with the planning department and other local departments.”

Gordon Barry was due to comment on behalf of the Narberth Future Forum (NFF) group, objecting to the proposals, but had to pass his statement over to Town Councillor Moorcross, after health issues forced him to leave the proceedings. In summary the statement read that there were apprehensions with regards to the development, chiefly the concern of the loss of parking. The NFF said that the developer says there would be a net loss of 20 spaces, but that that didn’t take into account additional parking demand for employees of the new retail park. The statement went on to say that parking was at a premium in Narberth and there needed to be additional parking and this demand should be addressed. The statement also said that the current mix of independent shops was not enhanced from the proposed retail development. The NFF also raised concerns over the loss of the old playground area, currently a temporary parking area, that has, it said, been enjoyed by the community for events and festivals over many years.

Town Councillor Moorcross then spoke himself on behalf of the town stating that there had been just one presentation to the Town Council from the developers in April of 2014 and that no meaningful consultation or true dialogue had taken place since then. He further stated that Narberth offered a renowned ‘quality shopping experience’, and that this new development would take away the ‘essence’ that he said presently exists. He finished by stating that a local Sainsbury’s could not be described as ‘small’ if it had a floor area of 4000 square metres and was offering the same fare as local stores, stating this would not be ‘complimentary’ to the town’s current retail provision.

Narberth County Councillor, Wynne Evans, spoke in favour of the application, stating: “I am very proud of Narberth and what has been achieved there over many years. We have an old school building – empty for 5 years – which is a source for vandalism and graffiti. It’s not good for the town, it’s frowned upon and it’s right at the entrance to Narberth. The housing allocation provides 14 affordable houses for people with a local connection who live in Narberth. They need to be in the town and have their children go to school in the town. There are lots of opportunities to look at possibilities of new sites in Narberth (in relation to extra parking) and to move forward and work together. We must invest in the future and in Narberth. I am looking for a small supermarket with some retail units and housing, and I have put together, in the last few weeks, a new working party. Narberth is growing and growing, but we must move forward.”

Simon Montgomery, opinions editor at ‘OneNarberth’, an independent community platform for the town, said after the result: “The development will mark the most significant re-alignment of the town for a generation. The issue at stake with regard to the development is the question of accountability. I agree with what Gordon Barry, the secretary of the Narberth Future Forum has said. He explained his dismay about the lack of any community consultation. From talking to a number of key stakeholders in the town today, it is clear that along with dismay, there is also a degree of shock about the outcome of the development process. Perhaps a legal challenge will now follow. Exactly what will happen next is yet to be seen. The majority of people that I have talked to today about the matter agree that what seems certain is that the voice of the town will now be heard. What is remarkable, given the significance of the development to the town and its future, is that there has been no public consultation of any description.”

 

1 Comment

1 Comment

  1. ieuan

    February 12, 2015 at 5:44 pm

    let this be a lesson to allTHIS IS WHAT APATHY GETS YOU!!!!NEXT COUNCIL ELECTIONS GET OUT AND VOTE!!

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Crime

Two arrested after Tenby station stabbings released on bail

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Investigation continues after four teenagers were injured in late-night railway station violence

TWO people arrested after four teenagers were stabbed during violence at Tenby railway station have been released on bail while police continue their investigation.

British Transport Police are leading the inquiry into the incident, which happened at around 9:50pm on Tuesday (Apr 7). Officers were called to reports of disorder involving a group of youths at the station.

Four teenagers, aged between 13 and 17 and all from the Pembroke area, suffered stab wounds and were taken to hospital for treatment. Police have since confirmed that their injuries were not life-threatening or life-changing, and that all four have now been discharged.

A 16-year-old boy and a 19-year-old man were arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm. Both have now been released on bail pending further enquiries.

Police said they believe the incident was isolated, but there will be an increased officer presence in the area to reassure the public.

Detectives are urging anyone who witnessed the violence, or saw what happened in the lead-up to it, to get in touch. They have also asked members of the public not to speculate online or share footage while the investigation remains ongoing.

Anyone with information is asked to contact British Transport Police by texting 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 40, quoting reference 916 of Apr 7.

 

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News

Plaid Cymru sets out childcare, NHS and child poverty pledges in 2026 manifesto

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Rhun ap Iorwerth’s party says plan is radical and fully costed as it bids to lead next Welsh government

PLAID CYMRU has launched its manifesto for the 2026 Senedd election, setting out a programme focused on childcare, health, education and tackling child poverty as the party seeks to convince voters it is ready for government.

With opinion polls suggesting Plaid could be in contention for its strongest ever Senedd result, the party is presenting itself as a serious alternative administration under leader Rhun ap Iorwerth.

Rather than putting major constitutional change at the centre of the campaign, Plaid’s manifesto concentrates heavily on public services and living standards. While the party continues to support Welsh independence, it is not proposing an independence referendum during a first term in government.

Instead, Plaid says it would establish a national commission for Wales, with a budget of £500,000, to examine future constitutional options including further devolution and the foundations for a future white paper on independence.

On education, Plaid is promising to widen access to free school meals. The party says it would extend free meals to year seven to 11 pupils in households receiving Universal Credit, with no income cap. It is also pledging new incentives to attract teachers and says it wants to strengthen Welsh-medium education.

However, questions remain over whether enough Welsh-speaking staff could be recruited to support the scale of expansion Plaid is proposing across childcare and education.

The party is also promising a review of the Curriculum for Wales, alongside clearer guidance for teachers, in what appears to be an acknowledgement of continuing concern about how the reforms are working in practice.

In health, Plaid says it wants to cut waiting times, although the manifesto itself does not contain a detailed overall target. Rhun ap Iorwerth has said that under a Plaid-led government no-one would be waiting two years for treatment within the first year, with wider waiting lists brought back to pre-pandemic levels by the end of a Senedd term.

The manifesto also says Plaid would consider “all options” for reforming Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board in north Wales, leaving open the possibility of structural change at Wales’ largest health board.

On higher education, Plaid says it would prioritise a review of universities and their funding amid growing financial pressure in the sector. The party says it wants to ensure more Welsh government spending on higher education remains in Wales.

The manifesto also proposes refocusing the Seren programme towards Welsh universities and boosting participation from disadvantaged communities. Critics, however, may argue that such a move risks narrowing options for the most academically able students.

Housing and tourism policy also feature prominently. Plaid says it will review the effectiveness of current second homes and self-catering holiday let rules, including the controversial requirement for holiday lets to be rented out for at least 182 days a year to avoid being treated as second homes for council tax purposes.

That rule has been defended by those concerned about housing shortages in tourism hotspots, but it has come under strong criticism from tourism operators who say it is harming local businesses.

Plaid is also proposing to explore a Welsh child payment of £10 a week for children under six in families receiving Universal Credit. The idea would begin as a pilot scheme aimed at addressing child poverty.

But there are doubts over how easily such a scheme could be delivered, given that Wales does not have the same benefits powers as Scotland, where a similar payment already exists. Any full rollout could depend on cooperation from the UK government.

Taken together, the manifesto suggests Plaid Cymru is trying to broaden its appeal beyond its traditional base, offering a platform centred less on constitutional change and more on bread-and-butter issues such as health, schools, housing and family finances.

Whether that approach is enough to persuade voters Plaid is ready to run Wales may prove one of the defining questions of the 2026 election campaign.

 

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Charity

Drive care forward: Help keep end-of-life care moving in Pembrokeshire

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PAUL SARTORI Hospice at Home is calling on the community to help keep end-of-life care moving across Pembrokeshire as it launches an urgent appeal to fund a replacement for its essential Equipment Loan Van.

The appeal, which went live on Friday, April 10, 2026, will run until December 1, 2026, with the aim of raising £40,000 to replace the vital vehicle and safeguard the future of the service.

Every day, families across the county face some of the hardest moments of their lives while living with terminal illness or saying goodbye to a loved one. Paul Sartori Hospice at Home believes everyone deserves dignity, comfort and choice at the end of life, and its Equipment Loan Service plays a crucial role in making that possible.

At the heart of this service is the charity’s van, which delivers essential equipment free of charge directly to people’s homes. From hospital-style beds and wheelchairs to commodes and pressure-relieving mattresses, these items enable patients to remain in familiar surroundings, close to the people they love.

The service often responds on the same day, ensuring urgent needs are met quickly. By providing the right equipment at the right time, the team helps prevent unnecessary hospital admissions and supports faster hospital discharges, giving people the chance to spend precious time at home.

Beyond deliveries, the team also shows families how to use the equipment, supports safe transfers where needed, and fills critical gaps that statutory services are unable to meet. For many people, this service provides something truly invaluable: dignity, independence and comfort during end-of-life care.

However, the current Equipment Loan Van is now reaching the end of its working life, putting this lifeline service at risk. To continue operating safely and efficiently across Pembrokeshire, the charity urgently needs to replace it with a reliable, roadworthy vehicle.

Pat Coombs, Clinical Coordinator and Equipment Facilitator at Paul Sartori Hospice at Home, said: “This van is essential to the care we provide. Every day, we see the difference it makes, helping people return home from hospital, supporting families to care for loved ones, and making sure patients can remain where they feel most comfortable.

“It is not just about delivering equipment; it is about delivering dignity and choice at the end of life. Without a reliable van, we simply cannot respond as quickly or effectively as people need us to.”

The charity is encouraging individuals, businesses and community groups to get involved and support the appeal. Donations of all sizes will help ensure that no one in Pembrokeshire has to face the end of life without the care and equipment they need.

To support the campaign and help fund a new Equipment Loan Van, visit: www.justgiving.com/campaign/equipmentloanvan

 

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