News

Whitewell Caravan Park plans signed off

Published

11 years ago

May 1, 2015

WHITEWELLCARAVAN DEVELOPMENT of the Whitewell Caravan Park will take place following a debate over the signage of the park at a meeting on Wednesday (Apr 15).

Cllr Michael Williams said the current signs were unpleasant and added that a condition to amend the signs should be included as part of a number of conditions on the application.

Cllr Bob Kilmister said that he felt uneasy about imposing the condition and when it was put to a vote, members did not support the addition of a signage condition.

The National Park’s Development Management Committee considered plans for the Caravan Park in Penally, Tenby, where the applicant has applied to change the use of one his fields to provide 17 static pitches, 16 touring pitches and ten tent pitches to replace the existing provision.

There have been problems with the site in the past as campers have been allowed to camp on a field adjacent to the proposed site and an enforcement notice had been issued in relation to this matter.

The agent also told his client that this was not acceptable and told the committee that the application was made to rectify the problems.

A neighbour to the site, Mr Joseph, urged the committee to accept the plans saying that the development would solve the issues that neighbours had.

He said: “Both myself and my family have experienced disruption and a loss of amenity due to unlicensed camping taking place in the field opposite our property. When we brought the property we expected some disruption from neighbours and the manner in which the applicant has sought to increase the intensity of the business through unauthorised development over six years has created an imbalanced situation which has adversely affected us. If approved, this application will hopefully remedy these issues. We’re surrounded by land owned by the park and we have a tolerable level of disruption from the existing developments. This proposal offers a balance in that it allows the business to grow in a way that preserves the amenity for our household and will actually enhance the appearance of the area. Overall we support the application and it will solve our issues as neighbours.”

Agent Ken Morgan said: “I have advised my client very early that he had to address these issues concerning neighbours. He is trying to improve his park substantially in both the buildings and by the provision of more camping facilities. The standards of caravans that are now made in this country are far superior to the original ones. This gives the holiday park improved environmental aspects which is enjoyable for the tourists in the park as well as the wider environment. More importantly we can control what used to happen in the front two fields. I have said to my client no caravans in the left hand field. What we have come up with is a good compromise.”

Tenby Councillor Michael Williams said: “Departures do concern me but there are real planning gains to be made with this application. The key here is landscaping because this is critical to the success of this development. I have concerns about road signage and particularly in my view, it looks unpleasant. It has to be particularly well designed to suit the landscaping. I think it is very important that the conditions are complied with and they are enforced. The front two fields, this must never be allowed to happen again. I would like to complement the officer and architect for coming to an agreement on this site which will sort out some of the problems and it shows what can be achieved when architects and officers meet before and come to an agreement.”

Cllr Williams moved approval and also added that the signage should be looked at as part of the conditions.

Cllr Bob Kilmister disagreed saying: “I am really uneasy about that. I don’t think it’s a material part of this planning consideration and I think we are overstepping the mark.”

Cllr Tony Wilcox added: “The original sign has been up for some time and it has not attracted any complaints until today so it seems a bit harsh.”

The plans with Cllr Williams’ added condition of signage were then voted on but it was defeated by nine votes to six. The original recommendation was then put to the vote and that was approved unanimously.

News

BBC apologises to Herald’s editor for inaccurate story

Published

59 minutes ago

December 4, 2025

Staff Writer

THE BBC has issued a formal apology and amended a six-year-old article written by BBC Wales Business Correspondent Huw Thomas after its Executive Complaints Unit ruled that the original headline and wording gave an “incorrect impression” that Herald editor Tom Sinclair was personally liable for tens of thousands of pounds in debt.

The 2019 report, originally headlined “Herald newspaper editor Tom Sinclair has £70,000 debts”, has now been changed.

The ECU found: “The wording of the article and its headline could have led readers to form the incorrect impression that the debt was Mr Sinclair’s personal responsibility… In that respect the article failed to meet the BBC’s standards of due accuracy.”

Mr Sinclair said: “I’m grateful to the ECU for the apology and for correcting the personal-liability impression that caused real harm for six years. However, the article still links the debts to ‘the group which publishes The Herald’ when in fact they related to printing companies that were dissolved two years before the Herald was founded in 2013. I have asked the BBC to add that final clarification so the record is completely accurate.”

A formal apology and correction of this kind from the BBC is extremely rare, especially for a story more than six years old.

Business

First wind turbine components arrive as LNG project moves ahead

Published

4 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THE FIRST ship carrying major components for Dragon LNG’s new onshore wind turbines
docked at Pembroke Port yesterday afternoon 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
shortly after 4pm on Wednesday 26th 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 is
due to arrive in the early hours of this morning (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 yesterday 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.

Port of Milford Haven shipping movements showed the Peak Bergen approaching the Haven
throughout Wednesday morning before finally tying up at the cargo berth in Pembroke Dock.

Cranes began unloading operations yesterday evening.

The Weather conditions are currently were favourable for this morning’s 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 training opportunities and energy-
bill support 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

Crime

Banned for 40 months after driving with cocaine breakdown product in blood

Published

4 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Sarah-Jane Absalom

A MILFORD HAVEN woman has been handed a lengthy driving ban after admitting driving with a controlled drug in her system more than ten times over the legal limit.

SENTENCED AT HAVERFORDWEST

Sally Allen, 43, of Wentworth Close, Hubberston, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Dec 4) for sentencing, having pleaded guilty on November 25 to driving with a proportion of a specified controlled drug above the prescribed limit.

The court heard that Allen was stopped on August 25 on the Old Hakin Road at Tiers Cross while driving an Audi A3. Blood analysis showed 509µg/l of Benzoylecgonine, a breakdown product of cocaine. The legal limit is 50µg/l.

COMMUNITY ORDER AND REHABILITATION

Magistrates imposed a 40-month driving ban, backdated to her interim disqualification which began on November 25.

Allen was also handed a 12-month community order, requiring her to complete 10 days of rehabilitation activities as directed by the Probation Service.

She was fined £120, ordered to pay £85 prosecution costs and a £114 surcharge. Her financial penalties will be paid in £25 monthly instalments from January 1, 2026.

The bench—Mrs H Roberts, Mr M Shankland and Mrs J Morris—said her guilty plea had been taken into account when passing sentence.