News

House builder addresses housing shortage

Published

10 years ago

December 12, 2013

AS THE new homes market in Wales struggles to enjoy the same positive strides towards recovery as in England, Wales’ largest house-builder, Persimmon Homes, is set to address the housing shortage in west Wales announcing plans to deliver 450 new homes across Pembrokeshire with the potential to create over 1,300 jobs over the next five years.

Signalling its commitment to house building in Wales by expanding operations into west Wales, Persimmon Homes on Thursday marked the start of works in Lamphey on 39 homes comprising two bedroom bungalows and two, three and four bedroom houses.

Construction is also set to start on a further 68 at Hermitage Farm, near Haverfordwest, early next year following planning consent last week and at Bush Hill near Pembroke once planning consent is granted.

Managing Director of Persimmon Homes West Wales, Huw Llewellyn, said:

“We have found that the local authorities in west Wales have reacted more positively to the economic realities facing housebuilders and are taking positive steps to help make developments viable through more realistic planning requirements to help generate economic development, as well as new homes.

“Persimmon Homes is the first of the major PLC house-builders to develop homes this far west in Wales. And with family roots in Carmarthen, I’m proud to be part of a company that is keen to invest in the local community and support the local supply chain.”

According to Pembrokeshire County Council’s Local Development Plan, there is a significant lack of housing in the region and this latest announcement from Persimmon Homes will provide around 90 affordable houses with the remainder available on the Welsh Government’s Help to Buy Wales scheme thus helping first time buyers and families looking to upgrade to a bigger family home to do so.

Between now and 2021, Pembrokeshire County Council has made provision for 7,300 dwellings in the Local Development Plan, enabling the delivery of 5,700 homes, and Persimmon Homes is set to deliver 8% of this over the course of the next five years.

Cllr David Pugh, Board Member of the Swansea Bay City Region and Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Economy, Tourism and Communities, said:

“Following the launch of the Swansea Bay City Region earlier this year, economic regeneration is very much the driving force behind Council activity as we strive to create jobs and sustainable economic growth.

“The announcement that Wales’ largest housebuilder is committed to investing in Pembrokeshire is a major step forward for the region and one that will present numerous opportunities for growth and regeneration and we hope to maximise the benefits of the developments for local people and businesses.”

Cllr David Simpson, Cabinet spokesperson for Housing and

Sustainability said: “From a Council point of view it’s superb for Pembrokeshire County Council to have such a large company in Pembrokeshire. Out of the 39 homes, seven will be affordable. Pembrokeshire Housing Association now has a good relationship formed with Persimmon Homes. Pembrokeshire Housing now have an agreement that the first allocations will all be local people.”

Managing Director, Huw Llewellyn said: “We plan to have the show homes open in March to April 2014 with people living here next year. It’s not a success until we have people living in the homes. We’re pleased with the relationship with the local authority.

“We’ve been welcomed here and have been working together well and we all have realistic expectations. It’s a five year plan to generate employment. People tend to think ‘How can a construction site create so many jobs?’. Well, it’s not just the boys he have working on site, it’ll be the people who will live there who will bring in trade for local people, such as a small shop – it will have more customers. It’s secondary jobs, too”.

Cllr David Pugh, Board Member of the Swansea Bay City Region and Pembrokeshire County Council Cabinet member for Economy, Tourism and Communities said: “It’s great the commitment to come to this part of the world in Pembrokeshire. Pembrokeshire is open for business!”

News

Opportunity to request changes to the 20mph limits in Pembrokeshire

Published

6 mins ago

May 3, 2024

Design Team

Pembrokeshire County Council is opening up an opportunity for residents to request changes to 20mph limits in their locality.

The move follows a speech outlining his transport priorities by new Transport Cabinet Secretary Ken Skates, who pledged to put the voice of Welsh citizens at the heart of decision making on transport, while setting out a three-phase plan on 20mph.

To aid this approach Pembrokeshire County Council welcomes constructive views from residents.

If you wish to forward a suggestion, with valid reasons, for why a road should be exempted from the 20mph national speed limit in Pembrokeshire, the Council will log your feedback and review it once new exceptions guidance is available from the Welsh Government. The Council expects to receive this guidance by the summer.

The Council will not be able to log any general comments about the 20mph National Policy, as that is a matter for the Welsh Government and Welsh Government Ministers.

If your feedback relates to a Trunk Road, these also are not the responsibility of Local Authorities. For queries relating to Trunk Roads please email [email protected].

More information on Trunk Roads is available on Datamap Wales.

Please note, for your feedback to be recorded/considered we will require the first line of your address and post code.

This will assist Council officers during the review process to ensure that requests for change are made by those who reside within the same area / community for which the request is being made.

Please ensure all the required details are forwarded to the following email account for consideration:

[email protected]

Charity

RNLI offers safety advice ahead of bank holiday weekend

Published

31 mins ago

May 3, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE RNLI in Wales is offering safety advice to those visiting the coast this bank holiday weekend and encouraging people to visit a lifeguarded beach.

The RNLI is encouraging anyone planning on heading to the coast to enjoy this weekend to do so safely, by visiting a lifeguarded beach and swimming between the red and yellow flags.

RNLI lifeguards will be patrolling at the following beaches along the Welsh coast this bank holiday from 10am-6pm:

In Pembrokeshire: Whitesands Beach and Tenby South Beach
In Swansea: Aberavon, Langland Bay, Caswell Bay, Port Eynon and Three Cliffs Beach
In Bridgend/Vale of Glamorgan: Coney Bay, Trecco Bay and Whitmore Bay

Vinny Vincent, Lead Lifeguard Supervisor for Swansea said: ‘We strongly encourage anyone planning to go in the sea this weekend to visit one of the lifeguarded beaches.

‘Lifeguards set up the flags in the safest areas of the beach. Swim or bodyboard between the red and yellow flags, and black and white

chequered flags indicate an area monitored by lifeguards for use of watercraft such as surfboards and kayaks.

‘If you see a red flag flying, the lifeguards have deemed that area of the beach as dangerous, and we recommend that you do not enter the water.

‘If you ever have any questions, feel free to approach the lifeguards. We’re a friendly bunch and are always happy to offer advice.’

After the bank holiday weekend, some patrols extend to full time whilst others remain as weekend-only patrols.

In Pembrokeshire, Whitesands Beach and Tenby South Beach will both be patrolled on weekends only until 25 May.

In Swansea, Langland Bay, Caswell Bay and Port Eynon will be patrolled full time (every day from 10am-6pm). Aberavon and Three Cliffs will be patrolled on weekends only until May 25.

In Bridgend/Vale of Glamorgan, Coney Bay and Trecco bay will be patrolled full time, whilst Whitmore Bay will be patrolled on weekends only until 25 May.

Chris Cousens Water Safety Lead for Wales said: ‘We want people and their families to enjoy the coastline, but to do so safely. We encourage people to always swim at a lifeguarded beach.

‘Whilst out on the coast, if find yourself or see anyone else in difficulty, remember to call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard. If you find yourself in trouble in the water, Float to Live.

‘Our volunteer lifeboat crews are on call 24/7 to come to your aid. If in doubt, call it in as it’s always better safe than sorry.’

RNLI Float to Live advice:

Tilt your head back with your ears submerged
Relax and try to breathe normally
Move your hands around to help you stay afloat
It’s okay if your legs sink, we all float differently
Spread your arms and legs to improve stability

To find your nearest lifeguarded beach visit: Lifeguarded Beaches – Find Your Nearest Lifeguarded Beach (rnli.org)

Health

Chairman opens new NHS 111 Wales Service Centre in Haverfordwest

Published

34 mins ago

May 3, 2024

Tom Sinclair

IN a ceremonial occasion on Thursday (May 2), Thomas Baden Tudor, Chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council, inaugurated the new NHS 111 Wales service centre at Haverfordwest Ambulance Station. The event was marked by Mr. Tudor cutting the red ribbon, a task he was honoured to perform at the behest of Matthew Jones, Locality Manager of the Pembrokeshire Ambulance Service.

The NHS 111 service, which is accessible round the clock, offers urgent health advice and information about available services, including dental care and general medical guidance. This vital resource also provides support on managing illnesses and conditions and ensures continuity of care when GP offices are closed.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Tudor expressed his pride and privilege in participating in the launch, which underscores the community’s commitment to enhancing healthcare accessibility. The new service centre is expected to play a pivotal role in providing prompt medical advice and support to the residents of Pembrokeshire.

The service is free and can be reached by dialling 111 from any phone, ensuring essential healthcare advice is just a call away.