News
Site visit for One Planet Development
MEMBERS of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park have voted to visit a site for a proposed small holding under One Planet Development rules.
The development would be located on land adjacent to Castle Hill in Newport.
The Park’s Development Management Committee met on Wednesday, January 27, to discuss the application submitted by Ms Sue Gillooley.
There were also objections to the plans from Newport Town Council who stated that the community had not been consulted properly.
However, the applicant stated that she was willing to hold an open evening with members of the public and town councillors to discuss her application.
Speaking against the plans, Mr William Ward said: “The thirteen public responses including all the applicants’ immediate neighbours have not been approached by her to discuss this application. Nor were we consulted personally about the limited right of way over our private lane to access her site.
“The detailed public responses have not been adequately dealt with in the report.
“The site is one of the most beautiful and unspoilt positions in the National Park.
“This site is not suitable in such a sense of being in an accessible location. The applicant originally intended to grow vegetables, following the failure to grow vegetables in the first year and potatoes in the second year the applicant has decided to apply under One Planet Development (OPD) with no claimed expertise or experience of her own in horticulture.
“One Planet Development Rules must be strictly complied with. The management plan must be supported by robust evidence of a confident person but there is no evidence of her ability to manage and run the site on her own.
“The management plan is nothing more than an unsupported wish list and should be rejected.
“The applicant has chosen the highest most visible point and most difficult access to her house. The additional access road will exacerbate the problem.
“Is it really right to use OPD to get a house on this site to the detriment of so many people for the sake of one applicant?
“Please visit this special site so you can judge for yourselves the major consequences this application will have.”
Applicant Miss Sue Gillooley said: “The house location has been carefully chosen to cause the least visual impact. I have designed it to blend into the landscape by using the natural gradient to sink the building 2 metres below ground at certain points.
“In response to Newport Town Council’s comment a great deal more to be done to educate the public about One Planet applications and I would happy to be organise a presentation and open forum for discussion on OPD applications for councillors and local residents.
“I understand that some people have worries about my applicant and I would like to have an opportunity to discuss and dispel their concerns.
“I am seeking planning permission to enable me to live simply and modestly, to respect and lovingly tend to this beautiful land.”
Cllr Paul Harries proposed that the committee go on a site visit saying: “I know the area particularly well and would like to call for a site visit. The application is in a stunning location which you can’t see from the photos which doesn’t do it justice. It’s in a very beautiful part of the park and it needs to be seen to be fully appreciated. The access is challenging so it would profitable if we saw it.”
The site visit was seconded by Cllr Lyn Jenkins and was passed with nine in favour and two voting against it.
Business
Ferry Terminal ‘extremely busy’ due to ongoing Holyhead closure
PEMBROKE DOCK Ferry Terminal has been experiencing significant congestion today as ferry services remain under immense pressure following the closure of Holyhead Port earlier this month.
The disruption, caused by storm damage, has rerouted ferry traffic through Pembrokeshire, leading to long queues and crowded facilities at the terminal.
The Herald can confirm that it has been very busy today with cars, lorries, and foot passengers queuing in large numbers. Staff are working tirelessly to manage the influx, directing vehicles and assisting passengers as they prepare to board the heavily booked ferries.
A spokesperson for the Port of Milford Haven said: “We are working closely with ferry operators and local authorities to ensure traffic flows as smoothly as possible, but the sheer volume of vehicles is causing unavoidable delays.”
Travelers are being urged to arrive early for their sailings and to remain patient as the terminal operates at full capacity.
Both Stena Line and Irish Ferries have increased capacity on their Pembrokeshire routes, deploying larger vessels, including the Stena Adventurer and the MV James Joyce, to handle the surge in demand.
From our position at the terminal, our photographer has captured photos showing long lines of vehicles, groups of foot passengers carrying luggage, and port staff coordinating efforts to ease congestion.
Authorities are advising non-essential travelers to consider rescheduling their journeys where possible and to monitor updates from ferry operators closely.
(Photos: Martin Cavaney/Herald)
Community
Festive celebrations at St Davids Cathedral this weekend
ST DAVIDS Cathedral is set to host two special events on Sunday (Dec 22), offering a blend of joyful participation and traditional carol singing to mark the Christmas season.
In the morning, families are invited to the Scratch Nativity at 11:00am. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed as wise men, angels, sheep, or shepherds and take part in an unrehearsed retelling of the Christmas story. Canon Leigh described the event as: “Complete, wonderful chaos for an hour… but with some poignant, thought-provoking moments to centre ourselves on the real meaning of Christmas.”
Later in the evening, the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols by Candlelight will take place at 7:00pm, featuring the Cathedral Choir. The event, steeped in tradition, will see the cathedral bathed in candlelight as carols and scripture readings fill the historic space.
Doors will open at 5:45pm for those seeking unreserved seating, and a large turnout is expected for this beloved Christmas celebration.
Crime
Three men from London admit their guilt over illegal cannabis farm
THREE men admit their guilt after police discover over 700 cannabis plants during a raid on a former school building in Llandysul.
Officers from Dyfed-Powys Police executed a warrant at the former Ysgol Gynradd Llandysul on Heol Llyn Y Fran on November 15. Inside, they found 737 cannabis plants spread across multiple rooms.
Armeld Troksi, 29, and Njazi Gjana, 27, both from Empire Avenue in Edmonton, London, along with Ervin Gjana, 24, from Durham Avenue in Romford, were arrested at the scene and later charged with producing cannabis.
The three men appeared before Swansea Crown Court, where they admitted their involvement in the illegal operation. Defence solicitor Joshua Scouller requested a pre-sentence report for Ervin Gjana, which was granted by Judge Geraint Walters.
Sentencing is scheduled for January 20.
A Dyfed-Powys Police spokesperson said: “Following a warrant executed at the former school on Heol Llyn Y Fran, officers discovered a significant cannabis grow containing 737 plants.
“We are grateful to the local community for their continued support and cooperation. Officers will remain in the area while the site is secured.
“Our commitment remains firm in disrupting drug production and supply networks across our force area.
“We encourage residents to report any suspicious activity, no matter how small it may seem. Every piece of information can make a difference, and reports can easily be submitted through our website.”
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