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Developer allegedly ‘shuffled’ money

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Screen Shot 2016-08-16 at 11.05.13A CABINET grant, originally set out for a two storey office development, is allegedly being used to facilitate a housing project in Johnston. 

Councillor Mike Stoddart revealed the findings on his blog after querying a number of aspects about the grant and the housing development.

In January 2015, Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet approved a grant of £328,553 to Uzmaston Projects Ltd for the delivery of a 5,700sq ft two storey office in Hayston View, Johnston.

The same company is also building 14 homes on the site adjacent to the office buildings.

The report to Cabinet in January 2015 stated that the total cost of the project was £790,118 but that the completed project was valued at £318,350.

That leaves a development gap of £471,768 and even with the £328,553 grant, the developer would still be £140,000 out of pocket.

Uzmaston Developments also quoted £35,000 for proposed surface water drainage installations.

The estimated cost came to £36,510, meaning that Uzmaston Projects Ltd is taking a small hit of £1,510.

Cllr Stoddart added that 25 road gullies was a bit excessive for 20 car parking spaces and that a soakaway 12m x 10m x 2m deep (large enough to swallow a three bedroom bungalow up to the top of the windows) might be rather larger than that required for this modest 253sq metre building and its surroundings.

After requesting to see the drawings, Cllr Stoddart found the cost of the drainage for the housing estate had been shuffled across to the grant-aided office block.

He also found that there are only seven, not nine, brick manholes in the storm water system and 18 road gullies, not 25 as originally quoted.

He said: “Furthermore, most of the storm water drainage shown on the drawing concerns either the housing development, or the section of road to the top of the plan which is designed to give access to future development in an adjoining field.

“In addition, the soakaway would only need to be half the size if it was for the office development alone.

“It is difficult to see how the quantity surveyor missed this because in the bottom left hand corner of the plan is a box containing the ‘drainage strategy’ which makes it abundantly clear that the soakaway is designed to cater for the run-off from the ‘estate access road’.”

Rather than the developers taking a £1,510 hit, they are pocketing a 45% grant for work that had nothing to do with the office development.

The Herald contacted Uzmaston Developments Ltd, giving them a right to reply to Cllr Stoddart’s blog post, but they failed to respond.

1 Comment

1 Comment

  1. Tomos

    August 16, 2016 at 3:39 pm

    Are such actions NOT illegal? IF it was the real world and an organisation had given money to do a job and the job not done wouldn’t ppl be concerned? Are Dyfed Powys Police and Pembs CC doing a Nelson and putting the telescope up to their blind eye?

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Community

Tractor run lights up Pembrokeshire and raises funds for charity

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THE PEMBROKESHIRE ILLUMINATED TRACTOR RUN took place today (Dec 21), raising funds for two vital charities: the Catrin Vaughan Foundation and Wales Air Ambulance.

Starting at Clarbeston Road AFC at 6:00pm, the brightly lit convoy of nearly 200 tractors made its way through Withybush Hospital and Haverfordwest High Street before finishing at the Pembrokeshire County Showground.

The annual event has become a highlight of the festive calendar, drawing large crowds to witness the spectacle of tractors adorned with colourful lights and decorations.

Funds raised from the event will support the Catrin Vaughan Foundation, which provides crucial assistance to families facing hardship, and the Wales Air Ambulance, delivering life-saving emergency medical care across the region.

Organisers praised the dedication of local farmers and volunteers, whose commitment ensures the event’s continued success year after year.

(Image: Nia Marshall/Facebook)

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Business

Ferry Terminal ‘extremely busy’ due to ongoing Holyhead closure

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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)

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Community

Festive celebrations at St Davids Cathedral this weekend

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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.

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