News
Haverfordwest: Plans to ‘revitalise’ town supported by council
CABINET members have given their backing to the Haverfordwest Masterplan which will see the county town transformed by a number of new developments.
Councillors have already supported the development of the new library at the Riverside Market and at Monday’s (Sept 12) meeting, Cabinet endorsed four more flagship projects.
Those four projects include a River Cleddau corridor and riverside promenade, a market re-development on the Western Quayside,: a Riverside Shopping Centre on the Eastern Quayside and a Heritage Centre for the town.
Cllr Keith Lewis said: “This has taken a significant amount of time and to get to the position where we are now we have to go back to the work done by Overview and Scrutiny some four years ago in laying the foundation to how we are going to approach the regeneration of town centres.
“It’s a long process and it’s one that can only lead to success if we can bring the relevant components of our towns together.
“This is specific to Haverfordwest, the county town, and I feel it rightly deserves the priority of being the first.
“The vision and objectives of the masterplan are complimentary to the council’s local development policy.
“Haverfordwest Town Centre has not been at its best for a number of years and there have been a number of pressures including being subject to abnormally high rate charges and there is a review ongoing so hopefully that situation will be rectified.
“We have to work with developers, we have identified certain people, certain developers who have an interest and I hope we can progress that relationship.
“We have committed, and it was very pleasing that the new library went through planning, so that involves substantial investment by this authority in the town centre and there are other projects which I would like to see moved forward quickly.
“It is a critical document and essential to the future of Haverfordwest.”
Head of Regeneration Mr Martin White said: “The vision statements and the objectives clearly identify four or five areas along the river where investment is required to bring forward a development for a mix of uses.
“They will be culture and leisure based to enhance and compliment the retail offer in the town centre.”
Cllr Simon Hancock asked about the re-use of vacant properties saying that some had suffered from poor architectural practices in the 60’s and added that a number of historic buildings were empty.
Martin White responded: “The historic environment is absolutely key and a number of other assets are the base on which we should build on.”
Cllr Huw George added: “A thriving county town affects the whole county and we all look forward to this and for the other towns in the county.”
The recommendation to endorse the masterplan was approved unanimously.
Crime
Unanimous verdict in Ceredigion sexual assault case
A CEREDIGION man has been convicted to three years and six months in prison for sexually assaulting a woman in her own bed after the jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict.
27-year-old Suroj Bk, from Llangrannog, was sentenced this week following a week-long trial at Swansea Crown Court (May 1).
On 7 October 2023, Dyfed-Powys Police received a report that Bk entered the victim’s home and sexually assaulted her while she lay in her bed.
When the victim realised what was happening, she kicked Bk out of her bed and called the police.
Upon receiving the report, officers quickly attended the victim’s home and conducted a thorough search of the surrounding area using police dogs and scenes of crime officers.
Evidence gathered from scene, together with extensive local enquiries, led officers to arrest Suroj Bk the next day (8 October).
While Bk was in custody, detectives, crime scene investigators, and digital forensic officers worked tirelessly to uncover the evidence that ultimately placed Suroj Bk at the scene.
After hearing the evidence, the jury took less than two hours to agree a unanimous guilty verdict.
The detective in charge of the case has praised the victim for her ‘tremendous courage’ in reporting the assault to police.
“Incidents of this nature are thankfully very rare within Ceredigion, and I’d like to reassure the community that this was an isolated incident, and that the identification and arrest of suspect was done quickly and efficiently,” said Detective Inspector Sam Gregory.
“The victim in this case demonstrated tremendous courage in reporting to police, and while this investigation was not straightforward in its nature, it was through the expertise and tenacity of forensic officers, working together with the investigation team, and the victim, that led to this successful prosecution.
“I hope the sentence given to Suroj Bk sends a clear and strong message that Dyfed-Powys Police takes reports of sexual offences seriously.
“We will listen to you, and we will work tirelessly to get justice.”
On Wednesday, 1 May 2024, Saroj Bk was sentenced to three years and six months in prison and a five-year restraining order, and he will be on the sex offenders register for life.
If you have been a victim of a crime such as this, report it to Dyfed-Powys Police either through a direct message on social media, online at: https://www.dyfed-powys.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/v1/rape-sexual-assault-other-sexual-offences/, by emailing [email protected], or by calling 101.
In an emergency, always call 999.
If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired text the non-emergency number on 07811 311 908. Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555111, or visiting crimestoppers-uk.org.
News
Body recovered confirmed to be Luke Stephenson, say police
DYFED-POWYS police have said today that the body found on Wednesday, May 1, has been confirmed to be Luke Stephenson, who was reported missing from the Pembroke Dock area on April 14.
A spokesperson for the force said: “We will continue to support the family and will assist with issuing a tribute publicly if the family wish to do so.”
In a statement, his family said: “Luke was a joyful and funny young man and always wanted to help others. He was a loving son, brother, grandson and uncle, and will be forever missed.
“We have lost a huge part of our family, and our loss is shared by his many friends who also loved him dearly.
“We would like to thank the local community for the overwhelming support we have received.”
Business
Port of Milford Haven now official ‘a great place to work’
THE PORT of Milford Haven has been officially accredited as a Great Place to Work-Certified™ organisation. As the first Port Authority in Britain to secure this Certification™, it is a significant achievement.
“We are very proud to be Great Place to Work-Certified™,” said Vidette Swales, HR Director at the Port of Milford Haven. “It means so much that our employees have reported a consistently positive experience with their colleagues, their leaders and their jobs. Offering a positive employee experience is not only beneficial for the people who work with us but is also key for our continued business success.”
Tom Sawyer, CEO at the Port of Milford Haven added: “Our team is operating the UK’s leading energy port, and it is of the utmost importance that we do that safely, responsibly and effectively. We’re striving for excellence and aim to provide a world class service to our customers as well as supporting sustainable coastal communities for the prosperity of future generations. Our employees are clearly at the centre of this which is why I’m delighted that they feel supported in their role. I’m especially proud that this Certification™ demonstrates our core values of Safety, Excellence, Collaboration and Sustainability so perfectly.”
“We congratulate the Port of Milford Haven on achieving their Certification™,” said Benedict Gautrey, Managing Director of Great Place to Work® UK. “Organisations which put the employee experience at the heart of their business gain their employees’ trust and, in turn, are truly able to build a great workplace culture that delivers outstanding business results.”
Find out more about careers at the Port of Milford Haven here: www.mhpa.co.uk/about/careers-at-the-port/.
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