News

Haverfordwest: Car park cost public £858k

Published

10 years ago

October 4, 2016

Tom Sinclair

Cllr Tom Tudor: Leads call for action over unused car parks

A CAR PARK costing over £858,000 to construct has been ‘lying idle since construction was completed in January 2011’. The future of the car park was raised at the latest Cabinet meeting by Pembrokeshire County Council yesterday (Oct 3), with Cllr Tom Tudor calling for a compulsory purchase order of the land.

In his supporting statement, Cllr Tudor said: “I call on Pembrokeshire County Council to compulsory purchase the unused car park adjacent to Foley House which was constructed and completed in January 2011 with tax payers funding.”

Having received considerable investment from Pembrokeshire County Council (£335k), along with grant aid from Heritage Lottery Fund (£230k), Welsh Assembly Government (£191k), and Cadw (£100k), the original purpose of the project was to provide car parking spaces to those who own properties on the left of High Street, Haverfordwest – which back onto the car park.

Built on derelict land owned by various property owners on High Street and Market Street, ownership of the 43-bay car park was left to these businesses in the form of a trust. The plan, to allow the trust to allocate parking bays amongst them in an ‘amicable and professional manner’, failed to materialise and, as a result, the car park remains entirely unused.

Cllr Tudor added: “It’s also important to note there has been no effort to maintain the links between the properties on High Street and the car park itself.”

Cllr Tudor also made reference to previous motions he had raised regarding the car park in June 2014 and in 2012.
Responding to Cllr Tudor, Cllr Keith Lewis admitted that the future of the car park had ‘been allowed to drift’, although admitted there would be a ‘significant amount of money involved’ in a compulsory purchase order.

Cllr Lewis continued: “I’m not entirely convinced that in owning the land we will meet the criteria of the monies involved.”

Leader of the Council, Cllr James Llewellyn Adams, added: “There is no budget to consider this matter… The council has already invested £336k in this scheme.”

Complicating matters further is the adjacent property of Foley House. Described by Cllr Simon Hancock as ‘one of the jewels of Haverfordwest’, Foley House is currently owned and for sale by Pembrokeshire County Council.

Immediately behind the historic listed building is a piece of land forming the gardens and car park of the property; however, to access to this means travelling over a small section of the newly built car park entrance.

As Cllr Hancock pointed out, this shared access along with ongoing issues with the new car park could be a factor in why no one has purchased Foley House in the past.

Cllr Hancock said: “It is part of the wider issue of the future of Foley House itself.”

The gardens and car park of Foley House have also been unused since the property was put on the market in 2003 which led onto Cllr Tudor’s second motion; to allow local residents to park in the property’s grounds.

In his second supporting statement, he said: “To date, Foley House has not been purchased, as such I call on Pembrokeshire County Council to reopen the car park and allow the local residents of Goat Street, Hermons Hill and Hill Lane to utilise the car park, operating the council’s residents parking permit policy.”

The car park had been open to local residents prior to Foley House being advertised for sale.

While Foley House has fallen into considerable disrepair, the council remains eager to sell the property, meaning Cllr Tudor’s second motion to allow resident permit parking was denied. A project is also underway to examine the costs affiliated with restoring Foley House in an effort to entice potential buyers.

Meanwhile the future of the newly built car park was subjected to further legal advice regarding a potential compulsory purchase, the deadline for which was set as November 30.

Crime

Alleged pay TV fraud case due before Haverfordwest magistrates

Published

3 hours ago

April 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Milford Haven man faces three Fraud Act charges linked to apps, electronic data and adapted Amazon Fire TV sticks

A MILFORD HAVEN man is due to appear before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (Apr 21) charged with three offences under the Fraud Act 2006.

Michael David Barrow, 48, of Priory Road, Milford Haven, is listed to appear before magistrates in connection with allegations relating to software and devices said to have enabled unlawful access to pay television content.

According to the court list, it is alleged that between October 19, 2019 and February 22, 2024, at Haverfordwest and elsewhere in Pembrokeshire, Barrow made applications, known as apps, and/or other electronic data which enabled access to pay television content without appropriate payment being made to those entitled to it.

He is further accused of supplying applications, apps and/or other electronic data intended to be used to commit, or assist in the commission of, fraud.

A third charge alleges that he supplied Amazon Fire TV Sticks which, when adapted, enabled access to pay television content without appropriate payment being made to the rights holders, intending them to be used to commit, or assist in the commission of, fraud.

All three charges are brought under Section 7 of the Fraud Act 2006.

Community

Tributes paid to teenager killed in Ceredigion crash

Published

5 hours ago

April 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Family say 19-year-old Lee Barber will be remembered for his kindness, strength and positive attitude

THE FAMILY of a 19-year-old man who died in a road traffic collision in Ceredigion last month have paid tribute to him.

Lee Barber, from Aberaeron, died after the vehicle he was travelling in was involved in a collision on the A482 between Lampeter and Ciliau Aeron on Tuesday, March 24.

In a statement released through Dyfed-Powys Police, his family said: “There are no words that can describe the pain we are feeling as a family. The loss of our son, Lee, has devastated us and has deeply affected the whole community.

“Lee was a loving son who lived life to the fullest. He will be remembered for his kindness, his strength, and his positive attitude. He had a way of bringing people together and made a lasting impact on everyone who knew him.

“We want to take this opportunity to thank everyone in the local community and further afield for the overwhelming support we have received. The messages, stories, memories, and photos that have been shared with us mean more than words can say.

“Our boy Lee will live on forever in our hearts and minds. We now kindly ask for privacy as we take time to grieve.”

Police confirmed the collision happened on the A482 between Lampeter and Ciliau Aeron and that Lee died at the scene.

If you want, I can also turn this into a tighter Herald news update version.

Community

Pembrokeshire Chess Club welcomes AI opponent on historic visit

Published

6 hours ago

April 20, 2026

Cerys Lafferty

PEMBROKSHIRE’S thriving chess community witnessed a unique blend of tradition and technology last week, as Pembrokeshire Chess Club hosted a special guest: “Rook to D2” – an AI-powered chess robot from the Welsh Chess Union.

The visit marked the first stop of the robot’s tour across Wales, making it a historic moment for the county. Club members, both young and old, gathered at Kensington Court in Steynton to experience the future of chess firsthand.

Excitement filled the room as the club’s President officially opened proceedings by making the first move against the robotic challenger. From that moment on, it was “game on,” with 15 junior players eagerly taking turns to test their skills. Several adult members also joined in, creating a lively and inclusive atmosphere.

The evening proved especially memorable for the club’s younger players, who relished the chance to play against cutting-edge technology. Their enthusiasm was matched by club officials, including the Chairman and President, who welcomed the opportunity to introduce innovation into the local chess scene.

Club representatives described the atmosphere as “amazing,” highlighting how advancements in technology are enhancing traditional games like chess and inspiring a new generation of players.

Pembrokeshire Chess Club continues to meet weekly at Kensington Court, Steynton. Junior sessions are held every Tuesday from 5:30pm to 6:30pm, followed by sessions for more experienced juniors and adults. The club prides itself on being family-friendly and inclusive, catering to all abilities – from casual players seeking a friendly game to those aiming to compete in league and tournament chess.

Following its successful debut in Pembrokeshire, the AI chess robot is expected to visit other clubs across Wales in the coming weeks, bringing the same sense of excitement and innovation to chess communities nationwide.