News

Pembroke regeneration plans are well underway

Published

9 years ago

October 21, 2016

PLANS to regenerate Pembroke were further discussed in the latest meeting of Pembroke Town Council’s Regeneration Committee on Monday (Oct 17).

In light of a series of ‘masterplans across the county’, including Haverfordwest’s multi-million pound riverside and town centre development, Pembroke would appear to be next in line to undergo the regeneration process.

The plans for the project are still very much in preliminary stages. A draft plan has been formulated; however, no specific improvements to the town have been firmly established.

Throughout the meeting, councillors emphasised the need for a consultation process which will engage the ‘whole of the town’ and embrace public discussion, with Cllr Jonathan Nutting adding that decisions could not be made ‘without talking to everyone’.

The draft plans state: “Pembroke Town Centre requires a holistic vision looking at its retail and commercial function, its transport and parking systems, its cultural importance, landscape setting and historic built heritage, its public realm and its role as a workplace.”

Making reference to a previous presentation regarding the proposed masterplan for Pembroke, Mayor of Pembroke, Cllr Dennis Evans, said: “It did inspire a lot of us to think that maybe this is the time for Pembroke.”

Echoing Mayor Evans’ comment, Cllr Pauline Waters added: “It’s our turn out of the major towns in Pembrokeshire.”

While many councillors raised concern over the draft, given that it fails to address Pembroke specifically, and in turn, drew many similarities with the plans used for the regeneration of Haverfordwest, Mayor Dennis Evans emphasised: “This is a plan. This is an opportunity for us to move forward.”

Although the draft is not modelled to Pembroke specifically, there is still a clear set of ‘deliverables’ laid out within it. These include the identification of major development opportunities; early stage projects for immediate delivery and a spatial framework which included measures to focus on retail and town centre activity.

Many councillors used Haverfordwest’s efforts in developing its town centre as a positive point of reference, with some calling for Pembroke to adopt the ‘cultural centre’ approach and using terms such as ‘ideal’ to describe the development of the riverside market. Museums and galleries featured prominently in the discussion, as well as more general ‘cultural areas’.

While Cllr Blackburn acknowledged that Haverfordwest is ‘way down the line’ in its regeneration phase, Cllr Waters emphasised that ‘Haverfordwest didn’t happen overnight’.

With reference to St Michaels Church and St Michaels School, Cllr Waters added: “We have to make the best of what we’ve got, we’ve got some great buildings.”

Other members of the meeting emphasised the need to preserve the town’s heritage and raised the prospect of restoring historic sites, such as the old workhouse.

Cllr Nutting added: “We must protect what we’ve got. We have to say in our plan; these things are important and must be protected.”

Cllr Nutting also stressed that the plan should be presented to Pembrokeshire County Council ‘without emphasis on individual buildings’, and instead present a wide range of thoughts and proposals for Pembroke.

Mayor Dennis Evans subsequently suggested that members of the committee should each comprise a list of key buildings around the town and propose what should be done with them.

While the regeneration of Haverfordwest and the efforts of Pembrokeshire County Council in pushing forward with the plan for Pembroke were praised by many – Cllr Wyn Jenkins emphasised the importance of having ‘the authority in Haverfordwest on our side’ – this viewpoint was not shared unanimously.

Cllr Nutting said: “Pembrokeshire County Council has one thing in mind and that is Haverfordwest… a parochial, provincial market town.”

He added: “Pembroke Dock should not be languishing where it is – the money should have gone there.”

Backtracking on his previous remark, Cllr Nutting stated: “Don’t get me wrong, I love Haverfordwest.

“The more we shout, the more we make ourselves prominent and get what we want.”

Also present at the meeting was local architect Alan Collie, who issued words of warning to those present in the meeting.

Mr Collie warned: “Don’t get tied up with these posh consultancy plans. A lot of it is telling you what you already know but in a much longer form.”

Mr Collie also made reference to the amount of derelict buildings in the town, calling it ‘a disgrace’, something many councillors agreed with.

During the meeting, Cllr Jenkins called for original plans of a Pembroke regeneration, formulated some 30 years ago, to be revisited.

This development, named the Pembroke Maritime Village, would have seen a luxury hotel built on the waterfront of Castle Quarry. By dredging the Pembroke River and constructing lock gates and inlets into the quarry, boats travelling from all over the world would have been able to moor up having come through the main haven in Pennar.

The project would have also included the construction of chalets along the waterfront, as well as minor industry to support the river.

After four years of planning, Pembrokeshire County Council rejected the plans due to a local resident who raised concerns over ‘big industrial works’ being developed. Cllr Jenkins said no such industry was ever planned.

Cllr Jenkins said: “It would have made Pembroke and put it back on the map.”

Reflecting on the failed development, Cllr Jenkins described the situation as a ‘Pembroke problem’, adding ‘we can’t seem to get off the ground’.

Many councillors showed their support for the original plans to be ‘resurrected’, with Cllr Waters adding: “We need to capitalise on the waterways around our town.”

Throughout the meeting, the issue of timescales were also raised. Despite Mayor Dennis Evans having pointed out ‘this is not a quick process’, he, along with other members of the council, emphasised the looming nature of deadlines.

Former Pembroke Town Councillor Jan Gigler also raised the point that minutes for the regeneration meetings were not freely available to the public, something that the committee proved eager to address.

A public meeting was scheduled for 7pm on November 8 at Pembroke Town Hall. All local residents are encouraged to attend.

Crime

New national police force planned in biggest shake-up for generations

Published

1 minute ago

January 25, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Ministers promise “British FBI” to take on terrorism, fraud and organised crime as forces face new performance targets and intervention powers

A NEW national police force for England and Wales is to be created under plans described by ministers as the biggest structural change to policing in generations.

The Home Office has confirmed that a National Police Service will be established to bring together national and cross-border crime-fighting functions currently split across several organisations. The government says the move will strengthen the response to terrorism, serious organised crime and large-scale fraud, while freeing local forces to focus on neighbourhood policing and the offences that most affect public confidence.

The proposals were announced over the past two days as part of a wider “policing reset” to be set out in a Home Office white paper due on Monday.

What is being created

Under the plan, a National Police Service would be formed to take on work that regularly spans force boundaries, including counter-terrorism policing, serious organised crime and complex fraud investigations.

Ministers have indicated the new body would assume responsibilities currently spread across the National Crime Agency, Counter Terrorism Policing (which is led nationally through the Metropolitan Police), and regional structures that support forces with major investigations.

A National Police Commissioner would be appointed as the most senior police leader in the country, overseeing the new service and providing a single point of command for national threats.

Why the government says change is needed

The Home Office argues that crime has changed faster than policing structures have kept up.

Ministers say criminals operate across borders and online, and that cyber-enabled fraud and organised crime do not respect force areas. They contend that asking 43 separate forces to maintain the same level of specialist capability is inefficient and, in some areas, no longer realistic in the face of recruitment pressures and rising demand.

The government’s central claim is that the current system pulls local forces into complex national work, leaving fewer officers available for visible policing and “everyday” crime such as shoplifting, antisocial behaviour, vehicle crime and phone theft.

How it would work in practice

The National Police Service would be introduced in stages during a transition period, rather than via an overnight switch.

The government has stressed that the new service would still rely on local policing for intelligence and community engagement, and that neighbourhood teams will remain central to preventing extremism, disrupting organised crime and safeguarding vulnerable people.

Technology and capability

One of the most significant shifts under the plan is national control over specialist technology and procurement.

Ministers say the new structure will allow faster rollout of tools and systems across all forces, including better data sharing and modern investigative capabilities. The government has also indicated it wants to expand live facial recognition and other digital policing technologies more widely, arguing it can help identify suspects and protect the public.

Critics have already signalled that technology will be a major battleground, with concerns expected over privacy safeguards, oversight, and how such tools are governed and deployed.

Force performance ‘dashboard’ and intervention powers

Alongside the creation of the National Police Service, the Home Office has also announced tougher national oversight of local forces.

Plans published on Friday include a public performance “dashboard”, with forces rated on measures such as 999 response times, victim satisfaction and public confidence. Poorly performing forces would be “named and shamed”, and ministers want stronger powers for the Home Office to intervene.

Those intervention options include sending in specialist support teams and, in serious cases, taking steps to remove chief constables judged to be failing. Police leaders have warned that target-driven regimes can create perverse incentives, but ministers insist that stronger accountability is necessary to raise standards.

Possible mergers and fewer forces

The government has also signalled support for further consolidation of police forces in England and Wales, potentially reducing the number of forces into larger regional units.

While no definitive map has been published, the direction of travel is towards fewer, bigger forces, with the National Police Service sitting above them to handle national threats and cross-border crime.

Professional standards and a proposed ‘licence to practise’

Another element announced alongside the structural changes is a professional standards reform package, including proposals for a mandatory “licence to practise” for officers in England and Wales.

Ministers say this would ensure continuing competence and help rebuild public trust after high-profile misconduct cases in recent years. The Police Federation and other staff representatives have raised concerns about workload pressures and the practicalities of introducing new requirements without significant investment in training and support.

Political reaction and policing response

Labour has presented the plan as a modernisation project to rebuild policing capability and restore confidence in the criminal justice system.

Senior policing bodies have welcomed the idea of stronger national coordination for modern threats, while stressing that the success of any national body will depend on preserving strong links with local forces and neighbourhood policing.

Opposition parties are expected to press ministers on costs, governance, civil liberties issues around technology, and whether centralisation risks weakening local accountability.

What happens next

The Home Office white paper, expected on Monday, is due to provide further detail on the structure of the National Police Service, the role and powers of the National Police Commissioner, the transition timetable, and the legislative changes required to bring the reforms into force.

The scale of the plans means the changes are likely to take years to complete, with ministers facing scrutiny over whether the overhaul can improve the fight against fraud, terrorism and organised crime while also delivering the promised improvements to visible policing and the “everyday” crimes that shape public confidence.

Crime

Caldey Abbey investigation: campaigner to speak live tonight on YouTube

Published

3 hours ago

January 25, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Safeguarding failures and calls for accountability set to be discussed on Richie & Rogue at 8:00pm

A PEMBROKESHIRE campaigner will appear live on YouTube tonight (Sunday, January 25) to discuss the ongoing Caldey Abbey investigation and the findings of an independent review into historic abuse allegations linked to Caldey Island.

Andrew, from JAOC Investigations, is due to join the Richie & Rogue show at 8:00pm. He said the conversation will focus on safeguarding, accountability and transparency, and will also look ahead to what happens next.

The Caldey Abbey case has attracted widespread attention following the publication of an independent review in late 2024. The report examined non-recent allegations involving the island’s monastic community and the wider environment around Caldey, setting out concerns about how safeguarding issues were handled over a long period.

Campaigners have argued that independent scrutiny remains necessary to ensure safeguarding arrangements are robust, victims and survivors are heard, and lessons are acted on.

In an email circulated ahead of the broadcast, Andrew said tonight’s live discussion would cover what the independent review uncovered, what he described as outstanding “red-rated” safeguarding failures, and why he believes external oversight is essential. He said the programme would also look at what survivors still need and the next steps, including ongoing matters he says are under investigation.

The Richie & Rogue YouTube show goes live at 8:00pm tonight (Sunday, January 25). Viewers can find it by searching “Richie & Rogue” on YouTube and looking for the Caldey Abbey discussion on the channel’s live stream.

If you have been affected by issues raised in this story, support is available. You can contact the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000 or Childline on 0800 1111.

Local Government

Footpath closed after landslip above Pembroke Castle Pond

Published

21 hours ago

January 24, 2026

Tom Sinclair

PUBLIC WARNED TO KEEP AWAY AS BARRIERS ARE REMOVED AND COUNCIL STEPS UP SAFETY MEASURES

A FOOTPATH overlooking Pembroke Castle has been closed after a landslip above the Castle Pond left a streetlight damaged.

Pembrokeshire County Council said the slip has affected the path running around the pond, prompting safety measures and a temporary closure of part of the route.

However, the council warned that the original barriers and warning signs were removed by members of the public, leading to “stronger measures” being put in place to stop people accessing the area.

The authority said the damaged streetlight column has been made safe, with power isolated, while the landowner carries out investigations and considers repair options.

In the meantime, walkers are being diverted via Rocky Park and on to the Pembrokeshire Coast Path.

A spokesperson for the council said: “A recent landslip above the Pembroke Castle Pond footpath has resulted in a damaged streetlight which has required the closure of part of the affected footpath.

“Power to the damaged streetlight column has been isolated and the area made safe.

“Despite the closure of the path, some members of the public have removed barriers and signage.

“Therefore, stronger measures have now been put in place to prevent access to the north bank of the Castle Pond while investigations and remediation options are pursued to address the landslide by the landowner.

“Further updates will be provided as work progresses and timelines are known.”