News

Man faces losing dream home after ‘bonkers’ decision

Published

9 years ago

December 12, 2016

screen-shot-2016-10-17-at-13-57-13 A MAN’S dream of living an eco-friendly life in Pembrokeshire turned into a nightmare when he made what he calls a ‘bonkers’ decision to take on Pembrokeshire County Council.

Terence Jones began building a two storey home on agricultural land before knowing whether planning permission would be granted.

Now, the partly built house at Llawhaden could be torn down and removed at his expense.

The years old saga took another bad turn for Jones when he lost an appeal at Swansea Crown Court against a conviction by Haverfordwest magistrates for failing to engage with building regulations.

Judge Geraint Walters, sitting with two magistrates, heard that Jones, a Welshman, had wanted to move with his wife from the north of England to west Wales and live a cashless lifestyle, growing his own food and generating his own power.

He paid £30,000 for three fields and planted 5,000 fruit and nut trees. He also applied for planning permission for a new house.

Jones said he followed the Welsh Assembly’s ‘one planet’ initiative which encouraged people to develop homes and communities that would not pollute the environment or consume it.

Jones complained that Pembrokeshire County Council took two years to rule on his planning application–and eventually turned it down.

But before the ruling he had been so confident it would be granted he took ‘the maddest most bonkers decision of my life’ to begin building the house.

By then, explained PCC building control inspector Richard Lawrence, Jones was also in contravention of building regulations as it would become increasingly difficult to know whether the house was being constructed according to them.

Judge Walters explained to Jones that, for example, it would be almost impossible for a building inspector to even look at foundations once they had been laid.

Jones, a technical author, said he blamed PCC for taking two years to decide on a planning application that should have taken eight weeks.

He said he found himself dealing with two branches of the authority–planning and building regulations. At one stage the planners ordered him to stop building, while the other told him to engage with inspectors who could decide whether it was being built properly.

Mr Lawrence told the court Jones had never applied for building regulations to kick in, despite being invited to do so and being warned of the potential consequences.

One amongst many reasons, said Mr Lawrence, was that planning permission could be granted retrospectively. But if that happened no-one would really know how the house had been built.

Jones said he did not see the point in paying more than £1,000 for inspectors from PCC to look at a development the same authority had told him not to progress.

Jones said he and his wife had spent two winters ‘living in a field’ and had since returned to live in Gateshead. He said he now had a half built house in Llawhaden and was £20,000 in debt and living off £140 a week.

Judge Walters said the court would not get involved in Jones’ dispute with PCC. It was purely a question of whether he had started building without involving building regulations inspectors.

Of that, he added, there was no doubt.

The court upheld the fine of £400 imposed by the magistrates, and added £250 to Jones’ prosecution costs of an already £500.

Jones left the court after saying he was in the process of writing a book about his experience.

Local Government

Footpath closed after landslip above Pembroke Castle Pond

Published

8 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.”

News

Labour vote against Welsh Conservative hospice funding plan

Published

9 hours ago

January 24, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A SENEDD debate on the financial crisis facing Wales’ hospice and palliative care sector ended with Labour voting against a Welsh Conservative proposal to create a new funding model and commit an additional £40 million over the next Senedd term.

The motion, tabled by the Welsh Conservatives, recognised the role hospices play in providing end-of-life care and support to families across Wales, while warning that providers are facing unprecedented pressure from rising costs, staffing shortages and growing demand.

Deputy Leader of the Welsh Conservatives Paul Davies MS said the sector needed certainty and long-term stability, arguing that tax rises had forced hospices to make difficult decisions at a time when more people required specialist care.

He said: “I am disappointed that Labour did not support our much-needed support package for the hospice and palliative care sector.

“Substantial tax rises have forced the sector to make difficult decisions. They are in need of certainty and a new, sustainable funding model.

“The Welsh Conservatives have a credible plan to support hospices and palliative care and we are the only party putting money on the table to secure the long-term future of this vital sector.”

Charities working in end-of-life care used the debate to highlight wider pressures in the health and social care system, warning that too many people are spending their final days isolated, in pain, and without the support they need.

Marie Curie Cymru said hospice services and community-based hospice care are essential to helping people receive the right care in the right place, and to reducing avoidable trips to A&E. The charity called for clear leadership and action to integrate palliative and end-of-life care more effectively across services, warning that demand is set to increase in the coming years.

Hospice UK also said the current funding model is unsustainable, with charitable donations meeting a large share of costs, and warned that without urgent action Wales could see more services closing, loss of specialist staff and fewer options for families coping with life-shortening conditions.

Children’s hospice charity Tŷ Hafan said the Conservatives had been the first party to respond to its call for a fair funding pledge for the 2026–2031 Senedd term. It said a long-term uplift would help it reach more children and families, and urged other parties to match the ambition, arguing that children’s hospices in Wales have been underfunded for too long.

The motion debated in the Senedd called for the development of a new sustainable funding model and cited concerns that some hospices are already cutting services and facing potential bed closures.

Business

Heating manufacturer acquired by family office in deal backed by FDC

Published

9 hours ago

January 24, 2026

Tom Sinclair

CONSORT EQUIPMENT PRODUCTS – one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of electric heaters – has been acquired by family-owned investment firm Lifeboat Capital. The deal was backed by a seven-figure debt funding package from Frontier Development Capital (FDC) and other investors.

Consort, which is based in Milford Haven, supplies heaters to electrical wholesalers nationwide under the Consort and Claudgen brands, and manufactures own-brand products for leading suppliers. Following the acquisition, the current management team headed by Managing Director, Gareth Davies, will continue to lead the growth of the business.

The deal will enable the former Managing Director, Edward Spankie, and Materials Director, Chris Baggs, to realise their investment in the business though they will continue in a consultancy role. It will also provide additional investment to fund the growth of the business.

Established in 1966, Consort employs over 70 staff and manufactures over 250 product lines ranging from fan and panel heaters to air curtains and towel rails. The company has invested heavily in its modern 90,000 sq ft factory in Milford Haven and regularly introduces new products, with recent additions including wi-fi enabled heaters controlled by a mobile app.

The acquisition is the third to date by Lifeboat Capital, which was founded in 2019 and is the family office of the Afshar family. Lifeboat – which focuses on long-term investments in niche, high-quality UK businesses – also owns Southend-based Formara Print & Marketing and Oldham-based stockinette manufacturer Appletex.

Dr Taha Afshar, Chief Investment Officer at Lifeboat, said: “Lifeboat is committed to strengthening British manufacturing businesses and supporting the transition to a low-carbon future. With its efficient electric heating solutions and a track record for quality and innovation, Consort aligns strongly with our values and goals. The company will continue to operate as an independent business, and with the benefit of additional investment to support its long-term growth. Our vision is to be the definitive choice for sustainable, reliable and innovative electric heating.”

Graham Mold, Head of Growth Capital at Frontier Development Capital, added: “Consort has been manufacturing in Milford Haven since 1966 and is one of the best-known brands in the market. This deal will ensure a smooth transition of ownership and secure the future of the business. With Lifeboat’s support, Consort is embarking on a new chapter on its growth journey and is positioned to go from strength to strength.”