News
Blackpool Mill plans supported
SUPPORT has been given by Pembrokeshire Coast National Park to the transformation of Blackpool Mill at a meeting yesterday (Mar 22).
The Park’s Development Management Committee discussed the application which will now go back to CADW for their approval.
Restoration of the 19th century Mill is expected to cost around £2.5m and will see the building transformed into a heritage tourist facility.
Works will be carried out to the interior and exterior of the building while café and railway line around the site would also be built.
The application was for a listed building consent and it will now be considered by CADW for their approval.
Bluestone founder William McNamara said: “Thirteen years ago I stood in front of the planning committee with a vision to create Bluestone. I promised to provide significant jobs and year round quality tourism. Bluestone was a big ask and it has been a long tough journey but your judgement to approve then was not miss-placed.
“We have delivered and more on our original promise and we now employ in excess of 700 full time people year round. We have a massive local supply chain and we operate at 97% occupancy year round.
“Bluestone is a success story for the county and I wish to do the same for Blackpool Mill. The Mill is an important building, one of the finest examples of a mill in the UK.
“However, without an appropriate financially sustainable use it is destined only to receive essential maintenance, no public access, ongoing vandalism, a real waste and a sad prognosis for such an important landmark.
“We have spent two years preparing this planning application and we’ve considered many options.
“We also calculated early on that the Mill as a standalone attraction would not be viable. Viability is key to its long term future and it must have a greater appeal and generate enough revenue to undergo the necessary investment in the Mill.
“With this approval we will spend in excess of £600,000 on fabric of the Mill alone. This application is the first of three. The remaining two we are hopeful will be considered at the next meeting in May.
“The narrow gauge light railway, all-weather events barn, the presentation and interpretation of the wetland and woodland are all vital to this project, as is the land link to the main Bluestone resort.
“Without the three elements the project cannot proceed. It is a good scheme, sensitively designed and appropriate to the Mill and its setting. It will provide the people of Pembrokeshire and tourists with a year round, all-weather and unique and quality attraction complementing and not displacing the existing operators. There is overwhelming local support.
“This proposal will cost Bluestone more than £3m overall and inject an additional £650,000 into the local economy and create 80 full time jobs. I sincerely hope you will put your trust into us once again.”
Cllr Bob Kilmister said: “This is a massive project and the building itself is quite superb, the setting is wonderful and we’re just dealing with the listed building consent and I have no hesitation in recommending approval.
“I have seen a future for the building and one that requires that level of investment and its worthy of that. It could become a jewel in the crown and a building of this importance should receive our support.”
Committee member Ted Sangster said this application was grounded in demonstrable success and that it would provide significant economic benefit to the area.
The application was fully supported with twelve members voting in favour and two abstained.
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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