PLANS for what could be a drive-through Starbucks coffee shop accompanying an electric vehicle charging station at Haverfordwest’s Days Garage, are being recommended for approval next week.

An application – expected to create 20 jobs – by Magic Bean Company Ltd to site an Electric Vehicle (EV) charging station and drive through coffee shop on land adjoining Days Garage, Fishguard Road is recommended for conditional approval when it comes before Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee, meeting on May 21.

A report for planners says: “There are two principal elements to the proposed development. The provision of an EV charging station with eight charging points and a drive through coffee shop, which will provide 20 full time jobs.

“A further 13 parking spaces are provided to serve the development, including two spaces for people with disabilities. The coffee shop will be situated at the western end of the site opposite the proposed EV charging station, which is centrally located within the site. “

It adds: “The coffee shop building will be single storey with a ‘tower’ feature in the west elevation where the customer collection point will be located beneath a timber finished pergola.”

The report says the existing use of the site as ancillary parking for Days garage “is inappropriate for the locality,” adding it is “located within an area that is characterised by large-scale community, commercial and employment uses, albeit all falling outside the defined Settlement Boundary”.

It adds: “Officers acknowledge that the proposed development will constitute a more effective use of the application site than its existing use for car parking and which will provide 20 jobs.”

10 representations from members of the public have raised concerns about the proposal, issues including: no need for additional coffee shops locally, adverse impact on existing small local coffee shops and that the planning authority should not be supporting “multinational businesses,” and littering and highway issues.

Magic Bean Company Ltd, on its website, says: “Established in 2014, The Magic Bean Company opened our first store and became the first licensee to open a Starbucks Drive Thru.

“Since then, we have gone on to become Starbuck’s only national growth partner covering England and Wales, developing our green electric vehicle Starbucks platform.”

It adds: “All Magic Bean stores are designed by Starbucks to the highest standard, taking pride in the quality and finish of all the stores they have developed.”

DETECTIVES in Haverfordwest are appealing for witnesses following a report of a sexual assault which occurred at approximately 10:00pm-11:30pm on Thursday (May 16) in the vicinity of Dew St, Haverfordwest.

A 19-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of sexual assault.

The police have asked that anyone who witnessed the incident or was in the area at the time and may have information that could help officers with enquiries, is asked to contact police.

Police can be contacted either online at: https://bit.ly/DPPContactOnline, by emailing [email protected], or by calling 101.

If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired text the non-emergency number on 07811 311 908.
Quote reference:427 of 16th 
Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555111, or visiting crimestoppers-uk.org.

THIS week in the Senedd, the Welsh Liberal Democrats have accused the Welsh Government of failing women suffering from cancer.

Speaking in the Siambr on Wednesday, party Leader Jane Dodds MS lamented the challenging experiences faced by many women suffering from Gynaecological cancer.

The Welsh Lib Dem leader highlighted how many women felt that their cancer symptoms had been either ignored or dismissed by medical professionals, with others reporting lengthy delays in receiving treatment.

According to a recent report from BBC Wales, the number of Gynaecological cancer patients starting treatment within the recommended 62-day time frame has worsened since it was prioritised by the Welsh Government last year.

A recent Senedd Committee Inquiry also found that women’s cancer concerns were often “dismissed, downplayed and unheard” as part of a “dangerous bias” against women when it comes to healthcare.

The Welsh Lib Dems have heavily criticised the Welsh Government for failing to tackle gender healthcare inequalities, stating that they have “failed countless women”.

Commenting, the Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats Jane Dodds MS said:

“I was ashamed and appalled to hear how so many women suffering from Gynaecological Cancer have had to deal with grave failings in our healthcare service.

Many of these cancer victims have reportedly had their worries and concerns sidelined by medical professionals who had dismissed serious symptoms that, if spotted earlier, could have resulted in a more positive outcome.

These biases present a serious threat to the health of thousands of women, we cannot allow these inequalities to take any more lives.

The Welsh Government has failed countless women by their lack of action in dealing with these biases.

These brave women and their families should not have to suffer from the indecisiveness of Welsh Labour Ministers.

It is now up to the Welsh Government to ensure that we will have a future where no woman will have to face the agonising experience of Gynaecological cancer alone.”