News

Pembroke: Cabinet cautious over car park plans

Published

9 years ago

June 14, 2017

Tom Sinclair

Caution: Cabinet members urged caution over the inclusion of the car park

PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL could include the South Quay car park in Pembroke as part of plans to market a number of properties in the town.

Two properties on Castle Terrace and another two on Northgate Street have been empty for a number of years and the Council has continually tried to find a solution for the sites.

At a meeting of the Cabinet on Monday (Jun 12) it was mentioned that the car park behind the buildings, South Quay, could be included in any potential sale to increase development opportunities.

However, that idea was met with some caution by Cabinet members Paul Miller and Tessa Hodgson who said the Council would need to be careful and that they would need to consult properly with the Town Council and other stakeholders.

Cllr Paul Miller said: “This is a fairly prominent site in the town of Pembroke, it’s been a long time in a dilapidated state, that state is deteriorating and not for lack of trying I fancy, but we have nonetheless failed to procure a solution to this issue and we still have near derelict buildings not far from Pembroke Castle in the middle of their town.

“It is incumbent on us to make sure we do procure a solution and this report sets out the mechanism by which we hope to facilitate some form of development on that site.

“The joint venture line is interesting and positive but I will point out that the additional land that is identified to be marketed does include the car park adjacent to the Mill Pond, that wasn’t immediately apparent to me when I first read the report, it only became apparent when I read it properly.

“I do think that is an area that we need to consult properly with the community of Pembroke about because loss of car parking has the potential to be a divisive issue and we need to get out there and consult with the Town Council and other stakeholders how that impacts the town centre.”

Cllr Tessa Hodgson added: “I welcome any progress on this site. These buildings are an eyesore in the heart of what is our most prestigious town.

“Pembroke is steeped in history, the new statue has just been unveiled and it provides a real focal point. But right behind that statue are the derelict buildings covered in ivy, left to decay.

“The car park is a very popular amenity for the people of Pembroke, leading to the footpath which goes around the Castle so I think we have to tread very carefully and make sure we consult fully with Pembroke because it is a very popular area.”

A report to the Cabinet states that potential developers have estimated unconfirmed costs of between £1,800,000-£2,000,000 to refurbish the buildings. They go on to say that when finished, the buildings would only have a potential value of £1,250,000-£1,500,000.

One Pembroke resident, Mike Hillen, said: “My own opinion is that it is utter madness to sell this car park, they have just placed a statue of Henry VII only yards away, and are about to place picnic benches around it.

“South Quay car park also has numerous events on it during the summer, the very popular River Festival being one.

“Car parking in Pembroke is already a nightmare for anyone with disabilities living or visiting the town, the nearest car park to this is Long Entry which is opposite the castle with very few spaces available and it’s always full.”

Cabinet voted in favour of going ahead with the proposals, subject to legal confirmation and if nothing has come forward by October 30, the Council will consider a re-development scheme under its control.

Crime

Uxbridge motorist banned after Pembrokeshire drug-drive stop

Published

54 minutes ago

June 24, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

Driver was heading home after visiting former girlfriend when police stopped him on the A477

A WEST London motorist has been banned after being caught driving on the A477 in Broadmoor with a cocaine metabolite and cannabis in his system.

Danny Small, 32, was stopped by police carrying out routine checks at around 11:30am on January 28.

After providing a positive roadside drug swipe, Small was taken to a police station, where blood tests showed he had 157mcg of benzoylecgonine in his system. The legal limit is 50mcg.

He also had 2.9mcg of Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol in his system. The legal limit is 2mcg.

Small, of Little London Close, Uxbridge, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week, where he pleaded guilty to two drug-driving offences.

Probation officer Julie Norman told the bench that Small had been visiting his former girlfriend in Pembrokeshire and was driving home to Uxbridge at the time of the offence.

Ms Norman said Small was a regular cannabis and cocaine user.

“This helps treat his undiagnosed ADHD,” she said.

“He didn’t think the drugs would still have been in his system, as he’d consumed the drugs several days earlier. But drugs can often remain in the system for several weeks.”

Small was sentenced to a 12-month community order, during which he must complete 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

He was fined £80 and ordered to pay a £114 court surcharge and £85 costs. He was disqualified from driving for 15 months.

News

Uxbridge motorist banned after Pembrokeshire drug-drive stop

Published

56 minutes ago

June 24, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

Driver was heading home after visiting former girlfriend when police stopped him on the A477

A WEST London motorist has been banned after being caught driving on the A477 in Broadmoor with a cocaine metabolite and cannabis in his system.

Danny Small, 32, was stopped by police carrying out routine checks at around 11:30am on January 28.

After providing a positive roadside drug swipe, Small was taken to a police station, where blood tests showed he had 157mcg of benzoylecgonine in his system. The legal limit is 50mcg.

He also had 2.9mcg of Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol in his system. The legal limit is 2mcg.

Small, of Little London Close, Uxbridge, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week, where he pleaded guilty to two drug-driving offences.

Probation officer Julie Norman told the bench that Small had been visiting his former girlfriend in Pembrokeshire and was driving home to Uxbridge at the time of the offence.

Ms Norman said Small was a regular cannabis and cocaine user.

“This helps treat his undiagnosed ADHD,” she said.

“He didn’t think the drugs would still have been in his system, as he’d consumed the drugs several days earlier. But drugs can often remain in the system for several weeks.”

Small was sentenced to a 12-month community order, during which he must complete 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

He was fined £80 and ordered to pay a £114 court surcharge and £85 costs. He was disqualified from driving for 15 months.

Crime

Carpenter banned after drug-driving in camper van

Published

1 hour ago

June 24, 2026

Sarah-Jane Absalom

Pembroke Dock man was five times over the cannabis limit

A PEMBROKESHIRE carpenter has been banned from driving after being caught behind the wheel of his camper van while five times over the drug-drive limit.

James Toulouse, 35, was stopped by police shortly before midnight on December 20, 2025, as he drove his white Mercedes Vito along Buttermilk Lane in Pembroke.

“There was a strong smell of cannabis coming from the vehicle and the driver, who was James Toulouse, appeared glazed, as his eyes were red and bleary,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court.

A roadside drug swipe proved positive. Further tests showed Toulouse had 11mcg of Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol in his system. The legal limit is 2mcg.

The court heard this was Toulouse’s second drug-driving offence in ten years.

Toulouse, of Clarence Street, Pembroke Dock, pleaded guilty to drug-driving.

He was represented by solicitor Michael Kelleher, who said the defendant works as a carpenter.

“Obviously it’s not going to be easy for him to carry on with his work, but he’s fully intending to do so,” he said.

Toulouse was disqualified from driving for 36 months. He was fined £350 and ordered to pay £85 court costs and a £140 surcharge.