News

Bluestone’s plans for Blackpool Mill rejected

Published

8 years ago

November 8, 2017

PLANS to turn Blackpool Mill into a heritage tourism destination were turned down by members of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park at a meeting on Wednesday (Nov 8).

The Park’s Development Management Committee met to discuss the application which would have seen the Mill transformed with new events barn and light narrow gauge steam railway at a cost of £2.5m.

However, the plans were recommended for refusal by Park officers who stated that insufficient information had been submitted with the application.

Bluestone were even taken by surprise that the application had been placed on the agenda for Wednesday’s meeting after they had said that an amended application would have been submitted by the end of this month.

The Park’s officers stated that they had a duty to determine the application and the refusal allows Bluestone to come back with a fresh application.

The agent for the application, Mr Robin Williams, made a late plea asking the committee to defer the application but that was not supported.

Mr Williams added: “We have been engaging with officers in relation to ecology and highway issues. Significant progress has been made in this regard. The ecology season has just ended and we have been putting a report together which is anticipated to be completed in the next two weeks.

“We have been in regular contact with officers working towards a mid-November resubmission deadline and this came as a total surprise to find this report being presented today.

“We are confident that the reasons for refusal will be dealt with in our resubmission. Such an important application should be focussed on up to date information.

“Since the application was first considered, the membership of the committee has changed and the new members have yet to visit the site.”

Speaking against the application, Mrs Valerie Bradley said: “I’ve lived by Blackpool Mill for almost half a century and many of us have enjoyed the picturesque, unspoilt oasis full of wildlife and a stunning example of rural Pembrokeshire.

“I completely agree with the objections of Llawhaden Community Council and the concerns expressed by the National Park’s Ecologist.

“This proposal is a theft. Does Blackpool Mill have special qualities? Yes it does. Will there be light pollution? Yes there will. Biodiversity under this proposal will not be protected and it is not a sustainable design.

“It will fall out of favour and never be restored to its original beautiful state. It will not be an amenity; it will be a cheap eye-sore. It will destroy the local environment.

“The potential calendar of events is no more than a ghastly wish list and do we really need another petting zoo? As the proposal is a poor imitation of other similar established local venues I can imagine a brief life span.

“Sadly, Blackpool Mill is an easy target for in-principle development. Nathaniel Phillips, who built the Georgian Mill, would be turning in his grave.

“This proposal for a Victorian fish and chip shop, massively ugly events barn and meaningless railway and to fence it off with chain link fencing would do credit to Donald Trump.

“The Mill may be closed but it is most emphatically not unloved.”

It was mentioned that a previous site visit had been postponed and Mr Ted Sangster proposed that the application be deferred and that a site visit also be taken out but that was only supported by two other members with 11 voting against.

Mr Sangster added he was disappointed that they had not had the opportunity to visit the site and said he was also disappointed that there had been a lack of communication stating that the National Park had ‘jumped the gun’.

Cllr Michael Williams said that the site visit would be the worst possible outcome because there was no guarantee that the reports would come in the short term, adding: “We’ve got to determine it as it is. There are so many outstanding issues and this is an extremely sensitive site.”

It was also proposed that the application be refused and that was supported by 11 votes with three voting against.

Liz Weedon, Head of Projects at Bluestone, said: “Today members were pressed to make a planning decision in the full knowledge that additional information was to be presented to the authority within two weeks. As this meeting was brought forward by six weeks, we had no choice but to formally seek a deferral. Members voted against this and instead took advice to refuse the application, on the understanding that Bluestone would have the opportunity to resubmit within 12 months.

“We had been in regular contact with officers since May, thus it was a total surprise to us when without forewarning the application was scheduled for today’s meeting. We are confident that had the committee date not been brought forward, we would have been able to submit the responses that would have dealt with the draft reasons for refusal by officers.

“Decisions to approve or refuse any planning application should not be made without all of the facts.”

Community

Firefighter experience days planned in Haverfordwest and Newtown

Published

57 minutes ago

May 6, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Hands-on sessions will give potential recruits a taste of life in the fire service

PEOPLE interested in becoming firefighters are being invited to take part in special Firefighter Experience Days being held by Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service this June.

The events will take place at Haverfordwest Fire Station on Wednesday, June 3, and at Newtown Fire Station on Friday, June 5. Both sessions will run from 10:00am until 1:00pm.

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, which covers almost two-thirds of Wales, says the days are designed to give people a practical introduction to life in the fire service in a relaxed and informal setting.

Around 75 per cent of the service’s fire stations are crewed entirely by on-call firefighters, who play a vital role in protecting communities across the region.

Visitors attending the experience days will have the opportunity to try on firefighting kit, learn how equipment is assembled, and take part in practical exercises alongside serving crews.

Firefighters from both stations will also be on hand to explain the realities of the role, answer questions, and offer guidance on the recruitment process.

Topics covered during the sessions will include the modern role of a firefighter, fitness requirements, personal protective equipment, career pathways within the service, and what applicants can expect during recruitment.

Booking is essential for anyone wishing to attend.

Further information can be obtained by contacting Lily Evans, Digital Marketing Officer for Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, by emailing [email protected].

News

Local Windsurf instructors ride the waves with Welsh Sailing Impact awards

Published

1 hour ago

May 6, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

Local windsurfers who support the Windswept Watersports are riding the waves this month after being presented with their Welsh Sailing Impact Awards.

Volunteer instructors David Picker, Bob Jones, Leslie Burton and Graham Smith

have all been recognised for their commitment to encouraging the next

generation of windsurfers at the community watersports centre in Dale.

The dedicated team has played an essential role in supporting the Windswept

Warriors youth windsurfing club since its launch more than four years ago.

Sarah Bagley, Director of Windswept Watersports, said: “A huge congratulations go to

our windsurf volunteers on being chosen for Impact Awards – Bob, Leslie, Graham

and Dave have supported us so much by making our Windsurf Warrior sessions

happen every week, and they couldn’t deserve this more.

“They have made a huge impact in making the club what it is today and we’re able

to grow the club’s numbers and keep the costs down due to them giving up their

Sundays. Since the club started they’ve been so enthusiastic about inspiring

the next generation of windsurfers and their passion for the sport really is

Infectious.

“What’s more, the club has gone on to win medals at windsurfing national

championships and none of this would have happened without our superstar

volunteers.”

Windswept Watersports is a Not-For-Profit organisation which aims to make

activities accessible for all, including delivering outreach sessions to local schools,

youth and community groups, and running a variety of clubs encouraging local

people to enjoy getting on the water.

The Windswept Warriors group enables young people aged 10-19 to learn the

sport and take their skills to the next level, with Sunday morning sessions for just

£10 a go, including all equipment and tuition thanks to its volunteer instructors.

Impact Awardee Leslie said: “I didn’t start windsurfing until my late 30s so I really

love helping the juniors to progress. It’s great to see their confidence grow by just

having fun on, and in, the water. We just love sharing our sport with youngsters

and seeing the enjoyment they get from it, whether that’s improving and

progressing their skills or just having a go occasionally.”

Explaining their enthusiasm for giving back to the sport, fellow Impact Awardee

Graham said: “I’ve had some fantastic times and I’ve met some amazing people while

windsurfing and by volunteering I get the opportunity to give those chances to

others. I also love it when I see people progress and what it means to them.”

Award-winning team members Bob and Dave likewise sum up the satisfaction

and rewards of seeing young windsurfers progress from beginner to intermediate

to themselves becoming instructors.

Bob said: “I love coaching the junior club, seeing their progression week by week, especially those big ‘Hallelujah, I did it’ moments. I’m super proud to be a colleague of Windswept’s young instructors who were part of the junior crew not so far back.”

Welsh Sailing Impact Awards are presented by RYA Cymru Wales to recognise the

hard work of individuals and organisations who go the extra mile to support

activities afloat, in line with the governing body’s Together on our Waters strategy

to create a connected, inspired and inclusive sailing and boating community.

Hester Walker, Club Development Officer for RYA Cymru Wales, said: “This team

commit a huge amount of time to supporting the youth windsurfers at Windswept

Watersports. Their time allows for the training to be offered at a lower rate, helping

to remove the barrier of cost and enabling more young people to get on the

water. Dale has become one of the most active windsurfing communities thanks

to Windswept Watersports and the fantastic support of these volunteers.”

News

Plaid tells Carmarthenshire voters: ‘Only we can stop Reform’

Published

1 hour ago

May 6, 2026

Tom Sinclair

PLAID CYMRU has urged voters in Sir Gaerfyrddin to back the party on Thursday, claiming it is the only party able to beat Reform UK in the new constituency.

The appeal comes after the latest ITV Cymru Wales, YouGov and Wales Governance Centre MRP poll suggested Plaid Cymru is on course to become the largest party in the Senedd, with Reform close behind. The poll put Plaid on 33% across Wales and Reform on 29%. (YouGov)

Sir Gaerfyrddin is one of the new Senedd constituencies being used for the first time in this election. It has been created from the Carmarthen and Llanelli Westminster seats and will elect six Members of the Senedd under the new closed-list system.

Plaid Cymru’s list in Sir Gaerfyrddin is led by Cefin Campbell, followed by Nerys Evans, Adam Price and Mari Arthur. (Who Can I Vote For?)

The party says the contest locally is now between Plaid Cymru and Reform UK, and has called on voters who want to stop Nigel Farage’s party from gaining ground in Carmarthenshire to “lend” Plaid their vote.

Nerys Evans said Plaid was offering “new leadership” and a “positive vision” for Wales, including childcare support, a National Development Agency to grow the economy, and a new numeracy and literacy scheme for children.

She said: “As the voters of Sir Gaerfyrddin head to the polls on Thursday, the choice could not be more stark.

“Only two parties can win here: Plaid Cymru, who offer new leadership, a positive vision, and which will be accountable only to the people of Wales; or Reform, which would divide our communities, threaten the future of our NHS, cut support for our culture and language and is controlled by Nigel Farage, billionaires, and ex-Tories in London.

“Support for Labour has disappeared in Carmarthenshire, with people unwilling to vote for a party that has let Wales down for over 27 years and in Westminster since Keir Starmer became Prime Minister.

“There is no evidence that the Greens or the Liberal Democrats will secure enough votes to come close to winning a seat.

“We ask anyone who wants to prevent a victory for Reform in Carmarthenshire to lend their vote to Plaid Cymru on Thursday.”

The Senedd election takes place on Thursday (May 7).