News

Tiers Cross: Housing estate to be demolished and replaced

Published

6 years ago

June 20, 2019

A HOUSING development in Tiers Cross, which has reached the end of its usable life, is to be demolished and replaced with new housing to better meet local families’ needs.
That was the decision made by Cabinet Member for Housing Pat Davies at an Executive Board decision meeting last Thursday (Jun 13).

Tudor Place is a small estate of houses on the edge of Tiers Cross. It is unique in that it is the sole estate where all properties are still in Council stock and none have been sold under the Right to Buy.

The houses are of a prefabricated design pioneered in the years following the end of the Second World War. 26,000 of them were built across the UK to meet the need for rural housing stock during the 40s and early 50s.

Part of the Emergency Factory Made housing programme, the homes’ frame is made from concrete columns reinforced with tubing recycled from the canvas tilt frames of military trucks. A series of shiplap style concrete panels, tied back to the columns, form the external envelope.

At the time they were built, the houses were intended to last for around 30 years. They are now long past their end-dates.

The astronomical costs of their upkeep were noted as long ago as 1983 when the price of Airey Houses’ maintenance was the subject of a parliamentary debate.

In order to upgrade the properties to meet the Halifax certificate standard extensive work to each of the properties would be required with estimated totals for each property of £99,000.

Refurbishing and upgrading similar properties in England has proven similarly expensive. Pricy cosmetic changes made at high cost in the mid-1980s in order to lengthen the properties’ lives have run into the same problem as that confronting PCC at Tudor Place; namely that the steel tubing used in the properties’ support has corroded.

Representatives from Housing and Building Maintenance met with the residents from the estate to explore the option of redeveloping the site.

Residents raised concerns and requested a follow-up meeting to explore options for the site’s development.

While architectural drawings were being arranged, inspectors from the Building Maintenance department inspected the structure of the properties namely the steel pillars and found that there was significant rusting at the base of the pillars.

Matters will now move forward through the normal planning process.

While the estate is being redeveloped, residents will move to other County Council properties and, in the case of three households, to ateb homes nearby.

Had the Council been able to refit the properties, it would have incurred the costs of storage of residents’ furniture and other property; arrangements have been made to meet those costs.

By law, where the Council requires its tenants to give up their properties in similar circumstances, it must pay compensation. The Council will pay £5,900 at the time the development is finalised and residents return to their home

Taking into account the length of time required for the planning process, requisite surveys, design, and building of the new house, the schedule is for completion of the rebuild in under two years.

The Council will also meet the school transport costs of the families affected.

One resident told The Herald that while they would miss their old house, they were happy with the proposed location of their temporary accommodation and their family was looking forward to returning to a new home in the village.

Community

Tractor run lights up Pembrokeshire and raises funds for charity

Published

1 day ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE PEMBROKESHIRE ILLUMINATED TRACTOR RUN took place today (Dec 21), raising funds for two vital charities: the Catrin Vaughan Foundation and Wales Air Ambulance.

Starting at Clarbeston Road AFC at 6:00pm, the brightly lit convoy of nearly 200 tractors made its way through Withybush Hospital and Haverfordwest High Street before finishing at the Pembrokeshire County Showground.

The annual event has become a highlight of the festive calendar, drawing large crowds to witness the spectacle of tractors adorned with colourful lights and decorations.

Funds raised from the event will support the Catrin Vaughan Foundation, which provides crucial assistance to families facing hardship, and the Wales Air Ambulance, delivering life-saving emergency medical care across the region.

Organisers praised the dedication of local farmers and volunteers, whose commitment ensures the event’s continued success year after year.

(Image: Nia Marshall/Facebook)

Business

Ferry Terminal ‘extremely busy’ due to ongoing Holyhead closure

Published

2 days ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKE DOCK Ferry Terminal has been experiencing significant congestion today as ferry services remain under immense pressure following the closure of Holyhead Port earlier this month.

The disruption, caused by storm damage, has rerouted ferry traffic through Pembrokeshire, leading to long queues and crowded facilities at the terminal.

The Herald can confirm that it has been very busy today with cars, lorries, and foot passengers queuing in large numbers. Staff are working tirelessly to manage the influx, directing vehicles and assisting passengers as they prepare to board the heavily booked ferries.

A spokesperson for the Port of Milford Haven said: “We are working closely with ferry operators and local authorities to ensure traffic flows as smoothly as possible, but the sheer volume of vehicles is causing unavoidable delays.”

Travelers are being urged to arrive early for their sailings and to remain patient as the terminal operates at full capacity.

Both Stena Line and Irish Ferries have increased capacity on their Pembrokeshire routes, deploying larger vessels, including the Stena Adventurer and the MV James Joyce, to handle the surge in demand.

From our position at the terminal, our photographer has captured photos showing long lines of vehicles, groups of foot passengers carrying luggage, and port staff coordinating efforts to ease congestion.

Authorities are advising non-essential travelers to consider rescheduling their journeys where possible and to monitor updates from ferry operators closely.

(Photos: Martin Cavaney/Herald)

Community

Festive celebrations at St Davids Cathedral this weekend

Published

2 days ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

ST DAVIDS Cathedral is set to host two special events on Sunday (Dec 22), offering a blend of joyful participation and traditional carol singing to mark the Christmas season.

In the morning, families are invited to the Scratch Nativity at 11:00am. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed as wise men, angels, sheep, or shepherds and take part in an unrehearsed retelling of the Christmas story. Canon Leigh described the event as: “Complete, wonderful chaos for an hour… but with some poignant, thought-provoking moments to centre ourselves on the real meaning of Christmas.”

Later in the evening, the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols by Candlelight will take place at 7:00pm, featuring the Cathedral Choir. The event, steeped in tradition, will see the cathedral bathed in candlelight as carols and scripture readings fill the historic space.

Doors will open at 5:45pm for those seeking unreserved seating, and a large turnout is expected for this beloved Christmas celebration.