Connect with us
Advertisement
Advertisement

News

Tiers Cross: Housing estate to be demolished and replaced

Published

on

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.

News

Search efforts continue for missing teenager Luke Stephenson

Published

on

THE family of missing teenager Luke Stephenson have issued a heartfelt plea to the public to aid in the search for their son.

Luke, 19, was reported missing on April 13 after last being seen near Pembrokeshire’s Hobbs Point. Despite the multi-agency search operation being called off on April 19, efforts by police divers and helicopter searches have continued around the Cleddau sporadically.

The teenager’s disappearance triggered a huge emergency services, involving local police, the National Police Air Service, and coastguard teams.

Luke was last noted wearing a distinctive long grey coat, black trousers with a white stripe, and black trainers, also with a white stripe. The family have this week circulated a new photograph of the grey coat to assist in identification efforts.

While the formal search has been scaled back, the police remain committed to following up on any leads. “Whilst this is an extremely difficult decision to make, we are satisfied that we have done absolutely everything we possibly can to try and locate Luke,” a police spokesperson stated. Periodic searches have since been conducted around the area he was last seen, based on ongoing reports and sightings.

Luke’s family continues to hold on to hope, describing him as jovial, kind, and humorous—”a typical 19-year-old lad.” Beth Parker, a family friend, has been particularly active in rallying support from the community. “Calling all dog walkers, fishermen, and anyone able to help,” she posted on social media, encouraging those who frequent the coast to remain vigilant and report any potential clues.

The family has also requested the public to check personal CCTV and doorbell footage, especially from the night of Luke’s disappearance. This initiative aims to gather more information about his movements or possible whereabouts after he was last seen.

Several reported sightings, including a potential sighting of a person in the water near Valero and subsequent alerts, have unfortunately not led to any substantial findings.

Authorities urge anyone with information, no matter how minor it may seem, to come forward. Contact can be made via the Dyfed-Powys Police’s dedicated online portal, email, or phone line. There is also a provision for those who are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired to text the non-emergency number.

The police said to The Pembrokeshire Herald on Tuesday (Apr 30): “While the multi-agency search for Luke was concluded on the April 19, periodic searches of the area around Hobbs Point and the river have been completed by the National Police Air Service and the force Dog section over the last week. Further enquires or searches will be led by any information received.

Anyone who has any information is asked to contact police , either online at https://bit.ly/DPP101Online, 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.”

As the search enters another week without resolution, the community and authorities alike hold onto hope, spurred by the family’s resilience and the continued efforts of search teams.

The focus remains finding Luke, a much-loved young man whose absence has left a void in the community.

Continue Reading

News

Family allowed to stay living at ‘Love Shack’ near Narberth

Published

on

A FAMILY can stay in their Pembrokeshire ‘Love Shack’ built without permission after being given the go-ahead by county planners.

Estelle Burton and family had applied for a certificate of lawfulness for her daughter, son-in-law and their three children to stay at The Love Shack, Middle Redford Farm, Princess Gate, near Narberth; the family having lived on site for many years.

An application for a certificate of lawfulness allows applicant to stay at a development if they can provide proof of occupancy over a prolonged period, normally in excess of four years.

A supporting statement by agent Hayston Developments & Planning Ltd says: “The land in the client ownership totals circa 20 acres and includes a farmhouse to the north (where Mr and Mrs Burton live), several farm sheds, outbuildings and the [application], which is lived independently by Mr and Mrs Dean and Kimberley Bethel and their three children. The farmhouse only has four bedrooms and as such there is no room for any other family members.”

It adds: “The purpose of this application is to establish the fact that an adapted four-bedroom dwelling structure which is fixed to the ground has been the permanent home of Mr and Mrs Bethel for a period in excess of four years prior the date of this submission. If that is the case, the dwelling would remain immune from enforcement action.”

The statement provides witness statements and letters setting out a timeline of occupancy “and the various incremental works which had been made to the lodge to effectively create a fixed structure and permanent dwelling on the site”.

“The overall aim of the works were to make it more structurally stable, particularly during poor and windy weather, and to provide a warmer internal living environment with the existing log burner plus the addition of full cladding. And furthermore, the addition of more internal space through the installation of the two extensions.”

It lists a timeline of works going back as far as 2006 with a wooden chalet, with the later static mobile home, known as the ‘Love Shack’ on site in 2018, being used for day-to-day living, followed by works including satellite TV and phone connection, a second chalet adjoining, and two extensions.

An officer report recommended the certificate of lawfulness be granted on the basis it had “been on the site and occupied as an independent dwellinghouse for a period of time in excess of four years or more preceding the date of the application for this certificate”.

Continue Reading

Community

Community pub hopes for closed Pembrokeshire inn dashed

Published

on

HOPES a closed south Pembrokeshire inn could become the latest community pub in the county have been dashed after a lack of funds were raised; the owner now planning to turn it into two homes.

Earlier this year, The Parsonage Inn, St Florence closed its doors to the public, and a public meeting – at the behest of St Florence Community Council – was held in early February with hopes it could be run as a community venture.

Western Telegraph: The Parsonage Inn, St Florence. Picture: Google Street View.
In the last 20 years has seen eight tenants, with the closure coming about “due to the prolonged and sustained pressures faced to both the economy though the cost-of-living crisis with less trade, along with increases in utility, food and alcohol bills, as well as increases in business rates, minimum wage increases and further legislation on waste disposal”.

Local county councillor Rhys Jordan, who supported the meeting, said there was a strong desire to see The Parsonage Inn reopen its doors, but there was a need to temper enthusiasm with realism.

Western Telegraph: The packed meeting to discuss The Parsonage Inn, St Florence.
However, hopes the Parsonage would become a community pub have come to no avail, as just three per cent of the funds needed were raised.

Owner Daniel Scriven is now hoping, in a recently submitted application, to turn the pub into two homes.

Referring to the hopes The Parsonage could become a community pub, an application before Pembrokeshire planners says: “Following its closure in January 2024 a community meeting was held on February 5 in the village hall to discuss its future, during the meeting the challenges facing the hospitality industry were discussed and the community reviewed raising funds to take the Parsonage Inn into community ownership.

“Regrettably we understand following the meeting it has become evident that only three per cent fundraising of the asking price has been raised and no offer or approach to the applicant/owner has been made by the community to the owner to put forward a viable proposal, it would therefore appear unviable.

“Following its closure in January 2024, in March 2024 the final tenant along with some members of the community have opened a small community social club in the village hall during evenings on a more ad-hoc basis which would appear more reflective in scale and usage to the community it serves, alongside The [nearby] Sun Inn.”

The application will be decided by county planners at a later date.

Community pubs have become something of a Pembrokeshire story, with the Tafarn Sinc, Rosebush becoming community-owned after a huge fund-raising effort that attracted worldwide interest – including support from Hollywood star Rhys Ifans.

Other community pubs include The Cross Inn, Hayscastle, and the Tafarn Crymych Arms, Crymych, where volunteers raised more than £200,000 to buy the pub.

Continue Reading

Crime20 hours ago

Llandissilio man accused of making hundreds of child abuse images

A 25-YEAR-OLD Llandissilio man has appeared before a District Judge charged with making 258 Category A images of a child....

Community3 days ago

Solemn tributes at Freshwater West for WWII maritime tragedy

IN an emotional gathering at Freshwater West, Pembrokeshire, the public and veterans convened on April 29, to honour the memory...

Community4 days ago

Barley Saturday makes a grand return to Cardigan

ON SATURDAY (Apr 27), the historic town of Cardigan in West Wales is abuzz with excitement as it hosts its...

Community4 days ago

Train disruption expected due to essential works at Clarbeston Road

PASSENGERS are being asked to check before they travel between Carmarthen and Milford Haven/Fishguard Harbour next week when Network Rail...

News4 days ago

Council secures injunction to order removal of waste and scrap

A PEMBROKESHIRE man must remove abandoned cars, scrap and other waste from his land within weeks or face a potential...

Community5 days ago

Suspected explosive device found on west Wales beach

NEW QUAY Coastguard Rescue Team were tasked at 03:50 this morning following a report of suspected washed up Ordnance on...

Crime5 days ago

Teenage girl in court charged with three counts of attempted murder

A 13-YEAR-OLD appeared at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court this morning, in connection to the incident at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman on Wednesday....

Crime6 days ago

All three school stabbing victims discharged from hospital, police confirm

POLICE remain at Ysgol Dyffryn Amman today, following an incident yesterday in which three people were injured, Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed...

Crime7 days ago

Pembrokeshire pensioner accused of 17 sexual offences against children

A 72-YEAR-OLD Pembrokeshire man has appeared before magistrates charged with 17 sexual offences against children under the age of 14....

News7 days ago

Police and air ambulances at ‘serious incident’ at West Wales school

DYFED POWYS POLICE has said it is dealing with an incident at a west Wales school. There has been a...

Popular This Week