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Development rules could be relaxed

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PCNPFOLLOWING concerns that some people are being priced out of the housing market, rules on development could be relaxed. 

The National Park met in Tenby on Wednesday to discuss implementing new planning guidance. If it is accepted it will come in to effect on July 1 and will then be renewed after the first three months. Pembrokeshire Coast National Park has a target of building 35 affordable homes each year, but the authority has found that only an average of three are being built. Providing building plots or sites earmarked for only affordable housing are just some of the solutions being considered. The homes, including social or council, will be for sale or rent at below market rates so they are affordable to those on a lower income. The Office for National Statistics revealed that the average gross full time salary for Pembrokeshire was just under £20,000 in 2012. That was compared to £22,500 for the rest of Wales and nearly £27,000 across Britain. A new document on planning guidance said that between 60 and 100 more homes are needed each year and also added there was a backlog of around 460 affordable homes within the National Park’s boundaries in 2008. Between 2007 and 2013 only 21 of the 289 homes that were built in the park were classed as affordable. Guidelines were adopted in 2010 but consultants are working with Pembrokeshire County Council, estate agents, landowners and housing associations to revise them. Head of park direction Martina Dunne said: “What we are proposing in the current economic climate is a more flexible and streamlined system to help meet local housing need but which also allows room for negotiations with developers and landowners about affordable housing contributions.” As a result of the new guidance planners will be able to be more flexible on issues such as the design of the site and the mix of affordable and full-cost housing if it proves to be a more financially viable development. Developers may also be encouraged to make plots available for self-build projects if they are unable to build the affordable homes. Social housing grants from the Welsh Government would also be available Ceri Dunstan of Shelter Cymru said the homeless charity welcomed steps to increase the supply of affordable homes as long as schemes enjoyed community support and preserved the character of the local area. “It’s not just a matter of building lots of houses – we need sustainable communities where people are able to live and work,” she said. “This is why we also believe it is vital that developments in areas such as Pembrokeshire, where house prices have far outstripped average salaries, should remain affordable in perpetuity, not sold on the open market where they are no longer community assets.”

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Business

Ferry Terminal ‘extremely busy’ due to ongoing Holyhead closure

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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)

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Community

Festive celebrations at St Davids Cathedral this weekend

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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.

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Crime

Three men from London admit their guilt over illegal cannabis farm

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THREE men admit their guilt after police discover over 700 cannabis plants during a raid on a former school building in Llandysul.

Officers from Dyfed-Powys Police executed a warrant at the former Ysgol Gynradd Llandysul on Heol Llyn Y Fran on November 15. Inside, they found 737 cannabis plants spread across multiple rooms.

Armeld Troksi, 29, and Njazi Gjana, 27, both from Empire Avenue in Edmonton, London, along with Ervin Gjana, 24, from Durham Avenue in Romford, were arrested at the scene and later charged with producing cannabis.

The three men appeared before Swansea Crown Court, where they admitted their involvement in the illegal operation. Defence solicitor Joshua Scouller requested a pre-sentence report for Ervin Gjana, which was granted by Judge Geraint Walters.

Sentencing is scheduled for January 20.

A Dyfed-Powys Police spokesperson said: “Following a warrant executed at the former school on Heol Llyn Y Fran, officers discovered a significant cannabis grow containing 737 plants.

“We are grateful to the local community for their continued support and cooperation. Officers will remain in the area while the site is secured.

“Our commitment remains firm in disrupting drug production and supply networks across our force area.

“We encourage residents to report any suspicious activity, no matter how small it may seem. Every piece of information can make a difference, and reports can easily be submitted through our website.”

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