News

Council will ‘use powers if necessary’ to improve High St

Published

4 years ago

February 16, 2022

PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL will use its powers, when necessary, to help improve the condition of some buildings in Haverfordwest’s High Street.

Numerous complaints have been made to councillors about the state of some of the town’s shops, some of which are empty and/or in need of repairs.

Speaking at a meeting of the Cabinet on Monday, February 14, Cllr Paul Miller said that they would not be afraid to use the powers available to them, if it came to that.

He told the meeting of a number of initiatives which the council has already undertaken and said that the regeneration of Haverfordwest was one of the council’s main priorities.

The Council now owns the Riverside Shopping Centre and is also looking to demolish the multi-storey car park and replace it with a new one.

Cllr Miller said he was confident that by putting money into the town centre, it would encourage the private sector to do so as well.

He said: “We’ve made this a priority as an administration and we’ve made significant efforts to support the transformation and transform the fortunes of Haverfordwest.

“A planning decision is imminent in relation to the demolition and re-provision of the multi-storey car park and transport interchange and that’s all about making visiting the town more easier, more convenient, more welcoming.

“We now own the Riverside Shopping centre and occupancy has risen since we have secured that site and we’ve also secured some important service tenants.

“Based on our current projections we’re going to be a long way from our worst case scenario and in the financial year 21/22 we’d expect to see a surplus equal to around 30% of the council’s contribution to the purchase in the first place.

“We’re committed also to more than £20m investment in linking the castle with the town, that’s a new iconic pedestrian crossing of the river and new arcade through Bridge Street to directly link the castle and it’s the regeneration of the castle itself to create event space.

“In relation to the High Street, we’ve designated the High Street as an intervention area for the latest realms of grant support, including the Welsh Government’s targeting and investment programme. That scheme includes support for residential units in town centres and commercial property improvement grants.

“We recently awarded significant grant awards under the programme for both Haverfordwest and Pembroke.

“It’s important to note that those activities are already underway so I am genuinely convinced that we’re doing everything we possibly can to support the transformation and regeneration of Haverfordwest.”

Cllr Miller also said he had spoken to someone who was looking at purchasing a building on High Street and said he was determined to make Haverfordwest something that people can be proud of.

He went on to say there may be some occasions who don’t want to do any work on their buildings but said that they would not be afraid to use their powers if it came to that.

Cllr Tom Tudor said he had had ‘years of complaints’ about High Street and that it was reassuring that the use of specialist powers to ensure that property owners do bring their ‘houses in order’.

Cllr Jon Harvey said it was a problem in most towns and said that putting money into town centres could only be ‘beneficial’.

Crime

Broad Haven man remanded in custody over sexual harm prevention order breach

Published

3 minutes ago

March 20, 2026

Court Reporter

Defendant admitted using Xbox without informing police as required under court order

ANTHONY COOMBES, aged 26, of Sand Banks, Broad Haven, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Mar 20) charged with breaching a sexual harm prevention order.

The court heard that between February 26 and March 19, 2026, at Haverfordwest, Coombes repeatedly breached the order by using an Xbox device without informing police within three days, as required.

The offences relate to a sexual harm prevention order imposed at Swansea Crown Court on October 20, 2021.

Coombes indicated guilty pleas to the offences at the first hearing.

Magistrates committed the case to Swansea Crown Court for sentence.

He was remanded in custody ahead of the next hearing, which is due to take place at 9:00am on Friday, April 3, at Swansea Crown Court.

The court refused bail on the grounds that he was likely to offend, citing the nature and seriousness of the offences and his previous record and character.

A pre-sentence report was ordered.

News

Man arrested after suspected drugs-related death in Haverfordwest

Published

12 minutes ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Police say death not suspicious as 46-year-old arrested over alleged Class A drug supply

A MAN has died following a medical emergency at a property in Haverfordwest, police have confirmed.

Emergency services were called at 3:18pm on Wednesday (March 18) after a report of a medical incident.

A man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the man’s next of kin have been informed and are being supported by officers.

The death is not being treated as suspicious at this time.

However, police confirmed that a man, aged 46, was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.

He has since been released under investigation while enquiries continue.

No further details about the deceased have been formally released.

Crime

Illegal dog breeders ordered to pay over £129,000 after council probe

Published

1 hour ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

FOUR people from Mynyddygarreg, Kidwelly, have been ordered to pay more than £129,000 following a successful prosecution for illegal dog breeding.

At Swansea Crown Court on Tuesday (Mar 10), before His Honour Judge Thomas KC, Stacey May June Edwards, Peter John Edwards, Sian Eleri Thomas and David Malcolm James Thomas, all of Sea Breeze, Mynyddygarreg, pleaded guilty to offences under the Breeding of Dogs (Wales) Regulations 2014.

The court imposed confiscation orders totalling £129,873.41 under the Proceeds of Crime Act across the four defendants. They were also ordered to pay £8,000 in costs, while each defendant received a £2,000 fine.

The investigation began in April 2021 after Carmarthenshire County Council’s Animal Health team received an enquiry from Peter Edwards about obtaining a dog breeding licence. Although licensing guidance was provided and a partial application was submitted in February 2022, this was later withdrawn.

In March 2024, the council received a complaint that puppies were being advertised for sale without the required licence. Officers subsequently contacted online advertising platforms and issued data requests to assess the scale of activity.

Analysis of records from Pets4Homes, Freeads and Gumtree revealed multiple litters being advertised by members of the same household.

Correspondence under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act confirmed that up to 25 dogs were kept at the property, including between 16 and 19 breeding females.

While some defendants claimed joint ownership of the dogs, others attempted to minimise their involvement.

The Herald understands that numerous puppy advertisements were posted between July 2020 and April 2025, demonstrating a sustained pattern of unlicensed breeding.

Carmarthenshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Decarbonisation and Sustainability, Cllr Aled Vaughan Owen, said: “This case demonstrates the council’s firm stance against unlicensed and illegal dog breeding.

“These regulations are in place to protect animal welfare and ensure that breeding activities are subject to proper oversight. The scale of activity uncovered at this property was entirely unacceptable, and we welcome the court’s decision to issue significant confiscation orders under POCA.”

He added: “We urge anyone with concerns about illegal dog breeding to report it. Our Animal Health officers will continue to investigate thoroughly and take action against those who disregard the law.”

Residents are reminded that anyone breeding and selling dogs must comply with licensing regulations designed to protect both animal welfare and consumers.