News

Cabinet supports more permissive approach to town centre planning applications

Published

3 years ago

September 5, 2022

PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL planners can now consider a wider variety of planning applications for town centres in Pembrokeshire, thanks to the publication of a new report.
The report by the Council’s planning authority supports a more permissive approach towards the development of multi-functional and vibrant town centres.
Speaking after Cabinet’s endorsement of the report today (Monday), Cllr Paul Miller, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Place, the Region and Climate Change, said: “I strongly believe that the quality of our town centres is important for the wider economic wellbeing of Pembrokeshire.
“However, there is no future in retail-only town centres. Instead, they need to become multi-functional places with a broader range of commercial uses (food and drink, office accommodation) as well as education, health, leisure and public services.
“In addition, they also need to be great places to live and we are committed to supporting the repurposing of vacant retail units to residential where it makes sense to do so.”
Known as the Interim Advisory Note on Development in Town Centres, the report is in line with updates in national planning policy and the publication of Future Wales – a 20-year national development plan produced by Welsh Government.
It means that in primary retail areas, a wider range of planning applications such as those linked to financial and professional uses, and food and drink establishments, are likely to be acceptable.
In secondary retail areas, planning applications for new retail, education, health, leisure and public services are likely to be acceptable as well as residential uses on the ground floor where appropriate. Upper floor residential conversions are already likely to be supported across both primary and secondary retail areas.
Cllr Jon Harvey, Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing Delivery, said the Interim Advisory Note would provide clear and transparent advice for both applicants and the authority when determining planning applications in town centres.
“We’re pleased to endorse its publication and looking forward to it supporting an exciting and different future for our town centres in Pembrokeshire,” he said.
To view the report to Cabinet please go to: https://bit.ly/3RnVd9R (agenda item 12)
To view the webcast of the meeting, please go to: https://pembrokeshire.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcasts

News

Pembroke Dock man sent to Crown Court over alleged ABH assault

Published

14 minutes ago

December 15, 2025

Court Reporter

Charge relates to incident in the town last weekend

A PEMBROKE DOCK man has been sent to the Crown Court for trial after appearing before magistrates accused of assault causing actual bodily harm.

Darren Markes, aged 47, of High Street, Pembroke Dock, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Dec 15).

The court heard that Markes is charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, contrary to the Offences Against the Person Act.

The charge relates to an alleged incident on Friday (Dec 13) in Pembroke Dock, when it is alleged that Markes assaulted a woman, causing her actual bodily harm.

No plea was entered at the hearing.

Due to the seriousness of the allegation, magistrates declined jurisdiction and ordered that the case be sent to the Crown Court for trial under the Crime and Disorder Act.

Markes was remanded on conditional bail. Conditions include:

Not contacting a witness, directly or indirectly
Reporting to Pembroke Dock police station every Wednesday between 12:00pm and 2:00pm
Living and sleeping each night at his home address

He is due to appear at Swansea Crown Court on Thursday (Jan 16) at 9:30am for a plea and trial preparation hearing.

Crime

Aberystwyth man denies criminal damage charge over Cardigan gallery window

Published

16 minutes ago

December 15, 2025

Court Reporter

Alleged incident said to have taken place on Bridge Street

AN ABERYSTWYTH man has denied a charge of criminal damage relating to an alleged incident in Cardigan.

Ricky Myers, aged 27, of Jasper House, Aberystwyth, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Dec 15).

The court heard that Myers is accused of criminal damage to property valued under £5,000, contrary to the Criminal Damage Act 1971.

The charge relates to an incident on Saturday (Aug 24, 2024) at Manchester House on Bridge Street, Cardigan, where it is alleged that a window at the Cardigan Gallery was damaged. The property is said to belong to Peter Austin.

Myers pleaded not guilty to the allegation.

Magistrates adjourned the case for further case management, and Myers was remanded on conditional bail, with a condition that he live and sleep each night at his home address.

He is due to return to court at Aberystwyth Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Dec 17) at 2:00pm.

Crime

Pembroke Dock man remanded in custody ahead of sentencing on string of offences

Published

18 minutes ago

December 15, 2025

Court Reporter

Harassment charge and three assaults among cases listed for Llanelli court

A PEMBROKE DOCK man has been remanded in custody ahead of sentencing after admitting a series of offences, including harassment and assaults.

Tony Brundrett, aged 21, of Kavanagh Court, Pembroke Dock, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Dec 15).

The court heard Brundrett has pleaded guilty to harassment without violence, contrary to the Protection from Harassment Act. The charge alleges that between Tuesday (Sep 17) and Thursday (Oct 31) at Spring View, Pembroke Dock, he pursued a course of conduct amounting to harassment of a female, including attending her home address and contacting her by text message.

He has also admitted assault by beating against the same female, alleged to have taken place on Wednesday (May 21) at Spring View, Pembroke Dock, and a further assault by beating against a second female on Thursday (Oct 30), also at Spring View.

Magistrates were additionally told that Brundrett faces a further allegation of common assault against a third female, said to have occurred on Tuesday (Dec 9) at Kavanagh Court, Pembroke Dock. No plea was recorded to that matter in the register entry.

Brundrett has also pleaded guilty to a number of offences linked to an incident in Haverfordwest on Saturday (Nov 16). These include:

Aggravated vehicle taking, involving a Vauxhall Corsa, with damage caused before recovery
Using a motor vehicle without insurance
Driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence
Criminal damage, involving a window belonging to Pembrokeshire County Council

He was remanded in custody, with the next hearing listed at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Dec 31) at 10:00am.