News

Second homes money boost for affordable housing scheme

Published

3 years ago

May 25, 2023

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

£100,000 from Pembrokeshire’s second homes council tax premium funds have been awarded to a community group to help provide affordable housing.

Members of Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet, at their May meeting, considered a business case made by Nolton & Roch Community Land Trust for financial support to purchase a parcel of land.

A report for members said: “The [Trust] has requested funding from the council towards the purchase of a parcel of land for affordable housing. The Second Home Council Tax Premium may be used by the council to assist with community led Housing developments to increase the supply of affordable housing.”

Members heard a suitable plot – whittled down from an initial six – had been identified, which could accommodate up to 19 homes, the Trust working in partnership with ateb Housing Association.

“Through this partnership, it is anticipated that ateb will seek a Social Housing Grant towards the cost of the build,” members heard.

In its application, Nolton and Roch community Land Trust said the landowner had agreed to the sale of the land at “a very attractive price”.

It said the cost of meeting Welsh Government requirements for energy performance standards, and a hope of building zero-carbon houses, had led to the hopes of financial support from the county council to purchase the site.

It added: “We also request sufficient funding to engage a buildings design consultant who can support our CLT during the project. Although enthusiastic and reasonably technically competent our Board does not possess sufficient expertise to understand fully the industry-specific technicalities nor the detailed legislation.

“An experienced consultant will help to ensure that our expectations are realistic, that our viewpoint is properly heard and understood and, importantly, it will help us to keep track of the project and oversee progress.”

It was recommended that £100,000, plus up to £10,000 towards legal fees, be allocated towards acquisition of land.

Cabinet members unanimously supported the recommendation, Councillor Neil Prior – who moved approval – praising the role of the Trust in “taking on the initiative”.

He was backed by Councillor Michelle Bateman, who said: “We know there’s a housing crisis in Pembrokeshire, it’s really good to see a pro-active group coming forward.”

Cllr Bateman said she hoped to see similar proposals in other areas: “It’s not the solution to our housing crisis, but it’s a small part.”

Crime

Man charged with strangulation and assault offences after October incident

Published

9 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

A MAN recorded in court as having no fixed abode has appeared before magistrates charged with intentional strangulation and two further assault offences.

Michael Sudbury, 50, whose address was not read out in court, but in Herald records is Glan Hafan, Llangwm, appeared before the bench facing multiple charges.

The charges relate to an incident on 22 October 2025 and include:

Intentional strangulation, contrary to section 75A of the Serious Crime Act 2015
Common assault
Assault by beating

No further details of the alleged incident were opened in court, and no plea was entered at this stage.

Sudbury was remanded on conditional bail, with the case listed to return to magistrates later this month.

Crime

Haverfordwest man sent to Crown Court on multiple serious charges

Published

10 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

Defendant remanded in custody

A HAVERFORDWEST man has been sent to Swansea Crown Court to stand trial on a series of A 49-year-old Haverfordwest resident has been committed to Swansea Crown Court to face trial on multiple serious charges deemed too grave for magistrates to handle.

David Guy, of Market Street, Haverfordwest, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates facing a series of allegations stemming from a single case. The charges, which were not detailed in open court, include:

Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
A second count of assault
Criminal damage
An additional allegation of interpersonal violence
A public order offence

Magistrates declined jurisdiction, determining that the matters exceeded their sentencing powers, and sent the case in its entirety to Swansea Crown Court.

Guy was remanded in custody pending his next appearance. The court register notes: “Sent to Crown Court for trial in custody – next hearing at Swansea Crown Court.”

A date for the initial Crown Court hearing will be set administratively. Guy will remain in custody until then.

The Pembrokeshire Herald will provide further updates as the case progresses in the Crown Court.

Crime

Castlemartin man back before magistrates over multiple alleged assaults

Published

10 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

Defendant remanded on conditional bail ahead of further hearing

A CASTLEMARTIN man has appeared repeatedly before magistrates this month over a string A 40-year-old man from Castlemartin has made repeated appearances before magistrates this month in connection with a series of serious alleged offences, including assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH), intentional non-fatal strangulation, common assault, and criminal damage.

Anthony Alcock, of Pwll Street, Castlemartin, is facing six linked charges stemming from incidents said to have occurred earlier this year. These appear to relate to the same complainant in what is understood to be a single ongoing domestic abuse prosecution.

During recent administrative hearings at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court, Alcock did not enter pleas while matters of bail and case management were addressed.

Charges Include:

Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
Intentional non-fatal strangulation
Common assault on a woman
Criminal damage in a domestic context
Additional assault allegations involving the same complainant
Breach of bail conditions

Alcock was initially granted conditional bail but was subsequently brought before the court on two occasions for alleged breaches. On those instances, magistrates remanded him in custody ahead of further hearings. He was later re-granted conditional bail, subject to strict conditions such as no contact with the complainant and exclusion from specified locations.

Magistrates have now declined jurisdiction, ruling that the case—particularly the more serious charges involving non-fatal strangulation—is too grave for summary trial. It has been committed to Swansea Crown Court for plea, trial, or sentencing.

No detailed evidence has been presented in open court at this preliminary stage. Alcock remains on conditional bail pending his next appearance at the Crown Court.