News

National Park planners set to refuse toilet conversion to ice cream parlour

Published

3 years ago

May 30, 2023

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A SCHEME to turn surplus public toilets to a takeaway ice cream parlour/coffee bar is expected to be refused by national park planners despite the offer of a new toilet.

The application, by Mr M Harris, includes a beach-themed retail unit and a small rear extension for a kitchen – and a new public disabled toilet as required by Pembrokeshire County Council – next to Newgale Campsite, Newgale.

***Old toilet block: Could it becomes new ice cream business?***

The development proposed was part of a wider scheme, intended to be presented in a report to the February meeting of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park’s Development Management Committee, which was withdrawn following a site visit by members in January.

Repeating an objection to the previous scheme, the National Trust objected on both the design and scale of the proposed building and to the principle of development within the flood zone, while local community council Nolton & Roch, raised no objections.

One letter of objection has been received raising concerns about potential customer safety due to a lack of parking and competition with nearby businesses.

A report for planners stated: “The building has historically been provided and used by Pembrokeshire County Council for the purpose of providing public toilets with the land on which it is built being under freehold ownership of the applicant.

“It is unclear from the planning statement submitted with the planning application if the toilets are currently in use. Whilst the county council may have relinquished the site, the use of the building remains sui generis as public toilets and they have been in situ since the 1970s.

**Under threat?: There has been an ice cream van in Newgale for years**

“PCC has advised that they will relinquish the toilets at the request of the landowner following protracted discussions in relation to the ownership of land on which the toilets are constructed.

“It has been suggested that this will come with the proviso that a single cubicle, accessible for all is retained for public use within the building and open daily from Easter to the autumn half-term holiday, although it is not clear whether this will only be the case if the proposed development takes place or not.”

It is recommended the application be refused by national park planners at their June meeting on the grounds the proposal is in a flood risk area, it seeks “to increase and intensify development uses within the coastal change management area” contrary to adopted policy, and other criteria including being outside a retail centre and in a countryside location.

The report finishes: “The policy conflicts are not outweighed by other material considerations, including for the avoidance of doubt, the provision of an accessible toilet facility at this location.”

Crime

Man charged with strangulation and assault offences after October incident

Published

11 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

11 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

11 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.