PLANS for 5G Vodafone telecommunications works at Haverfordwest’s telephone exchange have been refused on the grounds of the impact on the town’s conservation area.

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, Reading-based Cellnex UK, through agent WHP Telecoms Ltd sought permission for the installation of replacement telecommunications apparatus and ancillary equipment at Haverfordwest exchange on Perrotts Avenue.

The works proposed included the removal of the existing antenna and the installation of six antennas.

A supporting statement said the application for the rooftop of the existing three-storey Haverfordwest Telephone Exchange, was for a 5G mobile base station for the mobile network operator Vodafone Ltd in conjunction with Cornerstone; the site owned and operated by Cellnex UK, a radio site infrastructure provider.

It added: “The proposal seeks to upgrade the existing equipment in situ to ensure that Vodafone Ltd. customers continue to benefit from modern and reliable connectivity. The current equipment has not been upgraded for a number of years and now requires significant modernisation to support the latest wireless technologies and meet the needs of both customers and the wider community.”

It went on to say: “Unlike earlier generations of mobile connectivity, 5G has more significant technical and operational requirements and this has implications on the amount, height, position and design of the apparatus on the rooftop of this building.

“The service provided by the operator is in the public interest and is in very high demand, with 5G being the next and highly significant advancement in mobile connectivity. In the UK there are now more almost 92.5 million subscriptions to mobile networks and mobile services now exceed fixed landlines in terms of customer numbers and usage.”

An officer report recommending refusal said: “The siting and design of the development are considered to be insensitive, incongruous, and harmful to the character and appearance of the Haverfordwest Conservation Area. The proposal fails to preserve or enhance the significance of the designated heritage asset, contrary to the fundamental objectives of sustainable development.”

It added: “While the proposed masts are of a broadly comparable height to the previously approved [2007] installation, the current proposal materially differs in both form and visual impact. In particular, the introduction of three separate telecommunications masts to facilitate 5G infrastructure results in a more prominent and visually intrusive arrangement that is not considered to be subservient to the host building, unlike the previously approved tubed apparatus.”

The application was refused on grounds including the visual impact and no biodiversity enhancement measures included as part of the proposed scheme.

Long-serving supporters Diane and Emily Lloyd cut the ribbon as the children’s hospice charity begins a new chapter in the town

TY HAFAN has officially opened its newly relocated charity shop in the centre of Cardigan, marking the latest chapter in its long-standing relationship with the town and surrounding communities.

Diane Lloyd and her daughter Emily, both dedicated supporters of Tŷ Hafan Children’s Hospice, cut the ceremonial ribbon at the new premises at 25 High Street on Friday, July 10.

Diane has worked for the charity for 22 years, while Emily has volunteered for Tŷ Hafan for the past 11 years.

The charity currently supports 22 families caring for children and young people with life-shortening conditions in the Ceredigion Penfro Senedd constituency. A further 17 families continue to receive bereavement support.

Maree Thomas, regional sales manager for Tŷ Hafan, thanked the community, volunteers and businesses that helped make the relocation possible.

She said: “I’d like to thank everyone who joined us on this exciting occasion as we opened our newly relocated Cardigan Tŷ Hafan store.

“We’ve been present on this high street for over 30 years, with the first few years spent in a tiny cabin and the last 22 years in the smaller shop just down the road.

“None of this would have been possible without the wonderful Lloyd family and other local supporters, who were among the first fundraisers for Tŷ Hafan.”

She also thanked the shop’s volunteers, landlord Andrew, local companies, donors, customers and supporters who helped with the move.

“Your support means that we can walk alongside every family that needs us,” she said.

“Our shops play an important part in raising funds and awareness of the hospice. Right now, we are only supporting one in ten families who have a child whose life will be short.

“Our ambition is that when a child’s life will be short, no family should have to live it on their own.”

During the past year, the Cardigan community has contributed around 3,000 volunteer hours, donated 2,000 bags of goods and purchased approximately 3,000 items from the charity.

The move to larger premises will allow the shop to display and sell more donated goods, helping to raise additional funds for hospice care.

Shop manager Diane said: “I would like to thank the local community for its massive support over the past 30 years, right from when we started in a little cabin in the market to our lovely new shop on the High Street.

“I’d also like to thank my absolutely amazing volunteers. Some have been with me for more than ten years and some have been here since the shop opened. Without them, we simply could not do what we do.”

Emily said volunteering had given her the opportunity to help families while also being part of a friendly and welcoming team.

She said: “I love volunteering for Tŷ Hafan. It’s great fun, it keeps me busy and you know you’re making a difference for local families with children who have life-shortening conditions.

“We’re always looking for more volunteers, so anyone who would like to join us can email [email protected] or call 02920 532255.”

Musician Mark Watkin Price also performed during the opening celebrations, singing and playing guitar for visitors and supporters.

The new shop is expected to begin trading seven days a week and includes a dedicated donation drop-off area at the rear of the premises.

A CALL to extend a Pembrokeshire “boutique nature retreat destination” previously featured in the Sunday Times with further holiday cabins, a mobile sauna and padel courts has been lodged with county planners.

In an application submitted to Pembrokeshire County Council, Paul Cleaver of Wilder Retreats, through agent Hayston Developments & Planning Ltd, seeks permission for two holiday cabins, a mobile sauna and the conversion and extension of an existing building to padel courts and changing rooms to form phase 2 of the existing Wilder Retreats holiday cabins and complex, on land at the former agricultural/ forestry works depot, Solbury Road, Tiers Cross.

Padel is a racquet sport that combines elements of tennis and squash.

A supporting statement said of Wilder Retreats, an ecotourism destination located on 20 acres of rewilded land: “Since opening, the business has established itself as one of Wales’ leading boutique nature retreat destinations — demonstrating how sensitive, high-quality tourism development can work in harmony with landscape, ecology and local economy.

“The business has attracted national press coverage from publications including the Sunday Times and Coast Magazine.”

It said the existing business “was conceived from the outset as an ecotourism model — one that funds and enables genuine environmental restoration through sustainable commercial activity, working towards ecological targets set by Kite Ecology including native woodland planting, wildflower meadow creation and habitat corridor development”.

The Phase 2 developments proposed are: two additional A-frame cabins in addition to the existing six; Wilder Woodland Sauna, a commercial woodland sauna; and Wilder Padel Club, two covered LTA (Lawn Tennis Association) compliant padel courts with associated clubhouse facilities, that re-uses a redundant shed and yard in the client’s ownership.

The two additional A-frame cabins will be operated by Wilder Retreats Ltd as an extension of the existing accommodation business. Wilder Woodland Sauna and Wilder Padel Club will each operate as independent businesses under separate limited companies.

“Together, the three proposals reinforce one another: the cabins bring more guests to the site; the sauna and padel give those guests — and local residents — more reasons to visit and to stay longer,” the statement says, adding: “All three operate independently but collectively strengthen the economic, social and environmental case for this site as a model of sustainable rural tourism.”

The site was previously lawfully occupied by the applicant’s tree works consultancy and land management business until this subsequently relocated a few years ago.

Although the site has since been occupied by a motorcycle business, that business has been given notice to vacate but will trade until early 2027.

The application proposal is supported by a letter from Tennis Wales, the national governing body for Padel, one of the fastest growing sports in the country, which fully supports the principle of creating two padel courts, saying: “Creating more Padel courts, which can be used throughout the year, is critical to sustaining this growth.

“These new facilities will enable more adults and juniors to enjoy, compete and experience the game of Padel in line with Tennis Wales Vision and Mission which is to see ‘Padel opened up’.”

The application will be considered by county planners at a later date.