News
‘Alien’ telecoms mast refused
PLANS for an “alien and incongruous” 20 metre telecoms tower within “one of the most splendid landscapes in Pembrokeshire Coast National Park” have been turned down by planners.
Applicants Cornerstone – in a Prior Notification application to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park – sought to install a 20-metre-high, timber-clad telecoms tower on land opposite the National Trust car park at Trehilyn West, Trefasser, near Goodwick, north Pembrokeshire.
The site is within the Pen Caer Registered Historic Landscape, located between the two Iron Age hill forts of Garn Fawr Camp and Garn Fechan Camp, both Scheduled Monuments, with two Grade II-listed buildings located within 200 metres of the site.
The tower would also be within view of what is known as John Piper’s cottages, where the influential 20th century artist, author and stained-glass designer stayed to paint the surrounding landscape.
In 2013 one of his paintings of Garn Fawr sold at auctioneers Christie’s for in excess of £37,000.
A heritage statement on behalf of the applicants said the tower’s impact on the overall significance of the Registered Historic Landscape would be ‘slight’ and ‘minor,’ with no objection raised by Cadw.
However, the national park’s building conservation officer Rob Scourfield recommended the application for refusal stating: “The mast will have a significant impact on the setting of a number of listed buildings, chiefly Garn-fawr and Studio Cottage both of which sit within one of the most splendid landscapes of the National Park.”
A report for park planners highlighted a lack of engagement over the proposal: “A significant number of objections have been received to the proposed siting and design of the mast, and whilst not relevant to the decision-making process, to the lack of engagement with the community council and local residents.
“The applicants would be recommended to engage in a more meaningful way with local residents and community council to discuss potential alterative sitings for the provision of this mast.”
It added: “The proposed base station, monopole and antenna would occupy an elevated position close to both Garn Fawr and Garn Fechan.
“The remote landscape would mean that the structures would be clearly visible and would have an adverse impact upon the special qualities of the national park, nearby listed buildings and ancient monuments by introducing an alien and incongruous feature into the landscape.
“The addition of timber cladding may contribute to the harm in providing a structure which looks neither like a utilitarian piece of infrastructure, nor which there is any detail provided for how the timber cladding would be added, what timber would be used, whether it would be treated, and how it would be maintained.
“This has the potential to exacerbate the negative impact of the mast in this location.”
The scheme was refused on the grounds “it will appear as a prominent and discordant landscape feature within the PenCaer Landscape Character Area and is thus contrary [to policies].”
One of those raising concerns about the scheme before the application was refused was Llandruidion resident Jill Rowley, who said: “This mast will be visible for miles and is considered to be to the detriment of this iconic area.
“It is within a stone’s throw of the Piper Cottages the famous artist who painted the area.
“There has been no consultation with the local community council, there has been no notice posted in the area, which I understand is a legal requirement for all planning projects.
“No-one locally seems to have heard about it. This is a travesty for this iconic landmark.”
Entertainment
St Davids Cathedral Music Festival representatives attend Royal Garden Party
SIMON PEARCE, the esteemed Organist and Master of the Choristers at St Davids Cathedral, was honoured to attend a royal garden party at Buckingham Palace, hosted by King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
The event, celebrating the UK’s Creative and Cultural Industries, featured an array of celebrities, stunning displays of spring gardens, and performances by the Band of The Marines.
Mr Pearce, who attended with his wife Katherine was appointed in 2022 as the Director of Music at the cathedral—a position he has held since 1998 in an assistant capacity—expressed his delight at the opportunity to represent the festival. “Every single moment was to be savoured,” he remarked, noting the “wonderful music, fantastic host of celebs, a sumptuous tea party, stunning gardens and Palace, and glorious British spring weather.”
The St Davids Cathedral Music Festival 2024 will open with a dazzling performance by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales on May 25. The orchestra will treat audiences to Mathias’s Festival Overture and Brahms’ Second Symphony.
Adding to the splendour, award-winning violinist Inmo Yang will grace the stage with his rendition of Sibelius’ Violin Concerto.
This year’s festival will also introduce several new performers. The Choir of Royal Holloway is set to debut on May 27, enchanting attendees with choral arrangements of orchestral classics. Local talent is also in the spotlight, with Pembrokeshire-born horn player Simon Lewis performing alongside Trio Preseli on May 26, showcasing works by Welsh composer Anthony Randall.
Adding a touch of environmental consciousness to the festival, clarinet virtuoso Emma Johnson returns on May 28 with her Orchestra for the Environment.
Their repertoire will include pieces by Mozart, Tchaikovsky, and Johnson’s own composition, ‘The Tree of Life’.
The festival will kick off with the 150-strong Children’s Festival Chorus on May 24, captivating audiences with their youthful energy and a live band.
Throughout the week, the cathedral musicians will feature prominently in several concerts, with the highlight being the full Cathedral choir performing Choral Evensong live on BBC Radio 3.
This prestigious invitation to Buckingham Palace came just two years after Mr Pearce’s official appointment as the Master of Choristers, a role in which he has pledged to continue enhancing the cathedral’s distinguished musical tradition.
At the time of his appointment, the Very Revd Dr Sarah Rowland Jones, as Dean of St. Davids, praised Mr Pearce’s exceptional talents, saying, “It has been a pleasure to enjoy the excellence of Simon’s playing and conducting over the years.”
Under his leadership, the Cathedral Choir and Choral Foundation have been furthering their well-deserved reputation for excellence. “St Davids Cathedral is a spiritually inspiring and beautiful place in which to make music,” Mr Pearce said, acknowledging the special connections the cathedral maintains with the local community, school, and the wider Pembrokeshire area.
News
Council works to reduce empty properties in Carmarthenshire
CARMARTHENSHIRE County Council is reducing the number of empty properties within the county through the introduction of the Empty Properties Framework.
Combining enforcement, the implementation of council tax premiums on empty properties and providing support to help owners bring empty properties back into use, the Empty Properties Framework aims to:
• Reduce the number of long-term empty homes across the county
• Increase the supply of affordable housing to meet demand
• Tackle issues relating to property nuisance, blight and the impact on communities
The following case study is an example of how Carmarthenshire County Council is supporting communities and owners to bring empty properties back into use.
An empty property was reported to the Council with loose rendering falling onto a neighbouring driveway and refuse/waste material in the garden. Investigations revealed that the property had been recorded as empty for seven years and was privately owned by a limited company.
The property was visited by the Council’s Empty Homes Officers and scored as high risk (Category A), requiring enforcement. The owners responded positively to the notice served and assisted with the Council’s formal inspection of the property, during which various category 1 (the most serious) hazards were identified.
As a result, statutory notices were served on the property. These notices provided varying timeframes for work to be carried out. In the event of non-compliance, the Council may choose to undertake works, recovering all costs from the owner.
The owner complied with the work which posed an imminent risk and then sold the property at public auction. The Improvement Notices remained with the property when sold. Upon purchase, the new owners immediately began work to improve the property and this is progressing well.
Cllr Linda Evans, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Homes said: “The introduction of the Empty Homes Framework aims to be bold in bringing about the improvement and occupation of empty homes, increasing the supply and use of housing to all.
Carmarthenshire County Council is committed to reducing the number of empty properties in the county, with various methods of support in place to assist owners of these properties to bring them back into use including financial assistance, subject to eligibility.”
From 1st April 2024, council tax premiums were also introduced on properties empty for more than 12 months to encourage owners to reflect on whether they could make better use of their property.
For more information on the support available to owners of empty properties visit the Council’s website – Carmarthenshire.gov.wales/housing
News
Free disability sports event heads to Pembroke Leisure Centre
PEMBROKE Leisure Centre will play host to a free disability sports and physical event later this month with lots of sports and activities to try.
The insport series, in partnership with Disability Sport Wales, Sport Pembrokeshire and Pembrokeshire Leisure is an inclusive sport and physical activity event.
It offers opportunities for disabled young people (ages 5 years+) and adults across Pembrokeshire and friends and family are welcome.
On offer to try are: boxing, boccia, swimming (on a separate first come first serve booking basis), football, wheelchair rugby, target shooting, adaptive bikes, cricket, golf, multisport, and more.
The event takes place Pembroke Leisure Centre, on Wednesday May 29th between 10am-2pm.
Booking for the event and swim places is required.
For more information please contact: Jess West from Sport Pembrokeshire byemail [email protected] or by calling 07795305871.
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