Community

Roch development would have just four affordable homes

Published

2 years ago

April 21, 2024

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A PEMBROKESHIRE residential development of 52 homes, with just four affordable houses, is expected to get the go-ahead from county planners despite calls for this figure to be 20 per cent.

Wakefield Developments Ltd is seeking permission for the development, which includes four one-bed affordable housing units, on land near Pilgrims Way, Roch, just 100 metres from Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.

Members of Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee, meeting on April 23, are recommended to approve the council’s head of planning be delegated to approve the application, subject to the completion of a Section 106 planning obligation.

That includes the four affordable units being secured in perpetuity, with a local lettings policy, and financial contributions totalling £360,336.

This made up of an education contribution of £207,360 to mitigate the impact of nine unfunded pupil places at secondary level that will be generated by the development, a public open space provision contribution of £92,976, and contributions towards parking provision, public transport access and footpaths, totalling £60,000.

Nolton & Roch Community Council has previously objected to the scheme, based on the number of affordable houses, but, at its most recent meeting of April 15, reconsidered its position “in light of new information available pertaining to the affordable housing provision and Section 106 contribution,” a report for lanners said.

It added: “Nolton and Roch Community Council are supportive to the proposed development in principle. Community councillors feel the development will bring an overall benefit to the wider community, much-needed families to the school and custom to local businesses.”

18 objections to the scheme were also received, raising concerns including an “inadequate” affordable housing level, it being a high density development for a rural area, a loss of green space, the size of some of the homes, and pressures on existing services and facilities, and fears it may lead to an increase in second homes.

Nolton & Roch Community Land Trust (N&RCLT) has raised its concerns about the development, believing it would still include 12 affordable units, as indicated previously.

“The N&RCLT objects very strongly to the developer’s proposal to significantly reduce the affordable housing. Our two Housing Needs Surveys (2020 & 2023), have established a major need for affordable housing in our local area. Furthermore, the primary demand is for two and three-bed properties. Importantly, the surveys demonstrate a high level of community support for the CLT’s aim to help meet that need.

“Therefore, we are confident in speaking for nearly 200 residents who responded to our surveys. We are confident that almost all of them would also want the 20 per cent affordable housing to be built in the proposed development.”

It calls for permission to be granted, subject to a 20 per cent affordable homes element.

An officer report for members, recommending conditional approval, concludes: “It is apparent that the proposed development is not fully policy compliant, insofar as it cannot deliver the indicative 20 per cent affordable housing sought [by policy].

“However, a substantial positive social impact will arise through the provision of housing, including four one-bed affordable housing units, in meeting identified needs for both market and affordable housing.

“Financial obligations identified to mitigate adverse impacts arising from the proposed development cannot be met in full. However, Policy GN.3 acknowledges that in such circumstances contributions may be prioritised on the basis of the individual circumstances of each case.

“Financial obligations have been agreed towards the mitigation of adverse impacts in relation to education and highways which officers consider to be essential to ensuring that the development is acceptable in planning terms.”

Community

Police issue A477 crash appeal after five taken to hospital

Published

2 hours ago

May 25, 2026

Tom Sinclair

FIVE people were taken to hospital, three with serious injuries, following a collision on the A477 between Llanteg and Red Roses on Sunday (May 24).

Dyfed-Powys Police said the crash happened at around 5:00pm and involved a grey Honda Civic i-VTEC and a white Kia Soul 2.

A 23-year-old man has been arrested and remains in police custody.

Officers are appealing for anyone who was driving on the A477 at around the time of the collision, or who may have dash-cam footage of either vehicle before the crash, to come forward.

Police said visitors to Pembrokeshire who may not know the area should check their route in case they were travelling along the A477 at the relevant time.

Anyone with information can contact Dyfed-Powys Police online, by emailing [email protected], by direct message on social media, or by calling 101.

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Quote reference: 326 of May 24.

Business

Maenclochog care home turned down after community concerns

Published

11 hours ago

May 25, 2026

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A CARE HOME scheme for a Pembrokeshire village, which saw objections from the local community council after youngsters had ‘absconded’ from similar sites locally, will need a formal application, planners have said.

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, Future Nest Care Ltd, through agent Evans Banks Planning Limited, sought a certificate of lawfulness to allow the use of dwelling house Brynawel, Maenclochog as a care home for two youngsters between the ages of five and 16 with specific needs.

A supporting statement said the youngsters would be supported by three qualified and experienced staff members during the day and two at night; the certificate of lawfulness application made to establish that formal planning permission is not required to use an existing two-storey detached dwellinghouse into a residential care facility to accommodate two children, supervised 24/7 by staff.

It added: “The proposed use is designed to provide a safe, nurturing, and family-style environment to help the young residents develop essential life skills and prepare for independent living. The residing youngsters will attend local schools or colleges and participate in community life, in the same manner as any young person living in a traditional family home.

“The qualified and experienced staff will prepare those children for their re-introduction back into a life without supervised care. The residing youngsters would attend the local school or further education college, as would any youngster under 18 living in a family home.”

However, Maenclochog Community Council objected to the proposals after residents expressed their concerns.

In its objection, it said: “This proposal has raised significant concern within the village, particularly as there are already multiple provisions for similar accommodation on the outskirts of Maenclochog.

“In the past, young people accommodated at these facilities have frequently absconded, leading to repeated searches across the surrounding area. This history heightens local anxiety regarding the introduction of further such provision within the village.”

It added: “Neighbouring residents have not been consulted regarding the proposed change of use, which has led to unease and a lack of confidence in the applicants’ intentions and in the suitability of the site for this form of development.”

It went on to say: “Before any decision is made, Maenclochog Community Council strongly believes that local residents should be afforded the opportunity of a public consultation. While the proposal may represent an economic decision for the property owners, it has wider implications for the village and its residents.”

An officer report recommended refusal of the certificate of lawfulness, concluding that “a material change of use would occur in relation to the proposed use of the site and as a result a certificate of proposed lawful use cannot be granted”.

In refusing the lawfulness call, planners said “the frequency of staff changes and the number of vehicle movements associated with the proposed use of the property would be materially different to those associated with its lawful use as a dwelling,” the material change of use to a care home requiring a formal planning application.

Community

Pembroke Fair praised as well-organised community event

Published

1 day ago

May 24, 2026

Tom Sinclair

HORSES, STALLS AND FAMILY CROWDS RETURN TO MONKTON

FAMILIES, horse owners and visitors turned out in force for Pembroke Fair on Saturday (May 23), with many praising the event as one of the best organised in recent years.

Held at the Community Centre Field in Monkton, the annual fair brought together horse owners, traders and local families for a traditional day centred around horses, ponies, stalls and socialising.

Coloured cobs, heavy horses, ponies and horse-drawn traps attracted attention throughout the day, with many visitors gathering around the field to watch the animals being shown and led around the site.

A variety of stalls selling everything from clothing and ornaments to tack and second-hand goods helped create a lively market atmosphere, while food vendors kept visitors fed throughout the day.

Despite overcast conditions at times, the event remained busy, with many attendees staying for several hours to enjoy the traditional fair atmosphere.

Community members later took to social media to praise the smooth running of the event, with several publicly thanking organiser Charlie Price for his efforts in bringing the fair together.

Comments described the day as “well organised” and praised the welcoming atmosphere, with many saying it was encouraging to see a long-standing local tradition continuing to thrive.

The fair once again brought together members of the travelling community, local residents and horse enthusiasts from across west Wales.