News
Campsite toilet block can stay after planning battle
A PEMBROKESHIRE campsite toilet/shower block built without planning permission will be able to stay at a county farm, in part due to the support of a former council leader.
Mrs Hodge of Simpson Hill Farm, Simpson Cross, near Haverfordwest had applied to Pembrokeshire planners for a Lawful Development Certificate for the block, saying it had been on the land and in the same use for over a decade.
An application for a certificate of lawful development allows an applicant to keep a development if they can provide proof of use over a prolonged period, normally in excess of four years.
A supporting statement through agent Harries Planning Design Management said: “The evidence provided seeks to demonstrate that the toilet/shower block has been on site for over 10 years and therefore constitutes lawful development. Therefore, logically the only reason a toilet/shower block would be located within a field in the countryside would be to support a campsite which has been in operation for as long as the toilet block has been in situ.”
In a supporting letter, former council leader and Camrose County Councillor Jamie Adams, of Keyston Hill Farm, said: “I have lived at the above address for over 50 years and have actively farmed for the last 40 years.
“We have, on occasion, had animals stray onto the neighbouring land which is the campsite run by the late Mr Bert Lavis, so I have witnessed first-hand the active use of the land over at least 30 years for camping.
“The site has been in active use to the present day and by passing regularly on the Simpsons Cross to Nolton Haven Cross road I have again witnessed patrons entering and exiting the campsite.”
An officer report, recommending the granting of the certificate, said a similar certificate of lawfulness for the use of land as a campsite, made last year, was refused.
On the toilet block, it said: “Dated aerial photography, and dated photographs of the toilet/shower block provided by the applicant support the submission.
“A letter in support of the submission was provided by Cllr Adams, whilst this considers the use of the land the building operations are sited within, it does not consider the building operations subject to this application specifically.
“Based on the information available, planning statement and dated photographs, it is considered on the balance of probability that the building operations comprising of the laying of a gravel hardstanding, erection of a toilet/shower block building and associated drainage infrastructure, has existed for a period in excess of four years.”
Crime
Swansea Crown Court to deal with Narberth rape case
A 46-YEAR-OLD Haverfordwest man has appeared before a District Judge charged with raping a woman at an undisclosed location in Narberth.
Richard Murray, recently of Hill Street, Haverfordwest is accused of raping the woman on August 25, 2022. He is further charged with sexually assaulting a woman and of causing a female to engage in sexual activity without her consent. Both offences are alleged to have been committed on the same date, August 25.
Murray denied all three charges when he appeared before District Judge Mark Layton sitting at Haverfordwest magistrates court on Tuesday, September 17.
Judge Layton declined jurisdiction in the matter and the case will now be heard at Swansea Crown Court.
Murray was released on conditional bail, the condition being not to have any direct or indirect contact with the alleged victim.
The matter will next be heard at Swansea Crown Court on October 14.
Crime
Pet running loose in Milford Haven was a banned fighting dog
A DOG that was seen running loose on a main road in Milford Haven was found to be an unregistered fighting XL Bully which, according to police experts, had the strength to cause someone ‘substantial injury’.
Officers were called to a property in Milford Haven on March 24 following numerous reports from members of the public that a dog was running loose on the road, causing what the Crown Prosecution described as ‘a hazard’ to drivers. There they found the dog enclosed in a front garden.
This week it’s owner, Megan Pouparrd, 20, of Sunningdale Drive, Hubberston, pleaded guilty to possessing or having custody of a fighting dog.
“It was a typical XL Bully dog in relation to its appearance and size,” Crown Prosecutor Abigail Jackson told District Judge Mark Layton sitting at Haverfordwest magistrates court this week.
The dog, which had wandered approximately one mile from its owner’s home, was caught and taken away by officers for further examinations to be carried out to confirm its breed.
A police statement read out to Judge Layton stated that the dog was ‘very restless and curious’.
“He made no attempt to jump on us and was more interested in finding out about his new surroundings,” said the report.
“He was a very relaxed dog, but was also extremely strong, and could easily have knocked someone off their feet.”
A destruction order for the dog was submitted to the court by the police, however following a request by District Judge Mark Layton, this was delayed pending a behaviourist report to be carried out on the animal.
Sentencing was adjourned to October 8.
(Image: File)
Crime
Letterston man in court over ‘silly neighbours’ dispute’
A NEIGHBOURS’ dispute reached the courts this week when Letterston resident Stuart Wing pleaded guilty to causing criminal damage to his neighbour’s car.
“It was a silly dispute,” the 59-year-old told a district judge sitting at Haverfordwest magistrates court this week.
“We used to be good neighbours, but it was the stupidest of things. I’d put his bin bags back but then he fell out with me, giving me hand signals and calling me a scumbag.”
The incident took place on June 21, 2023 at Spring Gardens, Letterston.
“The victim [Clark Gretton], had left his property and entered his vehicle,” Crown Prosecutor Abigail Jackson told Judge Mark Layton.
“[The victim] said, ‘I’ll be glad to get away from these scumbags’, but the defendant was near and must have heard him, because he picked some gravel up and threw it at the car, causing chip marks.”
Ms Jackson said that the cost of the criminal damage to Mr Gretton’s Nissan Qashqai totaled £660.
After pleading guilty to causing criminal damage, Stuart Wing was fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £48 court surcharge. He was also ordered to pay £660 compensation to Mr Gretton.
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