Community

Haverfordwest shoppers warned of new parking restrictions at Withybush Retail Park

Published

2 years ago

August 28, 2024

RESIDENTS of Haverfordwest are being urged to take note of new parking restrictions at Withybush Retail Park, which could see unsuspecting shoppers hit with fines for overstaying their welcome. The Town Council has issued a warning in recent days, following reports from concerned residents who have fallen foul of the rules.

The privately owned retail park, in partnership with Parking Eye, has introduced strict time limits on parking, with fines being enforced if the limits are exceeded. Shoppers can park for a maximum of three hours across the park, but within the Costa Coffee area, this limit is reduced to just 90 minutes. The penalty for overstaying is £100, though this is reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days.

A resident from Crymych, who recently visited the retail park, contacted the Town Council after receiving a parking notice. Uncertain if the notice was legitimate, the resident was dismayed to learn that the signage warning of these restrictions was clearly visible at the entrance and throughout the car park. The Town Council has since confirmed that cameras are in place, with one located at the first parking bay on the right after M&S, which captures the arrival of vehicles.

The resident, who had travelled 25 miles to visit the park, received the notice just days before the payment deadline. Although they were able to pay the reduced fine, the situation has highlighted the need for other visitors to be vigilant. The Town Council could not confirm whether the signage was in place during the resident’s initial visit, raising concerns about the adequacy of the warnings at that time.

Several other residents have shared similar experiences. Kellie Lowther, a regular customer at Costa Coffee, received a £100 fine after spending two hours at the café, unaware of the new parking charges. She has since paid the fine but vowed not to return to the establishment. Another resident, Becky Bevans, recounted how she too was fined after exceeding the free parking time by just ten minutes while feeding her baby in Costa. Her appeal against the fine was rejected.

Some residents have suggested that those who receive fines should check the spelling of the location on their notice. The private company managing the car park has reportedly referred to the town as “Haverford West” instead of the correct “Haverfordwest,” leading to speculation that this could form the basis for an appeal.

The Town Council is now taking action by raising concerns with the managing agents of the retail park, who are based in Bristol. The Clerk has recognised a growing pattern of shoppers being caught out by the new restrictions and will be feeding this back to the managing agents. The Council noted that many of the park’s visitors travel from a distance and often require more than three hours to complete their shopping, particularly older residents who may need extra time to browse and enjoy a leisurely lunch.

In one recent example, a couple spent over three hours shopping at M&S, Next, and TK Maxx before stopping for lunch, only to receive a fine for exceeding the parking limit by 17 minutes. The Town Council is advocating for a review of the parking restrictions to better accommodate the needs of all visitors to the retail park.

However, recent changes to private parking regulations in the UK, introduced under the government’s new Private Parking Code of Practice, could offer some relief to those affected by the fines at Withybush Retail Park.

One of the most significant updates is the reduction of the maximum private parking fine from £100 to £50, except in cases of serious breaches, such as parking in Blue Badge bays without authorisation. This means that the fines previously issued at the retail park may now exceed the legal cap for most infractions, potentially providing grounds for appeal or even reimbursement for those who have already paid.

The new regulations also introduce a mandatory 10-minute grace period, allowing drivers a little extra time before a fine is issued. For residents like Becky Bevans, who was fined after overstaying by just 10 minutes, this rule could have prevented the fine altogether. This grace period is intended to protect drivers from being penalised for minor delays.

Additionally, the updated Code of Practice mandates clearer and more visible signage, ensuring that terms and conditions are easily understood by all visitors. If the signage at Withybush Retail Park did not meet these standards at the time of issuing fines, this could further strengthen the case for those looking to appeal.

The introduction of a fairer appeals process is another significant change, offering a more transparent and accessible route for challenging unfair fines. Residents who have already paid fines might find that these new rules provide them with the opportunity to contest the penalties more effectively.

The Town Council has expressed its intention to raise these new developments with the managing agents of Withybush Retail Park. By advocating for the application of these updated rules, the Council hopes to secure a more equitable parking system that better serves the needs of the community.

For now, residents and visitors to Withybush Retail Park are encouraged to stay informed about the new parking regulations to avoid unnecessary fines and to take advantage of the improved protections now in place.

Community

Narberth to host climate briefing and Senedd hustings

Published

11 hours ago

March 23, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Community invited to engage in key discussions ahead of election

TWO major public events focusing on climate challenges and Welsh democracy are set to take place in Narberth next month, with organisers encouraging residents to attend and take part.

The first event is a screening of the People’s Emergency Briefing film, which explores the growing risks posed by climate change and environmental damage to everyday life in Britain.

The screening will be held at the Bloomfield Centre in Narberth on Friday, April 17 at 7:00pm.

The film features contributions from leading UK experts across climate science, food security, health, economics and national security. It aims to provide a clear and evidence-based overview of how environmental changes are already affecting communities, as well as outlining potential responses.

Organisers say the initiative is strictly non-partisan and is supported by a wide range of organisations, including the National Trust, the Church of England, Exeter University, the Royal Meteorological Society and WWF.

Following the 45-minute screening, attendees will be invited to take part in a structured discussion focusing on what the issues mean for Pembrokeshire, including local resilience, preparedness and long-term planning.

A second event, a Green community hustings ahead of the Senedd elections, will take place the following week.

The hustings will be held at The Queens Hall, Narberth, on Friday, April 24 at 7:00pm, and will give residents the opportunity to meet candidates standing in the Ceredigion Penfro constituency and put questions directly to them.

Organisers say the event will include refreshments and an open discussion following the formal hustings.

Pembrokeshire Friends of the Earth, who are hosting both events, say they hope the gatherings will encourage informed debate and greater public engagement ahead of the upcoming Senedd election.

Residents unable to attend are invited to submit written messages to be shared during the events.

Community

Historic estate nears capacity after attracting 60 new organisations

Published

11 hours ago

March 23, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Major Carmarthen site transformed into thriving health and wellbeing campus

PARC DEWI SANT in Carmarthen is approaching a major milestone after attracting 60 organisations in just two years, transforming the historic estate into one of Wales’ most significant integrated health and wellbeing campuses.

***Mark Andrews, Director of Parc Dewi Sant***

Set within 38 acres of the former St David’s psychiatric hospital site, the campus is now home to around 80 occupiers spanning primary care, therapy and rehabilitation services, nursing education, specialist autism provision, charities, and a wide range of community organisations.

Demand for space within the main buildings has been strong, with most now fully occupied. Attention is turning to two remaining buildings on the estate which require substantial restoration and are expected to form the next phase of development.

The owners say discussions are already underway with potential partners interested in repurposing the buildings for further healthcare, rehabilitation, and community-based services. They are seeking organisations that can help maximise the long-term potential of the site before major refurbishment work begins.

Future uses under consideration include nursing care provision, mental health step-down accommodation, and complementary services designed to strengthen the wider health and wellbeing network already established at Parc Dewi Sant.

Originally developed in the 19th century as a county asylum and later used for NHS mental health services until 2001, the estate has been reimagined as a modern campus focused on prevention, education, and community wellbeing.

Today, a broad range of services operate from the site. These include GP provision alongside NHS clinics such as diabetic eye screening, antenatal services, weight management, and smoking cessation programmes.

Community-based services including social prescribing, the Hywel Dda Community Resource Team, and the Parent and Infant Feeding Group are also based there, alongside specialist facilities such as Hafen Derwen and the Cwm Seren mental health unit.

In addition to clinical provision, the campus hosts a variety of wellbeing, leisure, and support organisations, including the Better Health and Wellbeing Hub, Hwybod + gym, and a range of therapy and rehabilitation services supporting both physical and mental health.

Parc Dewi Sant serves a strategic catchment of around 187,000 people across Carmarthenshire and is located close to Glangwili Hospital, offering complementary services focused on prevention, recovery, and community care.

Mark Andrews, Director of Parc Dewi Sant, said: “It has been a privilege to become custodians of such a historic and important estate in the heart of Carmarthen.

“From the outset we believed the site had enormous potential, and it is incredibly rewarding to see such a vibrant community of organisations now operating here.

“To have 80 occupiers on site, including 60 who have joined us in the past two years, is a fantastic milestone and a real testament to the vision for Parc Dewi Sant.

“As the main buildings reach capacity, our focus now turns to the remaining buildings and how they can be brought back into productive use.

“We would welcome conversations with organisations that can bring complementary services and ideas to the site and help us continue building a campus that supports health, wellbeing, and community life across Carmarthenshire.”

Organisations based at the campus say the environment has created new opportunities for collaboration and improved service delivery.

Meddygfa Parc, a new NHS GP surgery, relocated to the site from the town centre last month.

Jodi Bateman from the surgery said: “We feel incredibly fortunate to have moved to the beautiful surroundings of Parc Dewi Sant. This exciting new chapter allows us to continue providing high-quality care in a welcoming and modern environment.

“Our new premises give us the space and facilities to expand and develop the services we offer, helping us to better meet the needs of our growing community.”

The site will also host a free public open day on Saturday (Mar 14), giving local residents the opportunity to explore the campus and meet some of the organisations based there.

Charity

RNLI lifeguards save more than 300 lives in Wales as patrols return for Easter

Published

17 hours ago

March 23, 2026

Tom Sinclair

RNLI LIFEGUARDS have saved more than 300 lives in Wales since patrols were first introduced in Pembrokeshire in 2008, as the charity prepares to return to beaches for the Easter holidays.

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution said its lifeguards have saved 315 lives across Wales, aided more than 45,000 people, and responded to over 26,000 incidents. They have also carried out more than six million preventative actions to stop situations becoming emergencies.

The service, which marks its 25th anniversary this year, will see lifeguards return to key Welsh beaches from Saturday (Mar 28) as schools break up for Easter.

In Pembrokeshire, patrols will resume at Whitesands, St Davids, from March 28 to April 12, and at Tenby South from April 3 to April 6.

The RNLI said its lifeguards play a crucial role in keeping beachgoers safe, with around 95 per cent of their work focused on prevention, including advising swimmers, identifying hazards, and educating visitors.

Tom John, a Lifeguard Supervisor in Swansea who joined the service in 2009, said: “We’ve seen more people visiting our beaches each year. While the fundamentals remain the same, we are now a much more proactive service.

“Our training and equipment are excellent, and we have a brilliant team. This time of year is always special as lifeguards return with energy and enthusiasm for the season ahead.”

He added that lifeguards spend much of their time engaging with the public, offering safety advice, and helping people understand the risks before incidents occur.

Across Wales, more than 35 beaches are now patrolled by RNLI lifeguards, forming part of a wider UK network covering over 245 beaches.

The charity is urging anyone heading to the coast this Easter to choose a lifeguarded beach and to swim between the red and yellow flags.

Visitors are also advised to check weather and tide conditions, understand local hazards, and carry a means of calling for help when taking part in water activities.

The RNLI’s “Float to Live” advice remains central to its safety message. Anyone who gets into difficulty in the water is urged to float on their back, keeping their airway clear until help arrives.

In an emergency, people should call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

The RNLI said its lifeguards will continue to play a vital role in protecting coastal communities and visitors as demand on beaches grows year on year.