Community

Haverfordwest shoppers warned of new parking restrictions at Withybush Retail Park

Published

3 weeks 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

Cardigan Bay delayed by crew shortage after vital Gaza mission

Published

12 hours ago

September 17, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) ship Cardigan Bay, renowned for its recent humanitarian efforts in Gaza, has returned to UK shores but faces an unexpected obstacle. The vessel is currently stuck in Portland due to a lack of available sailors, delaying its planned journey to Falmouth for a vital refit.

The Cardigan Bay arrived in Portland in early September after more than two years on operations abroad, including a high-profile mission supporting humanitarian aid efforts for the people of Gaza. Despite her distinguished service, the ship cannot proceed to the A&P shipyard in Falmouth, where she is due for a Lloyd’s survey and much-needed maintenance. Crew shortages have left the RFA struggling to find enough certified personnel to navigate the ship on what should have been a routine passage.

During her deployment, Cardigan Bay was re-tasked from operations in the Persian Gulf to the eastern Mediterranean in March 2024, where she played a pivotal role in supporting US-led efforts to deliver humanitarian aid to the besieged Gaza Strip. The vessel provided accommodation for over 200 US Army personnel working to build a temporary floating pier, allowing essential supplies to reach the region.

**US Army personnel serving as the force protection team for the Gaza humanitarian aid operation pose for a team photo on board the Cardigan Bay, May 2024 (Photo: US Army)**

Despite technical challenges on board, including unreliable air conditioning and satellite communications, Cardigan Bay‘s crew displayed exceptional resilience in the face of difficult conditions. Captain Mark Colley praised the team for their “professionalism and resolve” as they helped deliver 8,800 tonnes of food aid, a vital lifeline for the people of Gaza. The operation, however, received little attention from international media, overshadowed by other global events.

Now back in the UK, the Cardigan Bay is caught in a personnel crisis that reflects broader issues within the RFA. For years, the organisation has relied on the goodwill of its mariners to keep operations running, but a long-standing dissatisfaction over pay and working conditions has reached a breaking point. This shortage of sailors has not only delayed the Cardigan Bay‘s refit but also threatens the future operational capabilities of other RFA ships, such as RFA Tidespring, which is also stranded in Portland.

“It’s a worrying sign for the future of the RFA,” one insider commented. “In the past, we could have found volunteers for a short passage like this, but morale has hit rock bottom.”

The situation raises concerns about the RFA’s ability to maintain its fleet and fulfil its essential roles. As a key part of the Royal Navy’s auxiliary force, the RFA supports military operations worldwide, providing logistics, mine countermeasures support, and humanitarian assistance. The inability to crew ships risks undermining these critical functions at a time of increasing global instability.

In stark contrast to the Cardigan Bay’s quiet homecoming, HMS Diamond, which had escorted her through the treacherous Bab el Mandeb Strait, was met with fanfare upon returning from its own challenging deployment. The lack of celebration for Cardigan Bay speaks volumes about the struggles now facing the RFA.

The ship’s delayed refit is expected to cause only minor disruptions in the short term, but longer-term concerns loom large. With a dwindling pool of certified sailors, there is growing speculation that some RFA vessels may never return to active service after undergoing maintenance.

As residents of Cardigan and the wider West Wales area take pride in the ship that bears their town’s name, the uncertainty surrounding the future of Cardigan Bay and the RFA as a whole will undoubtedly be of great concern.

Community

Affordable homes plans for fire-ravaged Cleddau Bridge Hotel site

Published

1 day ago

September 17, 2024

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A PRE-APPLICATION consultation on plans to build 35 affordable homes on the site of the former Cleddau Bridge Hotel, Pembroke Dock is to be launched next week.

In a prime location at one of the entrances to Pembroke Dock the former Cleddau Bridge Hotel has been derelict since a fire in March 2019, which brought emergency services from as far afield as Ammanford, Aberystwyth and Swansea.

A previous planning application for the demolition of the hotel and siting of a residential care home and linked bungalows was submitted in October 2022 and which was subsequently granted permission in February 2023.

This permission, whilst in outline, is still live and allows for the loss of the hotel use of the site and its alternative redevelopment as a residential care home.

The site has now been purchased by Castell Group Property Specialists who specialise in delivering affordable housing in South Wales and have undertaken a joint development deal with Pembrokeshire County Council (PCC) and that deal was agreed back in April 2024.

Castell Group Property Specialists, through agent Hayston Developments & Planning Ltd, now wants to demolish what is left of the hotel, with a development of two-storey affordable housing units, with landscaping and ecological enhancements, the housing being 100 per cent affordable, in a mix of a mix of social rent and affordable housing.

Initial discussions with the council were for 38 affordable units, which has been lowered to 35 in a mix of 16 x 1 bed units, 11 x 2-bed units, 6 x 3-bed units and 2 x 4 bed units.

Anyone who wishes to make representations about this proposed development must do so by the October 18, the formal consultation period commencing on September 18.

Details may be viewed here.

Responses should be emailed or posted to Hayston Development & Planning Ltd, Planning Studio, Hayston Bridge, Johnston, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, SA62 3HJ.

A formal application to Pembrokeshire County Council will follow the pre-consultation.

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service has previously said the 2019 fire was started by a deliberate act.
Following a fire investigation, Dyfed-Powys Police said they found there to be insufficient evidence to identify a suspect.

Community

2000 affordable homes target in proposed council planning changes

Published

1 day ago

September 17, 2024

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A FORMAL consultation on changes to Pembrokeshire’s local development plan, with an ambition to create nearly 2,000 affordable homes, is to go ahead.

At an extraordinary council meeting taking place on September 13, councillors approved a public consultation on the Replacement Pembrokeshire County Council Local Development Plan (2017-2033) – LDP 2, Deposit Plan 2.

The consultation will take place later this year and run for a minimum of six weeks.

The Local Development Plan (LDP) sets out the local policy framework for determining planning applications and directing growth in the part of Pembrokeshire for which the county council has planning jurisdiction.

The report and proposal for a consultation was presented – and the recommendation moved – by Cabinet Member for Planning & Regulatory Services Cllr Jacob Williams, who tempted fate and superstition by pointing out that not only was the meeting being held on Friday 13, but the recommendation in the report was on page 13.

The report for members stated: “Pembrokeshire County Council’s current LDP was adopted in 2013 and has an end date of 2021, although it remains in force as the adoption of the plan pre-dated the formal introduction of statutory end dates for LDPs in Wales.

“Nonetheless the current LDP is now more than 11 years old and the need to prepare and adopt a replacement LDP is paramount, in order to make provision for the new growth needed to support communities and businesses up until 2033 and to protect and enhance Pembrokeshire’s environment.”

The new LDP2 includes a 60/40 per cent split between new dwellings proposed in the urban and rural areas, with a target of 5,840 dwellings, 2,000 of them affordable.

There are three strategic residential allocations made by LDP 2: Slade Lane, Haverfordwest; Maesgwynne, Fishguard; and South of Conway Drive, Steynton, intended to provide 622 new dwellings between them.

In town centre developments, protected retail frontages are retained but their extent has generally been reduced, with no residential use at ground floor level in the primary frontages, residential use above ground floor level being supported.

Two solar array allocations are included in the plan, at Llanstadwell and Wolfscastle, and a coastal change policy, which limits development in areas vulnerable to flooding due to sea-level rise.

A new policy on water quality, including protection of water resources, is also included, responding to the river water quality issues in the Cleddau and Teifi catchments.

Council leader Cllr Jon Harvey said there was a need for additional affordable housing, expressing his frustration at some developers “trying to chip away” affordable housing promises in developments.

The consultation is expected to be launched later this autumn.