Business

Safety concerns raised over proposed new Milford Haven Lidl store

Published

1 year ago

October 4, 2024

THE new Lidl supermarket planned for Milford Haven has sparked safety concerns from a neighbouring business owner, as the application for its construction is set to go before Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee next week.

The new store is proposed to be built where the current car park is, with the building coming right next to the road.

Ian Ritchie, owner of the Victoria Filling Station, which sits adjacent to the proposed site on Great North Road, has been raising alarms about the potential dangers posed by the store’s design and access arrangements.

Despite repeated attempts to engage with Lidl’s representatives and the council, Ritchie claims his concerns have been largely ignored, with planners seemingly prioritising retail space over road and pedestrian safety.

“The safety of customers and pedestrians has become secondary for more retail space and 11 more parking spaces,” Ritchie stated. He warns that the current plans for the store, which include demolishing the existing Lidl and adjoining properties, will block his site and create hazardous conditions for both his customers and passing traffic.

The Victoria Filling Station, a business with nearly 100 years of service to the community, sees high traffic volumes, including regular deliveries from large fuel trucks. Ritchie points out that the filling station’s boundary area includes a vapour recovery system and fuel tanks holding over 50,000 litres. He argues that the proposed layout of the new Lidl could impede the safe flow of traffic in and out of his site, potentially resulting in accidents and putting customers at risk.

Ritchie has been advocating for a redesign that would ensure safe access for both his customers and those visiting the new Lidl store. However, he says his attempts to open a dialogue have been fruitless. “Listening to the conversation today, I do not believe our site has been considered in any way,” Ritchie remarked in a recent communication, emphasising the lack of engagement from planners on what he views as serious public safety and environmental concerns.

Lidl’s proposed new store is set to replace its current premises on Great North Road, along with adjoining properties, including the Enterprise Rent-a-Car unit. According to a statement by planning agents CarneySweeney, the new store aims to address the outdated design and operational inefficiencies of the current supermarket while better serving local customer demand. The development promises up to 40 new jobs and will expand the car park to 93 spaces, adding EV charging points and spaces for parents and children.

Despite the potential benefits, Ritchie believes these improvements come at the expense of safety. His concerns include the impact on visibility for vehicles, the increased risk for fuel trucks accessing the filling station, and the overall traffic flow on this busy trunk road. The filling station, which pumps around 4 million litres of fuel annually, plays a crucial role in the community by providing competitively priced fuel.

Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning officer has recommended the application for conditional approval at its 8 October meeting. While the project has gained support from Milford Haven Town Council, two public objections have been lodged, citing concerns over the store’s design, size, and vehicle access arrangements. Following feedback, the applicants have made some changes, such as removing proposed bollards that would have obstructed access to a disabled parking bay. However, Ritchie’s larger concerns about road safety and access remain unresolved.

The officer’s report notes that the site includes several properties that have been unoccupied for some time, as well as a former petrol station with underground storage tanks that are set to be removed. While Lidl’s statement emphasises their commitment to reducing environmental impact during construction, Ritchie worries that his filling station’s safety and operational viability are at stake.

As the planning committee prepares to make its decision, Ritchie continues to call for a balanced approach that prioritises safety for existing businesses and the community. The outcome of this meeting will determine whether his concerns will be addressed or if the development will proceed as planned, potentially setting a precedent for how new retail developments are handled in proximity to established businesses.

Business

First wind turbine components arrive as LNG project moves ahead

Published

2 minutes ago

December 4, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THE FIRST ship carrying major components for Dragon LNG’s new onshore wind turbines docked at Pembroke Port yesterday afternoon, marking the start of physical deliveries for the multi-million-pound renewable energy project.

The Maltese-registered general cargo vessel Peak Bergen berthed at Pembroke Dock shortly after 4pm on Wednesday, bringing tower sections and other heavy components for the three Enercon turbines that will eventually stand on land adjacent to the existing gas terminal at Waterston.

A second vessel, the Irish-flagged Wilson Flex IV, is due to arrive in the early hours of this morning (Thursday) carrying the giant rotor blades.

The deliveries follow a successful trial convoy on 25 November, when police-escorted low-loader trailers carried dummy loads along the planned route from the port through Pembroke, past Waterloo roundabout and up the A477 to the Dragon LNG site.

Dragon LNG’s Community and Social Performance Officer, Lynette Round, confirmed the latest movements in emails to the Herald.

“The Peak Bergen arrived yesterday with the first components,” she said. “We are expecting another delivery tomorrow (Thursday) onboard the Wilson Flex IV. This will be blades and is currently showing an ETA of approximately 03:30.”

The £14.3 million project, approved by Welsh Ministers last year, will see three turbines with a combined capacity of up to 13.5 MW erected on company-owned land next to the LNG terminal. Once operational – expected in late 2026 – they will generate enough electricity to power the entire site, significantly reducing its carbon footprint.

Port of Milford Haven shipping movements showed the Peak Bergen approaching the Haven throughout Wednesday morning before finally tying up at the cargo berth in Pembroke Dock. Cranes began unloading operations yesterday evening.

Weather conditions are currently favourable for this morning’s arrival of the Wilson Flex IV, which was tracking south of the Smalls at midnight.

The abnormal-load convoys carrying the components from the port to Waterston are expected to begin next week, subject to final police and highway approvals.

A community benefit fund linked to the project will provide training opportunities and energy-bill support for residents in nearby Waterston, Llanstadwell and Neyland.

Further updates will be issued by Dragon LNG as the Port of Milford Haven as the delivery programme continues.

Photo: Martin Cavaney

Business

Cardiff Airport announces special Air France flights for Six Nations

Published

4 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Direct services to Paris-Charles de Gaulle launched to cater for Welsh supporters, French fans and couples planning a Valentine’s getaway

CARDIFF AIRPORT and Air France have unveiled a series of special direct flights between Cardiff (CWL) and Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG) scheduled for February 2026.

Timed to coincide with two major dates — the Wales v France Six Nations clash on Saturday 15 February and Valentine’s weekend — the flights are designed to offer supporters and holidaymakers an easy link between the two capitals.

For travelling French rugby fans, the services provide a straightforward route into Wales ahead of match day at the Principality Stadium, when Cardiff will once again be transformed by the colour, noise and passion that accompanies one of the tournament’s most eagerly awaited fixtures.

For Welsh passengers, the additional flights offer a seamless escape to Paris for Valentine’s Day, as well as opportunities for short breaks and onward travel via Air France’s wider global network.

Cardiff Airport CEO Jon Bridge said: “We’re thrilled to offer direct flights to such a vibrant and exciting city for Valentine’s weekend. Cardiff Airport is expanding its reach and giving customers fantastic travel options. We’ve listened to passenger demand and are delighted to make this opportunity possible. There is more to come from Cardiff.”

Tickets are already on sale via the Air France website and through travel agents.

Special flight schedule

Paris (CDG) → Cardiff (CWL):

13 February 2026: AF4148 departs 17:00 (arrives 17:30)
14 February 2026: AF4148 departs 14:00 (arrives 14:30)
15 February 2026: AF4148 departs 08:00 (arrives 08:30)
15 February 2026: AF4150 departs 19:40 (arrives 20:10)
16 February 2026: AF4148 departs 08:00 (arrives 08:30)
16 February 2026: AF4150 departs 16:30 (arrives 17:00)

Cardiff (CWL) → Paris (CDG):

13 February 2026: AF4149 departs 18:20 (arrives 20:50)
14 February 2026: AF4149 departs 15:20 (arrives 17:50)
15 February 2026: AF4149 departs 09:20 (arrives 11:50)
15 February 2026: AF4151 departs 21:00 (arrives 23:30)
16 February 2026: AF4149 departs 09:20 (arrives 11:50)
16 February 2026: AF4151 departs 17:50 (arrives 20:20)

Business

Cwm Deri Vineyard Martletwy holiday lets plans deferred

Published

12 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

CALLS to convert a former vineyard restaurant in rural Pembrokeshire which had been recommended for refusal has been given a breathing space by planners.

In an application recommended for refusal at the December meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee, Barry Cadogan sought permission for a farm diversification and expansion of an existing holiday operation through the conversion of the redundant former Cwm Deri vineyard production base and restaurant to three holiday lets at Oaklea, Martletwy.

It was recommended for refusal on the grounds of the open countryside location being contrary to planning policy and there was no evidence submitted that the application would not increase foul flows and that nutrient neutrality in the Pembrokeshire Marine SAC would be achieved within this catchment.

An officer report said that, while the scheme was suggested as a form of farm diversification, no detail had been provided in the form of a business case.

Speaking at the meeting, agent Andrew Vaughan-Harries of Hayston Developments & Planning Ltd, after the committee had enjoyed a seasonal break for mince pies, said of the recommendation for refusal: “I’m a bit grumpy over this one; the client has done everything right, he has talked with the authority and it’s not in retrospect but has had a negative report from your officers.”

He said the former Cwm Deri vineyard had been a very successful business, with a shop and a restaurant catering for ‘100 covers’ before it closed two three years ago when the original owner relocated to Carmarthenshire.

He said Mr Cadogan then bought the site, farming over 36 acres and running a small campsite of 20 spaces, but didn’t wish to run a café or a wine shop; arguing the “beautiful kitchen” and facilities would easily convert to holiday let use.

He said a “common sense approach” showed a septic tank that could cope with a restaurant of “100 covers” could cope with three holiday lets, describing the nitrates issue as “a red herring”.

He suggested a deferral for further information to be provided by the applicant, adding: “This is a big, missed opportunity if we just kick this out today, there’s a building sitting there not creating any jobs.”

On the ‘open countryside’ argument, he said that while many viewed Martletwy as “a little bit in the sticks” there was already permission for the campsite, and the restaurant, and the Bluestone holiday park and the Wild Lakes water park were roughly a mile or so away.

He said converting the former restaurant would “be an asset to bring it over to tourism,” adding: “We don’t all want to stay in Tenby or the Ty Hotel in Milford Haven.”

While Cllr Nick Neuman felt the nutrients issue could be overcome, Cllr Michael Williams warned the application was “clearly outside policy,” recommending it be refused.

A counter-proposal, by Cllr Tony Wilcox, called for a site visit before any decision was made, the application returning to a future committee; members voting seven to three in favour of that.