Bruce Sinclair
Verified- Local Democracy Reporter for Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire, Newsquest
- Local Democracy Reporter for Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire, Western Telegraph
- Local Democracy Reporter for Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire, South Wales Guardian
- Content Editor, Milford & West Wales Mercury
Newquay
Reporter with the Western Telegraph 01437 761 754
bruce.sinclair@westerntelegraph.co.uk
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Articles by Bruce Sinclair
Historic Welsh mansion could be transformed into apartments
A proposal to transform a former Ceredigion mansion into flats is set to be approved by officers provided the applicants can demonstrate they cannot afford to make a policy contribution towards affordable housing in the area.
Wilko Lease Agreement
Pembrokeshire Council chiefs have backed a lease for a “major high street retailer” to come to the vacant former Wilko’s store at Haverfordwest’s Riverside, but we may not know who it is before the end of the month. A special extraordinary meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet was held on Friday, October 16, with one item on the agenda: the redevelopment and a lease proposal for “a major high street retailer” to occupy the former Wilko’s site at Unit 1/2-6 Old Bridge, Haverfordwest.
School Changes Dropped
A plan to strip a north Pembrokeshire faith primary school of its religious status has been dropped. In May, Pembrokeshire County Council voted to remove the Voluntary Controlled (VC) status from Welsh-medium Ysgol Cilgerran, despite 97 per cent of consultation responses opposing the change, which the church called ‘entirely unnecessary’. The consultation received 203 responses, with 197 opposing the proposal and just three supporting it.
Big change at Pembrokeshire recycling centres will go ahead after failed challenge
A call to overturn a Cabinet-backed decision to scrap Pembrokeshire's waste and recycling centre booking system and have it instead decided by all councillors has failed. At its October 5 meeting, Pembrokeshire County Council's cabinet backed plans to scrap bookings at all six waste and recycling centres and introduce automatic numberplate recognition and resident vehicle registration.
Second Homes Tax Battle
Pembrokeshire County Council Councillors have rejected two calls to cut Pembrokeshire’s council tax premium for second-home owners. Those in such properties will continue to pay a 125 per cent premium in the next financial year. At its October 5 meeting, Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet backed keeping the current 125 per cent premium on second homes, which took the form of a recommendation to full council meeting on October 15.
Smaller Wellness Facility Approved After Previous Refusal
pembrokeshire county council A scheme for a wellness retreat in north Pembrokeshire previously turned down by county planners has now been given the go-ahead in a smaller scale form. In an application refused by Pembrokeshire County Council in July, Gayle Mcfarlane sought permission for the conversion and redevelopment of existing agricultural buildings and associated land at Trewallter Llwyd, Mathry to create a small-scale rural wellness retreat.
Tro pedol ar gynllun i ddileu statws crefyddol ysgol gynradd Gymraeg
Mae cynllun i ddileu statws crefyddol ysgol gynradd Gymraeg yn Sir Benfro wedi cael ei roi o’r neilltu. Ym mis Mai, pleidleisiodd Cyngor Sir Penfro i ddileu statws “ysgol wirfoddol a reolir” Ysgol Cilgerran, er bod 97% o ymatebion i ymgynghoriad yn gwrthwynebu’r newid oedd yn cael ei alw’n “hollol ddiangen” gan yr Eglwys yng Nghymru. Daeth 203 o ymatebion i’r ymgynghoriad, gyda 197 yn gwrthwynebu’r cynnig a dim ond tri o’i blaid.
Huge change to dog rules on Pembrokeshire beaches considered
Senior councillors will consider a call to modernise Pembrokeshire's seasonal dog restrictions, including replacing some outright bans with time limits. A motion put to Pembrokeshire County Council on October 15 called for the county's beach dog restrictions to be modernised. From May 1 to September 30, dogs are completely banned from Tenby's North Beach and Whitesands in St Davids.
Historic Welsh mansion could be transformed into apartments
A proposal to transform a former Ceredigion mansion into flats is set to be approved by officers provided the applicants can demonstrate they cannot afford to make a policy contribution towards affordable housing in the area.
Petition Call To Council To Deal With Discarded Hypodermic Needles In Estate
A call for Pembrokeshire’s council to address “the persistent problem of discarded hypodermic needles” in a Pembrokeshire estate has been lodged on its own online petitions portal. Lee Dennis Herring, a Pembroke town councillor, is calling on the county council to “tackle the persistent problem of discarded hypodermic needles in Monkton.” The e-petition, which runs up until December 9 has attracted 12 signatures to date.
Discarded hypodermic needles including near play area 'persistent problem' on estate
A call for Pembrokeshire's council to address "the persistent problem of discarded hypodermic needles" in a Pembrokeshire estate has been lodged on its own online petitions portal. Lee Dennis Herring, a Pembroke town councillor, is calling on the county council to "tackle the persistent problem of discarded hypodermic needles in Monkton." The e-petition, which runs up until December 9, has attracted 12 signatures to date.
Smaller Wellness Facility Approved After Previous Refusal
A scheme for a wellness retreat in north Pembrokeshire previously turned down by county planners has now been given the go-ahead in a smaller scale form. In an application refused by Pembrokeshire County Council in July, Gayle Mcfarlane sought permission for the conversion and redevelopment of existing agricultural buildings and associated land at Trewallter Llwyd, Mathry to create a small-scale rural wellness retreat.
Potential Lease Of Vacant Wilko Haverfordwest Site To Major Retailer.
Pembrokeshire Council chiefs are expected to approve a lease for a “major high street retailer” at the vacant former Wilko’s store in Haverfordwest’s Riverside. The special extraordinary meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet is to be held on Friday, October 16. There’s one item on the agenda for that meeting, the redevelopment and a lease proposal for “a major high street retailer” to occupy the former Wilko’s site at Unit 1/2-6 Old Bridge, Haverfordwest.
Changes to dog restrictions on Pembrokeshire beaches to be considered
Councillors are preparing to consider a proposal to update Pembrokeshire's seasonal dog restrictions, which could see some complete bans replaced with time-based limitations. A notice of motion at Pembrokeshire council's October meeting will propose modernising the county's beach dog restrictions. Between May 1 and September 30, dogs are entirely prohibited from Tenby's North Beach and Whitesands in St Davids.
'Major retailer' moving into old Wilko store in Haverfordwest amid Primark rumours
Council leaders are set to give the green light for a "major high street retailer" to move into a town centre unit vacated by Wilko. Pembrokeshire council is set to approve a major lease for the empty store at Haverfordwest's Riverside shopping area.
Cilgerran School Hopes
A plan to strip a north Pembrokeshire faith primary school of its religious status could be dropped. In May, Pembrokeshire County Council voted to remove the Voluntary Controlled (VC) status from Welsh-medium Ysgol Cilgerran, despite 97 per cent of consultation responses opposing the change, which the church called ‘entirely unnecessary’.
Tenby Flooding Call
pembrokeshire county council A Pembrokeshire councillor’s call for a long-term fix to flooding on a road at Tenby’s entrance will be considered by the county council in October. Gumfreston, near Tenby, is regularly flooded, while councillors have heard its warning system often fails when it is wet. St Florence and St Mary Out Liberty councillor Rhys Jordan has repeatedly raised the issue at full council meetings.
Dogs On Beaches | West Wales Chronicle : News for Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion, Swansea and Beyond
Pembrokeshire County Council Councillors are set to hear a call to modernise Pembrokeshire’s seasonal dog restrictions, including replacing some outright bans with time limits. A notice of motion at Pembrokeshire County Council’s October meeting will call for the county’s beach dog restrictions to be modernised. From May 1 to September 30, dogs are completely banned from Tenby’s North Beach and Whitesands in St Davids.
Gypsy Traveller Refusal?
pembrokeshire county council Twice-refused contentious plans for a new ‘traveller site’ on the outskirts of a Pembrokeshire seaside village are being recommended to be turned down for a third time.
County's 'most closed road' where flood warning signs 'don’t like operating in wet'
A Pembrokeshire councillor's call for a long-term fix to flooding on a road at Tenby's entrance will be considered by the county council in October. Gumfreston, near Tenby, is regularly flooded, while councillors have heard its warning system often fails when it is wet. St Florence and St Mary Out Liberty councillor Rhys Jordan has repeatedly raised the issue at full council meetings.
Controversial change at Pembrokeshire school set to be dropped after legal threat
A plan to strip a north Pembrokeshire faith primary school of its religious status could be dropped. In May, Pembrokeshire County Council voted to remove the Voluntary Controlled (VC) status from Welsh-medium Ysgol Cilgerran, despite 97 per cent of consultation responses opposing the change, which the church called 'entirely unnecessary'.
New facility agreed at Pembrokeshire waste and recycling centre and more will follow
County planners have approved a scheme allowing the public to buy furniture, household goods and tools recovered from a Pembrokeshire waste recycling centre. Pembrokeshire County Council applied to build a unit selling recovered items for reuse at its Waterloo Industrial Estate waste recycling centre in Eastern Avenue, Waterloo, Pembroke Dock. The scheme is part of the council's wider, grant-funded Reuse Project, supported by the Welsh Government.
More Affordable Housing For Saundersfoot
Pembrokeshire councillors have backed plans to buy seven more ‘council houses’ at a seaside village site where the authority bought 21 last year. At its October 5 meeting, Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet was asked to buy seven new-build homes — two and three-bedroom houses — under construction at Persimmon Homes Ltd’s Ger Y Mor site in Saundersfoot.
Waste Centres Booking
pembrokeshire county council Senior councillors have backed plans to scrap Pembrokeshire’s waste and recycling centre booking system and replace it with numberplate recognition. At its October 5 meeting, Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet backed plans to remove bookings from all six waste and recycling centres and introduce automatic numberplate recognition and resident vehicle registration.
Asset Transfer Of Town Hall From County To Town Council Backed
A call for a Pembrokeshire town hall, which has an exhibition on the last ever invasion of the UK mainland, to be the property of its town council rather than the county has been given the thumbs-up. At the October 5 meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet, members were asked to declare Fishguard Town Hall surplus to council requirements, approving the freehold transfer to Fishguard and Goodwick Town Council.
Glamping Site Approved But Dwr Cymru Works May Hold Up Scheme
Council planners have approved a north Pembrokeshire glamping venture, which includes geodesic domes and yurts, but it may not be able to be occupied until Welsh Water works are completed. Zoe Delaney, through agent JMS Planning & Development Ltd, sought permission to turn land north of Cwm Plysgog, Cilgerran, into a tourism site.
Award-winning sauna business plans beachfront attraction
Fresh plans have been submitted for a seaside home for an award-winning Pembrokeshire outdoor sauna after the national park rejected its previous permanent site. In June 2024, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park's development management committee granted permission for the mobile, wood-fired sauna to overlook Saundersfoot harbour for two years. Kerry Evans of Hwyl Outdoor Sauna later applied to keep the sauna there permanently, but the committee rejected the plan on officers' advice in July.
More Affordable Housing Purchases By Council In Saundersfoot
Pembrokeshire councillors have backed plans to buy seven more ‘council houses’ at a seaside village site where the authority bought 21 last year. At its October 5 meeting, Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet was asked to buy seven new-build homes — two and three-bedroom houses — under construction at Persimmon Homes Ltd’s Ger Y Mor site in Saundersfoot.
Scheme To Replace Waste Centre’s Booking System With Number Plate
Pembrokeshire County Council Senior councillors have backed plans to scrap Pembrokeshire’s waste and recycling centre booking system and replace it with numberplate recognition. At its October 5 meeting, Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet backed plans to remove bookings from all six waste and recycling centres and introduce automatic numberplate recognition and resident vehicle registration.
Little Kings Approval
County planners have approved a south Pembrokeshire caravan site’s bid to keep its seasonal pitches. In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, Mr and Mrs Page, through agent Ian Bartlett Planning and Architectural Services, sought a certificate of lawfulness approval for the existing use of seasonal holiday tent pitches on land at Little Kings Park Leisure Caravan Site, Amroth Road, Ludchurch.
Council Buys Councillor’s Property
A call for Pembrokeshire Council to buy a home owned by a member of its Cabinet for £80,000 has been given the go-ahead. At its October 5 meeting, Pembrokeshire Council’s Cabinet backed the purchase of a three-bedroom maisonette at 22 Waterloo Square, Hakin, Milford Haven, from Pembroke-based cabinet member Aaron Carey. The council owns the freehold of the three-bedroom property, which was independently valued at £85,000.
Parents And Carers Of Children In Reception-Year 11 Urged To Complete Flu Vaccine Consent Form
s960 pregnant woman getting vaccinated min Hywel Dda University Health Board is urging parents and carers to complete their child’s online flu vaccine consent form ahead of school vaccination sessions taking place this autumn term. The School Nursing Service will visit primary and secondary schools across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, and Pembrokeshire to deliver the nasal flu spray vaccine to children in reception to year 11.
Certificate Of Lawfulness Application For Garden Chalet Used As Airbnb For Years
A call to allow an outdoor lodge at a Pembrokeshire seaside village, which has been operating as an Airbnb without planning permission for years, to continue to do so has been submitted to the national park. Through agent RPC Design & Architecture Ltd, Luke and Debra Smith have applied to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park for a certificate of lawfulness to keep using an outbuilding at Hendre, St Brides Hill, Saundersfoot, as a short-term holiday let.
Public Spaces Protection Order
pembrokeshire county council A special order tackling anti-social behaviour in Haverfordwest town centre could be scrapped after councillors heard it was not considered “to be fit for purpose in its current form”. At an October meeting, a Pembrokeshire County Council scrutiny committee was asked whether Haverfordwest’s Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) should remain, with officers recommending it should not. Full council will make the final decision.
Major changes to recycling coming to Pembrokeshire with tip bookings to be scrapped
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Fishguard Town Hall set to have new owners
A call for a Pembrokeshire town hall, which has an exhibition to the last-ever invasion of the UK mainland, to be the property of its town council rather than the county has been given the thumbs-up. At the October 5 meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council's Cabinet, members were asked to declare Fishguard Town Hall surplus to council requirements, approving the freehold transfer to Fishguard and Goodwick Town Council.
Major changes to recycling coming to Pembrokeshire with tip bookings to be scrapped
Senior councillors have given their backing to proposals to abolish Pembrokeshire's waste and recycling centre booking system, replacing it with automatic numberplate recognition technology. At its meeting on October 5, Pembrokeshire County Council's Cabinet approved plans to eliminate pre-booking requirements across all six waste and recycling centres, introducing automatic numberplate recognition alongside resident vehicle registration instead.
Major change agreed for Pembrokeshire waste and recycling centres
Senior councillors have backed plans to scrap Pembrokeshire's waste and recycling centre booking system and replace it with numberplate recognition. At its October 5 meeting, Pembrokeshire County Council's Cabinet backed plans to remove bookings from all six waste and recycling centres and introduce automatic numberplate recognition and resident vehicle registration.
Response To Tenby Cliff Sign Controversy
Plans for a sign at a Pembrokeshire seaside hotel have been approved, but a since removed separate cliff-face advert by another nearby hotel angered the local conservation society. Martin Phillips, of Clarence Hotel (Tenby) Ltd, sought planning approval for the installation of a sun protection board/advertisement panel in the clifftop garden area opposite the Grade-II-listed hotel on the town’s Esplanade.
Plans to expand Pembrokeshire engineering firm has been approved.
pembrokeshire county council Plans to expand a Pembrokeshire engineering firm and demolish a workshop for “health and safety reasons” have been approved. Rhyal Engineering Ltd, represented by Carl Bentley Architectural Services, applied to demolish a workshop-storage building and build a fabrication workshop behind Unit 8 at Thornton Industrial Estate, Milford Haven.
Haverfordwest behaviour order could be scrapped despite reports of 'gangs of feral children'
A special order addressing antisocial behaviour in Haverfordwest town centre could be abolished after councillors were told it was not deemed "to be fit for purpose in its current form". During an October meeting a Pembrokeshire County Council scrutiny committee was consulted on whether Haverfordwest's public spaces protection order (PSPO) should continue, with officials recommending its removal. The final decision will rest with full council.
Locals angered by cliff-face advert in a Pembrokeshire town
Plans for a sign at a Pembrokeshire seaside hotel have been approved, but a separate cliff-face advert has angered the local conservation society. Martin Phillips, of Clarence Hotel (Tenby) Ltd, sought planning approval for the installation of a sun protection board/advertisement panel in the clifftop garden area opposite the Grade-II-listed hotel on the town’s Esplanade.
Housing Scheme For St Florence Approved
A call to build homes in a Pembrokeshire village’s conservation area has been approved after a previous proposal, which it was feared would lead to “an urbanised street-scene” was withdrawn. Urban Style Homes Ltd applied to county planners through agent Philippa Cole Planning Consultant to build five homes on land fronting Bumblers Field, High Street, St Florence.
Plans For A Border Force store for contraband have been approved.
Plans to turn part of a listed Georgian dockyard building in Pembrokeshire into a Border Force store for seized contraband and firearms have been approved. Simon Schutte, of Mitie, through agent RLB, sought permission from Pembrokeshire County Council for the recommission of a WC and uniform storage room into a secure storeroom at the Grade-II*-listed Custom House, Pembroke Dock dockyard.
New Town Clerk For Tenby
Tenby Town Council has appointed a new town clerk after its previous clerk retired earlier this year following more than two decades in the role. Sam Dickins, a Bangor University graduate, is returning to Wales after serving as deputy town clerk at Wareham Town Council in Dorset. The town clerk provides professional advice and administrative leadership, helping the council run effectively and deliver for Tenby residents.
5g Mast At Tenby A No-Go
pembrokeshire county council A bid for a new 4G/5G mast in Tenby has been turned down, but the applicants can still submit a full planning application. Mobile Broadband Network Limited, based in Reading and represented by Dot Surveying Limited, sought approval from Pembrokeshire Coast National Park for a 4G/5G base station on a verge off The Salterns, Tenby.
Seaside village Airbnb operating for years with no permission
A call to allow an outdoor lodge at a Pembrokeshire seaside village, which has been operating as an Airbnb without planning permission for years, to continue to do so has been submitted to the national park. Through agent RPC Design & Architecture Ltd, Luke and Debra Smith have applied to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park for a certificate of lawfulness to keep using an outbuilding at Hendre, St Brides Hill, Saundersfoot, as a short-term holiday let.
Folly Farm Holiday Lets
Plans for three new holiday lets at popular Pembrokeshire attraction Folly Farm have been submitted to county planners. Folly Farm managing director Chris Ebsworth, through agent A D Architectural Design Consultants Ltd, is seeking Pembrokeshire County Council permission to demolish nearby house Highcroft and replace it with three holiday lets. Folly Farm Holiday Park is part of the well-known Folly Farm Adventure Park and Zoo on the outskirts of Begelly.
Criticism over 'unacceptable' sign on cliff face at Tenby beach
A conservation society has slammed a sign plastered over a cliff face at a popular Welsh beach as "unacceptable". Tenby Civic Society has raised concerns about the signage during a planning meeting which discussed advertising along the seafront at Tenby's South Beach. The sign - around a few metres in length and which reads "The Galley Restaurant" - advertises the restaurant which is in the Belgrave Hotel on the Esplanade.
Housing Scheme For St Florence Approved
A call to build homes in a Pembrokeshire village’s conservation area has been approved after a previous proposal, which it was feared would lead to “an urbanised street-scene” was withdrawn. Urban Style Homes Ltd applied to county planners through agent Philippa Cole Planning Consultant to build five homes on land fronting Bumblers Field, High Street, St Florence.
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