Milford Haven function centre ourdoor dining area refused
The application was supported by Milford Haven Town Council, but objections had been raised by the council's Head of Infrastructure and Historic Buildings Conservation Officer, along with three letters of objection from the public.
The scheme was indirectly brought before planners after an enforcement investigation was started in July 2021 to look into a breach of conditions of a previously approved scheme for a new external door to provide an external dining area, an officer report saying the development was not being carried out in accordance with the previously approved plans.
That led to a 2023 application as a form of regularisation, broadly similar to the current one, which was refused in late 2024.
An officer report recommending refusal for the current scheme says submitted plans 'are not an accurate illustration of the 'as built development''.
It added: 'This application seeks to regularise the proposal, however, it does not address all the reasons for refusal as set out within [the previously refused] planning application,' going on to say: 'In respect of environmental impacts, the visual impact of the proposed development harms the setting of the Masonic Hall, a Grade-II-listed building. The proposal also fails to preserve or enhance the character and appearance of the Conservation Area.'
Objections from the public, two from the same person, raised concerns including impact on residential amenity, and the conservation area, and not addressing issues raised in the enforcement notice.
The officer report concluded: 'It is considered that the application would not comply with the policies of the Pembrokeshire Local Development Plan. The proposal fails to have special regard to preserving or enhancing the historic environment, therefore does not comply with the duty under The Historic Environment (Wales) Act 2023 and planning permission shall be refused.'
The scheme was refused on grounds including 'a harmful visual impact on the character and appearance of the listed building and this part of the Milford Haven Conservation Area,' the development being of an unacceptable design, and the lack of a Green Infrastructure Statement.
Back in February, a call for the scheme to be decided by councillors rather than planning officers was narrowly turned down, after the committee's chair cast a second vote.
Members voted three in favour of it being decided by committee, and three against; chair Cllr Guy Woodham casting a second vote in the event of a tie, again voting against the call, meaning it was later decided by officers.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
7 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Labour renews 'war on motorists' as it quietly ditches plans to limit new LTNs and 20mph zones
Labour has quietly dropped plans to limit the roll out of Low Traffic Neighbourhoods and 20mph zones in what has been dubbed a 'secret war on drivers'. The reforms, which were drawn up by the Tories, would have curbed locals councils' powers to restrict traffic and impose 'unfair' fines and parking charges. Labour ministers, however, dismissed the proposals, saying they 'would have made no positive difference for drivers'. It comes as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has faced repeated accusations that Labour is launching a 'war on motorists' in England and Wales. Just this week, Labour-run Southwark council was forced to admit it would refund thousands of people after they were unfairly fined for driving in bus lanes. On Saturday, shadow transport secretary Richard Holden branded the decision to scrap the limits on councils' powers over traffic measures a 'secret war on drivers'. The Conservatives also raised fears that increased limits on car use would hit already struggling high streets across the UK. Mr Holden told The Telegraph: 'Labour has been caught red-handed as it steps up its targeted war on motorists. 'Conservatives led the charge against unfair and over-zealous enforcement but our work has been ripped up in underhand attacks without any public consultation or manifesto pledge. 'This is a kick in the teeth to motorists, set to punish beleaguered local high streets and will slam the brakes on the economy even more than Rachel Reeves has done so far.' Back in October 2023, Rishi Sunak announced his party would be introducing a 'Plan for Drivers' to make it harder for local authorities to implement anti-car schemes. The proposals would have forced councils to place more emphasis on the views of local residents and businesses when considering the introduction of LTNs. As a minimum, authorities would have had to hold a series of public meetings, with locals in the affected areas also made aware of the plans through leaflets. However according to the Telegraph's report, ministers have now confirmed that the plans - which were yet to be formalised - have now been shelved. Lilian Greenwood, the roads minister, said the government was considering its 'next steps' and that the work had been 'put on hold'. She added that there are no 'current plans' to change the guidance on the rolling out of 20mph speed limits in England. The minister reiterated that it was up to local authorities to decide where lower speed thresholds would be appropriate in their areas. A Department for Transport spokesman said: 'The Government is absolutely on the side of drivers, focusing on making journeys safer and smoother, and saving motorists money. 'Over the past year alone, we invested an extra £500m to help local authorities resurface roads and fix seven million potholes, reducing congestion and saving drivers up to £600 a year in repairs. 'We've also committed £1bn to repair bridges, flyovers and tunnels, and greenlit over 30 road schemes to improve journeys. 'Meanwhile, we are making our roads safer to drive on and will set out the next steps for the first road safety strategy in over a decade in due course.'
Telegraph
14 hours ago
- Telegraph
Labour drops plans to restrict LTNs in ‘secret war on motorists'
Labour has renewed its ' war on motorists ' by dropping plans to limit new Low Traffic Neighbourhoods and 20mph zones. Ministers have quietly ditched reforms that would have curbed council powers to restrict traffic and levy 'unfair' fines and parking charges. The Conservatives, which drew up the changes, branded the move 'a kick in the teeth to motorists' and warned it would hit struggling high streets. But Labour ministers dismissed the proposals as 'speculative suggestions' and said they 'would have made no positive difference for drivers'. Sir Keir Starmer has been repeatedly accused of pursuing heavy-handed policies against motorists, most notably in London and Wales. In the latest example, Labour-run Southwark council on Sunday was forced to admit it illegally fined thousands of people for driving in bus lanes. Richard Holden, the shadow transport secretary, said scrapping the Tory plans represented a 'secret war on drivers' that was not in Labour's manifesto. 'Labour has been caught red handed as it steps up its targeted war on motorists,' he said. 'Conservatives led the charge against unfair and over-zealous enforcement but our work has been ripped up in underhand attacks without any public consultation or manifesto pledge. 'This is a kick in the teeth to motorists, set to punish beleaguered local high streets and will slam the brakes on the economy even more than Rachel Reeves has done so far.' Rishi Sunak announced a 'Plan for Drivers' in October 2023, which would have made it harder for local councils to introduce anti-car schemes. It included draft guidance on the introduction of LTNs, which would have forced councils to focus more on the views of local residents and businesses. As a 'minimum' authorities would have had to hold a series of public meetings with residents and to leaflet every household in the affected area. The changes were planned over concerns councils have been railroading through LTNs on the back of support by green and pro-cycling groups. Ministers have now confirmed that the draft guidance, which was not formalised in time for last year's general election, has been effectively shelved. Lilian Greenwood, the roads minister, said that as a result, work had been 'put on hold and the Government is now considering appropriate next steps'. 'As has always been the case, local authorities are responsible for managing their roads and are accountable to their communities,' she said. Lord Hendy, a transport minister, also suggested that the Government does not plan to change the current guidance in force on LTNs. 'Traffic management measures such as low traffic neighbourhoods are a matter for local authorities as they know their areas best,' he said. The last Tory government had planned a series of pro-driver reforms, including new guidance to 'prevent inappropriate blanket use of 20mph zones'. The Tories sought to roll out more pro-driver policies in the wake of the Labour administration in Wales controversially enforcing a default 20mph zone across all formerly 30mph areas in 2023. Following a huge outcry the Senedd is now reviewing the policy, with the architect of the scheme admitting 'more common sense' should have been deployed. Ms Greenwood said the Government has 'no current plans' to review the guidance around the setting of 20mph speed limits in England. 'We believe that traffic authorities are best placed to decide where lower limits will be effective on the roads for which they are responsible, and that consultation and community support should be at the heart of the process,' she added. Other planned Tory measures that would have limited the use of '15-minute cities' have also been ditched. Under those measures, Conservative ministers would have revoked council's access to DVLA data, which they use to enforce traffic filters. The 15-minute city concept were designed so residents could access all basic services within a quarter of an hour walk or bike ride from home. It has become controversial with some on the Right who see the car as pivotal to freedom and attempts to curb driving as the spread of state control. 'No positive difference' Mr Sunak also pledged to reduce 'unfair' traffic fines, such as yellow box penalties, including by restricting councils' ability to raise revenue from them. Under the measures new guidance would have been brought forward giving residents the formal right to challenge their council's parking policies. Labour ministers confirmed that all three proposals had been dropped. 'Those policies in 'The Plan for Drivers' that would have made no positive difference for drivers have been discontinued,' Ms Greenwood said. Mr Holden said that Sir Sadiq Khan would be 'licking his lips now he has been given the green light to hammer drivers even more'. The Mayor of London has overseen a rapid expansion of LTNs in the capital and the introduction of blanket 20mph limits across the city. The Department for Transport was approached for comment.
Telegraph
21 hours ago
- Telegraph
‘Plumbers earn more than many graduates': do you think university is still worth it?
With A-level results released on Thursday, students in England, Northern Ireland and Wales will be considering their next step – whether it is pursuing higher education, entering the workforce or taking a gap year. On Monday, Roger Bootle argued in The Telegraph that going to university in Britain is a scam. He wrote: 'For many young people, their life prospects would be brighter if they didn't go to university.' His sentiment sparked a lively debate among readers. In response, we asked whether you believe going to university is worthwhile today. Of more than 15,000 respondents, 72pc said no – citing the devaluation of degrees due to over-subscription, the growing importance of learning a trade and the rising influence of AI. What is your view? Vote in our poll below, and read on for the best of the debate. Apprenticeships are a common alternative to attending university, and an option respondents strongly supported. Reader Christine McIntyre's son went to a grammar school, 'but decided at 14 that he was not going to university as he didn't want student debt and he wasn't interested in studying for a degree which likely would serve no useful purpose'. Instead, he began an apprenticeship to become a cabinet maker – and 12 years later, after acquiring an understanding of specific aspects of the building trade, 'he has progressed to working for a company in London and is involved in negotiating high-end contracts for commercial premises'. Highlighting the financial benefits of apprenticeships, Jim Stewart said: 'Young people who took trades from the late '90s onwards are financially outperforming their peers. Young people need mentors and apprenticeships, not brainwashing and meaningless qualifications.' Meanwhile, Cheshire CG offered a word of warning with the advancement of AI: 'In the new world of artificial intelligence, I'd think very carefully about whether the subject you want to study at university is going to provide the jobs you expect on graduation. Many jobs in professional careers will be reduced significantly as AI takes further hold.' Alongside AI's role in limiting available jobs, university qualifications no longer help job applicants stand out, according to Susan Jones. She said 'higher degrees [are] given out like candy'. Achieving a first in a challenging subject, she said, 'used to invoke awe and respect and not many achieved it'. 'Now everyone who goes seems to get a top-class degree, whether they can string a sentence together or not.' 'University is just a three-year holiday' Hu McG weighed in on student debt: 'For many of these 'graduates', they are not saddled with the debt, the taxpayers are. 'A large percentage of graduates never earn enough to have to pay back the funding they get. For them, university is just a three-year holiday at the taxpayer's expense.' Brenda Harrison said: 'You can go into accountancy after A-levels and work on the job while you qualify. 'There was not a shortage in nursing until the last Labour government decided nurses needed a degree. Again, on-the-job training with opportunities for advancement to specialise is offered along the way,' she explained. 'Plumbers' earning potential is significantly higher than a lot of post-graduate jobs, as well as many other skilled trade work. 'There are a number of degrees not worth the paper they are written on,' she asserted. Andrew Rowe, a former Russell Group lecturer, described how he 'got out 20 years ago when academia became an international 'pile 'em high' business more interested in activism than academic practice'. Despite his feelings, his daughter 'will be going to university as you can be disadvantaged at any point in your career if you didn't participate in the scam', he said. 'She will graduate with costs of £100,000 while her same-aged apprentice tradesman boyfriend will probably have a similar amount in the bank by then.' 'Intangible benefits' However, a minority of readers still championed university. They highlighted the independence it fosters and its role in helping young people shape their identities. Reader Sue Tudor reflected on her experience at Oxford University, where she studied history and theology. She acknowledged that 'the effect on my marketability' was 'zero or less' – however, she said, 'the intangible benefits [were] huge'. 'How many people get to sit in the Bodleian Library reading, in Latin, a medieval book that is not even available in English? It is a rarefied pleasure.' Alongside the potential for pleasure that studying can offer, another reader pointed out that 'living away from home is an important part of university'. 'For probably the first time, the student is responsible for managing virtually all of their life as an adult and prepares them for life away from their own town.' Having worked for the Ministry of Defence and a major US corporate defence contractor for several years after college, reader Billy Rubin soon found his promotion path barred by a lack of a degree. He went to university because he 'had no other choice'. Now working at a university himself, he explained how his graduates 'regularly enter the workplace above the point where I left it, despite having no work experience'. He concluded: 'Unless young people get a trade, university is no longer optional. Raw intelligence, experience and ability is no longer enough. It hasn't been enough for 20 years or more.'
