Latest news with #Heneb
Pembrokeshire Herald
20-05-2025
- Business
- Pembrokeshire Herald
Castle regeneration project enters exciting new phase
A MULTI-MILLION pound regeneration of Haverfordwest Castle has entered its next major stage, as work continues to transform the historic landmark into a flagship visitor attraction for Pembrokeshire. The ambitious redevelopment is part of a wider £17.7 million UK Government-funded scheme to revitalise Haverfordwest town centre and make better use of its rich heritage assets. Over the past six months, conservation specialists iBEX have carried out meticulous repairs to the ancient walls of the Scheduled Ancient Monument, while archaeological excavations have been undertaken by Heneb – The Trust for Welsh Archaeology. The castle's inner bailey has been newly landscaped to host outdoor events and concerts, and preparatory work has been completed on the old County Gaol building by site contractor Morgan Sindall. The project now moves into its next phase: converting the former gaol into a modern, state-of-the-art visitor experience that will explore both the history and future of Pembrokeshire through immersive exhibits, interactive displays and innovative digital storytelling. Plans also include the refurbishment and relaunch of the Haverfordwest Museum, which will be housed in the Grade II-listed Governor's House, along with free outdoor interpretation trails throughout the castle grounds. A development grant of £368,525 has been awarded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund to support the next design phase. Leading interpretation specialists The Creative Core have been appointed to shape the museum's layout and exhibitions. Local residents will be invited to participate in focus groups, surveys and workshops throughout 2025 to help inform the final designs. Cllr Paul Miller, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Place, the Region and Climate Change, said: 'We are excited to see this ambitious project continue apace. This next stage brings us closer to delivering a high-quality heritage attraction that will boost not only the town's economy but the entire county.' Local member Cllr Thomas Tudor added: 'It's fantastic to see real progress. Our town's castle is a source of pride, and we want to make it a must-visit destination for locals and tourists alike.' Pembrokeshire County Council is working in partnership with the Haverfordwest Castle Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), which will run the attraction once complete. The CIO, which evolved from the project's stakeholder group, is also seeking further funding support with the help of professional fundraisers. The redevelopment has been nearly a decade in the making, and is expected to deliver a year-round cultural attraction for Pembrokeshire—welcoming local people, schools and tourists, while acting as a gateway to explore the wider region.
Wales Online
20-05-2025
- General
- Wales Online
Upgrade of Caernarfon's Oval football pitch backed by planners
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A Gwynedd football club's pitch improvements have been backed by planners. Cyngor Gwynedd unanimously approved a full application with conditions for the upgrading and reconstruction of Caernarfon's Oval stadium pitch on Monday, May 19. The facelift would involve levelling and replanting the original pitch with layers of different materials including sand and gravel "to ensure adequate drainage". It would also include manhole drainage pipes as well as a retaining wall and fence of lightweight railings being installed around the pitch. But conditions on granting permission for the upgrade at Clwb Peldroed Tref - Caernarfon Town FC - included recommendations for a geophysical survey of the site, which had been requested by the archaeology organisation, Heneb. It had noted in its observation that "evaluation by trial trenching or test pitting may be necessary". The football club is located in a town surrounded by historical features and close to the Roman Bath House and Segontium Roman site. The aim of the upgrade is to "redevelop" the existing natural grass pitch and construct a new natural turf football pitch with a reduced slope. The proposal had described the current playing surface as having "poor drainage," which "impacts the performance characteristics of the surface". The meeting heard that Welsh Water had also noted that the site was crossed by a public sewer but discussions were underway to resolve the situation. No objections had been received by the public to the plans and it was not considered that the proposal, including the fence on the retaining wall, would create an "alien feature" for the local area. The meeting was also told by planning officers that the development would not cause "any significant harm to the visual amenities of the local area or its residents." Local member, Cllr Gareth Coj Parry, said he was strongly in favour of the scheme. Proposing supporting the recommendation with conditions, Cllr Cai Larsen agreed saying it was a "positive development" for the town. The councillors voted 12 in favour to agree to delegate the right to the Senior Planning Manager. This was to approve the application, subject to the conditions and to receive additional forthcoming information to address the observations made by Heneb and Welsh Water. Cllr Elin Hywel, who represents Pwllheli, added "I am in support of increasing the standard of sports clubs across Gwynedd, they play an important part for our young people, and bring us together in ways we can't in other areas." She joked "As you know, Pwllheli has the best team in the world, but we need to support Caernarfon as well!" The application had been received from Darren Billinghurst through the agent Louise O'Rourke of Sports Labs Limited. The Canaries play in the highest league in the Welsh footballing pyramid and sit in the top end of the JD Cymru Premier table. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox
North Wales Live
20-05-2025
- Sport
- North Wales Live
Upgrade of Caernarfon's Oval football pitch backed by planners
A Gwynedd football club's pitch improvements have been backed by planners. Cyngor Gwynedd unanimously approved a full application with conditions for the upgrading and reconstruction of Caernarfon's Oval stadium pitch on Monday, May 19. The facelift would involve levelling and replanting the original pitch with layers of different materials including sand and gravel "to ensure adequate drainage". It would also include manhole drainage pipes as well as a retaining wall and fence of lightweight railings being installed around the pitch. But conditions on granting permission for the upgrade at Clwb Peldroed Tref - Caernarfon Town FC - included recommendations for a geophysical survey of the site, which had been requested by the archaeology organisation, Heneb. It had noted in its observation that "evaluation by trial trenching or test pitting may be necessary". The football club is located in a town surrounded by historical features and close to the Roman Bath House and Segontium Roman site. The aim of the upgrade is to "redevelop" the existing natural grass pitch and construct a new natural turf football pitch with a reduced slope. The proposal had described the current playing surface as having "poor drainage," which "impacts the performance characteristics of the surface". The meeting heard that Welsh Water had also noted that the site was crossed by a public sewer but discussions were underway to resolve the situation. No objections had been received by the public to the plans and it was not considered that the proposal, including the fence on the retaining wall, would create an "alien feature" for the local area. The meeting was also told by planning officers that the development would not cause "any significant harm to the visual amenities of the local area or its residents." Local member, Cllr Gareth Coj Parry, said he was strongly in favour of the scheme. Proposing supporting the recommendation with conditions, Cllr Cai Larsen agreed saying it was a "positive development" for the town. The councillors voted 12 in favour to agree to delegate the right to the Senior Planning Manager. This was to approve the application, subject to the conditions and to receive additional forthcoming information to address the observations made by Heneb and Welsh Water. Cllr Elin Hywel, who represents Pwllheli, added "I am in support of increasing the standard of sports clubs across Gwynedd, they play an important part for our young people, and bring us together in ways we can't in other areas." She joked "As you know, Pwllheli has the best team in the world, but we need to support Caernarfon as well!" The application had been received from Darren Billinghurst through the agent Louise O'Rourke of Sports Labs Limited. The Canaries play in the highest league in the Welsh footballing pyramid and sit in the top end of the JD Cymru Premier table.
Pembrokeshire Herald
21-04-2025
- General
- Pembrokeshire Herald
Fishguard natural burial site plans refused by planners
A CALL to extend a Pembrokeshire cemetery to provide a space for eco-friendly natural burials has been refused by county planners. A natural burial is an eco-friendly alternative to traditional burial, burying a body in the ground without a coffin or headstone. In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, the Trustees of Tabernacle Chapel sought permission for a change of use of agricultural land to extend the existing Tabernacle Cemetery, Fishguard to include a natural burial site. A supporting statement, through agent Gethin Beynon, said the land has been in the cemetery ownership since 1945, adding: 'Based on the development forming a similar use to the adjacent cemetery and being in the same ownership as the Trustees of Tabernacle Chapel, the proposal would be classed as an extension to an existing community facility. 'As the development is not proposing any engineering or physical features with the natural habitat being retained, it is considered the change of use of the land would be in keeping in an area where other cemeteries exist to the north, east and west of the application site.' It added: 'With regard to the operation of the burial ground, when a burial takes place, a plot is allocated, and the turf cut and set aside. The topsoil and subsoil are then heaped alongside the grave. The graves would be dug to the appropriate depth to earth over the coffin to protect it whilst allowing the body to recycle in the active/living layer of the soil. 'After a burial, soil is returned in compacted layers around and on top of the coffin, with topsoil and turf on top. Grave locations are plotted and recorded on plan. It is intended that such administration and management duties of the site would be undertaken by the applicants. 'Due to the development not resulting in marked graves and there being no maintenance requirements from mourners, visits and any associated vehicle movements would be of a low intensity and infrequent.' The application was supported by Fishguard and Goodwick Town Council, subject to satisfactory outcomes of an archaeological survey in relation to nearby Castell Mwrtach, an Iron Age defended enclosure and possible associated earthworks, along with discussions with the south Wales Trunk Road Agency. An officer report, recommending refusal, said Natural Resources Wales (NRW) had raised concerns 'that cemeteries have the potential to cause pollution to controlled waters, with the level of risk dependent on many factors and to fully assess potential impact of each site an initial Tier 1 assessment which shall define potential pathways and receptors in proximity of the site,' adding: 'No such risk assessment has been submitted in support of this application resulting in a development that does not adequately confirm the level of risk to controlled waters the development poses.' Archaeological advisors Heneb has said a geophysics survey of the site is needed to determine any effect on adjacent to Castell Mwrtach. 'As a geophysics survey has not been submitted in support of the application, it cannot be demonstrated that the development would have an acceptable impact on the historic environment in conflict [with policy].' The scheme was refused by planning officers on the grounds of the concerns raised.
