Latest news with #PembrokeshireCouncil
BBC News
16-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Pembrokeshire 'haemorrhaging' young people amid pupil decline
A county's young people are "haemorrhaging away" from the area amid concerns about dwindling rural populations, a former council leader has warned. Pembrokeshire's schools have seen pupil numbers fall by more than 2,000 since 1996 and the council is planning to consult on closing two others. Councillor John Davies said the trend was "unsustainable", with schools getting emptier but doctors' surgeries getting more crowded. The Welsh government said it recognised the challenge of demographic change and was continuing to monitor trends. Davies is part of a working group looking at the future of Pembrokeshire's schools. Council figures show the number of primary school pupils in the Preseli area had fallen by 19% between 2015 and 2024 and 6.6% in Tenby over the same said: "For the first time in 30 years we're spending more on social care than we are on education. The demographics are becoming an unsustainable challenge."Davies said investment in rural areas needed to happen "sooner rather than later" and could be a "catalyst for economic renewal". "We're seeing investment in town regeneration and cities, and we've seen investment in rail infrastructure in south-east wales. "But there's never a mention of what's happening in investment terms in rural north Pembrokeshire or not even in west Wales."He warned rural areas could face decline similar to that experienced by industrial communities in south Wales in the 1980s. Pembrokeshire council is consulting on closing Ysgol Clydau in Tegryn and Manorbier VC School in Tenby. Caroline Farnden's two children are among 34 pupils at the Ysgol Clydau, and she said she lived in fear at its possible closure. "You'll lose the community feel because it's taking everything out of the community," she said."What else are they going to do? Are they going to close the hall as well? The pub? There'll be nothing for people in the village."Fellow parent Steven Chambers said the closure would only accelerate the trend of an ageing population, discouraging younger families from moving in. Welsh government projections show the number of pupils could drop by almost 50,000 across the country by 2040. In Pembrokeshire, numbers have fallen 12% since 1996 and a further 11.7% fall in the population aged 15 and under is predicted over the next 10 to 15 years. Carmarthenshire council confirmed it had 17 schools with fewer than 50 pupils. Laura Doel of the school leaders' union NAHT said: "When birth rates fall and families move in search of employment opportunities, this inevitably has an impact upon school rolls. "With funding allocated on a per pupil basis, this further reduces school budgets which are already under severe pressure after years of under-investment." Amanda Hill-Dixon, of the Wales Centre for Public Policy, said the age profile of rural areas was "really changing". "So what we have in rural Wales is younger people, and families and children moving out of rural Wales to cities in Wales or outside of Wales altogether," she said. "And then there's in migration of older people to Wales, and especially to rural Wales."She said there were a "range of implications" for public services, culture and language, with more spending needed on health and social care, leaving less for children's services and schools. "We can get into a doom loop where, because there's fewer services for children and families and young people, children and families don't want to stay in that area, and children and families don't want to move to that area." She said a population taskforce, like one taken up by the Scottish government in 2019, may be needed in monitoring the trends of demographic changes, the Welsh government said local authorities had to comply with the School Organisation Code when proposing "significant changes to schools", which includes a presumption against the closure of rural schools.
Wales Online
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Wales Online
Plans for new road which will bypass flood hit village could cost up to £60m
Plans for new road which will bypass flood hit village could cost up to £60m Pembrokeshire proposals for a road realignment scheme at Newgale, and a far cheaper alternative scheme, are to come under the spotlight at a full council meeting next week Severe flooding at Newgale, Pembrokeshire, in 2014 (Image: Local Democracy Reporting Service ) Proposals for a road realignment scheme in Pembrokeshire are set to be scrutinised at the full council meeting next week. Newgale suffered severe flooding after storms in early 2014 and later during Storm Dennis in 2020. The then Prime Minister David Cameron even visited the area in 2014 following the storms. A public consultation, conducted by agent AtkinsRéalis, was initiated earlier this year. This was in anticipation of a formal application from Pembrokeshire Council to the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park for Phase 1 of the Newgale Coastal Adaptation Project. The project involves developing a new inland road section with a bridge over Brandy Brook, approximately 2.3km inland. This would replace the coastal section of the A487 at Newgale that is due to be closed and removed, among other works. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here . There have been varied estimates regarding the cost of this scheme, ranging from £20m upwards, with some speculating it could reach as high as £60m. Millions have already been spent on consultation fees. An alternative proposal has been put forward by STUN - Stand Up for Newgale, who have previously claimed that the public has been misled about the necessity for the new Newgale bypass. STUN's much more affordable alternative suggests realigning a section of the shingle bank at Newgale 10-12 metres seaward. This would create an over-wash barrier between it and the A487 to catch any pebbles and sea water. Article continues below The proposed new road route for Newgale (Image: Local Democracy Reporting Service ) At the upcoming Pembrokeshire Council meeting on July 17, Gareth Chapman, chair of Solva Community Council, will present a pressing query: "The topic of the road diversion at Newgale has been in the news quite a lot recently and it has become apparent that there has been an alternative scheme proposed by the Newgale Community group STUN." In his question, Mr. Chapman is set to highlight a cheaper and longer-lasting alternative to the council's current plans: "This proposal has been demonstrated to Solva Community Council and appears to be an under £1m proposal with up to 85 years lifespan compared to the conservative £40m-plus estimate for the PCC proposal." The enquiry will indicate the community's opposition to drastic changes, noting: "hardly anyone wants this major change in Newgale," and pointing out flaws in the County Council's project: "PCC's proposal is to counter for road closures that rarely happen and, even then, require little expense to restore the pebble bank. "It should also be remembered that on several occasions, flooding at Newgale occurs because the river outlet is blocked preventing water from the valley escaping and not as a result of a high tide or storm." A visualisation of flooding changes to Newgale over time (Image: Local Democracy Reporting Service ) It will also stress the importance of conserving Newgale's distinctive character and scenery for future generations, emphasising: "It is acknowledged that climate change and coastal issues at Newgale may eventually in many years force a change in the highway arrangements at Newgale but it is felt that all efforts should be made to retain the character of the village and iconic views for as long as possible. "Given the significant amount of public funds that are set to be allocated, which could arguably be better utilised on other more urgent matters, would Pembrokeshire Council commit to thoroughly scrutinising the alternative proposal as suggested by the Welsh Government's Transport Appraisal Guidance, and also fully consider the strong public sentiment regarding the future of Newgale? "Secondly, if Pembrokeshire Council have already given this alternative scheme thorough consideration, will they also pledge to provide their written feedback on the alternative scheme to Solva Community Council within 14 days of this meeting?". Article continues below The question will receive a response during the meeting.
Wales Online
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Wales Online
Fight to save 'happy and caring' Welsh primary school facing closure
Fight to save 'happy and caring' Welsh primary school facing closure 'Ysgol Clydau is more than just a school; it's a hub for community life, offering a safe and welcoming space for children, families and residents of all ages.' Ysgol Clydau in Pembrokeshire (Image: Local Democracy Reporting Service ) An urgent plea has been submitted to a Welsh council to prevent the closure of a local school which could be faxing the axe. Ysgol Clydau, located in the village of Tegryn between Newcastle Emlyn and Llandysul, is threatened with closure as part of the proposals by Pembrokeshire Council's School Modernisation Working Group. A full council meeting in May highlighted a significant 34 per cent dip in student numbers at the school from 2015 to 2025, with future projections showing little hope for a turnaround in the next half-decade. Despite the fall in numbers, Ysgol Clydau was lauded for creating a 'happy, caring and welcoming community', according to its latest Estyn report. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here . Nevertheless, a recommendation from the working group's document has led to the suggestion that the council's director of education should begin consultation on shutting down Ysgol Clydau. At the same meeting, councillor Iwan Ward passionately defended the school, asserting it represents "the heart of our society not just a school, it's family, a community, an anchor for children who deserve the opportunity to grow". He further condemned the prospective shutdown as a catastrophe for local education, slamming it as "not fair and was not moral". Article continues below Launched by Sarah Farnden, the petition reads: "We demand that Pembrokeshire Council reconsider its decision to close Ysgol Clydau and instead prioritise the needs of our community by keeping the school open. "We oppose the closure of Ysgol Clydau and call for full public scrutiny before any decision is made. We urge you to engage in a meaningful dialogue with the community, listen to our concerns, and work with us to find alternative solutions that support the needs of our children and families." The statement continues: "Ysgol Clydau is more than just a school; it's a hub for community life, offering a safe and welcoming space for children, families and residents of all ages. Its closure will isolate our community, leading to a decline in population and a weakening of our social fabric. "We believe small schools to be a bedrock of rural communities, essential in the survival of the Welsh language, and most importantly, as loving, centres of academic excellence for our children. "Ysgol Clydau provides a high-quality education for our children, offering personalised attention and support. Closing the school will impact the educational outcomes of our children, and potentially create additional hardship for families. Not everyone has access to a car and shipping young children for miles on buses every day is just wrong." The petition concludes: "Ysgol Clydau has a rich history in our community, and its closure would represent a loss of our collective heritage and identity. There has been a school on the site of Ysgol Clydau since 1880 (145 years)." Article continues below Any individual residing, working or studying within the jurisdiction of Pembrokeshire County Council is eligible to initiate or sign a council e-petition, including those under 18 years of age. Should the petition gather 500 signatures, the initiator will be granted the chance to discuss it at a full council meeting.
Wales Online
01-07-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
Plans for holiday lodge refused because it's 'considered to be a caravan'
Plans for holiday lodge refused because it's 'considered to be a caravan' The call to keep a 'funky' holiday lodge in woods near a Pembrokeshire village has been turned down, partly over a dispute on what constitutes a caravan Cabin in The Woods in Kilgetty, Pembrokeshire (Image: Local Democracy Reporting Service ) A bid for keeping a 'funky' holiday lodge in woodlands near a Pembrokeshire village has fallen through after a row about what constitutes a caravan. Greg Baker, represented by Hayston Developments & Planning Ltd, applied for retrospective consent at Pembrokeshire Council for establishing a second tourism unit with a bespoke fixed holiday lodge, hot tub and parking at Cabin in The Woods, Kilgetty, after beginning works in April 2023. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here . In defence of the application, a statement from Hayston Developments & Planning Ltd suggested: "The current application presents a scheme to provide a second bespoke holiday unit on land in our client's ownership. "The application for a second holiday let unit is in response to demand for more 'funky' holiday accommodation in Pembrokeshire and the popularity of the Kilgetty area, it being central to many visitor attractions in the county." They further argued: "The proposed new development would be sited on land in our client's ownership and whilst not adjacent to the existing holiday let unit, we believe the site can satisfactorily accommodate the scale of development proposed and by making use of the slope of the site and presenting a high quality design appropriate to its setting, and it would not detract from the semi-rural character and appearance of the locality. "Further, whilst the proposal now represents a new build development rather than the reuse of an existing building, there is policy support for this type of holiday development expansion in countryside locations." Article continues below The application documentation suggested that since a previous application, Woodberry Cottage has been used as a holiday let successfully for many years: "This remains the case and as such, the proposal is still intended to extend and complement the existing holiday letting business on the site." However, the application was rejected by county planners who determined that the scheme "is for self-catering accommodation in the form of a cabin, on the basis of information submitted with the application, this is considered to be a caravan rather than built development, as there is no robust information to demonstrate that it is permanently fixed to the ground". They further noted: "The application site is located in a countryside location outside of any defined settlement boundary. "Due to the policy conflict associated with this type of development in a countryside location, the proposal along with its associated development would be unjustified and result in a significant detrimental visual impact on the rural landscape." Get daily breaking news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here . We occasionally treat members to special offers, promotions and ads from us and our partners. Article continues below See our Privacy Notice
Wales Online
27-06-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
New fuel plant to be built at Pembrokeshire dockyard
New fuel plant to be built at Pembrokeshire dockyard 'The site was considered suitable for the proposed development, as it would align with the ambition for Pembroke Dock Marine to transition to a world-class centre for marine energy and engineering' The entrance to Pembroke Dockyard (Image: Google ) A green hydrogen fuel production facility has been approved for development at a dockyard in the Pembrokeshire area. The application was submitted to Pembrokeshire Council by green energy experts Haush Ltd, who sought permission to build the 15MW facility, which includes electrolysers, compressors, a substation, and associated infrastructure, at Gate 4 of Pembroke Dockyard. Green hydrogen is created from water through an electrolysis process powered by renewable electricity, in this case, supplied by an 11kV substation connected to the national grid. In a statement provided by Locogen Consulting Ltd, an Edinburgh-based Renewable Energy Consultancy, it was stated: "Haush's vision is to address one of the biggest challenges of our time - decarbonising the transportation and construction industries. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here . "Their innovative solution lies in working in partnership with communities to produce Green Hydrogen, a clean and renewable energy vector that can significantly reduce carbon emissions." The statement further added: "The applicant has sought to identify opportunities to produce and supply Green Hydrogen across the UK to areas where it is most needed. "The site was considered suitable for the proposed development, as it would align with the ambition for Pembroke Dock Marine to transition to a world-class centre for marine energy and engineering, focussed on the low carbon energy sector. Article continues below "The applicant's ambition to deliver the proposed development, which would produce clean energy from Hydrogen, aligns with the aspiration and vision for Pembroke Dock Marine." The proposal outlines that there would be up to six HGV movements to and from the site per day when operational, with "each taking approximately five hours to fill to capacity, resulting in a low turnaround of vehicles to and from the site". Regarding safety concerns, it was stated: "The site would utilise rigorous safety measures, alongside the applicant adopting a production strategy that further reduces the risk profile. Article continues below "Most notably, there will be no fixed onsite storage of Hydrogen. Instead, Hydrogen will be produced and compressed on-demand and will be transported immediately offsite using operated tube-trailers owned by the applicant." Planners have given conditional approval to the application.
