Many thanks to all of you who turned out for the meeting to voice your opinions regarding the proposal to demolish Old Pennar School.
Pennar Hall was full, with 65 people, including the panel and PCSOs present.
I will, of course, enlarge upon this later after I have viewed the file regarding this plan at County Offices later on today.
Heartfelt thanks to Mr Kevin Lewis for bringing the application to everyone's notice.
What next?
Friday, 12 June 2015
Thursday, 11 June 2015
Who built Old Pennar School
NThe Pembrokeshire Herald and General Advertiser for 28 February 1873 carried this announcement:
The render on the top half of the building, probably original, contains much local Old Red Sandstone grit with lime.
The lighter, lower render is much more recent and contains much cement, making it much lighter.
It would seem that the darker colour of the building in the photograph of firemen on parade may well be due to the dark nature of the Old Red Sandstone inclusion.
A final reminder about the meeting tonight! Location is
Pennar Hall, Treowen Road, Pembroke Dock, SA72 6NZ- See below!
Is anyone out there related to Mr I Hughes?
In one of my earlier posts I showed a photograph of firemen parading at the top of Treowen Road, with the school in the background. A pall of smoke from the oil tanks fire in the late summer of 1940 hangs over the scene. It is noticeable how dark the school building appears. This puzzled me until I studied the picture below:
The render on the top half of the building, probably original, contains much local Old Red Sandstone grit with lime.
The lighter, lower render is much more recent and contains much cement, making it much lighter.
It would seem that the darker colour of the building in the photograph of firemen on parade may well be due to the dark nature of the Old Red Sandstone inclusion.
A final reminder about the meeting tonight! Location is
Pennar Hall, Treowen Road, Pembroke Dock, SA72 6NZ- See below!
Wednesday, 10 June 2015
A Trip Around Old Pennar School
In a spare moment I have put together a video (on my phone). A bit lumpy in parts, but worth a look?
Regrettably, I have been unable to gain access to the interior of the building, but negotiations are continuing. Click the link below to see the the trip:
Link: A walk to and around Old Pennar School
The journey starts with a walk down Treowen Road, heading south, and the school appears on the skyline. After a few reminders of the meeting on 11 June 2015, there is a succession of still shots which look at the school from the east, take you along the path on the north side of the building to the west entrance, past Gothic Cottages. We then go into the site via the west lane and walk around the building in a clockwise direction.
Note how good the roof is! Note how good the interior looks. Well done to PCC for keeping things safe!
Remember the Open Meeting to discuss the plan to demolish Old Pennar School on:
Regrettably, I have been unable to gain access to the interior of the building, but negotiations are continuing. Click the link below to see the the trip:
Link: A walk to and around Old Pennar School
The journey starts with a walk down Treowen Road, heading south, and the school appears on the skyline. After a few reminders of the meeting on 11 June 2015, there is a succession of still shots which look at the school from the east, take you along the path on the north side of the building to the west entrance, past Gothic Cottages. We then go into the site via the west lane and walk around the building in a clockwise direction.
Note how good the roof is! Note how good the interior looks. Well done to PCC for keeping things safe!
Remember the Open Meeting to discuss the plan to demolish Old Pennar School on:
11 June 2015
7 pm
Pennar Hall
Sunday, 7 June 2015
Old Pennar School - Alternative Uses
It is all very well succeeding in keeping the school standing, but without use and a commitment to keep it "alive", the efforts will have been in vain. What to do?
What follows are a few ideas, which I hope readers will comment on constructively. They are in no particular order, just as they come to me or how I copy them from my rough notes!
Some of the ideas are only part solutions and will not require use of the whole building. Some ideas will work in parallel in different parts of the site.
Then, there is the need to oversee the future and day to day running of the place. Not for the faint hearted! A trust/charitable group?
1. House with many spectacular features.
The building would make a fantastic house - a Grand Designs type project!
2. Affordable Housing
The building retained, but non-destructively partitioned internally. As suggested and passed in 2012, BUT (Big BUT) higher quality internal arrangement.
3. Community Cinema
The east wing would make a fantastic Community Cinema. Grants are available to start such things up and Pennarites could walk to the Flicks! The space could also be used for lectures, talks and training using the Community Cinema's installations.
BFI; Cinema for All
4. Music Practice Rooms.
These could be constructed in the east/central/west wing and used alongside other facilities mentioned here. It would be independently run as a non-profit organisation to promote musicianship within the area and to encourage young people to develop their talents in this area.
5. Recording Studio
This could run alongside the music practice rooms or other proposals, and again offer a community facility that could be run as a non-profit trust/charity.
6. Dance lessons/school
The west wing would make a fantastic dance floor! Strictly non-profit and a high quality community facility. Beginning to sound like a community arts centre!!
People Dancing
7. Micro-brewery.
The west wing could house a micro-brewery that could produce Pennar's own brew. An artisan enterprise, that could cash in on the trendy call for high quality local beers. "Gut - Pennar's Special Brew".
8. Conference centre
The building is in good condition and could be adapted as a county/business meeting/conference centre, providing employment within the community. See the next suggestion too.
9. Green living centre.
Adding to the offer that Pembroke Dock has for the development of green technologies, the school could become a local centre of excellence in promoting green living ideals. The large south facing roof would support PV energy panels, the north facing roof heat exchange panels. The building itself could become a centre for the training of local people in the skills and knowledge required to meet the growing demand for green energy and other low carbon technologies. A centre that would provide advice and guidance for those in both industry and the domestic home spheres.
Energy Saving Trust; Tree Hugger; Environment Wales
What ideas do you have?
What follows are a few ideas, which I hope readers will comment on constructively. They are in no particular order, just as they come to me or how I copy them from my rough notes!
Some of the ideas are only part solutions and will not require use of the whole building. Some ideas will work in parallel in different parts of the site.
Then, there is the need to oversee the future and day to day running of the place. Not for the faint hearted! A trust/charitable group?
1. House with many spectacular features.
The building would make a fantastic house - a Grand Designs type project!
2. Affordable Housing
The building retained, but non-destructively partitioned internally. As suggested and passed in 2012, BUT (Big BUT) higher quality internal arrangement.
3. Community Cinema
The east wing would make a fantastic Community Cinema. Grants are available to start such things up and Pennarites could walk to the Flicks! The space could also be used for lectures, talks and training using the Community Cinema's installations.
BFI; Cinema for All
4. Music Practice Rooms.
These could be constructed in the east/central/west wing and used alongside other facilities mentioned here. It would be independently run as a non-profit organisation to promote musicianship within the area and to encourage young people to develop their talents in this area.
5. Recording Studio
This could run alongside the music practice rooms or other proposals, and again offer a community facility that could be run as a non-profit trust/charity.
6. Dance lessons/school
The west wing would make a fantastic dance floor! Strictly non-profit and a high quality community facility. Beginning to sound like a community arts centre!!
People Dancing
7. Micro-brewery.
The west wing could house a micro-brewery that could produce Pennar's own brew. An artisan enterprise, that could cash in on the trendy call for high quality local beers. "Gut - Pennar's Special Brew".
8. Conference centre
The building is in good condition and could be adapted as a county/business meeting/conference centre, providing employment within the community. See the next suggestion too.
9. Green living centre.
Adding to the offer that Pembroke Dock has for the development of green technologies, the school could become a local centre of excellence in promoting green living ideals. The large south facing roof would support PV energy panels, the north facing roof heat exchange panels. The building itself could become a centre for the training of local people in the skills and knowledge required to meet the growing demand for green energy and other low carbon technologies. A centre that would provide advice and guidance for those in both industry and the domestic home spheres.
Energy Saving Trust; Tree Hugger; Environment Wales
What ideas do you have?
Old Pennar School - Pre-determined level playing field (Lol).
The planning papers for the application to demolish Old Pennar School have this quote on page 2:
Notice the box at the bottom??
That's Ok then! Pembrokeshire County Council democracy in action! A quote from someone no-one in Pembrokeshire elected and at a time when the decision to delegate the determination of the application to an officer had neither been discussed or decided!
Reminds me of the time, about six months ago, when after having prepared my first objection to a planning application (The Former Commodore Hotel, PD), I dutifully turned up at the meeting at about 0900, having driven down to Harfat and PD from Suffolk, hung around until about 1600 watching the fate of other applications before the committee, until my moment came!
I made my presentation to the committee and awaited the first question with interest and enthusiastic anticipation. The member for Pembroke Dock (Market) asked:
There you go!
This seemed to me to be a more extreme example of an encounter with a very fine gentleman who worked on the range at Castlemartin. I was doing summer range warden duties to eke out my time at college. It was my first season of many on the range.
Standing outside the target shed in Merrion Camp I asked this kind gentleman,
Dead pan reply,
Thank heavens he was allowed a job at Merrion and to have his say!!
Note: Look up Merrion and Bosherston on Google Maps
Notice the box at the bottom??
That's Ok then! Pembrokeshire County Council democracy in action! A quote from someone no-one in Pembrokeshire elected and at a time when the decision to delegate the determination of the application to an officer had neither been discussed or decided!
Reminds me of the time, about six months ago, when after having prepared my first objection to a planning application (The Former Commodore Hotel, PD), I dutifully turned up at the meeting at about 0900, having driven down to Harfat and PD from Suffolk, hung around until about 1600 watching the fate of other applications before the committee, until my moment came!
I made my presentation to the committee and awaited the first question with interest and enthusiastic anticipation. The member for Pembroke Dock (Market) asked:
"Where do you live Mr James?"
There you go!
This seemed to me to be a more extreme example of an encounter with a very fine gentleman who worked on the range at Castlemartin. I was doing summer range warden duties to eke out my time at college. It was my first season of many on the range.
Standing outside the target shed in Merrion Camp I asked this kind gentleman,
"Are you from around here?, Local like?"
Dead pan reply,
"No boy, I'm from Bosherston."
Thank heavens he was allowed a job at Merrion and to have his say!!
Note: Look up Merrion and Bosherston on Google Maps
Save Old Pennar School - Objection and Comments
If you have objected to the proposal to demolish Old Pennar School, then might I ask that you let me have a copy of your objection/comment?
If you have yet to comment, I believe that the application is still open for comments at:
Comments re: demolition of Old Pennar School
This is a very important request and your reply at the earliest opportunity would be most appreciated. Comments on the posts on this blog would be helpful too!
Email: SaveOldPennarSchool@gmail.com
If you have yet to comment, I believe that the application is still open for comments at:
Comments re: demolition of Old Pennar School
This is a very important request and your reply at the earliest opportunity would be most appreciated. Comments on the posts on this blog would be helpful too!
Email: SaveOldPennarSchool@gmail.com
Saturday, 6 June 2015
Save Old Pennar School - PCC forget to follow their own plans!
First of all, I must apologise in advance. The post below is pretty boring, but to challenge the demolition of Old Pennar School we all have to be understanding of the way the planners will make their decisions. Here goes........ if it matters, you will keep up!
Pembrokeshire County Council (PCC) has a Local Development Plan (LDP).
The full document can be downloaded from PCC LDP. The link will also give you
access to some very clear maps of Pembrokeshire which are very useful for building up an insight into the future "layout" of the county.
Naturally, given my attachment to and love of Pembrokeshire, I have read this document and have noticed a few things...........
This glossy booklet of 184 pages sets out what the County Council's vision for the future of Pembrokeshire is. It was adopted in February 2013 and it is the document that guides the future decision making of the council. The forward by Councillor Rob Lewis says, in part,
"This Local Development Plan provides the framework for decisions to be made up
until 2021 on how land is used and developed, for example what type of
development is appropriate or desirable for Pembrokeshire’s economy,
communities and environment and how best to secure resilience to climate
change and to bring forward affordable housing through the Planning System. It is
the culmination of a major piece of work that has included engaging with the
community, stakeholders, and elected members over a number of years and its
completion and adoption is a significant milestone for the County Council."
I wonder how much the process all cost? Another day perhaps...... However, we all need rules to guide us....................?
In relation to the future of Old Pennar School, the sections on General Policy, that relate to Affordable Housing and the site of the school, are particularly relevant
GN.26 Residential Development p. 110
GN.27 Residential Allocations p. 113
GN.28 Local Needs Affordable Housing p. 116
GN.29 Exception Sites for Local Needs Affordable Housing p. 118
GN.33 Community Facilities p. 121
GN.37 Protection and Enhancement of Biodiversity p. 126
GN.38 Protection and Enhancement of the Historic Environment p. 127
The LDP (page 111) gives PCC policy in relation to redevelopment
of sites for housing as:
“6.111 Redevelopment or replacement can allow the
development of housing accommodation which is better adapted to meeting present
and future housing needs, contribute to energy efficiency and reduced carbon
dioxide levels as long as the quality of the environment is enhanced. The
existing dwelling should not be a Listed Building, or an important building
that defines the character of an area.”
Demolishing the school will erode the identity of Pennar.
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| A view of the east wing of Old Pennar School |
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| Pennar Hall, used as a canteen for the school and church Sunday school |
Please help stop this local landmark form being demolished!!
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| St Patrick's, Pennar, from the East |
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| The view form the entrance to the park just up the road and opposite Old Pennar School. Here sports days, football and cricket games took place, overlooking medieval Pembroke |
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| Military Road from the park gates |
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| Treowen Road from in front of the church and hall |
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