Pembroke Dock

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A Portrait of Pembroke Dock’s Green Infrastructure

Figure 9.1: Pembroke Dock

A Portrait of Pembroke Dock’s Green Infrastructure

9.1 Pembroke Dock is a relatively large town of just under 10,000 inhabitants. Located on the southern banks of Milford Haven, the town is bounded by the mouths of the River Cleddau to the north and the River Pembroke to the south. Originating as a fishing village, it transitioned into a town with a strong industrial and naval background, tied to its docks and the deep natural harbour of Milford Haven, a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Special Area of Conservation (SAC).

9.2 The town has strong transport links to the wider landscape, with a railway, ferries, and multiple long distance recreational routes connecting to and passing through the town centre. The 186-mile Pembrokeshire Coast Path passes along the south-west edge of town and through the centre, connecting across the Cleddau Bridge further north. A National Cycle Network (NCN) route also passes north-south through the town centre, with various other recreational routes linking up and extending east into the wider landscape. A portion of the existing network of Public Rights of Ways (PRoWs) is concentrated within and adjacent to a large golf course at the town’s south western edge, with multiple connections to the Pembrokeshire Coast Path and town centre. Other sections of footpath on the eastern side of the town are more disjointed, and there are opportunities to improve overall connectivity.

9.3 There is little open space along the estuarine coastline, which is generally built up as part of the docks and port, in addition to areas of dense residential settlement. However, larger open spaces are scattered throughout the town centre, and are linked via cycle and walking routes. Generally, play areas and recreational fields are concentrated in the east of the town, with smaller sections of footpath linking between them. Opportunities exist to enhance public spaces along the coastline, particularly north of the docks, which would enable greater community connections with the estuary and nature. Pembroke Dock’s regular street grid reflects the settlement’s history as a key Royal Navy shipyard and the use of the streets for military parades, the legacy of which has created a town distinctly lacking in trees and urban GI.

Figure 9.2: GI Opportunities within Pembroke Dock

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Kickstarter Projects

PED2 – Create a hierarchy of street tree planting

9.4 Pembroke Dock’s grid street pattern offers the opportunity to implement street tree planting to soften the existing public realm. The grid pattern is a defining characteristic of the Pembroke Dock Conservation Area and therefore new tree planting should reinforce the hierarchy of these streets. This would deliver a positive contribution to townscape character, ensuring heritage assets are celebrated rather than screened. Proposals should also avoid any detrimental impacts on heritage assets.

9.5 Working in conjunction with residents as well as the Historic Building Conservation Officer and Landscape Officer at Pembrokeshire County Council (PCC), locations for new street tree planting should be identified. Proposals should ensure that tree planting proposals enhance the setting of the distinctive historic grid pattern and do not result in detrimental impacts on heritage assets. A hierarchy of trees should be established, for example, principal tree lined streets (e.g. central reservation along Meyrick Street or verges on Devonshire Road), streets with trees incorporated within parking nodes (e.g. Laws Street) and streets with trees to frame views (e.g. Market Street). By working with residents to identify locations and preferred species selection, community ownership of the trees should be encouraged. Where space permits, incidental seating, raised planters and linear rain gardens could also be delivered to create community parklets. Furthermore, consideration should be given to the implementation of a tree replenishment programme to address the diminished tree stock in the town.

9.6 Pembroke Dock’s Urban Tree Strategy must be cross-referenced when delivering this project. Proposals for tree planting must align with the future aspirations for integrated walking and cycling routes along Laws Street, Water Street, Apley Terrace and Gwyther Street as part of the Integrated Network Maps (INMs) produced for the Pembrokeshire County Council’s Active Travel Plan (Opens in new window).

Figure 9.3: PED2

Benefits of the project

9.7 Benefits of the project, as depicted in Figure 9.4 below, include:

Investment & enhanced visitor experience
Space for wildlife and ecological resilience
Play, education and interaction with nature
Social interaction and community cohesion
Reinforces a sense of place
Improves health and wellbeing

Figure 9.4: Benefits

Delivery mechanisms

9.8 An annual planting programme should be established for Pembroke Dock to successfully plan, deliver and manage new tree planting across the town. Proposals should be developed prior to the bare-root planting season (October-March at the latest) to ensure sufficient time for ground checks and the sourcing of nursery stock.

9.9 Residents should have the ability to put forward requests for tree planting locations and species. If the location is appropriate and funding available, the tree should be added to the annual planting programme.

9.10 Trees should be delivered in accordance with the delivery section of the Urban Tree Planting Strategy.

Outline cost

Medium to high cost = £250k – £1 million

9.11 The cost of the project is scalable depending on the number of trees planted. However, a rough estimate of ~£10,000 is required to appropriately establish a tree within hard landscaping (assuming a 60 month establishment period).

Potential funding opportunities

Developer contributions
National Lottery Community Fund
Resilient Communities Grant Programme
Local Places for Nature Fund
The Tree Council

Timescale

Quick win = <1 year

9.12 Tree planting could be delivered at a few key locations in the next planting season.

Medium-term = 1-5 years

9.13 The majority of tree planting would be delivered across the next five planting seasons to allow for sufficient planning and engagement.

Potential constraints

9.14 A key issue in the successful establishment of trees within hard landscapes is a lack of suitable soil volume for root growth. Within the urban environment, there are usually competing uses for underground space, including utilities. Assessments to identify underground utility constraints would be needed prior to planting. The cost of excavating tree pits within hard landscapes is also more expensive than within soft landscapes. Therefore, new tree planting must achieve the right balance between cost, space and desired function/design. In some circumstances, fewer trees with a larger rooting volume may be appropriate.

9.15 Proposals must be considerate of their location within Pembroke Dock Conservation Area and therefore all new tree planting should enhance the setting of the distinctive historic grid pattern, maintain key vistas, and must not result in detrimental impacts on heritage assets. Therefore, all planting proposals should be prepared in conjunction with both the Historic Building Conservation Officer and the Landscape Officer.

Maintenance and stewardship

9.16 Establish a resident working group to take ownership of the new tree planting. A training day could provide the community with the tools and knowledge to successfully maintain new trees until establishment, including watering and checking tree stakes.

9.17 Watering and establishment care would be needed as part of a 60 month maintenance period to ensure trees are able to become independent in the landscape.

Monitoring for success

9.18 Utilise the resident working group to monitor the successful establishment of new street trees. Establish a communication channel for reporting issues with street trees.

Next steps

9.19 Review the delivery section of the Urban Tree Planting Strategy to determine the process for planting trees within hard landscapes and to understand the key components for successful tree establishment.

9.20 Engage residents and community groups to identify locations for tree planting and selection of species, using the species selection guide within the Urban Tree Planting Strategy.

Figure 9.5: Pembroke Dock

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PED11 – Reconfigure and extend the Pembrokeshire Coast Path

9.21 The Pembrokeshire Coast Path at Pembroke Dock bisects the town centre and is not currently accommodated on the coastline. The route forms the eastern boundary of Pembroke Dockyard within a predominantly urban context, following a section of the B4322 Pembroke Street towards Presely View and Treowen Road. The path alignment then moves south to Sykemoor and the low-lying landscape parallel to the Pembroke River. Consideration should be given to re-aligning the route along the waterfront at Llanreath, Pennar Park and Pennar to complement the coastal character of the wider route. The realignment of the route would reduce the need for on-street links, promoting increased segregation of pedestrians and vehicles. Enhanced connectivity could also be achieved by enhancing secondary branching routes from adjacent residential areas.

9.22 The potential exists to utilise sections of existing Public Rights of Way (PRoW) network where possible, including the public footpath at Military Road (connecting Pennar Park and Pennar). However, route realignments would also be required. it would be necessary to engage with landowners and land occupiers in order to present these opportunities and discuss their impacts on current land-use. Any alterations to the existing route would require funding from Natural Resources Wales (NRW) to ensure any reconfigurations are undertaken to national trail standards and appropriately sign-posted. The project would also require amendments to promotional media associated with the Pembrokeshire Coast Path to ensure changes are communicated to both interested stakeholders and the wider public. Due to the ecological sensitivities of the coastline at this location, the project would need to ensure that the delivery of recreational enhancements is balanced with biodiversity pressures.

Figure 9.6: PED11