Community

Pembrokeshire second home owners fear council tax premiums

Published

5 months ago

August 18, 2025

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL is currently consulting on the level of empty homes and second homes council tax premiums, but a group representing second home-owners is calling for more information.

Late last year, Pembrokeshire councillors voted to drop the council tax premium on second homes from 200 per cent, effectively a treble rate, to 150 per cent.

Prior to that, second-home owners in the county were charged a 100 per cent premium.

Under Welsh Government legislation, local authorities are able to increase the council premium on second homes to as much as 300 per cent, effectively a quadruple rate.

For empty properties, a single rate of 300 per cent is applied to all properties that have been empty for two years or more.

In its consultation the council seeks your views on both the premiums and how any funding raised from the premiums in 2026-27 should be spent, and also whether Welsh Government should change the minimum number of days that a property must be let for in order to qualify for non-domestic rate self-catering accommodation tax status.

The later is currently set at 182 days per year, with the consultation also asking whether the council should use its discretion to exempt holiday lets that transfer from NDR to council tax from any premium.

A group representing second home-owners, called the PCC Second Homeowners Legal Group, is calling for more information to be provided on the impact of changing levels of council tax premium, particularly whether there has been any impact on the tourism, hospitality, building and retail sectors, and whether the premium has resulted in affordable properties being bought to the market for rent or sale as originally intended.

The group said: “With no information provided in the supporting documentation about the impact on the tourism, hospitality and retail sectors, as well as the wider economy, we believe that the consultation falls short on providing respondents with enough information to enable an informed response.”

It adds: “Moreover, in 2025 a decision was taken by the PCC to allocate the premium revenue across a much wider range of services than was envisaged when the premium was first introduced. While the group understands the need for tax revenue to support wider activities including schools and youth services, these should be raised through the setting of appropriate levels of basic council tax to ensure continuity, rather than to rely on variable revenues depending on the proportion of second homeowners remaining in the county.”

In its consultation, Pembrokeshire County Council has said that while guidance on the premiums encourages it to use them to help meet local housing needs and address other local housing and sustainable community issues, it may be used for any purpose.

“Due to the adverse effect of long-term empty properties and second homes on both available affordable housing and the sustainability of local communities, the council has sought to strike a balance, ensuring that the income generated is utilised to address both issues.

“Since the Council Tax premiums were introduced, £10.7m has been allocated to the Affordable Housing Programme, £0.8m into Bringing Homes into Use and £7.1m for the Enhancing Pembrokeshire Grant Scheme. For 2024-25 £9.9m has been allocated to the general fund budget in respect of elements of the budget relating to affordable housing and enhancing the sustainability of local communities and it is proposed that this arrangement will continue in 2025-26.

“The allocation to the general fund budget also aims to address the adverse effect of long-term empty properties and second homes on both available housing, e.g. homelessness, and the sustainability of local communities, e.g. reducing pupil numbers in Schools, but in a different way to the aforementioned Affordable Housing Programme and Enhancing Pembrokeshire Grant Scheme, both of which are continuing.”

The consultation is open until August 31.

Community

Pembrokeshire students speak at national Holocaust Memorial Day event

Published

4 hours ago

January 28, 2026

Tom Sinclair

TWO Haverfordwest High School pupils addressed senior political and religious figures and a Holocaust survivor at Wales’ main commemoration in Cardiff

Holocaust Memorial Day was marked in Cardiff this week with a powerful contribution from two Pembrokeshire students, who were invited to speak at Wales’ national commemoration event.

Awel Jones and Olivia Beal, both Year 13 pupils at Haverfordwest High School, attended the ceremony at the Temple of Peace on Monday (Jan 27) in their roles as ambassadors for the Holocaust Educational Trust.

The pair were asked to deliver speeches reflecting on their work with the Trust and their involvement in the “Lessons from Auschwitz” project, which educates young people about the Holocaust and the dangers of prejudice, discrimination and hatred.

They spoke in front of a distinguished audience that included the First Minister for Wales, Eluned Morgan, the Archbishop of Wales, senior civic leaders and Holocaust survivor Peter Lantos.

The national event formed part of Holocaust Memorial Day 2026, which was held under the theme “bridging generations”, highlighting the responsibility of younger generations to carry forward the lessons of the past as the number of living survivors declines.

Awel Jones and Olivia Beal were the only young Holocaust Educational Trust ambassadors representing Wales at the national ceremony, a distinction described as a significant honour for both the students and Pembrokeshire.

A parent said the occasion was “profoundly emotive and important”, adding that being invited to speak at such a high-profile event was an accolade for the students and a reflection of the strength of Holocaust education work taking place locally.

Holocaust Memorial Day is observed annually on January 27, marking the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau in 1945.

Business

Final wind turbine deliveries completed after months of disruption

Published

4 hours ago

January 28, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Last major component reaches site as Dragon LNG and Dragon Energy thank communities for patience

DRAGON LNG and Dragon Energy have confirmed that the final large component for a new wind turbine project has now been successfully delivered, bringing months of complex abnormal load movements on Pembrokeshire roads to an end.

The companies said the final turbine blade was delivered to the site on Wednesday (Jan 28, 2026), marking the completion of all major component deliveries associated with the project.

In a statement, Dragon LNG and Dragon Energy thanked the local community for its patience and cooperation throughout the delivery programme, acknowledging that the operation caused disruption on local roads.

Residents across parts of the county have previously experienced temporary road closures, traffic delays and police escorts as oversized turbine components were transported from the Port of Milford Haven to the site under tightly controlled conditions.

The abnormal load movements required months of detailed planning and coordination, involving route surveys, traffic management, police support and liaison with local authorities to ensure deliveries were carried out safely and with minimal disruption wherever possible.

The companies also apologised for the inconvenience caused during the delivery phase, saying the support and understanding shown by residents had been “invaluable” in allowing the project to reach this milestone.

A number of organisations were involved in supporting the operation, including Pembrokeshire County Council, Dyfed-Powys Police, haulage specialists Collett & Sons Ltd and Green Light Traffic Management.

Local media outlets, including The Pembrokeshire Herald, provided advance notice and updates during the delivery process to help keep residents informed.

With the final major deliveries now complete, Dragon LNG and Dragon Energy said the project would continue to progress to the next phase of construction on site.

Community

New illustrated heritage map unveiled in Narberth town centre

Published

7 hours ago

January 28, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A NEW illustrated heritage and wayfinding map has been installed in Narberth town centre, highlighting the town’s rich architectural history, cultural heritage and key landmarks.

The hand-drawn map has been created by local artist Fran Evans and is part of a wider project aimed at improving interpretation and the visitor experience in Narberth.

The panels have been installed at two prominent locations: the undercroft, also known as Rebecca’s Cell, at the rear of the Old Town Hall, and the existing external display frame at the side of No.47, adjacent to the town’s museum.

Developed and delivered by Narberth Town Council, the project has been funded through the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund, with additional match funding provided by the Town Council.

The illustrated map features detailed drawings of historic buildings, local stories and notable points of interest. It is designed to function both as a practical guide for residents and visitors navigating the town, and as a visual celebration of Narberth’s heritage.

Town councillors say the project forms part of a broader effort to enhance how the town’s history is presented in public spaces, making it more accessible and engaging for those visiting the area.

The Town Council has indicated that further information about the project, including background details and images of the newly installed panels, can be made available, along with comments from the artist and council representatives.