PREVIOUSLY approved plans to convert a listed former clothes shop in Haverfordwest’s town centre to flats and a café have seen a fresh scheme presented, this time from the council.

Back in November 2023, members of Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee approved an application by Mr B Roscoe to convert the Grade-II-listed Pink Cat Shop, 24 High Street, to six flats and a café.

The building was first listed in 1974, due to its “… special architectural interest as good late Georgian style terraced front, with surviving staircase and C18 rear wing”.

The property has a long commercial history dating back to 1901, with it being originally used by Tom Davies the clothier; in recent years the basement and ground floors have been used as a café, with the upper floors remaining vacant.

Agent Evans Banks Planning Limited had said the upper floors of the building have been vacant for some five years, and the building was marketed for sale for two years without interest.

After that successfully approved scheme, a similar application has now been submitted by Pembrokeshire County Council itself for the Pink Cat building, again through agent Evans Banks Planning Limited.

A supporting statement accompanying the latest listed building application “follows the same overarching principles of development and reuse of the existing building, seeking to deliver residential flats while retaining the character and significance of the listed asset”.

It adds: “Although there are some differences in the detailed design and layout, the proposed works remain comparable in nature and impact to the previously approved scheme and continue to represent an appropriate and sustainable form of development for the site.”

It says internal works on the previous scheme “are designed to be reversible and avoid harm to the historic fabric, ensuring that the architectural and historic significance of the listed building is preserved whilst enabling a sustainable and viable use”.

Referring to the latest proposal it says: “In terms of accommodation, the proposal seeks the partial conversion of the existing use of the building but will retain the commercial element at the ground floor frontage aspect of the building, to ensure that the property continues to make a positive contribution to the vitality and viability of the town centre.”

The latest application will be considered by county planners at a later date.

A SCHEME to convert a Pembrokeshire town home to “well-designed shared accommodation” for five tenants has been submitted to county planners.

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, Marcelina Morgan, through agent CCS Solutions Ltd, seeks permission for a change of use of a dwelling at Cleddau View, Merlins Terrace, Haverfordwest to a house in multiple occupation.

A supporting statement said the existing four-bed home would, if approved, become a five-bed multiple occupation unit with two bedrooms on the ground floor and three on the first.

It also includes internal alterations, refurbishment works, and minor external alterations to the property in the established residential area.

It added: “The proposal seeks to improve the quality and functionality of the existing property, delivering well-designed shared accommodation whilst retaining the existing building envelope.”

Of the development, it added: “The proposed development reuses an existing dwelling in a sustainable location, provides high-quality shared accommodation, involves minimal external alteration, maintains acceptable amenity standards, has no adverse highway impact, [and] delivers biodiversity enhancements.”

It said the scheme would not see any extensions, external enlargements, or increase in footprint, retaining the existing built form and site layout.

It also said the proposal “does not adversely affect any existing green infrastructure” and “provides measurable biodiversity enhancements through bird and bat boxes”.

The application will be considered by county planners at a later date.

PLAID CYMRU leader Rhun ap Iorwerth has visited Narberth as the Senedd election campaign enters its final week.

The party says the election is now a close contest between Plaid Cymru and Reform UK, with recent polling suggesting both parties are competing to become the largest party in the next Senedd.

Mr ap Iorwerth was joined in Narberth by Plaid Cymru candidates for the new Ceredigion Penfro constituency, including lead candidate Elin Jones, Kerry Ferguson, Anna Nicholl and Cris Tomos.

The visit came ahead of polling day on Thursday, May 7, when voters across Wales will elect members to the expanded Senedd.

Plaid Cymru said every vote for the party in Ceredigion Penfro would help deliver what it called “a strong voice” for Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion, while arguing that it was best placed to replace Labour in government and prevent Reform UK from leading the next Welsh Government.

Rhun ap Iorwerth said: “It’s great to be here in Narberth. With just a few days until the election next Thursday, I can’t emphasise enough how important it is that residents in Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion vote for Plaid Cymru.

“We can finally replace Labour in government after 27 years and focus on improving our public services and building our economy in every part of Wales.”

Elin Jones, Plaid Cymru’s lead candidate for Ceredigion Penfro, said Mr ap Iorwerth’s visit underlined the importance of turnout in the final days of the campaign.

She said: “Rhun’s presence here in Narberth today reminds us of the importance of using our voices by voting on Thursday.

“I have served Ceredigion for the last 20 years and have fought against centralisation of health services. I will continue to do that for both Bronglais and Withybush hospitals if I’m re-elected.

“Even if you have never voted for Plaid Cymru before, a vote for Plaid in this election can replace Labour, defeat Reform and elect new positive leadership for Wales.”

The new Ceredigion Penfro constituency covers Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion and will return six members under the new Senedd electoral system.

Pic caption: Rhun ap Iorwerth, Plaid Cymru Leader, with Ceredigion Penfro candidates Elin Jones, Kerry Ferguson, Anna Nicholl and Cris Tomos, and supporters in Narberth.