PLANS to regenerate Pembroke were further discussed in the latest meeting of Pembroke Town Council’s Regeneration Committee on Monday (Oct 17).

In light of a series of ‘masterplans across the county’, including Haverfordwest’s multi-million pound riverside and town centre development, Pembroke would appear to be next in line to undergo the regeneration process.

The plans for the project are still very much in preliminary stages. A draft plan has been formulated; however, no specific improvements to the town have been firmly established.

Throughout the meeting, councillors emphasised the need for a consultation process which will engage the ‘whole of the town’ and embrace public discussion, with Cllr Jonathan Nutting adding that decisions could not be made ‘without talking to everyone’.

The draft plans state: “Pembroke Town Centre requires a holistic vision looking at its retail and commercial function, its transport and parking systems, its cultural importance, landscape setting and historic built heritage, its public realm and its role as a workplace.”

Making reference to a previous presentation regarding the proposed masterplan for Pembroke, Mayor of Pembroke, Cllr Dennis Evans, said: “It did inspire a lot of us to think that maybe this is the time for Pembroke.”

Echoing Mayor Evans’ comment, Cllr Pauline Waters added: “It’s our turn out of the major towns in Pembrokeshire.”

While many councillors raised concern over the draft, given that it fails to address Pembroke specifically, and in turn, drew many similarities with the plans used for the regeneration of Haverfordwest, Mayor Dennis Evans emphasised: “This is a plan. This is an opportunity for us to move forward.”

Although the draft is not modelled to Pembroke specifically, there is still a clear set of ‘deliverables’ laid out within it. These include the identification of major development opportunities; early stage projects for immediate delivery and a spatial framework which included measures to focus on retail and town centre activity.

Many councillors used Haverfordwest’s efforts in developing its town centre as a positive point of reference, with some calling for Pembroke to adopt the ‘cultural centre’ approach and using terms such as ‘ideal’ to describe the development of the riverside market. Museums and galleries featured prominently in the discussion, as well as more general ‘cultural areas’.

While Cllr Blackburn acknowledged that Haverfordwest is ‘way down the line’ in its regeneration phase, Cllr Waters emphasised that ‘Haverfordwest didn’t happen overnight’.

With reference to St Michaels Church and St Michaels School, Cllr Waters added: “We have to make the best of what we’ve got, we’ve got some great buildings.”

Other members of the meeting emphasised the need to preserve the town’s heritage and raised the prospect of restoring historic sites, such as the old workhouse.

Cllr Nutting added: “We must protect what we’ve got. We have to say in our plan; these things are important and must be protected.”

Cllr Nutting also stressed that the plan should be presented to Pembrokeshire County Council ‘without emphasis on individual buildings’, and instead present a wide range of thoughts and proposals for Pembroke.

Mayor Dennis Evans subsequently suggested that members of the committee should each comprise a list of key buildings around the town and propose what should be done with them.

While the regeneration of Haverfordwest and the efforts of Pembrokeshire County Council in pushing forward with the plan for Pembroke were praised by many – Cllr Wyn Jenkins emphasised the importance of having ‘the authority in Haverfordwest on our side’ – this viewpoint was not shared unanimously.

Cllr Nutting said: “Pembrokeshire County Council has one thing in mind and that is Haverfordwest… a parochial, provincial market town.”

He added: “Pembroke Dock should not be languishing where it is – the money should have gone there.”

Backtracking on his previous remark, Cllr Nutting stated: “Don’t get me wrong, I love Haverfordwest.

“The more we shout, the more we make ourselves prominent and get what we want.”

Also present at the meeting was local architect Alan Collie, who issued words of warning to those present in the meeting.

Mr Collie warned: “Don’t get tied up with these posh consultancy plans. A lot of it is telling you what you already know but in a much longer form.”

Mr Collie also made reference to the amount of derelict buildings in the town, calling it ‘a disgrace’, something many councillors agreed with.

During the meeting, Cllr Jenkins called for original plans of a Pembroke regeneration, formulated some 30 years ago, to be revisited.

This development, named the Pembroke Maritime Village, would have seen a luxury hotel built on the waterfront of Castle Quarry. By dredging the Pembroke River and constructing lock gates and inlets into the quarry, boats travelling from all over the world would have been able to moor up having come through the main haven in Pennar.

The project would have also included the construction of chalets along the waterfront, as well as minor industry to support the river.

After four years of planning, Pembrokeshire County Council rejected the plans due to a local resident who raised concerns over ‘big industrial works’ being developed. Cllr Jenkins said no such industry was ever planned.

Cllr Jenkins said: “It would have made Pembroke and put it back on the map.”

Reflecting on the failed development, Cllr Jenkins described the situation as a ‘Pembroke problem’, adding ‘we can’t seem to get off the ground’.

Many councillors showed their support for the original plans to be ‘resurrected’, with Cllr Waters adding: “We need to capitalise on the waterways around our town.”

Throughout the meeting, the issue of timescales were also raised. Despite Mayor Dennis Evans having pointed out ‘this is not a quick process’, he, along with other members of the council, emphasised the looming nature of deadlines.

Former Pembroke Town Councillor Jan Gigler also raised the point that minutes for the regeneration meetings were not freely available to the public, something that the committee proved eager to address.

A public meeting was scheduled for 7pm on November 8 at Pembroke Town Hall. All local residents are encouraged to attend.