THE FINAL decision on a scheme to convert a vandalised former Pembrokeshire town centre Chinese restaurant to a flat and bedsits will be made by a senior planning officer after a compromise aimed at addressing some concerns raised was offered.

In an application recommended for approval at the February meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee, Mr S Sahin and Miss S Ahmed, through agent Hayston Developments & Planning Ltd, sought permission for a change of use of Grade-II-listed 20 Hamilton Terrace, Milford Haven from the former Mandarin Restaurant to one flat and eight bedsits.

The application had previously been recommended for approval at the January meeting, but was deferred pending a site visit after member of the public Jessica Clarke raised concerns about the potential impact on her mother’s neighbouring property, with issues of height and massing, surface water discharge, and shared boundary walls.

The scheme, in the town’s conservation area, was before committee rather than delegated to officers as it was recommended for approval despite being contrary to development plan policy.

A supporting statement said: “The property has historically been in use as a Chinese restaurant on the ground floor with two flats on the upper floors of the building. The ground floor use of the building ceased some 10 years ago and currently lies vacant. Due to the lack of use of the building, it is in a very poor condition and has been the subject of unfortunate vandalism particularly to the interior of the building.”

It added: “The proposal would represent a high-quality and sympathetic conversion and extension of the building, and which would make a positive contribution to the locality and conservation area status.”

Speaking at the February meeting agent Andrew Vaughan-Harries said, following the site visit, an alternative hip-roof as “a compromise” to lessen the impact on neighbours by reducing the £200,000 investment’s scale and bulk.

Speaking again at the meeting, Jessica Clarke said she, and her mother, were standing by their previous objections, saying the extra stress to her mother had caused “many sleepless nights” on the impact on her “much-loved home and garden”.

Chair Cllr Mark Carter said the application was “a tough one to determine,” with the benefits of extra homes and investment in a run-down building the town set against a potential impact on the quality of life for the neighbour.

He said, after having spoken to the chief planning officer, a way forward could be delegation for final approval going to that officer on condition the hip roof design could be formally agreed.

Members backed that compromise position, with Cllr Carter expressing his sympathy at the concerns raised by the neighbours.

PLANS for five flats above a supermarket in the centre of Milford Haven have been approved.

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, CKs Foodstores Ltd, through agent Josephine Davies, sought approval for a change of use of a first-floor supermarket shop store area to five studio flats at 55-57, Charles Street, an amendment from an initial application for six flats.

The application was supported by Milford Haven Town Council.

An officer report recommending approval said a public consultation exercise was held on the initial plans, with one response from a member of the public who “did not raise any objection to the principle of conversion to flats but had concerns with regards to the impact of the proposal upon the privacy of existing nearby occupiers”.

It said that amendment to a smaller number of flats had addressed that concern.

The report added: “It is considered that the proposed layout of the flats is an appropriate response to the building, having regard to its form and scale and its location.

“New access and window openings have been proposed to accommodate the conversion of the first floor and these are considered appropriate to the proportions of the existing building and will serve to improve its design and appearance by providing variation to the building fenestration, particularly to the eastern elevation along Priory Street and to the rear onto Robert Street, in turn improving the vitality and animation at street level, uplifting a presently tired and uninspiring building in this prominent corner, town centre location.”

It went on to say: “The introduction of an entrance (which will lead to a stairwell to the commercial unit below) and patio doors onto private ‘front garden’ areas to flats 4 and 5 will significantly change this area, from the back of a commercial building/service area to a residential frontage which positively addresses Robert Street and the existing residential on the opposite side of the road.”

The application was conditionally approved by county planners.

SAMUEL KURTZ MS has secured confirmation that cash access network LINK will carry out an in-person assessment in Pembroke Dock as part of the town’s bid for a Banking Hub.

The confirmation came during an online meeting with LINK on Monday (Feb 17), after the Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire Senedd Member wrote to the organisation’s Chief Executive requesting that the reassessment — which can only be triggered after a twelve-month period — should include a site visit.

Pembroke Dock has been without face-to-face banking services since the closure of its last branch, with campaigners warning that older residents, vulnerable people and small businesses have been left struggling to access cash and in-person support.

Mr Kurtz, who has been involved in the campaign for more than a year, said the visit would allow LINK representatives to see the situation first-hand.

“This is a significant step forward for Pembroke Dock. The in-person assessment means LINK will see the impact of losing the town’s last bank and hear directly from those affected,” he said.

“Not everyone can bank online or travel to Carmarthen when there’s a problem. This visit will ensure local voices are heard.”

More than 1,500 residents and businesses have signed a petition supporting the call for a Banking Hub, underlining what campaigners say is strong local demand for accessible cash services.

Mr Kurtz added: “This isn’t just about Pembroke Dock — the wider South Pembrokeshire area relies on these services. A face-to-face assessment will make sure LINK understands the reality on the ground and the number of people who would use this facility.”

The site visit is seen as a key milestone in efforts to restore banking provision to the town and surrounding communities.