News
Council Tax premium on empty homes due shortly
A COUNCIL Tax premium on long-term empty properties in Pembrokeshire is to be introduced from 1 April.
The move comes two years after the County Council began levying a 50 per cent Council Tax premium on the County’s 4,000 second homes.
Pembrokeshire County Council believes the introduction of the two premiums will help increase the supply of housing.
The Authority decided in 2017 that a recommendation from a working party to levy a 25 per cent premium – in addition to the normal Council Tax rate – on properties unoccupied and unfurnished since 1 April, 2016, would come into force this year.
In succeeding years the premium will rise as the time the property has been empty increases so that by April, 2021, it will be 100 percent on properties empty for five years or more.
The Council estimates there are over 1,000 long-term empty properties in the County, some of which have remained empty for up to 10 years. Of these, 670 have been empty for between one and three years.
The Authority’s Cabinet Member for Finance, Bob Kilmister, said that property owners had been allowed a reasonable amount of time between the Council’s decision and its implementation in order to allow for the refurbishment of empty properties prior to occupation or to let or sell.
“Although the new premium will bring in extra revenue, this is not the overriding objective” Councillor Kilmister stressed.
“Indeed the monies will be ring-fenced for affordable housing and the Enhancing Pembrokeshire grant scheme which funds community projects.
“The aim is to revitalise communities by increasing the supply of housing.”
He went on: “We want to encourage owners to either sell or rent their properties and it is not designed to increase our revenues.
“Many of the properties concerned are empty residential units above retail premises.
“Increasing the number of residents living in town centres improves the chances of regeneration too but above all we want to increase the number of residential properties available for those in housing need.”
A FAMILY has been left with nothing after a devastating house fire tore through their home in Tregunnor on Monday (Apr 7).
The blaze destroyed everything inside the house, leaving the homeowner, his children, and their family dog with only the clothes on their backs. Thankfully, no injuries were reported, but the emotional impact of losing their home and belongings has been described as “immeasurable.”
In the wake of the tragedy, a GoFundMe page has been launched by the homeowner’s nephew, Kian Evans, in an effort to help the family rebuild their lives. The fundraiser, titled “Tregunnor House Fire,” has so far raised £40 from two donors, with hopes that more support will follow.
Mr Evans praised the emergency services for their swift response and thanked the local community for their messages of support and solidarity.
He wrote: “They have lost everything, from furniture to cherished memories. The goal is to help them get back on their feet after such a traumatic experience. Every little helps.”
The family now face the daunting task of starting over, but thanks to the generosity of those around them, they are not facing it alone.
To donate to the fundraiser, visit: gofundme.com/f/tregunnor-house-fire
Photo caption:
The fire which destroyed a family home in Tregunnor (Pic: Herald).
A BROAD HAVEN man has pleaded guilty to stalking and to breaching his bail conditions on two occasions. He has denied a separate charge of criminal damage and is due to be sentenced later this month.
Thomas Jones, aged 34, of Croft Road, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Apr 7), where he was dealt with for multiple offences involving the same female complainant.
Jones admitted stalking Ms Knight between December 5, 2024, and January 22, 2025, in Milford Haven. The court heard that he visited her address several times, sent over 100 calls and messages in a short period in December, and left both a parcel and an envelope containing a spa voucher.
He initially denied the stalking charge, but changed his plea to guilty on March 17. The offence falls under Section 2A of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.
Jones has denied a charge of criminal damage alleged to have occurred on July 21, 2024, when he is accused of damaging a door, radiator, cat litter tray and scratch post belonging to Ms Knight. He pleaded not guilty to this allegation on January 24.
The court also heard that Jones was arrested twice in March for breaches of bail. On March 22, he missed a curfew condition by returning home five hours late. The following day, on March 23, he allegedly contacted Ms Knight directly, in breach of an order prohibiting contact. He admitted both breaches, though those matters were formally recorded as having been dealt with at an earlier hearing.
The magistrates’ bench was chaired by Mrs C Kendrick, sitting with Mrs A Taylor-Jones and Mrs J Morris. Dennis Davies appeared for the Crown Prosecution Service, and Jones was represented by Fenn Richards.
Jones has been remanded on conditional bail until his next hearing on April 22, 2025, at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court. Bail conditions include:
- Not to contact Tessa Knight directly or indirectly, except via an approved device for child contact purposes,
- Not to enter Milford Haven,
- To reside and sleep each night at 38 Croft Road, Broad Haven.
A pre-sentence report is being prepared ahead of the hearing.
A PEMBROKE DOCK man has pleaded guilty to assault and criminal damage during a domestic incident last year.
Sam Wilkins, aged 42, of Bethel Road, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Apr 7), where he admitted charges of assault by beating and causing criminal damage.
The offences took place on November 7, 2024, in Pembrokeshire. Wilkins was accused of assaulting a woman and damaging a coat valued at £60.
He also admitted breaching bail conditions on March 18, 2025, after contacting an individual he had been ordered not to communicate with.
The bench, chaired by Mrs C Kendrick, sitting with Mrs A Taylor-Jones and Mrs J Morris, remanded Wilkins on conditional bail until April 15, 2025, when he is due to return to court for sentencing.
Bail conditions include:
No contact, directly or indirectly, with named individuals involved in the case,
Not to enter a specified address in Kilgetty,
Child contact to be arranged via a third party only,
Full compliance with probation requirements for a pre-sentence report.
Wilkins was represented by Jess Hill, and the prosecution was led by Dennis Davies of CPS Wales (South West).
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