A WELSH GOVERNMENT planning inspector has dismissed appeals relating to unauthorised works at the Imperial Function Centre at Milford Haven’s Masonic Hall, upholding an enforcement notice issued by Pembrokeshire County Council.

The decision, issued on Monday (Dec 15), follows two linked appeals by the venue’s operator against the council. One appeal sought retrospective planning permission for engineering works to create an external dining area, while the second challenged an enforcement notice requiring alterations to the development.

Both appeals were dismissed.

The site, located on Hamilton Terrace, lies within the Milford Haven Conservation Area and adjoins the Grade II listed Masonic Hall building.

The development included the construction of a raised terrace fronted by a smooth rendered retaining wall with a glass balustrade above. Planning permission for an earlier scheme involving a sloping landscaped embankment and fencing had been granted in April 2021, but the approved design was later altered.

In his ruling, Inspector R H Duggan concluded that the retaining wall caused significant harm to the setting of the listed building and failed to preserve or enhance the character and appearance of the conservation area.

He found that the wall was visually intrusive, projected forward of the established building line along Hamilton Terrace and detracted from the historic street scene.

While the inspector considered that the glass balustrade itself was not harmful in isolation, he ruled that it did not overcome the overall harm caused by the retaining wall.

The appeal was also dismissed on residential amenity grounds. The inspector found that parts of the terrace allowed direct overlooking into neighbouring properties, particularly No. 42 Hamilton Terrace, resulting in an unacceptable loss of privacy.

He concluded that this impact alone would have justified refusal, even if heritage concerns had not applied.

The second appeal, made against an enforcement notice issued by Pembrokeshire County Council in June 2025, sought additional time to comply with the notice. The inspector ruled that the original compliance period of 90 days was reasonable and should stand.

As a result, the operator is now required to remove the rendered retaining wall and glass balustrade, reinstate a sloping earth bank with turf, reposition sections of the balustrade and install a close-boarded fence along part of the boundary.

The inspector acknowledged that the development offered economic and social benefits, including improved accessibility and outdoor facilities, but concluded that these were outweighed by the harm identified.

Pembrokeshire County Council has responsibility for monitoring compliance with the enforcement notice.

Pembroke Hire Centre at busy Waterloo roundabout marketed with offers around £525,000, with lease option also available

A WELL-KNOWN commercial premises at one of Pembroke Dock’s busiest junctions has been placed on the market, with offers invited in the region of £525,000.

The Pembroke Hire Centre, located at the Waterloo roundabout, is being marketed by Guy Thomas & Co, who say the freehold opportunity offers a long-established business with a consistent trading history and strong local profile.

The site sits on a prominent roadside position used by thousands of vehicles every day, giving it high visibility and easy access. Estate agents say the business has remained stable over a number of years, operating with relatively low staffing requirements.

Trading is currently split between equipment hire, which accounts for around 60% of turnover, retail sales at approximately 35%, and repair work making up the remainder. The listing notes that at least one competitor in the area has ceased trading in recent times.

The purpose-built premises extend to more than 1,800 sq ft and include a customer-facing shop, offices, storage areas and a large workshop. The main shop features a full-width display window and front entrance, while additional areas include offices and stores, a substantial workshop, a garage with roller shutter access, staff facilities and multiple storage rooms.

Externally, the property benefits from a secure, concrete-surfaced yard with palisade fencing, a designated gas storage compound and customer parking to the front.

The building is served by mains utilities and is fitted with gas-fired central heating via a Worcester boiler, along with a security alarm and fibre broadband connection, although services have not been formally tested.

In addition to the property itself, the business stock is valued at approximately £225,000. This includes around £45,000 of new retail tools and an estimated £180,000 worth of hire equipment. A full stock valuation will be carried out at the point of sale.

The guide price of around £525,000 covers the freehold property, goodwill, trade fixtures and fittings, and stock. However, Guy Thomas & Co also indicate that a leasehold option may be available.

Under this alternative arrangement, the premises could be offered on a ten-year full repairing and insuring lease at an initial rent of £20,000 per year, with offers around £350,000 sought for the business, goodwill and stock. An option to purchase the freehold would also be included.

A schedule of adjusted trading accounts can be made available to financial advisers acting for genuinely interested parties, subject to an initial viewing of the premises.

Further details and viewing arrangements are available through Guy Thomas & Co.

THE SPECULATION INN in Hundleton is set to close at the end of the year after a sharp drop in trade made the business no longer viable.

In a statement shared on social media, the pub’s operators confirmed that the venue will close on Tuesday (Dec 31) “for the foreseeable future,” citing falling sales over recent months.

The post said: “Sales over the last couple of months have plummeted and the pub is no longer viable. Thank you to those who have supported us over the last few years, but there just weren’t enough of you. We were and are very grateful. Keep safe.”

The announcement prompted a strong reaction online, with many residents expressing sadness at the closure and praising the work that had gone into refurbishing and running the village pub.

One local resident commented that it was “so sad” to see the inn close, adding that those involved had “worked hard doing the pub up.”

However, some members of the community have speculated that trade may have been affected by negative publicity earlier this year linked to a fraud investigation involving concert ticket sales, which was widely discussed on social media.

There is no suggestion in the pub’s closure announcement that this issue was a factor in the decision to close, and the operators did not reference it in their statement.

The Speculation Inn has been a longstanding fixture in Hundleton and had undergone improvement works in recent years in an effort to secure its long-term future.

No timescale has been given for any potential reopening, with the operators stating the closure will remain in place for the foreseeable future.