POWERS allowing Pembrokeshire’s council to potentially force the sale of problem long-term empty properties as a last resort, are expected to be backed by senior councillors next week.

Long-term empty properties in Pembrokeshire are currently charged a premium council tax rate of 300 per cent for those empty for more than two years, effectively a quadruple tax bill.

A report for members on a draft empty properties strategy of 2025-30, was presented to Pembrokeshire County Council’s Policy and Pre-Decision Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting back in November, where it was supported, with a formal decision to be made by the council’s Cabinet.

It said the strategy for scrutiny was an important strategic shift from a previous Cabinet agreed action plan as it introduced “the inclusion of an enforced sales procedure as a formal intervention tool when circumstances require”.

Members heard such a sale would only be considered if a long list of criteria had been met.

The report said: “It is important to stress that this procedure is likely to be rarely used and only in cases where there is no other option but necessary due the extend of works that the council has had to undertake to make improvements to the property.  The main focus will always be that of informal and supportive action with property owners.”

It added: “Long-term, often problematic empty properties are considered a waste of a valuable resource which could be added to the pool of much-needed housing in the county. They can also frequently become blights to neighbourhoods by becoming targets for antisocial behaviour, trespass, vandalism and arson.

“In addition to this they can become eyesores which devalue nearby properties, become sources of harbourage for vermin infestations, and can also become significant drains on the resources of the county council, police, and fire and rescue services.

“Every effort is made to engage with owners, however, it is often the case that they are unwilling or unable to undertake the necessary work and therefore enforcement action may be considered.”

It was stressed the enforced acquisition would not be used to pursue those who hadn’t paid the council tax premium but could be used in certain cases like when safety work had to be undertaken by the council and the owners wouldn’t pay.

At Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet meeting of January 12, it is recommended that members endorse the strategic plans which “will enable a focused corporate approach to dealing with problematic empty properties within the county”.

A report for members says: “The Strategic Plan provides the framework that sets the strategic and corporate approach towards dealing with empty properties. The use of the range of legal powers available to the authority will be in accordance with enforcement policy of best interests, and utilising the enforced sales route would be a last resort.

“Legal opinion would be sought prior to any legal action. The work carried out by officers prior to considering using the enforced sales route will provide an opportunity to support owners and individuals to ensure they are dealt with in a fair and sympathetic manner.”

PLANS to convert the basement of a Grade-II-listed former pub in a Pembrokeshire town’s conservation area to a flat have been submitted to the council.

In the application to Pembrokeshire County Council, Toyeb Ali Rahman, through agent Hayston Developments & Planning Ltd, seeks permission to convert the basement of the former Kings Arms Hotel, Dew Street, Haverfordwest, the building most recently used as an Indian takeaway, to a residential flat.

A supporting statement says: “The Kings Arms Public House was a public house and was formerly a coaching house with a range of former stables to the rear which have been converted to dwellings. It is a mid-terrace property fronting the western side of Dew Street close to the town centre of Haverfordwest,” adding: “Since closure the public house has been used as a takeaway restaurant and is a mixture of flats and offices.”

It goes on to say: “The application proposal only involves a small-scale conversion of a basement storage area associated with the former Kings Arms Hotel to a one bedroom residential flat. There would be no extensions with the only external alteration to the building being the replacement of a poorly detailed metal roller shutter door with conventional domestic entrance door with sidelight.

“As such, there would be no change to the impact of the building or proposal on the locality. In fact, basement area is not at all visible from the street scene along Dew Street.”

It stresses: “It is very clear from the listing description that the historic value of the building and the importance of the front array within the street scene is a major consideration when determining any application in the vicinity of a listed building.

“No alterations are planned for this and so it is deemed that no impact on the listed building is envisaged.”

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

PLANS for an InPost e-commerce parcel locker service at a Pembrokeshire seaside village have been submitted to the national park.

In an application to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, InPost UK, through agent Skipton-based NL Jones Planning, seeks permission for an InPost Parcel Locker at Bay View Stores, Maes Ewan, Solva.

InPost is an affordable and easy-to-use parcel locker service throughout the UK where you can send and return parcels quickly with contact-free delivery.

A supporting statement says: “In 2024, we delivered 93.2 million parcels across the UK. We partner with a wide range of public and private landowners to host InPost Lockers – from local authorities, transport operators, supermarkets, independent retailers, small medium enterprises, and developers.”

It says e-commerce now accounts for 30 per cent of all retail UK sales, but “while this growth brings consumer convenience, the final leg of delivery – known as the ‘last-mile’ – is putting pressure on our streets and wallets, if all deliveries continue to be delivered to door,” with both more delivery vehicles on the road and “home deliveries more inconvenient and missed parcels more common” as more people return to the office post-Covid.

It adds: “InPost is committed to stimulating economic growth, having announced a further £600 million investment until 2029 bringing our total UK investment to £1 billion – supporting up to 12,000 jobs while boosting national and regional logistics capabilities.

“As a business, we also stimulate the local economy in several ways: Competitive industry leading postage rates – our latest service, Send, allows label-free parcel sending to any InPost locker or home-address from £1.99.

“This service offers substantial new business opportunities often for local small and medium businesses, such as Etsy sellers, offering a more convenient, efficient and cost-effective alternative to traditional services.”

It says the service also benefits small local businesses such as convenience stores through increased footfall, adding: “In exchange for hosting a locker, InPost pays landlords guaranteed rent, transforming unused spaces to become a popular in-demand community asset that also provides a new additional income stream.”

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