A CALL to turn part of Haverfordwest’s former courthouse in the town centre to a theatre is expected to be approved by county planners next week.

At the June meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee, members are recommended to approve an application by Mr N Heywood for a change of use of part of the building from a former court room, Shire Hall, High Street, Haverfordwest, to a theatre.

Built in 1835 to the design of local architect, William Owen, the Shire Hall is a listed Grade-II*-listed building, described by CADW as one of the finest of its type in Wales.

According to Haverfordwest Civic Society the court has seen many major trials, its first being that of Rebecca Rioters on several occasions between 1840 and 1844.

When the law courts were relocated to Hawthorn Rise, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire County Council awarded a developer a 999-year lease on a peppercorn rent.

The building housed a couple of restaurants on its upper floors in the early 2000s, with the last of these believed to have closed around 2010.

According to the application, the theatre would: “Bring the vacant building back into a meaningful use, resulting in the preservation of the Grade-II*-Listed Building, and contributing to the enhancement and regeneration of the town centre of Haverfordwest.”

The application states that there would be no change to the exterior of Shire Hall but there would be some internal works.

A related listed building consent application has also been submitted to planners.

The applicant’s agent, Ian Bartlett Planning and Architectural Services, has confirmed the theatre’s opening hours as between 10am and 11pm.

Haverfordwest Town Council supported the scheme in principle but had called for it to be decided by committee, raising concerns in part at a lack of detail in the initial application and concerns about potential harm to the historic building, with Haverfordwest Civic Society taking a similar stance, with members “anxious that any new use should respect and conserve the integrity of the historic courtroom interior, which remains substantially intact, including the judges’ bench, dock, witness box, public benches and associated fittings”.

The application is for committee consideration rather than delegated powers to planning officers following a request by the local member.

An officer report recommending approval says: “As a former courtroom, this use would historically have been characterised by the public assembling within the area via a formalised gathering.

“The proposed use as a theatre would remain broadly compatible with the historic function of the courtroom as a place used for public congregation.

“The proposed use as a theatre would introduce audience-based occupation and periods of intensified use, however, this is not considered inherently dissimilar to the building’s historic use, with any internal alterations subject to the listed building consent application which is currently under consideration.

“In addition, bringing the building into use is likely to contribute positively to the preservation and maintenance of the historic building.”

MILFORD HAVEN businesses say they are concerned that continuing works connected to the former Motor World redevelopment are affecting footfall and trade in Charles Street.

The roadworks and planned closures are linked to the construction of new flats on the site of the old Motor World building, a long-awaited town centre redevelopment being delivered by W.B. Griffiths & Sons Ltd.

Milford Haven Business Circle said traders accepted the need for the works, but many had hoped for clearer communication about when closures would be in place, what the works involved, and how long disruption would last.

For some businesses along Charles Street, there is also concern that the impact is being felt beyond the official closure area, with customers potentially assuming shops and services are not accessible.

The Business Circle said the closures were expected to continue through to mid-July, and called for better support for traders during the disruption.

In a statement, the group said: “With the ongoing works and planned road closures on Charles Street continuing through to mid-July, many local businesses are understandably concerned about the impact this will have on footfall and trade.

“While W.B. Griffiths & Sons Ltd are carrying out the works, many businesses had hoped for clearer communication regarding the timings, nature of the works, and when closures would be in place.

“For several businesses along Charles Street, it also feels as though they are still suffering the effects of the closures despite being outside the officially closed area.”

The group said improved signage should be considered, including clearer directions, “Businesses Open As Usual” signs, and better promotion of access routes to encourage customers to continue visiting the street.

The former Motor World site has long been seen as a key regeneration location in Milford Haven town centre. The new flats are intended to bring the vacant site back into use and provide much-needed housing.

However, the Business Circle said more should be done to help existing traders during the construction period.

It added: “We fully appreciate the need for these works to be carried out, but we hope Pembrokeshire County Council may be able to provide additional support for businesses affected during this difficult period.”

The group also suggested that Cllr Paul Miller, who leads on economic development, business support and regeneration strategies, could help advocate for affected businesses.

Planned closure dates listed so far include May 27–29, June 4–5, June 12, June 15–16, June 19, June 22–23, June 29–July 1, July 3, and July 6–10.

Local businesses remain open and are urging residents to continue supporting Charles Street shops and services while the works continue.

The Herald has contacted Pembrokeshire County Council for comment.

PLANS for an office and bedding and linen storage facility for holiday lets at a former WW2 Pembrokeshire airfield have been given the go-ahead.

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, Sophie Davies, through agent Sureline Design Services Ltd, sought permission for the Erection of two modular office units at the former runway at Carew Airfield, Carew.

A supporting statement said the goal of the developer was to “create simple, efficient office space,” the developer “committed to reducing the environmental impact of the project,” with “material wastage on site is to be minimised by use of a modular prefabricated system”.

The application was supported by local community council Carew

An officer report recommending approval said: “The proposed development is located to the south of an existing cluster of buildings and is accessed via the shared access road through the former airfield, leading directly from the roundabout off the A477T. The site is located on the former runway, and is a flat surface area, with the surrounding area characterised by existing commercial and employment-related uses.”

It added: “The buildings would be used as storage for linen units, with ancillary office use, as the business manages bookings for holiday lets, and deals with changeovers (replacing bedding, towels, cleaning etc).

“The agent has confirmed that no washing or drying facilities will be provided on site and no foul drain connections water or kitchen facilities will be installed. With staff numbers being no more than five (3.5 full-time equivalents), with operating hours as 8am-5pm daily and an out-of-hours drop off until 10pm. Toilet facilities would be available within the exiting pavilion building, to the northwest of the proposed buildings, for the staff to use.”

It went on to say the business park “currently accommodates a broad range of employment-type operations including vehicle dismantling, caravan sales, self-storage and weekly market functions, demonstrating its established role as a rural employment area”.

The application was conditionally approved.