News

Work to increase housing availability is continuing, says Council

Published

2 years ago

March 26, 2024

PEMBROKESHIRE is currently experiencing a high demand for homes across the county. This, paired with a limited amount of properties becoming available to let, is an issue that is also being seen on a national scale.

Pembrokeshire County Council says that it acknowledges that residents have noticed a decrease in the amount of properties appearing on the weekly Choice Homes advert and that there are a number of empty homes in their local areas that are not being advertised at all.

Pembrokeshire County Council are continuing its work to improve and expand its housing stock in an attempt to address this high demand.

However, in recent years there has been a decrease in the numbers of Council properties becoming vacant, resulting in a decrease in the amount of properties available to be re-let.

While historically 10% of Council stock on average was becoming available to be let to new occupants every year, this has recently reduced to around only 5% of stock. This, in part, explains why fewer properties are appearing on the weekly Choice Homes advert.

There are also a number of reasons why empty Council homes are not appearing on the Choice Homes list as soon as they become vacant. These reasons include major refurbishment works that need to happen to properties. This could be due to a number of factors but also in order to meet Welsh Housing Quality Standards.

Delays could also be due to the need for updates to properties required as part of PCC’s decarbonisation programme. Properties are also undergoing extensive damp proofing upgrade works.

Capital works programming to ensure that fire safety regulations are met, can also mean that blocks of flats and some sheltered accommodation are required to remain empty so that extensive upgrading work or demolition can be scheduled in.

In situations such as this and for various other reasons, empty properties are sometimes utilised as ‘decant’ properties for existing tenants who cannot remain in their current properties whilst work is ongoing.

Planning is often undertaken to ensure that the properties that are utilised in this way are larger and in the areas where we have more stock so that they can be utilised as decants for as many tenants as possible.

This is to prevent unnecessary work on other properties to get them up to standard to use as decants, at an additional cost. For this reason, these properties will not appear on the Choice Homes advert until they are no longer needed as a decant.

Cabinet Member for Housing Operations and Regulatory Services Cllr Michelle Bateman said: “We understand the frustrations of those who have been waiting for suitable accommodation for some time but don’t see the homes coming on to the bidding list.

“The Building Maintenance service has been recruiting more staff and contractors to help meet the demand for these works. Over coming months residents will likely see houses being brought back into use and an improvement to the flow of houses on to Choice Homes.”

As of 1^st March, there are 5,186 households on the Choice Homes register. You can view statistics on how many properties are advertised throughout the year, as well as the banding and registration date of successful bidders for each property by visiting the Choice Homes website and clicking the ‘New Customers’ Tab.

Charity

Donation gives Stackpole Quay book trailer fresh new look

Published

7 hours ago

February 9, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A COMMUNITY donation will help spruce up a popular summer book trailer at Stackpole Quay after members of the Pembrokeshire National Trust Association handed over more than one thousand pounds to support the project.

The Pembrokeshire National Trust Association presented a cheque for £1,095 to the National Trust at Stackpole Quay this weekend.

The cheque was formally given to Rhian Sula, General Manager for the charity’s Pembrokeshire and Carmarthen Bay portfolio, by association chairman Jane Mason during a National Trust information coffee morning at the Stackpole Centre.

The money will be used to refurbish the well-known second-hand book trailer which operates at the quay during the summer months. The trailer allows visitors to pick up a holiday read while making a donation, with proceeds supporting local conservation and access projects.

Last year alone, the trailer raised more than £1,500.

Jane Mason said the association had originally funded the purchase of the trailer several years ago and wanted to build on its success.

“Our new donation from members’ support will improve the trailer with updated imagery and design,” she said. “This will help the National Trust present a more professional, welcoming and brand-aligned offer, and potentially grow donation income.”

The Pembrokeshire National Trust Association runs a programme of talks, visits and guided walks in support of local Trust properties. Membership of the National Trust is not required to join the association. Annual membership costs £5 for individuals and £8 for couples.

At its AGM in November, the group announced £3,000 in additional donations for local projects, including replacement willow hurdles at Tudor Merchants House, footpath improvements at Little Milford, and a new bench, tree planting and path works at Southwood.

With the latest contribution towards the book trailer, the association’s donations for the current financial year now exceed £4,000.

Photo caption:

Jane Mason presents a cheque for £1,095 to Rhian Sula at Stackpole Centre (Pic: supplied).

Crime

OAP admits stalking woman with emails, posters and letters

Published

8 hours ago

February 9, 2026

Court Reporter

A HAVERFORDWEST man has admitted stalking a woman by sending repeated unwanted emails, putting up posters and contacting third parties about her.

Michael Lockheart, aged 80, of Daisy Lane, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Feb 9) for sentencing, having previously pleaded guilty to stalking.

The court heard that between July 27 and September 10 last year, Lockheart pursued a course of conduct which amounted to the stalking and harassment against a female.

His behaviour included sending numerous unwanted emails after being told to stop contact, distributing defamatory posters in public places, and sending malicious correspondence to her GP and the local authority.

Lockheart admitted the offence, contrary to Section 2A of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.

Sentencing was adjourned to allow a pre-sentence report to be prepared.

He was granted conditional bail with strict restrictions. He must not contact the complainant directly or indirectly, including through third parties or social media, and must not enter any address where she lives.

Lockheart is due back before magistrates for sentence at 10:00am on Monday, March 9.

Crime

Pensioner back in court over persistent nuisance calls

Published

8 hours ago

February 9, 2026

Court Reporter

A TEMPLETON pensioner has appeared before magistrates again after admitting repeatedly using the phone network to cause distress and inconvenience.

Ann Gateley, aged 79, of Chapel Hill Lane, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Feb 9) for sentencing, having already pleaded guilty to a communications offence.

The court heard that between November 24 and November 26 last year, at Templeton near Narberth, Gateley persistently made use of a public electronic communications network for the purpose of causing annoyance, inconvenience or needless anxiety to another person.

She admitted the offence, contrary to Section 127 of the Communications Act 2003.

Magistrates adjourned sentencing to a later date and granted conditional bail.

As part of her bail conditions, Gateley must not contact 999 unless there is a genuine emergency.

Gateley is well known to the courts and has appeared on numerous occasions over recent years for similar communications-related matters.

She will return to the magistrates’ court at 10:00am on Tuesday, February 17 for sentencing.