‘Anti-social behaviour' fears over new Pembroke housing plan
In an application recommended for approval at the June meeting of Pembrokeshire County council's planning committee, Pembroke Assets Ltd sought permission to change nine holiday lets at 6-10 Main Street to flats.
The scheme was supported by Pembroke Town Council.
It was brought to committee as it was recommended for approval despite being a departure from the development plan, the departure relating to a previous scheme for the holiday lets being granted.
The site was once Co-Op's old shop before it moved to the town's Goose's Lane in 2017, being empty until a number of developments took place including mixed business use and the previously-granted self-catering holiday lets.
A report for members said there were high levels of noise both day and night at the location in Pembroke's main street, 'due to the presence of public houses and nightclubs'.
Referring to the departure from planning guidelines, as in the previous scheme, it said: 'The primary justification of that proposal was economic regeneration of the town centre. As was considered then, the building was and is again vacant. Continued vacancy would lead to deterioration, to the detriment of the town centre and the surrounding Conservation Area.'
Cllr Jonathan Grimes, one of two members of a joint ward covering the area, raised concerns about the scheme in an email to the committee, saying that, while he supported increasing affordable housing stock, he had concerns about the location, saying it was 'highly unsuitable for any form of housing for residents who would want or indeed expect a peaceful standard of living'.
'My main concern is the location of the property next door to a nightclub. The nightclub in question – 'OUT' has already attracted considerable negative publicity over the past few years due to the high number of incidents of anti-social behaviour.
'This has included loud noise, drunken behaviour, the use of drugs as well as street violence. I am led to believe that one of the main reasons that the former owners of the holiday rentals decided to sell up was due to the large number of complaints from guests over the late-night activities originating from the aforementioned nightclub.
'I have also received a number of complaints from local residents living in the vicinity about anti-social behaviour originating from the nightclub and having a detrimental effect on the neighbourhood.'
Speaking at the meeting, Cllr Rhys Jordan said: 'These properties were considered for purchase by this council, withdrawn at the last moment, I assume around some of the planning conditions in place. I get the feeling this change of use is solely to allow the sale potentially to this council; if that's a reason that's absolutely fine but I don't buy it's going to bring a much-needed supply of flats in Pembroke.'
He asked if the council had an interest in the scheme, but was told the initial interest several years before had not been progressed.
He went on to say: 'The social housing element of this council are not interested in these properties, that leaves very few options going forward. Given the luxury nature of these flats, I'd imagine they have a high rent; are we opening up a can of worms for the future? It's like the OK Corral down there on a Friday or a Saturday night, I can't imagine anyone wanting to pay the rent there.'
He warned any potential change to social housing would lead to 'potentially vulnerable people' housed 'in what is basically a sketchy area'.
'I'm not going to support it,' said Cllr Jordan, adding: 'I think we're opening a can of worms that could cause significant problems for the town in the future.'
After approval was moved by Cllr Brian Hall, new committee chair Cllr Mark Carter stressed: 'We have to determine the application in front of us; if people want to live next to a nightclub that is their choice.'
The application was passed by 11 votes to one, with one abstention.
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