Milford Retro Works

A call for retrospective works at a Milford Haven function centre to be decided by councillors rather than planning officers was narrowly turned down, after the committee’s chair cast a second vote.

In an application before Pembrokeshire County Council, Lee Bridges is seeking permission for retrospective engineering works to provide an external dining area at Masonic Hall, Imperial Function Centre, Hamilton Terrace Address, Milford Haven, works having started in 2021.

The application is due to be decided by planning officers, but, at the request of Councillor Alan Dennison on behalf of Councillor Terry Davies, the local member for Milford Central, a call for it to be decided by councillors was brought before the county council’s planning delegation panel meeting of February 25.

It was recommended a decision on the scheme, supported by Milford Haven Town Council, remains delegated to officers; a report for members outlining a list of criteria where it could be decided by committee: the development has an adverse planning impact on more than immediate neighbours or other electoral divisions, the impact within the local community is finely balanced between competing interests or is complex and sensitive and would benefit from a public examination of the merits, and issues are raised which highlight conflicting planning policy issues.

A report for members said Cllr Dennison’s submission on behalf of Cllr Davies did not meet any of the criteria.

A move for the application to be decided by councillors was made at the meeting by Cllr Phil Kidney, saying “a full airing seems fair,” moving the second criteria as his reason.

He was seconded by Cllr Mel Philips, who said: “We need all the business we can get; why can’t this be considered? It’s bringing trade in.”

Members voted three in favour of Cllr Kidney’s call, and three against; chair Cllr Guy Woodham casting a second vote in the event of a tie, again voting against the call, meaning it will be decided by officers.