CONCERNS over aspects of a multi-million pound regeneration plan for Milford Haven have prompted a closer look at how it will impact the people and heritage of the town.

The Port of Milford Haven’s ‘masterplan’ went before the county council’s planning committee on Tuesday (December 16).

The outline plans, which include proposals to build up to 160 new homes, new retail and marine leisure facilities, and a residential care home, have been years in the making, but have received mixed reviews from local people.

As a result, members voted in favour of deferring their decision until the February meeting, and undertaking a site visit in January to get a better idea of the impact the proposals will have.

Among the concerns raised at the meeting were plans to demolish the grade II-listed Old Docks office to make room for a new entrance into the proposed development.

Addressing the committee, local county councillor Stephen Joseph welcomed the potential investment in Milford Haven, but accused the Port of using “big boy bully tactics” to bring its plans to fruition.

Cllr Joseph said the manager of All Pets Vets Care, which is currently based in the Old Docks office building, had been told by the Port she would be relocated, but had no idea where to.

He said the practice had grown into a successful local business, and a “hub” joining the two halves of the town together, as well as bringing a dilapidated building back into use.

Cllr Joseph said the Port’s apparent lack of transparency was cause for concern.

“Milford needs to be behind this, but at the moment it’s not,” he said.

“The plan changes all the time,” he said. “This doesn’t seem like a finished idea.”

He said claims the building would be re-built ‘brick by brick’ on a different area of the site were also misleading, as only certain aspects of its architecture could feasibly be re-used.

Also addressing the committee was local resident Alison Hardy, who said it was “worrying” that none of the committee was from Milford Haven.

“How can you know how the demolition of this building will affect Milford Haven?” she asked.

She said the building was a cherished part of the town’s heritage, and her calls for an alternative route into the development to be found was met with a rousing applaud from the public gallery.

Development manager Mike Simmons said the planning department’s decision to recommend approval had “not been taken lightly”, and that the economic benefit of the development had been judged to offset the need to preserve a listed building.

“Clearly and case for demolition needs to be exceptional,” he said.

He added that a number of different access options had been looked at, with the current choice being the “only feasible access point”.

Cllr Jacob Williams said local people would eventually be the ones supporting the development, so it was only reasonable to ‘get them on side’.

“The people of Milford are behind regeneration but have a bitter taste in their mouths,” he said.

Cllr Williams also picked up on concerns highlighted by Cllr Joseph about the impact a new multi-screen cinema could have on the Torch Theatre.

“While creating new jobs, this could also jeapordise Torch jobs,” he said.

He also queried how successful a cinema of that size would be, when a recent application to build a two-screen cinema was judged unviable.

A proposal to defer the decision, and visit the area in January was supported by all members.

Speaking after the meeting, Port of Milford Haven chief executive Alec Don said: “We welcome the proposed visit by the planning committee, who want a better understanding of the site.

“We look forward to the opportunity to explain further to our stakeholders the merits of the regeneration scheme, and how this plan embodies the single biggest investment in Milford Haven in decades that will create jobs and valuable spend here in the town.”

He said the plans had taken “three years and thousands of hours of consultation with stakeholders, members of the public and businesses here in Milford Haven and beyond” and that it was “entirely reasonable” to wait another two months for the council to reach its decision.

Peter Doran, Torch Theatre Chief Executive, also welcomed the decision to defer.

“I hope this will now provide an opportunity for the Port to engage meaningfully with us and iron out the concerns that remain with the proposed multiplex cinema aspect of this development,” he said.