CONCERNS over plans to demolish the Grade II-listed Old Docks Office in Milford Haven were discussed by town councillors at a meeting on Monday.

The application forms part of the Port of Milford Haven’s plans to redevelop Milford Marina into a shopping and leisure ‘destination’.

Sharing his concerns, Deputy Mayor Cllr Stephen Joseph told members he had spoken to Cadw, and been told that it had not endorsed the re-building of the Old Docks Office in re-constituted stone, and had only approved it being re-built in full.

He said the Port had continually given the impression that the building would be re-built 'stone by stone', but that this was unlikely to be feasible.

Cllr Joseph was among those to speak out against the Port’s plan to demolish the building at a recent county council planning meeting, during which members were told that much of the existing stonework would not be suitable for use in a re-build.

But Mayor Cllr Eric Harries urged members to look at the bigger picture.

“I am very anxious that this plan is not put in jeopardy because of opposition to one minor element of it,” he said.

Town councillors voted to refuse the application.

When asked to comment, a spokesman for Cadw said they were unable to comment on the application for listed building consent, as it had not yet been determined and could "prejudice the statutory process”.

Pembrokeshire County Council conservation assistant Matt Pyart, who is dealing with the application, said permission to demolish the building would only be granted if he was happy with the Port’s plans to re-build it further down the marina.

Despite the closing date of December 17 having already passed, Mr Pyart said he is also still happy to receive comments from the public on the proposal.

Members of the county council’s planning committee are due to undertake a site visit to the area next week.