A SENIOR planning officer will decide the fate of a proposal to convert a vandalised former Chinese restaurant in Milford Haven into one flat and eight bedsits, following concerns raised by neighbours.

The application by Mr S Sahin and Miss S Ahmed, through agent Hayston Developments & Planning Ltd, was recommended for approval at the February meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee.

It had previously been recommended for approval at the January meeting, but was deferred pending a site visit after a member of the public, Jessica Clarke, raised concerns about the potential impact on her mother’s neighbouring property, with issues of height and massing, surface water discharge, and shared boundary walls.

The scheme, in the town’s conservation area, was before committee rather than delegated to officers as it was recommended for approval despite being contrary to development plan policy.

A supporting statement said: “The property has historically been in use as a Chinese restaurant on the ground floor with two flats on the upper floors of the building. The ground floor use of the building ceased some 10 years ago and currently lies vacant. Due to the lack of use of the building, it is in a very poor condition and has been the subject of unfortunate vandalism particularly to the interior of the building.”

Speaking at the February meeting agent Andrew Vaughan-Harries said, following the site visit, an alternative hip-roof as “a compromise” to lessen the impact on neighbours by reducing the £200,000 investment’s scale and bulk.

Speaking again at the meeting, Jessica Clarke said she and her mother were standing by their previous objections, saying the extra stress to her mother had caused “many sleepless nights” on the impact on her “much-loved home and garden”.

Expressing his sympathy at these concerns, Chair Cllr Mark Carter said the application was “a tough one to determine,” with the benefits of extra homes and investment in a run-down building the town set against a potential impact on the quality of life for the neighbour.

He said, after having spoken to the chief planning officer, a way forward could be delegation for final approval going to that officer on condition the hip roof design could be formally agreed.

Members backed the compromise.

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