Policy to change vacant buildings from commercial to residential use requires closer consideration, according to members of the council’s planning committee.

At its meeting on November 5 Pembrokeshire county councillors considered two change of use applications – one in Narberth and one in Fishguard – for long vacant buildings to be turned into homes.

Committee chairman Clr. Jacob Williams said similar applications had been approved in other towns adding “there seems to be a need to review the policies around whether or not a commercial properties need a change of use to be re-purposed as residential.”

Clr. David Pugh added that there were many redundant properties in town centres “it’s a sensible and pragmatic approach” and it could be looked at in the Local Development Plan.

The former Royal Mail sorting office at Spring Gardens, Narberth, had been actively marketed as a commercial property with no interest.

Local member Clr. Vic Dennis said there were other similar properties in the town which are also vacant and he had received no objections to the application being discussed.

The committee approved the change of use unanimously, along with a similar application for a property on West Street, Fishguard.