Senior Pembrokeshire councillors have backed a call to buy 16 social houses in the county.

At the September meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet, members were asked to enter into an agreement for the acquisition of up to 16 new build housing units as an off the shelf deal at Harcourt Close, Hook.

The proposal was the second social housing scheme recommended for approval by members at the meeting; councillors having earlier backed a scheme for the purchase of 21 affordable homes, along with an option for four intermediate units on land at Sandyhill, Saundersfoot.

A report presented by Cabinet Member for Housing Cllr Michelle Bateman said: “Cabinet has previously given permission for the purchase of 10 units on Phase 1 with a following five units from Phase 2 as an off the shelf purchase. Further permission was granted to negotiate a package deal works agreement for the remaining units of Phase 2; however it is considered these are now to be acquired as an ‘Off the Shelf’ purchase deal, as and when they become available.

“Delegation for the acquisitions is being sought to the assistant chief executive, subject to noting that this decision is only to be made once the director, in conjunction with property, legal and finance colleagues, is satisfied as to the due diligence which has been conducted.”

It added: “The council has a corporate priority that aims to increase the supply of affordable and social homes and is seeking to expand its housing stock and satisfy local housing need,” the council having a 300 new home target, the site providing “the opportunity for a mix of social and intermediate rent housing”.

The scheme would, subject to planning consents, consist of four three-bed houses, six two-bed houses, and six one-bed flats.

The report added: “The housing need in this area as shown by the Housing register and latest Local Housing Market Assessment (LHMA 2023) confirms demand for social and affordable housing is high. The housing register shows 82 people have selected Hook and Freystrop in gold and silver banding need, which are the highest assessed need for housing plus a further 25 in the bronze category (and hence have a local connection to the area).”

Moving approval, Cllr Bateman said funding was already built into the council’s housing budget.

Members unanimously backed delegated powers to officer to purchase up to 16 units at the site.