Amendments to previously-granted plans for the second phase of Pembroke’s South Quay Regeneration Scheme, saw objectors saying they would rather wait for further funding than have what has been approved.

Led by Pembrokeshire Council, the project, below Pembroke Castle, includes the refurbishment of the Grade II-listed 7 Northgate Street.

Pembroke Town Council, Pembroke Castle Trust, Pembroke and Monkton Local History Society all objected to the proposal, saying it would be an overdevelopment of the conservation area.

The scheme returned to PCC’s March planning meeting with amended plans, but the application, recommended for approval, saw two speakers against it.

One was Pembroke town councillor Linda Asman, who described the addition of chimney pots as, frankly “potty,” and said the plans were “a glaring disregard of conservation law,” with “no attempt to harmonise with historic surroundings”.

Cllr Asman said concerns over the previously-granted scheme from the town council and public had been ignored.

She told committee members the planned social services hub would be better placed in other parts of the town, warning the proposed building “may well prove to be a money pit”.

She later added: “We put forward our own plans and were expecting a proper quayside development; there was no consultation for this building, it was presented as a fait accompli.”

Fellow town councillor Jonathan Grimes said he shared the “serious concerns” over the scheme, which he said had created “controversy and dismay”.

He said other locations in the town would be more suitable for a social services building and objectors “would be happy to wait for further funding rather than allow this unwanted building to be built”.

“We do not want this particular development there,” said Cllr Grimes. “The passion of the people of Pembroke is why I am here; a last-ditch attempt to let the people have what they want here.”

He said the quayside as an attraction could fit in with the ongoing Celtic Freeport development in the Pembrokeshire, adding: “Perhaps we could wait a little longer so people could have something to look forward to in the form of the quayside.”

The recommendation to approve was moved by Cllr Tony Wilcox, and was backed by the vast majority of members, save one voice of dissent from Cllr Brian Hall of neighbouring Pembroke Dock: “This is something the people of Pembroke and all the objectors don’t want; I still maintain this is not the right building, I will vote against it.”