Pembrokeshire County council is ‘fully committed’ to building social housing - not only in Tenby - but across the county, a meeting heard earlier this week.

Cabinet member Clr. Pat Davies was responding to a notice of motion put forward by Tenby councillor Mike Evans regarding council owned land at Brynhir earmarked for development.

She said that PCC was “committed to an element of social housing on this site and committed to a social housing development programme.”

Clr. Evans had called for the land to be withdrawn from open sale “so that a social housing scheme to meet the needs of local residents, including social rented, low cost ownership and innovative self-build opportunities can be brought forward.”

The proposal has been discussed at overview and scrutiny committee, along with an officer recommendation that the sale process be paused while a review is carried out.

Speaking at Monday’s cabinet meeting, Clr. Evans highlighted there was capital available for house building since housing revenue account funds were no longer being sent to Welsh Government.

“We are trying to sell the only site that’s designated with planning status,” he added, while urging cabinet to endorse a plan to work with partners to ensure homes are built there, including at least 50 per cent affordable properties.

He also warned against the ‘chipping away’ of social housing numbers within schemes when developers are involved.

Clr. Evans added that there could also be a boost for employment and apprenticeships to come from the scheme.

Clr. David Simpson, council leader, said that the cost of ‘buying out of’ the HRA scheme with the Welsh Government was £80million, with £6million a year heading out of the county, which he called ‘abhorrent.’

A review of the social housing situation at Brynhir should be member-led, said Clr. Evans, and not an officer review presented back to cabinet.

“I’m asking cabinet members to stand up now and take control of the review. There’s a desperate need for quality family homes and social housing,” added Clr. Evans.

Clr. Davies said she was “totally on board with what needs to be done” and said Clr. Evans was “pushing an open door,” but agreed more progress should have been made in the last five years.

She added that discussions were ongoing and it was hoped agreements would be put in place soon and the building of council houses will begin so “people in Pembrokeshire can have decent homes and a decent way of life.”

“Not only in Brynhir, there are about 16 sites that desperately need to be developing and the time is now to forge ahead with those and get things done,” she added.