A call to move a long-established Pembrokeshire vets’ Pembroke Dock branch to provide greater business security has been submitted to county planners.

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, Fenton Veterinary Practice Ltd, through agent Pembroke Design Ltd, is seeking a change of use of Inspectorate House, West Llanion Park Industrial Estate, Pembroke Dock to a veterinary practise, its current branch at the town’s Kingswood Trading Estate.

A supporting statement says: “Established in 1950, Fenton Vets have remained proudly independent over the years, driven by a core team of local vets who ensure their service is delivered for the benefit of the Pembrokeshire community.”

It adds: “They were the first practice in Pembrokeshire to provide separate, dedicated vets to treat farm animals and pets, both within and outside of opening hours. This ensures that the vet you see is familiar with your situation and able to provide a personal service.

“In this way Fenton Vets are committed to partnering with farmers across the county, as well as supporting pet owners from their practices in Haverfordwest and Pembroke Dock.”

It goes on to say: “The original site was in Haverfordwest town centre when the business was called Peters and Partners. As the business grew it moved to the current Haverfordwest site [at 21 Portfield], where it has continued to grow and evolve, always with а focus on remaining independently owned by vets working in the business.

“Endless expansion does not meet that aim, nor is it realistic within our locality, but reaching а certain size facilitates rota management for clinical staff and stability for a business. That aim was behind the opening of the branch in Pembroke Dock at Unit B, London Road Shopping Mall, Kingswood Trading Estate, about 12 years ago in an established dog grooming business.

“Although the grooming aspect has stopped, the branch has become a well-established part of the business.”

Of the proposed relocation, it says: “The primary motivation for a new site is the business security of owning the building. The fact that it is a larger building obviously gives the potential for expansion, but the plan for the foreseeable future is to develop and staff the new site like-for-like with the current branch.”

It says external changes will be minor, internal arrangement “will alter to cater for the veterinary needs for small animals,” adding: “Relocating from their current location will allow Fenton vets to tailor the building to their specific needs.”

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The application will be considered by county planners at a later date.