A planning application to transform the former Cleddau Bridge Hotel into a care home was approved last week.

The application submitted by John Smith, for the change of use of the former hotel located on Pembroke Dock’s Essex Road, into a care home comprising of 48 bedrooms, was approved by members of Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee when they discussed the plans at their meeting held at County Hall on May 22.

The plans show that the care facility would operate over the existing two floors of the premises.

The proposal does not include any external works other than the rationalisation of the existing car parking areas and landscaping of the courtyard in order to provide a secure resident’s garden.

Works to convert the building to a care home would be limited to internal alterations to the existing layout.

The application indicates that approximately 40 full time jobs would be created by the proposal.

Members of Pembroke Dock Town Council had recommended refusal for the application, stating their concern over a lack of consideration given to staff when the hotel closed over the Christmas period, with councillors also questioning the ability of the company to operate and manage a care home, but these comments were dismissed by the Authority’s director of development, as they were not material planning considerations.

The application was approved by the majority of PCC’s planning committee when put to the vote.