A call to convert a former Pembrokeshire village pub, which became commercially unviable, to flats has been refused by county planners.

Sandra Davis, of O & D Enterprises Ltd, through agent Gerald Blain Associates Limited, sought a partly-retrospect permission for a change of use of the Drovers Arms, Puncheston to four residential flats.

The application sought to regularise works undertaken at the beginning of 2024 which were subject to an enforcement notice from Pembrokeshire County Council, a supporting statement said.

It added: “The public house ceased trading in 2022 following the departure of the previous landlord, at which point the premises were returned to the owner/applicant. The public house previously comprised two bar areas, one located within the road-facing elevation and a larger bar situated in a rear extension.

“While the rear bar remains in place, the front bar has been removed to facilitate residential use. The commercial kitchen and toilet facilities are still intact, as are the first floor letting rooms and the landlord’s flat.”

It said the proposed scheme “would remodel the interior of the building to create four residential flats,” the enforcement notice “in relation to the change of use of the ground floor to residential use, replacement of a flat roof with pitched standing seam roof and erection of UPVC cladding,” adding: “This application now seeks to rectify these matters and convert the remainder of the building into flats.”

The statement said that, according to the British Beer and Pub Association (2025), 2,250 pubs have closed across the UK over the past five years, with 289 in 2024 alone, adding: “The challenges are particularly acute in rural areas such as Puncheston, where both population density and passing trade are limited. Many rural pubs depend heavily on seasonal summer trade, which makes achieving year-round sustainability even more difficult.”

An officer report recommending refusal said Puncheston Community Council objected due to loss of public house having a negative impact on the village community, lack of services to support the development and fears of an increase in anti-social behaviour.

Ten letters of objection raised concerns including the unauthorised works, the public house has not been marketed, not being in keeping with area, a high level of residents, inadequate parking, lack of services and amenities, the loss of a community facility, and fears of anti-social behaviour and safeguarding issues.

The application was refused on the grounds it would likely lead to an increase foul wastewater, with insufficient information and evidence of foul drainage proposals, and would result in the loss of the public house community facility, with insufficient information provided that “the continued use of this facility has been shown to be no longer viable or that a suitable replacement facility is to be made available”.