A call to allow modernising works to a pub in Solva has been submitted to the National Park.

In an application to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Unicorn Fairs Pension Scheme, through agent Flora MacRae, seeks permission for works, including replacement of existing veluxes with dormers to the rear roof and the installation of roof lanterns to the existing flat roof, at The Royal George, 13 High Street.

The Royal George is a public house, but has not been in use for two to three years now and is in need of renovations and modernising, the applicants have said, with works having started on May 5.

A supporting statement accompanying the application said: “The Royal George is an hotel with associated bar and restaurant in the conservation area of Upper Solva, it is not listed. The owners leased the property on a full repairing lease for a period in excess of 10 years before the tenant unfortunately died.

“Subsequent to this event the owners spent most of 2023 and 2024 trying to sell the property without success.

“Following adverse comment from members of the community the owners decided that they would try to improve the external appearance of the building.

“They decided to replace the front windows with more appropriate timber windows, rebuild the leaking chimney stacks, re-roof, changing the finish from concrete tile to natural slate, and also to re-render the external walls.

“They were unaware of the need for consent for these operations and had just been advised that consent was necessary when the eastern gable wall collapsed. In order to safeguard the building and avoid closure of the main road scaffold ties were inserted from the front wall to the back, through the existing window openings.

“At this point the steps the tenant had taken to disguise problems and the level of deterioration of the structure due to prolonged water ingress became apparent. The main A-frames needed to be reinforced and all the joists to the upper floors replaced.

“All the voids within the building that might be a home to bats have been open for more than seven months. These operations are still ongoing making the building unsafe for an ecologist to enter and confirm this is the case.”

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