PLANS to convert and build 12 flats in a “bad luck building” community centre in Monkton, could cause major problems for the area, members of Pembroke Town Council heard.

The application has been made by Graham Perfect of Tavernspite to convert the existing community centre and flat at the Old Priory Inn, Long Mains into a new community centre and 12 single-bedroom apartments.

At the July meeting of Pembroke Town Council, members heard from local residents, concerned the development could bring in people who may cause trouble in the area at a time when efforts had been made to upgrade Monkton.

Concerns have also been raised about refuse, parking and a lack of need for additional housing.

At the discussion on planning, Councillor Dai Boswell said: “The building, to me, is too small for 12 single bedrooms, this looks to me as if it will turn into a YMCA; the people living around there are not happy with it.”

He later said the condition of the building was extremely poor: “I’ve been in there, it’s absolutely stinking, that building always has been a bad dream, it’s a bad luck building, it’s brought nothing but trouble. It should be demolished, let alone having 12 people in there.”

Councillor Jon Nutting said: “I am extremely concerned, it is cramming them all in; even the old Coronation School in Pembroke Dock is not cramming them in in that way. There must be a caveat that it must be for over 55s only.”

Councillor Pauline Waters said: “It’s going to be major problems for Monkton.”

She later added: “It’s slap-bang in the middle of a really good area, I think it’s going to be a shame to spoil people’s outlook for that.”

Councillor Rose Blackburn warned the development, if approved, could lead to increased problems in the area.

“This is a part of Monkton that the people themselves call The Forgotten; there are problems, the police go down there regularly, and the police themselves would be concerned about this.”

Cllr Blackburn later suggested a caveat for elderly residents only be included.

County Councillor Pearl Llewellyn, attending the meeting as local member, said the application was could be revised before it was considered by planners: “I cannot comment on the people that will be going into this building but I have been advised that the planning officers will probably ask for the number of units to be cut down to four.”

Cllr Llewellyn added: “That building has desperately got to have something done to it, it’s in danger of falling down.”

However, Councillor Melanie Phillips supported the application, saying it was only an assumption that any future residents could cause trouble.

Members objected to the application on the basis of overdevelopment, stating the site was suitable for a maximum of four properties, along with a caveat that, if passed, the application was limited to the over 55s.