MEMBERS of the County Council’s Economy Overview and Scrutiny Committee were given their annual update on town centre regeneration projects last week (September 16).

A report from the Director of Development, Dr Steven Jones outlined what work had been done in Pembrokeshire’s six largest towns over the past 12 months.

Key developments, which have either been planned, received planning permission or have commenced include:

Milford Haven

• New lock gate in Milford Docks

• Bulford Road

• Mixed use re-development of Milford Marina

• Motorworld building

• Milford Market

Haverfordwest

• Churnworks redevelopment

• St Davids Road redevelopment

• The Lost Coins and Premier Inn on Fishguard Road

• New library

• Confluence

• New shops opened in town centre

• Townscape Heritage Initiative

• Withybush Food Park

• Haver ‘Food’ Fest

• River Festival

Tenby

• St Catherine’s Island

• Battery Gardens

• Norton Railings

Pembroke

• Commercial property grant scheme

• BBQ redevelopment

• Town Trial

• Town Statue

Pembroke Dock

• Commercial property grant scheme

• Garrison Chapel redevelopment

• New shops on High Street

• Bungee Jump UK

Fishguard and Goodwick

• Redevelopment of school site

• Re-designation of High Street

• Pop-up shop trading

• Coach drop off point

The director also outlined the number of empty premises in each of the towns as of December 2014. Milford Haven had the highest vacancy rate at 21%, followed by Haverfordwest with 17%, Pembroke Dock with 15%, Fishguard with 9%, Pembroke with 6% and Tenby with 5.2%. The Wales average at that time was 11.8%.

Concluding his report, the director said: “Progress has been made in establishing the town teams and securing match funding from partner organisations such as Town Councils. While the rate of progress will inevitably vary, the structures are in place on which to build strong community-led partnerships.”

He added: “The role of the County Council has been to establish the town teams and facilitate the delivery of their action plans. They have, and hopefully will continue to build on this and become dynamic and mature organisations.”

Committee members voted in favour of the recommendations, which included them receiving a further update on town centre regeneration in 12 months time.