NEWS that a community bid for Pater Church Tower was unsuccessful has been met with disappointment in Pembroke Dock.

The Grade I listed building was put on the market by Pembrokeshire County Council last July, alongside Barnard’s Tower in Pembroke and Lydstep Palace.

Pembroke Dock Town Council wrote a letter backing a future trust which was to be formed in the hope of keeping the tower in community hands. The bid included letters from the town’s Bicentenary Group, Sunderland Trust, Museum Trust and Community School, as well as town residents.

Deputy mayor Councillor Pam George, who was spearheading the campaign, said: “We are obviously very disappointed. Because of this year’s bicentenary we thought the county council would have looked at us favourably but it didn’t.”

There was speculation the tower has been sold to county councillor Brian Hall. He denied rumours but said he would pay up to £10,000 for it. “I must admit it does appeal to me,” he added.

Cllr George added: “There’s not a lot we can do about it until we know who’s actually got it. Obviously the council has looked at the pound signs and not at the best interests of the town which is really sad.

“I just hope it will be lovingly looked after like we would have. We will wait with baited breath to see what happens.

There is more hope for Pembroke Town Council’s £1 bid for Barnard’s Tower. Cllr Jonathan Nutting said the county council was “reasonably keen” but wanted more detail about plans to turn the tower into a town wall and bat interpretation centre.

A county council spokesman said proposals were “considered on the information requested and provided - the financial offer, experience and proposed use”, but it was “not appropriate” to share details of the successful parties until agreements have been finalised.