THE UPPER floors of an empty shop in the middle of Haverfordwest could be converted into a flat, as the county council discusses encouraging more people to live in the town centre.

Planning permission to convert the first, second and third storeys of 4 Victoria Place, near the New Bridge, Haverfordwest, has been submitted to Pembrokeshire County Council.

The plans have been submitted as Cllr Paul Miller, PCC's cabinet member for regeneration, said more homes above shops could help to regenerate the town centre as retailers are experiencing a slump.

“We want people living in the town centre again,” said Cllr Miller while giving a presentation at Haverfordwest Town Council’s meeting on Wednesday, February 20.

Four Victoria Place used to house Thomas Cook travel agents on the ground floor, with a new shop currently moving in.

The applicant, Neil Evans of Askens Ltd, Haverfordwest, wants to make convert the upper floors of the building into a single flat with room for two bedrooms, two toilets, a bathroom, kitchen and a living room.

Works would include altering dormer windows and adding in roof lights to allow more light into the attic floor flat.

A design and access statement by an architect noted there are no allocated parking spaces for any of the proposed flats, but added flats all in an area of the local development plant which is “a sustainable location not requiring the provision of residential car parking.”

Victoria Place is a grade-II listed 19th century terrace of houses built by architect William Owen, who also designed the New Bridge and the Shire Hall, as well as other buildings throughout the historic town centre.

The design statement says construction work will try to maintain any historic features of the building as it is converted from offices into a flat.