IMPROVEMENTS to security and staff facilities, as well as improving accessibility at Pembrokeshire’s only Wetherspoons public house have been backed by county planners.
In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, Gavin Waite of JD Wetherspoon, through agent DVA Ventures Limited, sought permission to works at the Grade-II-listed William Owen pub, Wilton House, 6 Quay Street, Haverfordwest.
The works include new CCTV equipment, new staff facilities including toilet cubicles, and developing store facilities.
A supporting statement said: “The proposed works aim to enhance staff facilities, reconfigure internal spaces, and improve security while ensuring accessibility considerations are met within the constraints of a historic building.”
It added: “The proposed internal alterations are designed to maintain accessibility within the historic fabric of The William Owen while enhancing functionality for staff. Given the minimal impact on existing access provisions and the careful consideration of accessibility improvements, the proposed works align with best practice recommendations for listed buildings.”
An officer report recommending approval said: “No6 Quay Street is a former town house, rebuilt in 1856 for the merchant Joseph Thomas of Haverfordwest. Became a hotel in the later C20, then converted into a Wetherspoons public house in 2010.”
It added: “The interior mostly survives from 1856 and is ornate. Elaborate plasterwork ceilings with flower and fruit motifs. Grained and polished joinery throughout the main ground floor rooms and first floor corridor. Polished timber staircase with elaborate cast iron balustrade.
“The areas affected by the proposal are quite plain, small rooms. These rooms have modern suspended ceilings, although original skirting boards survive. According to the heritage statement, the existing skirting boards will be retained or made good on a like-for-like basis.
“The drainage from the new toilet cubicles will connect via a new internal soil vent pipe to the drainage within the existing ground floor accessible WC. New CCTV cameras are proposed. These are of the compact turret type and therefore have a minimal visual impact.
“It is considered that the proposal will have a neutral impact on the character and significance of the listed building and is recommended for conditional approval.”
The application was conditionally approved by officers.
