**Pembroke Dock Police Station Relocation Approved Amidst Public Safety Concerns**
Plans to relocate Pembroke Dock Police Station have been granted approval, despite significant concerns expressed by local residents over road safety and the possible impact on families. The decision by Pembrokeshire Council’s planning committee ends weeks of uncertainty during which the issue was hotly debated by both councillors and members of the public. The police station, currently located on Water Street, is set to move into a former council building on Argyle Street, which was previously used as a Public Information Centre.
The move comes as part of Dyfed-Powys Police’s efforts to modernise local operations, shifting towards what the force describes as a “new policing hub model.” The current police station has been earmarked for sale, with the force stating that, subject to the planning process, the Water Street premises will soon be placed on the open market. The former council building had become redundant due to changing work practices, making it an attractive option for the relocation.
The proposal has sparked considerable discussion amongst Pembroke Dock residents, who organised to voice their fears at various council meetings. Chief amongst their worries was the impact of emergency service vehicles leaving from what many describe as a congested and already unsafe street. Some local parents and residents believe the presence of increased police traffic could put working families and children at risk, especially during peak hours.
At the most recent council planning meeting, resident Lucy Cawley addressed committee members directly, warning that “constant streams of traffic” from emergency vehicles would flow in and out of the site, which is said to suffer from limited visibility and restricted access. Ms Cawley emphasised that local people were not opposed to the presence of the police, but desired assurance that public safety would be taken seriously.
During the same session, Councillor Tony Wilcox criticised the decision to remove a previous proposal for a secondary access route to the site. He urged further negotiations with the police to reconsider the matter, saying this change could help alleviate residents’ concerns. Councillor Micheal Williams joined the calls for a pause, suggesting that a delay might give time to “satisfy everyone” involved and reach a consensus on safety improvements.
Despite these appeals, council planning officials explained that members were required to vote on the current application, as the police had indicated no interest in adding a second entrance. Some councillors, such as Brian Hall, attempted to draw attention to what could be lost if the station were not replaced, referencing the situation in nearby Milford Haven, which currently lacks its own police station.
Councillor Mark Carter, who had previously supported a site visit and seconded the motion to approve, summed up the feeling among some members that a clear decision was needed. “I’m sorry for the residents, but we as members have got to grow up here and make a decision on this one way or another – if we do anything else it’s just going to go round in circles,” he said.
In a narrow vote, the application to relocate the police station was granted, with eight councillors backing the move and six voting against. This close margin underlines the split opinions and the depth of local feeling about the issue.
Elsewhere in Pembrokeshire, Dyfed-Powys Police has announced that it will establish a new base for Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) in Fishguard, using a former carpenter’s unit in Feidr Castell. Meanwhile, Narberth Police Station is also set to be sold, as the force moves to co-locate with the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service at Spring Gardens – a move that reflects an increasing trend towards shared emergency service buildings in the region.
While Dyfed-Powys Police continues to modernise its estate, the debate surrounding the move highlights the ongoing challenge authorities face: balancing operational efficiency with the genuine concerns of the communities they serve. For Pembroke Dock, the new station will soon be a reality, but many local residents are hoping that their safety fears will not be forgotten during its transition.