Pembrokeshire County Council is appealing to the Welsh Government not to claw back a significant amount of money planned to help regenerate a prime site near the historic Pembroke Castle.

The council has been marketing the South Quay site in the shadow of the Castle for several years.

The site takes in South Quay, Northgate Street and Castle Terrace and a number of buildings have fallen into serious disrepair.

But, as some of the structures are Listed Buildings within a Conservation Area, they cannot be demolished whole scale.

The council said it has come close to selling the site to private developers several times but, for a variety of reasons, a deal has never been signed.

Known as the South Quay site, the parcel of land is part of a joint venture development with the Welsh Government.

It has now been established that extensive stabilisation work now needs to be urgently carried out before the site can be re-marketed.

It was envisaged that any potential developer would - besides its own money – also have access to over £500,000 in funds from the sale of land at North Quay on the opposite side of the river.

But, with no deal on the horizon, Welsh Government is now asking for the repayment of the majority of that money.

This, the council maintains, makes the prospect of attracting any future developers even more difficult and remote.

In a bid to reset the partnership with Welsh Government, the County Council has now written to the Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Transport, Ken Skates.

“I am seeking a meeting with the Cabinet Secretary and his officials to discuss a way forward for what is, after all, a prime site within the town of Pembroke” said Councillor Paul Miller, the Council’s Cabinet Member for Economy, Tourism, Leisure and Culture.

“The site has been derelict for far too long, progress is overdue and I can assure Councillor [Aaron] Carey and the people of Pembroke that I see the delivery of a scheme on this site as a priority.”

The Council’s move comes after concerns were expressed by Cllr Aaron Carey – in whose ward South Quay is located – and Councillor Pearl Llewellyn who represents nearby Monkton.

“It is the main topic of conversation in Pembroke” said Cllr Carey who was elected in May.

“I realise that a lot has been going on behind the scenes but unfortunately the public perception is that nothing is happening and that the Council is dragging its feet.

“The truth is that we need the assistance of Welsh Government – our original partners – in order to access the necessary funds to make these buildings safe.

“Until that is done, we cannot move on and I don’t want the site deteriorating for a further 20 years.”