Pembrokeshire’s Delay on Enforced Sales Sparks Concern: Bureaucracy or Something Deeper?
- Jamie Barnikel
- Jun 12
- 2 min read

Pembrokeshire County Council has once again postponed a decision that could have real consequences for local communities: the enforced sale of long-term empty properties. The delay, now pushed to September, comes after officials admitted key paperwork was incomplete. For residents and local housing advocates, the news is more than just another bureaucratic stumble — it feels like history repeating itself, and not in a good way.
What Was at Stake?
The enforced sale of long-term vacant homes is a powerful tool. It allows councils to take action against property owners who leave buildings empty for years, often allowing them to fall into disrepair and blight the neighbourhood. In a region like Pembrokeshire, where affordable housing is in chronic short supply, every dormant home represents a missed opportunity — not just in housing, but in community renewal.
The Council was expected to approve action on a small group of such properties this summer. That plan is now shelved until at least September.
Why the Delay?
Officially, the postponement comes down to incomplete or missing paperwork. That may sound mundane, but it's raised eyebrows — not for the first time. The Council has previously faced criticism for administrative delays and a lack of transparency in its dealings around property management and enforcement powers.
Some councillors and members of the public are asking a fair question: how, after months of discussion and preparation, can the paperwork still be incomplete?
Implications for Locals
The delay carries a real human cost:
Housing Need Unmet: With homelessness and housing insecurity rising across Wales, every month of inaction is another month families go without.
Frustration and Distrust: Locals who’ve waited years to see derelict properties dealt with are growing increasingly cynical about the council’s ability — or willingness — to act.
Degraded Communities: Empty homes often become eyesores or magnets for vandalism, affecting nearby property values and neighbourhood morale.
Is This Just Inefficiency — or Something More?
While many will point to simple bureaucratic inefficiency, some worry this could be a symptom of something deeper — even systemic. Past controversies in Pembrokeshire, including questionable procurement decisions and governance issues, have left a residue of mistrust.
There’s also the uncomfortable possibility of undue influence behind the scenes. Are certain property owners being shielded? Has the enforcement process been quietly sabotaged? Without transparency, it’s hard to know — and that’s the problem.
Moving Forward
If the council is serious about addressing the housing crisis and restoring faith in local government, it must:
Explain Clearly: Offer a full, public explanation of what paperwork was missing, who was responsible, and what steps are being taken to correct it.
Name and Act: Set clear deadlines for enforcement and publicly name the properties and owners involved, within legal constraints.
Ensure Accountability: Independent oversight may be needed to ensure the process isn’t being influenced by private interests.
Delays happen. Mistakes happen. But when they happen repeatedly, especially around critical issues like housing, residents are right to ask tougher questions.
September now looms as a test — not just of process, but of principle. Pembrokeshire deserves answers. And more than that, it deserves action.
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