Pembrokeshire County Council has provided further clarity on its plans to tackle long-term empty homes, confirming that second homes will not be affected by the new strategy.
The authority has formally approved its Empty Properties Strategic Plan for 2025–2030, which sets out how the council intends to address properties that have been left vacant for extended periods. While the plan includes the ability to enforce the sale of some empty homes, councillors were keen to stress that this power would only be used in exceptional circumstances.
During the council meeting, elected members repeatedly reassured residents that compulsory sales would be a last resort. The primary aim, they said, is to bring unused homes back into occupation through cooperation rather than enforcement.
In its supporting report, the council described long-term empty properties as a wasted housing resource at a time when demand for homes remains high across the county. Empty homes, it said, could otherwise help ease local housing pressures if returned to use.
The report also warned that properties left vacant for long periods can have a damaging effect on communities. These homes often become targets for antisocial behaviour such as vandalism, trespass and arson, which can undermine neighbourhood safety and confidence.
Beyond antisocial behaviour, the council noted that neglected properties frequently become eyesores that lower the value of neighbouring homes. They may also attract vermin, create health risks, and place additional pressure on council departments, as well as emergency services including the police and fire service.
Crucially, the council confirmed that second homes will not be included in the scope of the plan. A spokesperson explained that the strategy is designed specifically to address properties that are genuinely unused, rather than homes that are occupied intermittently.
Under the council’s definition, a long-term empty property is a privately owned home that has been vacant for more than 12 months, has no usual residents, shows no signs of being used as a second home, and is not occupied by short-term tenants. As second homes fall into a separate council tax category, they are treated differently under local policy.
The council said its preferred approach is to work directly with owners of empty homes. This includes offering advice, sharing information on financial assistance or grant schemes, and providing guidance on how properties can be refurbished and brought back into use.
Only where these efforts fail would the council consider more formal interventions. These could include enforcement action where a property is causing a nuisance or posing a risk to the local area.
Councillor Jacob Williams told the meeting that any use of forced sale powers would be handled on a case-by-case basis. He added that the number of properties affected is expected to be very small.
A further council statement explained that strict criteria must be met before any legal powers are used. In particular, compulsory sale would only be considered where the council has made every reasonable attempt to contact or engage with the owner, and where unresolved issues remain.
In some cases, this may involve properties where the council has had to carry out works itself to reduce risks or nuisance, leading to debts that have not been repaid by the owner.
The council stressed that enforcement is intended to support communities, not punish responsible owners. The overall objective is to increase the supply of usable housing, improve neighbourhood conditions and reduce the negative impact of long-term empty properties.
Following a vote in favour, the Empty Properties Strategic Plan will become operational once the formal call-in period has passed, marking the start of a new, more structured approach to dealing with empty homes across Pembrokeshire.
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