Plans for a Pembrokeshire health and social care hub have taken another step forward after the Welsh Government provided a grant.

The Welsh Government has given Pembrokeshire County Council £6.5 million for the construction of the new integrated health and social care hub in Pembroke.

This grant comes from the social care Integration and Rebalancing Capital Fund (IRCF) and will aid the plans at the Pembroke Hwb regeneration project at South Quay.

The Pembroke Hwb will be a 'modern, accessible social care, health, and community hub', according to the council.

It supports the region's aim of building active, resourceful, connected, sustainable, and creative communities.

The Hwb will take an integrated service approach, delivering a multi-generational approach focused on individuals' needs and strengths.

The project had previously received £4.1 million of UK Levelling Up Funding, bringing the total investment into Pembroke to £10.6 million, with Pembrokeshire County Council providing the balance of funding.

Councillor Tessa Hodgeson, the cabinet member for social care, said: "I am really pleased that both south Pembrokeshire and health and social care are benefitting from this investment from Welsh Government.

"The development will represent a significant improvement in access to support to local communities."

Councillor Paul Miller, deputy leader of the council and cabinet member for place, the region and climate change, added that securing the IRCF grant is a final step in regenerating a long-derelict building in Pembroke town centre.

He said: "This brings our service delivery to the core of the town centre, supporting welcome footfall into Pembroke and following Welsh Government's Town Centre’s First policy."

The project is a partnership between Pembrokeshire County Council’s regeneration, social care, and professional construction teams, with support from Hywel Dda University Health Board and the third sector.

Michael Gray, director of social care, housing and public protection, said: "Pembrokeshire County Council is delighted to hear that capital investment for the South Quay Community Hub has been secured.

"This will allow us to progress our work in providing a much-needed co-located and integrated health and care setting in the county."

Sonia Hay, acting county director, Hywel Dda University Health Board, said: "We are actively working towards integrating health, care and community services in Pembrokeshire.

"The Pembroke Hwb represents significant progress in this ambition providing a modern facility which benefits the community in South Pembrokeshire."

Rachel Moxey, head of economic development and regeneration, said she is delighted that the project costs are now fully funded and that work to bring the building back into productive use has started on site.