AN APPLICATION to change the use of a Pembroke Dock house to a care home, which has been operating without planning permission for some 15 years, has been submitted to county planners.

Care home specialist Orbis Ltd is seeking a retrospective change of use for the Stockwell Road property to a residential care home for up to five adults, plus staff, the change of use having started in September 2009.

A supporting statement accompanying the application, by agent C2J Architects & Town Planners, says: “The applicant, Orbis Ltd is a sector-leading provider of specialist services for children and adults with complex needs associated with autism.

“Their integrated model of learning and living, combined with a holistic therapeutic approach, ensures that they can offer unique homes for life with continuous community-based learning for adults.

“The applicant’s primary aim is to provide a safe environment that encourages individuality, self-confidence, self-esteem and lifelong learning.  It is a person-centred approach, encouraging adults to learn and develop skills that will enable them to play an active role in their community, supporting them to make their own informed decisions. The applicants work closely with families and carers to support individuals to develop and maintain relationships.”

It goes on to say: “Up to five adults would remain at the property as their principal residence. Adults who are in the guardianship of Orbis have been taken into care for a variety of reasons, including fears for their physical wellbeing, learning disabilities or because of emotional or behavioural difficulties.”

It adds: “The existing dwelling has been in use as a care home and registered with Care Inspectorate Wales for over 15 years, despite not formally having planning permission. It is key to note that given the use (C2) has been in operation for a continuous period in excess of 10 years, in accordance with Section 171B (3) of the Planning and Compensation Act 1991, the current use is immune from any enforcement action.”

The application will be considered by county planners at a later date.

AMENDMENTS to a trout fishery holiday chalet scheme, which was granted by Pembrokeshire councillors last year after being repeatedly recommended for refusal, have been given the go-ahead by county planners.

Last summer, Pembrokeshire councillors backed plans for holiday chalets at a trout fishery, despite them being recommended for refusal on multiple occasions.

Plans to provide nine accommodation cabins and ancillary works at a former fishery business at Millbrook, Manorwen, Fishguard, were backed at two meetings of Pembrokeshire County Council planning committee, despite them being recommended for refusal.

The application was backed for a second time at the committee’s May meeting, after a ‘minded to approve’ decision at the previous meeting.

The decision, a departure from the adopted Local Development Plan, meant the application would need to be referred to full council for a final decision.

Officers had repeatedly recommended Messrs L & C Williams’ application – diversification of an existing agricultural holding and trout fishery business – be refused on the grounds it would have an unacceptable adverse impact on the character and appearance of the countryside.

The application was then backed at the July 2023 meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council, despite a recommendation that the council did not endorse the resolution of the planning committee on the grounds it went against Development Plan policies which directed that planning permission should not be granted.

The applicants have now submitted amendments to the granted scheme, asking for revisions to the plans to include a lower carbon footprint through for both heating and hot water and the use of solar panels, along with larger decking areas and hot tubs to lodges.

The changes, recommended for approval at the October 8 meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee, also includes making thee lodges disability-friendly.

An officer report ahead of the meeting says: “The proposed amendments are essentially refinements to the approved scheme, enhancing accessibility, increasing the use of renewable energy; and improving the facilities offered by the scheme for visitors. Officers consider that environmental, social and economic benefits will accrue from the proposed revisions to the approved scheme.”

The recommendation for conditional approval was moved by Cllr Brian Hall, who said: “I’m more than happy to recommend this amendment.”

He was seconded by Cllr John Cole, who said: “It’s a rejigging which will make the site more accessible for people with disabilities.”

The application was unanimously approved.

A PEMBROKESHIRE farm barn attraction previously refused by planning officers, which has gained a 3,500-strong petition of support to keep it running, will be decided later this year.

Late last year, Stuart Williams of Home Farm, Leweston, near Camrose, was refused retrospective permission by planning officers to retain the Willhome Farm Barn farm park – and ancillary buildings – built in June 2022.

The site – whose facilities were used by council educational providers and parents of children with learning difficulties – is home to rabbits, llamas, donkeys, poultry, owls, goats, ponies and pigs, along with a café building, public conveniences, a children’s play area, and parking.

It was refused due to highway safety concerns and fears it would generate additional foul water flows which are likely to result in an increase in phosphate levels in the Cleddau River.

Since the refusal by planners, a change.org petition, Grant Planning Permission for Willhome Farm Barn in Pembrokeshire, was set up by Hook-based Jessica Austin, which has attracted more than 3,500 signatures to date.

Jessica’s petition said: “This decision not only affects this resilient family but also impacts schools attended with over 6,000 pupils, by adults from local wellbeing centres and families with children who have autism or learning difficulties like mine.

“It’s important to note that there are no apparent issues with existing amenities. Roads or waterways. The refusal of planning permission seems unjustified and is causing unnecessary distress within our community.”

Earlier this year, the applicant submitted a fresh call – supported by local community council Camrose – for permission to be granted, which was again due to be decided by planning officers.

At the request of local county councillor, and former council leader, Cllr Jamie Adams, a special meeting was held in July to discuss whether a decision could be made by councillors rather than officers.

Despite a recommendation it be decided by officers, members unanimously agreed to remove delegated powers for approval or refusal, meaning the application would be heard at a future planning committee.

The application was due to be heard at the October 8 meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee, with a recommendation of refusal, reasons including those given for the previous application.

A report for members concluded: “The proposal would have a negative environmental impact through additional traffic movements.  In addition, insufficient information has been submitted to demonstrate management and reduction of traffic to support sustainable travel or to ensure that the public highway remains free and clear from obstruction.”

It added: “The proposed development generates additional foul water flows which are likely to result in an increase in Phosphate levels in the Afon Cleddau, adversely affecting the Cleddau Rivers SAC.”

At the start of the October meeting, members heard the scheme had been temporarily withdrawn to allow the applicant’s agent more time to address highways and foul water drainage concerns, with the plans expected to return to the December planning committee.