Resubmitted plans for a gin distillery in the centre of Britain’s smallest city which objectors fear “could result in death, injuries and large-scale damage to property” are expected to be refused by Pembrokeshire national park next week.

Last October, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park planners, refused an application by Mr N Walsh for a change of use of the exiting guest house at St Davids Distillery, Restaurant & Rooms, 11-13 Nun Street, St Davids to include the bar/restaurant and distillery.

The plans for the Grade II-listed property had drawn 23 responses of concern, including intensification of use from the bar, impacts on local amenity, and Health and Safety concerns about the installation of a still and the use of ethanol, with fears of a fire and explosion risk.

The scheme – supported by St David’s City Council – was partly retrospective as the gin still had been installed, but was not currently in use, in the distillery sited below existing bedrooms at the guesthouse.

The latest application, a mixed used of 11-13 Nun Street as a bed and breakfast and housing part of a gin distillery plant required for processing gin distillations for St Davids Distillery, is again recommended for refusal.

It is proposed that the ethanol and botanicals would be stored off-site and brought onto the premises only when distilling is taking place; 30 days of any 12-month calendar year, and that the property would not be offering accommodation for guests on these days.

An officer report says: “This application seeks consent for the mixed use of the premises as bed and breakfast and gin distillery. Whilst the description given by the applicant refers to ‘part of the gin distillery plant’ being housed at the premises, it is considered that since the gin still is the crucial element required for the process of gin distillation, the application does seek consent for a gin distillery.”

It added: “There are a number of mitigation measures suggested in order to minimise the risk associated with the use of ethanol at this site.

“However, the measures required to control these measures would not, in the opinion of the authority, be reasonable, practical or enforceable. As a result, the proposal would be inappropriate, and as such, a recommendation to refuse planning permission is made.”

There were also 14 letters of objection to the proposals, raising concerns including it “could result in death, injuries and large-scale damage to property” and “The site is not suitable for producing and storing inflammable materials,” traffic, noise and lack of privacy, and other industrial settings in and around St Davids that could be used for housing the distillery.

The report adds: “It is recognised that it would be possible for the Authority to apply a condition restricting the use of the still to the hours, and amount of days per calendar year as suggested by the planning statement, however officers have a fundamental concern regarding the reasonableness and enforceability of any such conditions since they would require the B&B to provide details of all bookings, and inspections to be carried out by officers.”

The application is recommended for refusal at the October 16 meeting of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park’s development management committee on grounds it would introduce a use that was “incompatible with its location and a design which does not adequately address matters of health,” and “the proposed development would result in harm being caused to residential amenity due to the requirement of planning conditions which would be considered unenforceable and impracticable”.

A LOCAL petrol station has been named the best in the UK.

MFG St Clears Service Station, located in St Clears, Carmarthenshire, has won the prestigious Forecourt Trader of the Year Award for 2024.

Karen Doyle, the manager, expressed her excitement at the accolade. “We’re absolutely over the moon,” she said. “We’ve only been open for nearly twelve months, so to achieve this is truly remarkable.”

Speaking to BBC Radio Wales Breakfast, Ms Doyle added, “We’re all thrilled – it’s such a fantastic accomplishment, and we’ve worked really hard to get here.”

The forecourt, which features a coffee shop and a well-stocked food store, faced tough competition from service stations across the UK. According to Ms Doyle, the station’s toilets are a notable attraction. “The loos are fantastic,” she said. “We’ve got murals of fish all over the walls – they’re absolutely brilliant.”

However, the Best Forecourt Loo award went to Essar Lea Gate Service Station in Preston this year.

The Forecourt Trader Awards are judged across several categories, with the overall best forecourt title reflecting excellence in multiple areas, including customer service, facilities, and quality offerings.

Ms Doyle emphasised the importance of great customer service. “We see many returning customers, especially lorry drivers who regularly stop by for fuel or a chat. The relationships we build with them are crucial for our business,” she explained.

Other Welsh service stations also received recognition at the awards. Ascona Machynlleth was shortlisted for Best Food To Go Outlet and Best Valeting Services. Lewis of Llandrinio, based in Llanymynech, was nominated for Best Forecourt Team, while Rontec Cardiff West Service Station was a contender for Best Motorway Services Outlet.

Looking ahead, Ms Doyle has set her sights high for next year’s awards. “We’re aiming for a clean sweep next time!” she declared.

PLANS to rebuild and renovate a fire-ravaged Pembrokeshire seaside pub have been given the go-ahead by the national park.

In an application before Pembrokeshire Coast National Park planners, Pleasure Inns Ltd sought permission for alterations and refurbishment works to the Duke Of Edinburgh Inn, Newgale, including a change of use of first floor manager accommodation and letting units to a bar/restaurant area.

The Duke of Edinburgh was severely damaged during a blaze in the early hours of January 16.

The fire burned through the roof of the two-storey building which consisted of the ground floor pub with accommodation above, causing significant damage.

It took fire crews from St Davids, Haverfordwest, Milford Haven and Fishguard crews around six hours to bring the blaze under control.

Local community council Nolton and Roch has supported the proposed the works to the pub, saying: “Community Councillors feel the plans are well-considered, attractive and will certainly enhance Newgale, both visually and as an excellent service for tourists and locals alike.

“The Duke of Edinburgh public house is synonymous to Newgale and has been enjoyed by tourists and locals for several generations, and the local community look forward to the planned refurbishments and normal business resuming at the property in the near future.”

A supporting statement, through agent A D Architectural Design Consultants Ltd, said: “As part of the proposal, the entire internal layout will be re-arranged and given a complete re-vamp. The ground floor layout will remain as existing, apart from the introduction of a new staircase and lift, providing access to the proposed first floor bar and restaurant areas.

“The entire provision of first floor accommodation will be omitted from the proposed scheme, minimising any risk of impact from the flood zone.  Additionally, the overall footprint of the building will be reduced as part of the proposal, with the existing front entrance porch being demolished and replaced with a ‘post-supported’ balcony above, providing an external seating area to the proposed bar and restaurant areas.

“With the afore-mentioned existing entrance porch being demolished, the proposed main entrance will be located as part of the proposed southern corner glazing, providing an internal glazed lobby, which then provides access into the proposed entrance bar.”

An officer report said amended plans “to incorporate a more traditional appearance to the central part of the public house” had been submitted.

The report, recommending approval, said: “The pub dates back to the turn of the century, having been previously built on the other side of the road according to a historic newspaper article and was moved to the landward side of the road after storm damage.

“The use of the site as a public house has not been lost as result of the fire, and so the principle of restoring the building to its original use is acceptable, and although it is in a flood plain, as it is an existing use and is not being extended beyond the existing footprint, it does not contravene the principles of building in the flood plain.”

It added: “If this were a new-build application, it would be contrary to the principles of the Local Plan, but as it is the refurbishment of an existing building with an existing lawful use, it can be supported.”

National Park planners granted approval with a long string of conditions.

Mid and West Fire and Rescue Service (MAWWFRS) immediately undertook a fire investigation to determine the cause of the fire earlier this year.

“The outcome of the fire investigation was inconclusive due to the extent of damage in the area of the building where the fire most likely first started,” a spokesperson for the service said.

“There were no suspicious circumstances so it will be recorded as accidental undetermined.”