PLANS for £2m plans for wheelchair accessible holiday lodges at the site of a Pembrokeshire deer park attraction have been resubmitted after they were previously withdrawn on the eve of a meeting recommending they be refused.

In an application submitted to Pembrokeshire County Council, Mr and Mrs Evans seek permission for 15 lodges at Great Wedlock, Gumfreston, near Tenby, the site of a 176-acre deer farm attraction, opened last year, and a recently-granted market traders’ barn.

An earlier application was recommended for refusal by officers at the July meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee, but, at the start of that meeting, members heard the application had been withdrawn at the agent’s behest.

Reasons for refusal given to members included it was outside of an identified settlement boundary in a countryside location, it was considered to have an adverse impact on visual amenity and did not include a Green Infrastructure statement.

In a supporting statement, the applicants had said: “Over the last 48 years, my wife and I have developed holiday parks firstly in Pembrokeshire and then throughout the UK. We decided to return to Pembrokeshire where it all started for us in 1976, to develop the deer park and are now looking to develop the wheelchair accessible lodge development, to support our business and for the benefit of Pembrokeshire and its economy.

“In 2020 we bought Great Wedlock Farm and set about applying for planning permission to open the farm to the public to provide a new tourism destination and allow visitors to re-connect with the countryside and natural beauty Pembrokeshire has to offer. The deer were purchased from Woburn Abbey and some from the late Queen’s estate (to ensure the highest quality of deer breeding stock). We opened the deer park in May 2023 with a great emphasis on catering for disabled persons and the elderly.”

They have previously said build costs to complete the development would be circa £2m.

St Florence Community Council did not support the previous application, saying there was no evidence of need for the accommodation, raising concerns about the impact on exiting holiday accommodation, and the design which it says should consider all disability groups not just those in a wheelchair.

Following the withdrawal, amended proposals have now been submitted by the applicants through agent Atriarc Planning, following a consultation recently held with St Florence Community Council.

A supporting statement by the agent says: “Following the meeting, the plans have been revised to create a less linear arrangement with further landscaping provided on site. The new lodge arrangement has been revised to create a less structured environment whilst also providing for a higher degree of natural landscaping.

“A new ‘Pembrokeshire’ hedgerow (circa 222m) is now provided along the site boundary to the west and minor infill hedge to the south. Along with the proposed planting, the placement of the units also creates a site layout, which would limit further access to the wider lands under the applicant’s ownership (therefore constraining any future extension of the site, to seek to allay the community council’s primary concern of further development on site).”

It says the amended plans were re-presented to the Community Council in October, and it “noted to the applicant it was now in a position to support the proposed development”.

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

THE GOVERNMENT’S recently unveiled “Get Britain Working” plan, aimed at tackling unemployment with a £240 million investment, has sparked apprehension among small business owners who fear the reforms could inadvertently harm their operations.

The initiative promises to overhaul Jobcentres, expand NHS mental health support, and introduce a Youth Guarantee offering training and job opportunities for young people. While these measures are designed to boost employment, small businesses warn they could face unintended consequences.

Rising costs and competition

One major concern is the increased competition for talent. The focus on training and apprenticeships may lead to a more competitive job market, making it difficult for small businesses to attract and retain skilled workers. Larger firms with deeper pockets could easily outbid SMEs, exacerbating existing recruitment challenges.

Additionally, the anticipated rise in operational costs due to increased National Insurance contributions compounds the financial strain on small businesses. Many are already struggling with inflation and high energy prices, and these added expenses could force them to make tough decisions about staffing and growth.

Regulatory challenges

The plan’s emphasis on supporting people with disabilities and long-term health conditions may lead to new regulatory requirements for businesses. Compliance could become more complex and costly, diverting resources from core activities and stifling innovation.

Economic uncertainty

Despite the government’s assurances that the plan will unlock growth for all, many small business owners remain sceptical. The uncertainty surrounding these reforms may lead them to delay investments or hiring, potentially slowing economic recovery.

As the government pushes forward with its ambitious agenda, it faces mounting pressure to address the concerns of small businesses. Ensuring that these vital contributors to the UK economy are supported will be crucial in achieving the plan’s goals without unintended negative impacts.

PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL’S financial future is under scrutiny following an extremely critical report by Audit Wales, which warns of mounting risks due to the authority’s reliance on reserves and failure to address underlying budget pressures. The Financial Sustainability Review, published in October 2024, raises concerns about the council’s ability to deliver services and secure long-term financial stability.

The council’s decision to reduce the planned Council Tax increase for 2023-24 from 16.3% to 12.5% is highlighted as a key issue. Paragraph 22 of the report states:

“The revised 2023-24 budget was therefore balanced using reserves to fund the shortfall between income and expenditure. This has implications for the sustainability of the Council’s finances, as the approach does not address the underlying causes of the funding gap.”

Short-term fixes, long-term consequences

Audit Wales identifies several factors contributing to the council’s precarious position:

• Depleting Reserves: Reserve balances are projected to fall sharply, undermining the council’s financial resilience.
• Unaddressed Funding Gap: The Medium-Term Financial Plan (MTFP) for 2024-28 outlines projected deficits but lacks clear solutions to close these gaps.
• Low Council Tax Rates: Pembrokeshire has some of the lowest Council Tax rates in Wales, limiting revenue growth.
• Future Tax Burden: Reduced tax increases in the short term may result in steeper hikes in future years to recover lost revenue.
• Challenging Budget Decisions: The decision to suspend standing orders to amend the MTFP raises questions about governance and transparency.

Audit Wales warns that without a robust, long-term strategy, the council will struggle to prioritize funding and address the structural challenges threatening its financial sustainability.

Impact on residents and services

The report underscores the implications of the council’s financial approach for local residents and services. While reducing the tax increase may have provided short-term relief to taxpayers, it comes at the cost of further reliance on reserves and the potential for drastic measures in future budgets. These could include severe cuts to essential services or substantial tax hikes, placing significant strain on the community.

Additionally, overspending in key service areas adds to the challenges, as rising costs and demand continue to outpace available funding. Audit Wales emphasizes that the council’s reliance on reserves only delays difficult decisions, creating greater risks in the years ahead.

Call for urgent action

Audit Wales recommends urgent steps to develop a comprehensive financial strategy that addresses these issues and ensures sustainability. The council must reduce its dependency on reserves, identify alternative funding sources, and implement measures to close the funding gap.

Pembrokeshire County Council has yet to respond publicly to the report. Residents and stakeholders now await clarity on how the authority plans to address these critical concerns and safeguard the county’s financial future.

This report highlights the challenges local authorities face amid rising costs and limited income, placing Pembrokeshire under the spotlight as it navigates turbulent financial waters.