NATIONAL park planners are expected to back a call to visit a proposed new ‘traveller site’ on the outskirts of a Pembrokeshire village, which has seen a petition of nearly 300 objections, before making any formal decision.

Nearly 300 people have signed a petition against the creation of one traveller site incorporating one static caravan, one touring caravan, day/utility room and ecological enhancements (partly retrospective) on land at Froghall Yard, Moreton Lane, Saundersfoot.

The objection to the site is also being shared by the village’s community council.

Around 50 people attended a recent meeting of the community council when members voted unanimously to object to the application.

The application is made by Dai Evans of Pontypool, through agents Hayston Developments & Planning Ltd.

Saundersfoot Community Council is recommending that the plans are turned down.

Members have pointed out that the site is agricultural land, with no caravan or other use in over 30 years.

They added: “This previously unspoilt location is an important part of the landscape setting of the village.”

There was also concern that the site – where two previous planning applications had been rejected – is overlooked from Incline Way above and cannot be screened,

Councillors were ‘frustrated’ that extensive clearance work had already taken place on site, with multiple mature trees removed and apparently disturbing a badger habitat.

They continued: “‘Permission here would be gross overdevelopment setting a precedent for development literally anywhere throughout the National Park, including the additional land owned by the applicant adjacent to the application site.”

The community council’s objection finishes: “The applicant lives in Pontypool and claims no connection to the area.  There is no rationale as to why the applicant chose a site approximately 100 miles away from their home.”

A supporting statement accompanying the application states: “The applicant belongs to a long-standing Romany Gypsy family and generations have lived a traditional and cultural lifestyle living in caravans all their lives.

“Mr Evans and his partner currently reside on an overcrowded Traveller site in Pontypool where living conditions are poor. They currently only live in rented accommodation and its brick and mortar and not in keeping with their cultural preference, as they prefer to live in a caravan.”

It says Mr Evans and family have stayed in a touring caravan at the site during the summer months since the late 1980s when it was owned by another gypsy family, later purchased by Mr Evans in 2023, clearing and refurbishing the site.

“The application’s aspirations are to continue his Gypsy culture and traditions residing in a caravan on site.”

At the April 9 meeting of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park’s development management committee, members are recommended to agree to a site visit ahead of any formal decision on the scheme, on the grounds of public interest.

If a site visit is agreed, the application will be heard at a future national park meeting.

A BOLD new strategy aimed at reducing suicide rates and improving support for people who self-harm is being launched today by the Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing, Sarah Murphy.

The Welsh Government’s 10-year Suicide Prevention and Self-Harm Strategy focuses on creating a more compassionate approach to understanding and responding to suicide and self-harm. Drawing on the lived experiences of those affected, the strategy seeks to reduce stigma and foster an environment where people feel able to ask for help without fear or judgement.

To support this work, the Welsh Government is investing more than £2 million in the National Centre for Suicide Prevention and Self-harm at Swansea University, through Health and Care Research Wales. This marks a major step forward in deepening understanding of these complex issues.

The new strategy outlines six key priorities:

• Listening and learning – Building a robust evidence base by listening to those with lived experience.
• Preventing – Addressing the underlying risk factors that can lead to suicide and self-harm.
• Empowering – Tackling stigma and encouraging open conversations.
• Supporting – Improving services for those who self-harm or experience suicidal thoughts.
• Equipping – Ensuring services across Wales can identify and support those at risk.
• Responding – Providing timely, compassionate, person-centred help after suspected suicides.

The strategy acknowledges that suicide and self-harm can affect anyone, but certain age and gender groups are more vulnerable. Suicide is most prevalent among men aged 30 to 55, while self-harm is more common in young women aged 15 to 19. These insights inform the strategy’s tailored approach to support.

It also highlights the link between self-harm and suicide, underlining the need to treat all incidents of self-harm with seriousness, empathy, and care.

Minister Sarah Murphy said: “This ambitious strategy focuses on building understanding, prevention, and compassionate support for everyone affected by suicide and self-harm.

By working across government departments and with our partners, we’re tackling the root causes while ensuring immediate help is available to those who need it.

It’s through supporting and working with third sector organisations like the Samaritans that we will achieve the ambitions set out in our Suicide Prevention and Self-Harm Strategy.”

Joshua, who received support from the Samaritans after experiencing suicidal thoughts, said: “I see a generational issue where older men don’t speak about their mental health because they grew up in a time when it wasn’t discussed.

Nowadays, people are more open about mental health, which is great. But there are still boys and men my age who feel it’s too wimpy or embarrassing to talk about it. Even though the conversation is improving, that stigma still exists.”

The strategy builds on recent progress made in Wales, including:

• The launch of a national advice service for those affected by suicide.
• New guidance for agencies supporting people bereaved by suicide.
• Improved access to mental health services through single points of contact for CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services).
• The national rollout of the 111 press 2 urgent mental health helpline.

Information from the Real-Time Suspected Suicide Surveillance (RTSSS) system – which collects data from police forces – will be used alongside a lived experience framework to guide future policies and services.

The National Centre for Suicide Prevention and Self-harm has been appointed as an advisory body to the Welsh Government, and a dedicated National Suicide and Self-harm team has been established within the NHS Executive to drive delivery of the strategy across Wales.

A CALL to approve a new campsite close to a Neolithic burial chamber for Pembrokeshire coastal path walkers, at which building works have started without permission, has been approved by county planners.

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, Raffale Colella sought partly-retrospective permission for a proposed 12-pitch campsite at Tyr fy Nhad, New Hill, Goodwick.

The application was partly-retrospective as part of a concrete and timber facilities building for the site, near the chambered tomb of Garn Wen, a scheduled ancient monument on land owned by the applicant, has already been built.

A supporting statement through Johnston Planning Ltd said the applicant “seeks to establish a high-quality, all-season facility which will cater primarily for walkers on the Pembrokeshire coastal Path who currently lack any meaningful accommodation of this nature in the locality”.

It added: “The scheme proposes some 12 individual camping pitches set on a north-south axis on the site divided by an access track running the length of the facility with the proposed welfare building set midway along the eastern side of the site.

“In this instance the proposal relates to the establishment of new camp site on the periphery of a recognised settlement.”

It finished: “The provision of temporary visitor accommodation in this location will lead to increased spend in the settlement of Goodwick helping to underpin the service function of that town and having general indirect benefits in terms of social and economic sustainability.

“Ecologically the development proposes significant enhancement measures in terms of planting that will have clear positive impacts in terms of habitat creation and foraging habitat for a range of insect and animal species.”

The scheme was supported by Fishguard and Goodwick Town Council.

An officer report, recommending approval, said: “In regard to visual impact the site is elevated although due to the nature of the development being low level and in relation to landscape planting the development would have an acceptable visual impact on the immediate and wider area.

“In regard to impact on residential amenity, the site would be approximately 20 metres from the nearest dwelling.  The access track is some 15-20 metres from the dwellings to the east, therefore the development would not have a significant impact on the occupants of the dwellings to the south of the site.”

The application was conditionally approved.