PLANS for a green energy scheme at a Pembrokeshire former country house which is now holiday apartments have been given the go-ahead.

In an application to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, HPB Ltd, through agent Acanthus Holden Architects, sought permission for a biomass boiler plant and installation of 16 rows of solar panels to the south of the tennis courts, St Brides Castle, St Brides, along with the removal of two tennis courts, two polytunnels, two sheds and relocation of a container.

Marloes and St Brides Community Council: Supporting

An officer report recommending approval said: “St Brides Castle. Listed Grade II* is a former country house (now holiday apartments) just south-west of the small settlement of St Brides.

“The house and its listed ancillary buildings stand prominently within a large grade-II-registered park and garden. The development site lies immediately south of the registered asset, outside of its boundary.”

It added: “Although in a sensitive location, the proposed scheme is well-screened, utilising an existing hedged enclosure. The proposed panels do not protrude over the hedge line, the proposed extra planting to the south and west providing further screening. The proposed building, also well-screened, is of traditional design, proportions and materials.”

The application was conditionally approved by park planners.

NEW polling suggests voters in Wales want stronger action on climate change, nature recovery, clean energy and pollution ahead of next month’s Senedd election.

Climate Cymru, a coalition of organisations, communities and campaigners, said the findings showed public concern remained high as Wales prepares to go to the polls on Thursday, May 7.

The polling, highlighted by Climate Cymru partners including Friends of the Earth Cymru, WWF Cymru and RSPB Cymru, found that six in ten people in Wales said they were worried about climate change.

Concern was even higher among younger people, with 78 per cent of 16 to 29-year-olds saying they were worried.

The research also pointed to growing concern about the impact of climate change on daily life, including extreme weather, food insecurity, poverty and the wider economic consequences for communities across Wales.

Climate Cymru said the findings showed strong support for practical measures including warmer homes, home energy efficiency schemes, community-led renewable energy, and the expansion of solar and wind power.

The Friends of the Earth Cymru polling found that 81 per cent supported funding for home energy efficiency, 75 per cent backed community-led renewable energy, 83 per cent supported solar power, 72 per cent supported offshore wind, and 65 per cent supported onshore wind.

Nature recovery was also highlighted as a major public priority.

RSPB Cymru polling found that 74 per cent of people in Wales supported legal targets for nature recovery, while 76 per cent wanted governments to do more to tackle nature loss. A further 77 per cent said they wanted to see more wildlife thriving in local green spaces.

WWF polling found strong support for action on water pollution, with 87 per cent backing measures to tackle river pollution, 81 per cent supporting a target to halve freshwater pollution by 2030, and 79 per cent supporting the restoration of seagrass, saltmarsh and oyster reefs.

Climate Cymru said Wales had seen a 20 per cent decline in wildlife since 1994, with one in six species threatened with extinction nationally.

A Climate Cymru spokesperson said: “The message from the public is clear: people want political leaders to match the scale of the climate and nature crises with bold, practical policies that improve everyday life.”

The coalition is calling on all parties contesting the Senedd election to commit to clean energy, warmer homes, stronger legal protections for nature, urgent action on river pollution, and support for nature-friendly farming.

A CALL to change Pembrokeshire farmland to a garden and wildflower meadow has been given the go-ahead despite it falling under a condition restricting the loss of such agricultural land.

In an application recommended for approval at the April 21 meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee, Peter Jones sought permission for a change of use from agricultural land to garden, vegetable growing area and wildflower meadow/grove at Old Furzton Cottage, Maidenwells, near Pembroke.

The application was before committee members rather than being decided by officers under delegated powers as it was contrary to a policy of the development plan but was being recommended for approval.

An officer report for committee members said: “The proposal is for the change of use of the land to enable the agricultural field to be used for domestic purposes in conjunction with the dwelling known as Old Furzton Cottage. The land subject to this application is located outside of the curtilage of Old Furzton Cottage.

“Justification has been provided with the application to explain that the occupiers of the dwelling have a desire for a larger garden area to provide additional space for growing of fruit, salad and vegetables, tree planting and wildflower planting.”

One potential sticking point was the proposed site, some 0.4ha of land, falling into a Grade 3a agricultural land classification, defined as Best and Most Versatile (BMV) land, which has tight planning controls against its potential loss.

The report added: “The use of the land at present is for agricultural purposes including making of hay and grazing of livestock, as such the land is underused for agricultural purposes. The development subject to this application would enable some agricultural use to continue, with the production of food from the site.

“Further to this there would be a net benefit to green infrastructure and biodiversity on the site. For these reasons there is justification for the small loss of BMV land.”

At the meeting, committee chair Cllr Mark Carter read out a submission form the applicant, who was unable to attend the meeting, saying the land had been purchased from Pembrokeshire County Council with the intention of creating a low-intensity and environmentally sustainable form of development.

Local member Cllr Steve Alderman said his first concern had been the loss of the BMV land, but pointed out the proposal would offer “massive biodiversity increases,” moving approval.

Members unanimously backed approval of the scheme.