PLANS for a new ‘traveller site’ on the outskirts of a Pembrokeshire village, which has seen a petition of nearly 300 objections, and was previously refused by the national park, are again expected to be turned down.

Last May, members of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park’s development management committee refused a scheme for 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 authority has served an enforcement notice on the site, which requires its return to its previous condition.

Nearly 300 people had signed a petition against the scheme and the objection to the application by David ‘Dai’ Evans of Pontypool, through agents Hayston Developments & Planning Ltd, was also shared by Saundersfoot’s community council.

Members had said granting permission “would be gross overdevelopment setting a precedent for development literally anywhere throughout the national park”.

A supporting statement accompanying the application stated: “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 said 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 was refused on the grounds it was considered to result in unacceptable landscape impacts, a lack of information on whether the proposal will unacceptably disturb species and habitats within the countryside, and it “would introduce caravan development in an area of the National Park without landscape capacity, resulting in unacceptable cumulative impacts”.

The application has now been resubmitted, which is recommended for refusal at the January 28 meeting of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park’s development management committee.

Agent Hayston Developments & Planning Ltd says the application “is significantly improved and offers new extensive mitigation and net biodiversity gain,” and “is fully in accordance with the requirements in terms of sustainability, access, will not cause significant visual intrusion and is sensitively located within an area surrounded by natural vegetation”.

Saundersfoot Community Council has unanimously objected to the latest plans and 48 objections covering a wide range of concerns have been received, including one from a planning agent on behalf of a group of local residents, and one of 12 residents

The application is recommended for refusal on the grounds its has “resulted in unacceptable landscape impact on the National Park and potentially disturbed species and habitats within the countryside,” it “fails to demonstrate that impacts on otters and the integrity of the Carmarthen Bay and Estuaries Special Area of Conservation would be avoided,” and the proposal “would introduce caravan development in an area of the National Park without landscape capacity, resulting in unacceptable cumulative impacts”.

PLANS for a mini-golf tourist attraction on part of a Pembrokeshire seaside village family venue are expected to be approved by the national park later this month.

In an application recommended for approval at the January 28 meeting of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park’s development management committee, Lowri Silver of Kilgetty, seeks permission for a change of use of the ground floor area of Saundersfoot Harbour’s Coastal Schooner to an indoor mini golf tourist attraction.

The schooner – a prominent feature on the village’s National Events Deck – was built to showcase Saundersfoot’s maritime heritage and is part of the £10m Wales Coastal Centre project.

The building is a replica of a traditional coastal schooner vessel which operated from the harbour during the coal mining era to transport coal from Saundersfoot.

The interpretation centre closed in October 2024.

Last July, an application by Jonathan Thomas of ‘Schooner’ for a pirate-themed bar at the site was refused at the national park development management committee.

That rum bar scheme had raised concerns from the community council, saying it was “considered to be at odds with the current family venue and heritage elements”.

An officer report recommending refusal said that scheme was considered to fall outside the seaside village’s defined retail area and the impact on the amenity of the area and especially nearby residential dwellings.

At that meeting, Cllr Alec Cormack, one of the local county councillors, and member of the community council, called for a more family-friendly scheme for the site.

A supporting statement accompanying the new application says: “The maritime theme will be maintained as the attraction will maintain many of the existing interpretation information and the maritime theme.  The Schooner operated as an interpretation centre and high ropes offer for a year from October 2023 to October 2024.

“It has been open through the summer of 2025 on Tuesday and weekends. However, it has proved not to be a viable option to run the Schooner as an interpretation centre alone and an additional use is sought to maintain the interpretation element of the Schooner and to offer an all-weather attraction for local people and residents alike.”

It added: “The proposal will allow for the Schooner to be maintained and be open to the public thus protecting and enhancing the community facilities to meet the needs of local people and visitors alike. The proposal would also sustain the future of the interpretation element of the Schooner which in turn will protect and enhance the harbour, which is one of the key attractions in Pembrokeshire.”

The latest proposal is “strongly supported by Saundersfoot Community Council, particularly regarding the provision of an indoor family attraction; this was a unanimous decision,” a report for committee members recommending approval says.

It adds: “The proposed works will apart from planters, be fully contained within the existing structure and provide an indoor facility for residents and visitors, which is considered to enhance the visitor economy of the area, not just through the tourist season but also outside of the peak season, with the facility being an indoor facility with scope for all year-round operation.”

New owners promise fresh menu, familiar standards and a warm reception for ‘furry friends’

A NEW bar and restaurant is preparing to open its doors on Milford Waterfront next month after the team behind it quietly took over the venue formerly known as Salt.

Dayne and Victoria, who took over the business in October, said they have spent the past few months working behind the scenes and are now ready to relaunch the venue under a new name — Biffy’s Bar and Restaurant.

The official opening date has been set for Friday, February 6.

In a message to customers, the owners said anyone who has visited since October will already have experienced the standard of food and service they plan to build on, adding that a new menu is on the way.

They said: “Over the past few months, we’ve been quietly working behind the scenes and we’re finally ready to start putting our own stamp on the place — which will soon be Biffy’s.

“If you’ve visited us since October, then you’ve already experienced the standard of food and service you can expect going forward — because that’s exactly what we’re building on. We’re excited to say we’ve got a delicious new menu coming your way too.”

Dog-friendly

The announcement has drawn plenty of supportive messages online — including one customer asking whether the new venue will welcome dogs.

Replying to Dympna Pettit, the business confirmed it will be dog friendly, saying: “Of course, we can’t wait to meet your furry friend.”

Others wished the owners well, with some saying they were looking forward to trying the new menu and seeing the venue return to top form.

Helen Court said she used to visit regularly before COVID, adding that she was looking forward to giving the new venture a try.

Customers who want to book a table for opening day are being asked to message the business via its social media page or book through the Tableo link.

The owners also introduced Daisy and Dexter as part of the team — describing them as the venue’s “Head of Security” and “Chief Morale Officer.”