A PREVIOUSLY refused call to change holiday accommodation near a Pembrokeshire village which was not meeting the criteria to avoid the second homes council tax premium, to a residential care home, has now been allowed.

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, Ian Parker sought permission for a change of use of The Sycamores, Gelli Hill, Llawhaden, on the site of a former farm complex, from an eight-bedroom holiday let capable of supporting 16 guests, to a residential care home of six residents and 10 staff.

A previous application was refused by county planners in 2024 on the basis it had failed “to provide justification in order to support an identified need for a residential care home at this location”.

A supporting statement, through agent H.B. Tribe Chartered Engineer, said its previous use as a holiday let was available for 140 days and actually let for 70 days in any one year, below the-now 182-day level to avoid incurring a second homes council tax premium.

“Recent local press reports indicate that a number of providers of holiday accommodation have left the industry as they cannot meet this target and, if they continue, are therefore liable for a huge increase in taxation, putting up the rate for holiday makers who are unlikely to pay the additional sums. Demand will therefore fall.

“In 2023 The Sycamores did not meet this new threshold and therefore faced the increased cost of having to pay council tax, (with the premium as a second home) so hard business decisions had to be taken. The property cannot continue as a holiday let.”

It said the applicants, together with a third director, own and operate three care homes in Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion specialising in the care of adults with learning disabilities, employing some 95 staff as the clients require 24-hour care and some need one-to-one supervision at all times.

It concluded: “It is known that nationally the care system is struggling to meet the increasing demands that are being asked of it. This is no less true for those with learning disabilities as any other group of the population. Evidence has been submitted to show that there is a demand for further residential and respite care spaces in West Wales.

“The application property exists and will remain as it is. There is no new visual impact on the countryside.”

An officer report recommending approval for the latest application said: “The applicant in addressing the previous refusal of planning permission has provided information to demonstrate that there is substantial demand for the provision of new residential care beds from within Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion.

“It is considered that the building is appropriate for the proposed use, given its current use as holiday accommodation.”

It also said concerns about potential increases in foul water drainage were already met by the potential capacity of the existing tourist accommodation.

The application was conditionally approved.

PLANS to convert a vandalised former Pembrokeshire town centre Chinese restaurant to a flat and bedsits are expected to be approved next week.

In an application recommended for approval the January 13 meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee, Mr S Sahin and Miss S Ahmed, through agent Hayston Developments & Planning Ltd, seek permission for a change of use of Grade-II-listed 20 Hamilton Terrace, Milford Haven from the former Mandarin Restaurant to one flat and eight bedsits, an amendment of an original scheme which included one extra bedsit.

The scheme is before committee rather than delegated to officers as it is recommended for approval despite being contrary to a policy of the development plan.

The application for the Mandarin follows a withdrawn scheme for three flats deemed invalid by council planners.

A supporting statement says: “The property has historically been in use as a Chinese restaurant on the ground floor with two flats on the upper floors of the building. The ground floor use of the building ceased some 10 years ago and currently lies vacant. Due to the lack of use of the building, it is in a very poor condition and has been the subject of unfortunate vandalism particularly to the interior of the building.”

It says that, after the previous scheme was withdrawn, the applicants have “since reviewed their position and now present revised applications to be considered by the council”.

It adds: “The clients have re-thought on what type of accommodation is needed and required in this part of Milford Haven.  It has been identified that the cheaper type of affordable housing for either workers or a single person is the most needed. Indeed, PCC Housing Need Register reflects this need, and this has also been confirmed by the local estate agents.”

It concludes: “The proposal is considered to put an important Grade-II-Listed Building back into beneficial use and would help to secure its long-term future. The proposal would represent a high-quality and sympathetic conversion and extension of the building, and which would make a positive contribution to the locality and conservation area status.”

An officer report recommending approval says one letter of objection was received raising concerns including potential impact on a neighbouring property and boundaries, and the discharge of the sewer under number 20.

It concludes: “The proposal is for the change of use of use with alterations and extensions to the building to create one self-contained flat and eight bedsits.  This would not accord [with policy] as it would involve the change of use of the ground floor to residential (C3) use in a Secondary Frontage.

“However, material planning considerations have been identified which are considered to be sufficient to justify a departure from the policy.”

A PLANNED changeover of vessels at Fishguard Harbour saw the MV Ben My Chree arrive in Pembrokeshire this week ahead of taking over the Fishguard–Rosslare route.

The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company vessel arrived at Fishguard Harbour at 2:14pm on Tuesday (January 6), alongside the Stena Nordica, but did not immediately enter service.

Instead, the Ben My Chree remained alongside overnight while essential restocking and preparations were completed. She officially began operating the Fishguard–Rosslare service on Wednesday (January 7).

Contrary to speculation, the Nordica has not been withdrawn from service. The changeover had been planned for several months as part of Stena Line’s fleet management programme. The Nordica is scheduled to cover other Stena routes while vessels across the fleet undergo dry docking, with the ship also due to have a new gearbox fitted during her time away from Fishguard.

However, the duration of her absence may now be extended following an unrelated incident at Holyhead Port on Wednesday, when the Stena Estrid suffered damage during a berthing manoeuvre. The vessel is understood to be holed and has since gone to dry dock.

The Holyhead cover had originally been expected to be provided by the Stena Edda, but the Estrid incident has altered Stena Line’s operational plans.

The Ben My Chree will now operate the Fishguard–Rosslare service while the Nordica is deployed elsewhere within the Stena fleet. The Ben My Chree is a roll-on, roll-off ferry capable of carrying up to 500 passengers and around 200 cars or approximately 95 freight vehicles.

Built in the Netherlands and launched in 1998, the vessel previously served routes between Heysham and Douglas and has operated the Fishguard–Rosslare crossing before as cover. While fitted with cabins, these are not currently available for booking, and the ship does not offer onboard wi-fi or a premium lounge.

Despite the changes, ferry operations at Fishguard are understood to be running as planned, with both freight and passenger services continuing uninterrupted.

Ben My Chree and Stena Nordica alongside at Fishguard Harbour on Wednesday afternoon (Pic: Marc Evans)