PEMBROKESHIRE County Council has withdrawn a claim that riding schools could generate up to £7,200 a day, after the figure was challenged by operators and councillors amid growing concern over the accuracy of information used to justify licensing fees.

The issue has now attracted national attention and has been reported in Horse & Hound magazine, a leading rural and equestrian publication.

The figure appeared in a report presented to the council’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Tuesday (Nov 25), as part of a review of riding establishment licensing charges. The matter was raised again at a full meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council on Thursday (Dec 12).

In the report, officers stated that licensed riding schools typically charge around £80 per rider for a two-hour session, adding that a large establishment running three groups of 30 riders across three sessions a day at weekends “may turn over £7,200 per day”.

That claim was challenged at scrutiny and was later withdrawn by the council.

Fees higher than neighbouring counties

Pembrokeshire currently charges £583 per year for riding schools with up to ten horses, £766.50 for centres with 11 to 30 horses, and £1,112 for those with more than 30. In addition, operators must pay around £300 or more for a compulsory veterinary inspection.

Concerns were raised that Pembrokeshire’s charges are higher than those of neighbouring local authorities, placing local riding establishments at a competitive disadvantage.

Council officers told members that Ceredigion charged £570 for centres with up to ten horses and Carmarthenshire £600. However, those figures were later disputed.

Carmarthenshire charges £408, including the veterinary inspection, for centres with up to ten horses. Ceredigion charges £370 for an initial licence covering six to 15 horses and £354 for renewal. Bridgend charges £352, including the vet, for all riding establishments. All figures are publicly available from the councils concerned.

‘We’re being hammered’

Anita Buxton, who runs a 16-horse trekking centre in Pembrokeshire, told councillors she paid £1,127.26 for her most recent licence, made up of a £766.50 council fee and £360.76 for the veterinary inspection.

Her centre only operates seasonally between October and March.

She said: “If I was two miles away in Carmarthenshire, I would have paid £423 in total.

“I’m trying to be competitive with other centres in Wales – we’re all chasing the same customers and we’re being hammered.”

Ms Buxton said her fees have more than doubled since opening nine years ago, while business has declined.

“They’ve done no research and haven’t consulted anybody – not in Pembrokeshire or anywhere,” she said.

“Our insurance has more than doubled. We make our own hay. We don’t employ staff because we can’t afford to. We’re fortunate not to have rent or a mortgage and still struggle to earn anything above keeping the horses.

“We keep going because of the kids – seeing them come back beaming after a ride up the hill and a canter with the views. But there comes a point where the costs are so extortionate you ask what the point is.”

Real-world pricing

Information provided to The Herald by a local Pembrokeshire riding school further highlights the gap between the assumptions presented to councillors and the realities facing operators.

A 2026 price list shows a half-hour lesson or trek priced at £15, an hour session at £30, and a two-hour trek at £60, with a full-day “own a pony” experience priced at £70.

Operators say such prices reflect rising insurance, feed, veterinary and welfare costs, and bear little resemblance to suggestions that riding establishments could generate thousands of pounds a day in turnover.

Decision-making under scrutiny

The controversy has also raised wider concerns about the accuracy of information used in council decision-making.

The Herald has spoken to Cllr Huw Murphy, of the Independent Group, who said the current licensing fees imposed on riding establishments in Pembrokeshire place them at a clear disadvantage compared with centres operating in neighbouring local authorities.

He said he would seek a review of the licensing structure to ensure accurate information is used before decisions are made, and that meaningful consultation takes place with those operating riding schools before future fee levels are set.

Cllr Murphy said the episode demonstrated how councillors can be left exposed when inaccurate or poorly researched information is placed before them, adding that some members had effectively been “thrown under the bus” by figures which were later withdrawn.

The issue follows similar concerns raised in The Herald’s recent reporting on proposed rent increases, where councillors were asked to consider decisions based on figures that were later disputed, prompting calls for greater scrutiny and transparency.

Council position

Council officers have said licensing fees are set on a cost recovery basis and that the authority does not make a profit from them. Members were also told the last consultation on riding establishment fees took place in 2016.

Council records show the scrutiny committee agreed to note the report and its recommendation, but no decision was taken to amend the fee structure.

At the December council meeting, members were told the £7,200 figure had been withdrawn. Cabinet member Cllr Jacob Williams, Cabinet Member for Planning & Regulatory Services, said the matter would be considered again at a future meeting, expected to take place in January.

‘Lifeblood of equestrian participation’

British Horse Society chief operating officer Sarah Phillips said riding schools are the “lifeblood of equestrian participation”.

She said BHS research shows more than 300 riding schools have closed across Britain since 2018.

“We don’t want to lose any more,” she said.

“Licensing fees are set at the discretion of local authorities, and unfortunately that continues to lead to significant variation between counties.

“These conversations are critical if we are to secure the long-term stability of equestrian businesses and protect horse welfare.”

PLANS for an adventure tourism hub in north Pembrokeshire, ruled by a high court judge to have been granted unlawfully following a legal challenge, are due to be heard again by the national park next year.

Back in 2024, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park’s development management committee approved an application by Adventure Beyond Ltd for an outdoor adventure centre, and associated works at The Old Bus Depot, Moylegrove.

The application had been before multiple meetings of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park’s development management committee; the plot originally used as a bus depot by the founder of the Richards Bros bus company.

Concerns were raised about the scheme, including by local community council Nevern, and opponents feared that increased business for adventure firms will worsen the plight of birds and animals including seals.

Following that approval, a high court challenge was brought by Wild Justice, who claimed the scheme would see nesting birds and breeding seals disturbed by ‘noisy’ coasteers.

But Jet Moore, of Adventure Beyond, insisted that the company had been ‘key’ in developing codes of conduct to ensure wildlife safety.

In September Hon Mr Justice Eyre ruled the National Park Authority’s decision was unlawful as a position statement and 2024 survey of breeding birds published by Natural Resources Wales had not been made available beforehand.

The judge also agreed that the management committee had not been properly informed about the impact of the development on the Aberath-Carreg Wylan SSSI, including the potential for coasteering activities to disturb the chough, for which the SSSI is designated.

On that basis planning permission was quashed and the application will need to be re-determined if the development is to go ahead.

Ceibwr Bay forms part of the Cardigan Bay Special Area of Conservation (SAC), the Pembrokeshire Marine SAC, the West Wales Marine SAC and a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and is home to nesting razorbill, guillemot, fulmar, herring gull, chough and kestrel.

Nearby sea caves are recognised pupping areas for grey seals and otters frequent the bay.

Wild Justice argued that an adventure centre would increase recreational activity, such as coasteering and kayaking.

Giving his reaction, Mr Moore claimed objectors had ‘caused more disturbance [to nesting birds] than we ever have’.

At the October meeting of the national park’s development management committee, members received an overview of the judgement, hearing resubmitted plans were expected.

In an update given just before the Christmas break, a spokesperson from Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority said: “We will be bringing the Moylegrove application back for redetermination in 2026 but do not have a definite date for that yet.”

A CALL to convert a former Haverfordwest launderette to housing to provide “a much-needed low-cost home” has been given the go-ahead by county planners.

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, through agent Mathew Hitches Architectural Services, a change of use of Hill Street Laundry, 19, Hill Street, in the town’s conservation area, to a dwelling was sought.

A supporting statement said: “The ground floor of the property was used as a launderette up until February 2024. The business is no longer operating, so the ground floor is currently a vacant unused space. The upper floor had renovation works carried out in 2009 and is used as a separate dwelling which shares an access with the former launderette.

“The launderette was running as a successful business and started trading mid-1990s. Sadly over the years the demand for the business decreased and became less profitable each year. With a combination of rising bills, outdated machinery and minimal profit, the decision was made to cease trading in February 2024, as the business was no longer considered viable.

“In October 2024 the property was advertised as a commercial unit available to rent. The property was listed by West Wales Home Rentals for several weeks. No interest was shown. In April 2025 the entire property, commercial ground floor and residential floors above, was placed on the market for sale by FBM. Again, very little interest was shown in the property so it was taken off the market in September 2025.

“The applicant has been actively advertising the property for sale or rent for the last 12 months. There are many adequate alternative employment / business sites throughout Haverfordwest and beyond. It would appear that the continued use as a business in this location is no longer viable.  As there is a high demand for low-cost housing it is felt that a proposed change of use from Class A1 (presumed) to C3(a), would be appropriate in this location.”

It finished: “The property is no longer viable as a business and is lying vacant. The proposal for a change of use to a dwelling will provide a much-needed low-cost home to the open market. Proposed minor alterations to the appearance of the building will have no detrimental effect on the character and appearance of the Conservation Area.”

The application was conditionally approved by planning officers.