A CALL for a beer garden at the back of a Pembrokeshire seaside village bar could lead to binge and underage drinking, fights, and drunk punters relieving themselves by neighbouring properties, objectors have said.

At the next meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s licensing sub-committee, members will consider an application for a variation of a premises licence at The Bunker, Cambrian Terrace, Saundersfoot by Rebecca Evans by adding a beer garden area to the rear of this premises.

A report for members says the beer garden would have a capacity of 50, operating from 2pm to 9pm, monitored by CCTV and staff.

It adds: “During the consultation process the authority received correspondence disputing a right of way in respect of a fire exit marked on the original plan submitted at the rear of the beer garden. The applicant subsequently amended the plan to remove this exit.”

It goes on to say objectors raised other concern, which include: “The proposed external drinking area would create unacceptable noise and disturbance to the immediately adjoining residential and consented properties. With happy hours all-day-everyday and prices from £3.80 this is encouraging binge drinking”.

Other concerns include: “Visitors come to Saundersfoot to embrace the village coastal image it lends itself to. 50 customers is such a small space will definitely impair our [holiday letting] businesses as it such limited area,” and “I believe that if this goes ahead people will be loitering around the back of our premises in a drunk state, relieving themselves as they will not have access to toilets.

“They will be outside by our vehicles in the car park until all hours, if drunk they could damage our vehicles, fights could occur. The doors to the entrances to the flats are left open for holiday makers with young children, the guests to The Bunker may try to access the flats.”

Another concern raised was: “If the beer garden goes ahead children may have access to alcohol when individuals over the age of 18 purchase alcohol and give it to those underage in the garden. Those underage will be able to access the garden from the back gate. They may even be given the alcohol bought on the premises, off the premises, at the back gate area. This cannot be monitored by The Bunkers.”

It report also says there is no current planning consent for a beer garden on site, but stresses planning and licensing are separate regimes, adding the decision of the licensing authority “would not exempt an applicant from the need to apply for planning permission, where appropriate”.

Members will decide on whether to grant the licence amendment at the April 23 meeting.

New venture in Llandybie brings together Ghanaian cooking, Welsh produce and a shared love of community

A NEW café, kitchen and gallery celebrating West African food and culture has opened in the Carmarthenshire village of Llandybie.

Baobab Cymru officially opened at The College Inn on Friday (Apr 17), bringing a new food and arts venture to the Amman Valley community.

The business has been created by Ghana-born Adisa Amanor-Wilks, who has lived in the area for more than a decade and says the project is about blending the cultures she loves most.

Named after the iconic African baobab tree – often seen as a symbol of community, resilience and nourishment – the venue will serve a range of West African dishes alongside regular café favourites.

The menu includes jollof rice with chicken, goat, fish or vegan options, Red Red – a black-eyed bean stew served with fried plantains – and a variety of traditional soups, including light soup, okra soup and groundnut soup with chicken, goat or fish.

Sweet treats will also be on offer, including Chin Chin, a traditional West African snack made from crunchy fried dough.

Many of the ingredients will be locally sourced, with customers able to choose between takeaway and sit-in dining. The venue will also include a gallery space showcasing both African and Welsh artwork.

Baobab Cymru has created three jobs and is now open for takeaway orders, coffee, sit-in meals and gallery visits.

A grand opening celebration was set for Sunday (Apr 19), with free tasters and live music from kora player Josh Doughty and West African ensemble Successors of Mandingue.

Councillor Julian Tandy, Welsh language campaigner Aran Jones and Dai Nicholas were all expected to attend the launch.

Adisa Amanor-Wilks said: “This is about bringing two cultures I love together in one space.

“West African food, Welsh hospitality, and a place where people can gather, eat well and feel welcome. African roots. Welsh home.”

The business will operate bilingually in both Welsh and English.

For opening times and the full menu, visit the Baobab Cymru Facebook page.

A CALL to keep a wedding venue, erected without permission at a Georgian Pembrokeshire hotel whose site once belonged to the Knights Hospitallers, has been given a five-year period of grace.

In a listed building application to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Traverse Development Ltd, through agent Harries Planning Design Management, sought retrospective permission for the temporary retention of a wedding marquee at Slebech Park Restaurant and Rooms, Slebech; works having started back in 2009.

Grade-II*-listed Slebech Park once belonged to the Knights Hospitallers of the order of St John, later becoming the seat of the powerful Barlow family.

The present house was completed in 1776, built by Anthony Keck. This is his largest known house and the biggest Georgian single build in the country.

The grade-II-listed stables, which have the marquee on their eastern terrace, were converted to a hotel, conference centre and restaurant after 2003.

A supporting statement accompanying the application said: “The proposal seeks to retain the already erected temporary marquee used for weddings to allow the site to continue to host weddings, whilst a permanent solution is developed and approved by planning.

“The marquee will continue to operate as it has for over 10 years, with no changes proposed. The marquee is completely removeable without any permanent fixtures.”

It added: “The marquee is only affixed temporarily and will be removed with no damage to any of the listed buildings or the overall site once a permanent solution has been agreed.

“By retaining the marquee in the same location, it ensures that continuation of the site is as existing, reduces the potential impact of moving the marquee to a potentially more harmful site and ensures any ecology is not further disrupted. Once removed the site will return to its historic state.”

An officer report recommending approval said no adverse comments have been received from consultees towards the current proposal, and no third-party representations raising issues relating to listed building matters have been received, the proposed scheme “in keeping with the character of the listed building, and its setting in terms of design and form”.

It added: “Temporary consent for this marquee has been granted on four previous occasions and a letter submitted in support of the current application states that an application for a permanent solution for a wedding venue at Slebech Park is imminent, in line with the original proposals for the terrace restaurant.

“The effect on character and setting is not considered acceptable long-term but short-term retention in the interests of retaining the complex of buildings in viable use (and repair) whilst a suitable permanent solution is found is considered reasonable. As such, the application can be supported for a temporary period subject to conditions.”

The application was approved, conditions including a five-year period of grace.