PLANS for a rural enterprise dwelling to support a Pembrokeshire horticultural business which supplies its produce to “some of the best restaurants in Wales” have been approved despite concerns from the local community council.

In an application recommended for approval at the April 22 meeting of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park’s development management committee, Southern Roots Organics/Awen Organics, through agent Preseli Planning Ltd, sought permission for a rural enterprise dwelling, track extension, and associated works at Eithin Farm, Felindre Farchog, near Nevern.

This application was presented to the Development Management Committee as local community council Nevern had objected to the application raising material planning matters, contrary to the officer recommendation for approval.

An officer report says Eithin Farm comprises about 25 acres of agricultural land, with an additional seven acres to be rented by the applicants; the applicants running a horticultural business from the site, using multiple polytunnels and employing irrigation systems which require careful management.

The report says the business has been trading for over three years and can support a full-time worker, meeting criteria which addresses planning for sustainable rural communities. The proposal is said to meet these requirements, and the officer’s report confirms a genuine need for the dwelling.

Nevern, in its objection, said: “The living accommodation is supposed to be part of the business, it needs to be closer to the sheds, making the whole enterprise more aesthetically pleasing. The area designated for future seasonal agricultural workers would be an areas that would be more appropriate for a traditional cottage. A restriction on the house, a tied house needs to be considered.”

Objections to the plan have also been received from members of the public raising concerns including foul water disposal and the application “has nothing to do with the new current business”.

However, a number of representations have expressed support for the application. Issues raised include the benefit of applicants living on site, helping to reduce travel and carbon emissions, and confirming support for local, small-scale horticulture, and the contribution the business makes to the community.

The report said there is an identified need for a rural worker’s dwelling, especially due to the need to quickly respond to changes in crop conditions and potential failures in irrigation or ventilation systems, the proposal “considered to be acceptable and a recommendation to grant permission is made”.

Speaking at the meeting, Adam and Dee of Southern Roots Organics/Awen Organics said the business employed 14 workers, including themselves, “supplying some of the best restaurants in Wales,” with thousands of trees planted, the business also having been shortlisted for an organic farm award.

Members heard they currently had a 20-minute commute to the site from Cilgerran, often starting work at 5.30am and working through to as late as 10pm.

Members also heard that alternative locations, as favoured by Nevern Community Council, would lead to the loss of apple trees in an orchard.

Members backed the officer recommendation, committee member John Hogg praising the applicants on their achievements.

AMENDED plans for a scheme to convert a vandalised former Pembrokeshire town centre Chinese restaurant to a flat and bedsits has been approved.

In an application recommended for approval at the February meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee, Mr S Sahin and Miss S Ahmed, through agent Hayston Developments & Planning Ltd, sought 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.

The application had previously been recommended for approval at the January meeting, but was deferred pending a site visit after member of the public Jessica Clarke raised concerns about the potential impact on her mother’s neighbouring property, with issues of height and massing, surface water discharge, and shared boundary walls.

The scheme, in the town’s conservation area, was before committee rather than delegated to officers as it was recommended for approval despite being contrary to development plan policy.

A supporting statement said of the initial scheme: “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 added: “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.”

Speaking at the February meeting agent Andrew Vaughan-Harries said, following the site visit, an alternative hip-roof as “a compromise” to lessen the impact on neighbours by reducing the £200,000 investment’s scale and bulk.

At that meeting, members backed a compromise delegation for final any approval going to a senior officer on condition the hip roof design could be formally agreed.

A report recommending approval of the amended scheme said concerns had been raised on those plans by two members of the public, raising concerns regarding amenity impacts, the scale and siting of the extension, the external staircase, alleged unauthorised works to the listed building and general concerns regarding process and property value.

The report added: “These matters have been considered in the context of the amended scheme. The issues raised do not introduce any new material planning considerations that would alter the assessment presented in the original committee report.

“The proposed amendments do not result in unacceptable impacts, and the overall planning balance remains unchanged.”

The application was conditionally approved.

A RETROSPECTIVE call for works associated with the new Loungers beachfront venue in Tenby has been given the go-ahead.

In an application approved by Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Loungers UK Limited, through agent Richard Pedlar Architects, sought retrospective permission for new fascia signage, a new wall-mount menu board and a free-standing menu board at the new Loungers based at the former Salty’s Beach Bar and Restaurant, Battery Road.

Back in January, UK-wide hospitality company Loungers plc announced it was planning to open a new beachfront Lansio Lounge at Tenby’s South Beach, with the promise of 30 jobs created, on March 25.

Lansio Lounge is based at the former Salty’s Beach Bar and Restaurant on Water’s Edge, South Beach.

The announcement for the Loungers plans for the former Salty’s Beach Bar and Restaurant were revealed shortly after the application to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park for Loungers signage at Salty’s.

Family-run venue Salty’s Beach Bar and Restaurant announced its closure on social media, confirming that Sunday, January 4 was its final day of trading.

An officer report recommending approval for the signage said the call for the retrospective installation and associated works “has attracted numerous third-party representations, primarily raising concerns in relation to potential light pollution and the colour treatment of the existing windows and doors”.

It went on to say consultation responses from relevant statutory consultees “confirm that the proposed halo illumination is acceptable and would not give rise to unacceptable levels of light pollution, nor would it adversely affect nearby designated sites or sensitive landscapes,” adding: “A planning condition has been attached, requiring the submission and approval of revised details to secure a more neutral colour finish for the external joinery and menu boards, to ensure an appropriate visual appearance in the context of the surrounding area.”

The application was conditionally approved by Park planners.