A CALL to change to use of land at Pembrokeshire caravan park from touring to static units has been given the go-ahead by county planners.

In an application recommended for approval at the March 10 meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee, I & J Leisure Ltd, through agent Gerald Blain Associates Limited sought permission for a change of use of land for the relocation of 27 touring caravan to 27 static caravans, with associated works, partly in retrospect, at Stone Pitt Caravan and Camping Site, Begelly.

A supporting statement said the 2025 application follows the granting of a 2021 scheme for a lower number of touring to statics.

It added: “Following approval works had begun on site to implement some of the approved scheme, this work has now ceased. This new application seeks permission for a revised site layout of the approved scheme, regularisation of some works already carried out, and an increase in the number of pitches converted to static units. The increase in static units is facilitated by the removal of twin unit lodges in favour of single static units.

“The proposed development will remain within the same three enclosures as the approved scheme: eastern, central and western. In the western enclosure, eight static caravan bases have already been installed, alongside the construction of a gabion retaining wall between the western and central areas.

“The land has been reprofiled along the southern boundary to create additional space. All units in this enclosure would not be single static units and the number of pitches proposed has been increased from 11 to 13.

“The central enclosure has also undergone works, including the levelling of land and construction of the gabion wall. The size of this enclosure has been increased slightly through the removal of some trees.

“The revised layout proposes seven single units, up from six in the previous scheme. Surrounding the gabion wall, a wildlife garden and replacement tree planting is proposed to enhance biodiversity.

“In the eastern enclosure, the previous proposal for five twin-unit lodges has been replaced with seven single-unit statics. The row of touring pitches to the north of the eastern parcel will be removed and the vacated area will be converted into a landscaped wildlife garden to improve the visual and ecological character of the site.”

An officer report recommending approval said: “Although the planning statement refers to five additional static pitches this appears to be a reference to the difference between the proposal and the previous permission for upgrading of touring pitches to static pitches. There would be no increase in pitch numbers or site area.”

It added: “The proposal would have an acceptable visual impact and would not be detrimental to local amenity or highway safety. The proposal includes biodiversity enhancements and additional landscaping.

“However, it is considered that a further detailed landscaping strategy is required to be submitted for consideration for the western boundary of the site to ensure the proposal complies with the relevant policies of the LDP.”

At the March meeting, approval delegated to the Head of Planning following conditions including the submission of modifications to the landscaping on the west boundary, and an amended plan showing that overall pitch numbers have not been increased, was moved by Cllr Alec Cormack, and was unanimously backed by members.

A REFORM Wales MS launched a sharp attack on the Welsh Government’s default 20mph speed limit policy during an exchange with the First Minister in the Senedd on Tuesday.

South Wales East regional MS Laura Anne Jones criticised the policy, arguing that it has damaged the Welsh economy and ignored public opposition.

Speaking in the chamber, Ms Jones said improvements in vehicle safety had already contributed to a reduction in road casualties across the UK.

“Road casualties have gone down right across the United Kingdom because cars are getting safer. It is a known fact,” she told the Senedd.

She went on to question the economic impact of the Welsh Government’s 20mph policy, claiming official analysis suggests it could cost the Welsh economy around £9 billion.

“It needs to be asked: has this ill thought out policy already cost our country a lot of money? Yes. Will it cost an awful lot to reverse? Yes. But how much has it cost our Welsh economy? By the Government’s own calculations, this has cost £9 billion,” she said.

“So you cannot say it has been a good policy. It has been a disaster from start to finish.”

Ms Jones also referred to the record-breaking Senedd petition calling for the policy to be scrapped, which attracted around 500,000 signatures — the largest petition ever submitted to the Welsh Parliament.

She added that there is broad agreement that 20mph limits should apply in specific locations.

“No one across this Chamber disagrees that 20mph should be the case outside schools and hospitals and where it is appropriate. It is disingenuous to say anything else.

“But this default 20mph policy needs to be reversed.”

Reform Wales has pledged to scrap the default 20mph speed limit if elected at the next Senedd election, scheduled for May 7.

Liberal Democrats claim Welsh Labour failing to deliver after 26 years in power

A LEAKED memo reportedly sent by the Prime Minister to his Cabinet has triggered fresh political debate over the future of devolution in Wales.

The memo, attributed to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, is said to outline how the UK Government should interact with the devolved administrations across the United Kingdom, including Wales.

The details of the document have not been fully published, but critics claim it suggests that the UK Government could seek ways of working around devolved governments in certain circumstances.

The comments prompted a response from Jane Dodds, leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, who said the row highlights wider tensions within Labour over how devolution is managed.

Ms Dodds said: “After 26 years of Welsh Labour running Wales and a Labour government now in Westminster, the public is watching Labour argue with itself over devolution instead of getting on with the job.

“Trying to bypass the Senedd from Westminster is the wrong approach. But it’s also clear that Welsh Labour ministers in Cardiff Bay have too often failed to deliver the results people in Wales deserve.”

She added that the Welsh Liberal Democrats believe the problem lies not with the devolved institutions themselves but with how they have been run.

“The Welsh Liberal Democrats will save devolution from Welsh Labour’s record and restore people’s trust in the Welsh Parliament,” she said. “It isn’t the Senedd that’s broken, it’s Welsh Labour’s management of it.”

The Welsh Parliament, commonly known as the Senedd, has held devolved powers over areas such as health, education and transport since it was established following the 1997 referendum on Welsh devolution.

Welsh Labour has been the dominant governing party in Cardiff Bay since the Senedd was created, either governing alone or in cooperation with other parties.

The alleged memo has raised questions about how the UK Government intends to work with devolved administrations, particularly at a time when the same party holds power in both Westminster and Cardiff Bay.

The UK Government has not yet issued detailed comment on the contents of the leaked document.