A CALL to convert a former pigsty and a Pembrokeshire farm outbuilding into holiday lets providing accommodation “to meet the needs of the modern tourist” has been given the go-ahead by county planners.

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, Mr and Mrs Morgan of Fenton Home Farm, near Crundale, Haverfordwest sought permission for farm diversification to create two additional holiday cottages, with four units already in operation, with a replacement pigsty and caravan.

A supporting statement through agent Hayston Developments & Planning Ltd said: “The proposed additional holiday units are situated within a complex that currently has planning permission for four holiday units, namely Garden Cottage, Blueberry Cottage, Cowslip Cottage and Meadow View Cottage. The site is accessed off an existing track to Fenton Home Farm from the minor county road that runs between Crundale and Wiston.”

It added: “This is a full application to change the use of two stone barns to self-catering holiday units (partly in retrospect).  No extensions are proposed other than cosmetic improvements. The main house, Fenton Home Farm, has operated four holiday lets for many years, as well as long term lets. As such the proposal is intended to extend and complement the existing holiday letting business.”

The statement says the first unit proposed was” a simple stone barn /pigsty with corrugated metal roof,” now renovated to afford comfortable living spaces inside; the second unit a stone barn, currently open to the elements and without a roof.

“This application makes effective and efficient use of existing buildings that is no longer required for agricultural storage purposes.  Making use of existing building reduces the need for further development in the countryside to the benefit of the local environment.  The units will provide holiday accommodation to meet the needs of the modern tourist.  The social benefits of providing holiday accommodation for visitors to Pembrokeshire is combined with the economic advantages of supplementing the holiday business income from Fenton Home Farm.”

An officer report recommending approval said: “The additional two holiday lets would be seen in context with the farm complex and converted outbuildings and is therefore considered to be of a scale and nature compatible with the location in compliance with [policy].

It says the former pigsty building “would not result in any overlooking or loss of privacy to the occupants of the main farmhouse or the converted outbuildings,” and the second let “would not result in a detrimental impact on residential amenity,” and the scale and design of the building “would be in keeping with the character of the site and farm complex”.

The application was conditionally approved by county planners.

PEMBROKESHIRE’S Nestlé bottling plant was given the once over by local MP Henry Tufnell this week when he visited the Waters & Premium Beverages bottling site in Princes Gate near Narberth.

The visit marked Tufnell’s first visit to the factory since his appointment as MP for Mid and South Pembrokeshire in July, 2024.

He met factory manager Matthew Faulkner, and engaged with staff, learning about the company’s commitment to stewarding water resources and helping to regenerate local water cycles.  He also learned about the plant’s operations, sustainability initiatives and its on-going commitment to local employment.

“It was a pleasure to welcome Mr Tufnell to our factory,” commented Matthew Faulkner, “as his visit provided a wonderful opportunity to introduce our team and showcase our factory and what we do.

“We take pride in being part of the local community and are committed to supporting local initiatives and helping create a positive water impact locally.”

The workforce at the bottling site consists of more than 120 employees, including specialists in production, warehouse operations, quality, safety, and water management, with the majority residing within a 20-mile radius of the factory.

A UK banking company’s appeal against a national park refusal to allow the siting of a cash pod in Tenby’s conservation area, close to its historic town walls, has been dismissed.

The HSBC application for a standalone community cash pod at Tenby’s Five Arches pay and display car park was refused by Pembrokeshire Coast National Park planners last summer.

The proposed site – in the town’s conservation area – would have been directly opposite St Teilo’s Church, a Grade-II-listed building, and in close proximity to Tenby’s Town Walls, a Scheduled Ancient Monument.

A planning officer report at the time, recommending refusal, said: “The site is therefore highly sensitive. The proposed cash pod would be located within the north-eastern corner of the car park.

“Given its prominent location and its impact upon important views of Tenby Town Walls and the listed Church, and its failure to preserve or enhance the appearance of Tenby’s Conservation Area, it is considered that the cash pod is inappropriate in terms of its siting and design.”

The application was refused on those grounds.

Since the refusal, an appeal was lodged with Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW), along with an application for costs.

Members of the April 9 meeting of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park’s development management committee meeting of April 9 heard the appeal had been dismissed.

Following a site visit earlier this year, an inspector appointed by Welsh Ministers dismissed the appeal, saying: “Due to its design, position and orientation, the CCP would be a prominent and unsympathetic structure that would be particularly noticeable from the seafront approach and partially obscure views of the church, although its windows would likely remain visible.

“Although it would be less prominent in views from the town centre approach, it would visibly protrude forward of the church’s front elevation.  This would introduce a discordant feature into the streetscene and visual clutter into the setting of the church and town walls when viewed in both directions along South Parade.

“Furthermore, this intrusion would draw the eye to the CCP and detract from how the three historic assets are experienced together.”

The inspector disagreed with claims there would be a neutral impact, saying: “Rather it would make a negative contribution to the setting of the Church and Town Walls, causing harm to their significance, and fail to preserve the character and appearance of the CA.”

The related application for costs was also dismissed.

At the April meeting, officers told members: “Hopefully the applicants will come back with a better application that doesn’t sit next to a listed church.”