A RESUBMITTED application to create an indoor farmers’ market/traders barn on the site of a deer farm attraction near Tenby is expected to again be refused by county planners.

Mr and Mrs Evans of Great Wedlock, Gumfreston, are seeking a change of use of a former agricultural barn to the trading barn for up to 35 traders selling local produce and crafts, operating up to 61 days a year.

The plans – which will be considered at the October 3 meeting of the county council’s planning committee – also include an additional 30 parking bays on the site of a former silage clamp.

The site, opposite the Great Wedlock Leisure Park dinosaur park, already has planning permission for the change of use of a range of former agricultural barns to create a recently opened deer park attraction with educational and events use.

A previous application for the trading barn was refused by county planners on the basis it would represent an “unjustified use in a countryside location and contains insufficient information in respect of sustainable travel options”.

Another point of concern at that meeting was the lack of a detailed Retail Impact Assessment (RIA), Agent Atriarc Planning has said, which has been incorporated in the resubmitted application.

The resubmitted application says: “The RIA has identified that the proposed development would have no negative impact on the local retail provision and that the proposal would satisfy the RIA tests set out in various National and Local Planning policies.

“The proposed change of use seeks to create a new destination for independent traders, to sell local produce and crafts within the proposed farmers market/ market traders’ barn. The proposal is particularly focussed to local start-up companies (and those in their early infancy) who may not yet be at a scale to occupy a permanent retail premises within Pembrokeshire.

“The stall spaces will provide a range of unit sizes that could be occupied as individual or multiple units. The key driver of the project is to provide a market barn for the sale of high-quality local produce and bespoke goods made in west Wales.”

It is hoped the trading stalls in one part of the barn – if approved – would be open to the public February to December – one day per week Saturday or Sunday outside of school holidays and up to two days per week during the school holidays, from 10am-4pm.

A report for members ahead of the October 3 meeting again recommends refusal, on the basis the application, in a countryside location, would have the potential to have negative impacts upon the existing provision of local shops in nearby rural settlements.

PLANS to convert a listed former clothes shop in Haverfordwest’s town centre and conservation area to flats and a café is expected to get the go-ahead next week.

Members of Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee, at their October 3 meeting, are recommended to approve an application by Mr B Roscoe to convert the Grade II-listed Pink Cat Shop, 24 High Street, to six flats and a café.

The application is for committee consideration as it represents a departure from the existing local development plan, but is still recommended for conditional approval.

The building was historically used as a retail store selling clothing; in recent years the basement and ground floors have been used as a café, with the upper floors remaining vacant.

Agent Evans Banks Planning Limited has said the upper floors of the building have been vacant for some five years, and the building was marketed for sale for two years without interest.

A report for planners states: “The submitted application seeks planning permission for the change of use of the building to form six residential flats with a café on part of the ground floor fronting High Street. There would be no external alterations to the principal elevation of the building that is orientated to face High Street. Minor external alterations are proposed to the eastern elevation at basement level in the form of two replacement window openings and a door opening.”

It adds: “The proposal to change the rear part of the ground floor to a residential use and a café (A3 use) to the frontage would ensure a positive effect on the secondary frontage is retained.

“Therefore, despite the conflict [with LDP policy], there are material considerations that carry significant weight in the consideration of this application. These are sufficient to outweigh the identified conflict with policy.”

THE WELSH PORTS GROUP, a sub-committee that discusses and manages all business and developments concerning Welsh Ports, held their annual Senedd reception at the historic Pierhead Building in Cardiff Bay on Wednesday this week, 27th September.

The Ports Group reception saw the gathering of a multitude of representatives from many organisations including various stakeholders, the British Ports Association, and politicians, as they gathered to show their support for the ports industry which contributes so much to our Welsh heritage, culture, and economy.

Commenting on the success of the event, Samuel Kurtz MS said: “Ports have played a unique part in the history of Wales, especially here in Pembrokeshire, so I was delighted to sponsor this year’s Senedd reception for the Welsh Ports Group.

“Whilst the history is impressive, it’s the future of ports which excites the industry and I the most. With opportunities in floating offshore wind and the Celtic Freeport, there really was an air of optimism in the room as we looked forward to the future of the Welsh Ports Industry.

“Ports are hubs for economic activity, and I hope that we can continue to focus the minds of Welsh and UK governments on their importance as we move forwards.”