AN APPLICATION to site a campsite on a rural Pembrokeshire field has been refused by county planners.

South Gloucestershire-based Christopher Nash sought permission from Pembrokeshire County Council for the establishment of a tourist touring caravan and camp site with associated facilities on land at the B4341 to Broad Haven, Haverfordwest, the works having started in May 2024.

A supporting statement for the touring caravan and tent campsite, just over a kilometre west of Portfield Gate, through agent Planix.UK Planning Consultants Ltd said: “The proposal seeks to provide tourism accommodation while being sensitive to the site’s rural context and Pembrokeshire’s planning policies, particularly those promoting sustainable development and tourism.”

The scheme includes a caravan and tent pitching area, a static caravan as a reception and office, and related facilities including a WC, shower and hardstanding, along with landscaping works.

An officer report recommending refusal said: “In terms of connectivity, the site can be accessed via an existing footpath from the Portfield Gate, although this ceases approximately 450 metres to the west of the site, with no safe footway towards Broad Haven.

“However, due to the distance from the settlement being in excess of a kilometre the site is not visually related to the settlement in terms of being seen as part of the same landscape via existing built form, and is not considered to be well related to Portfield Gate as set out with the LDP.

“Notwithstanding this, as required evidence has not been put forward that the development would provide a community facility or a service such as a shop, which is not otherwise available in the settlement, and which would be open for the community to use.”

It added: “An argument has been put forward within the submission that there is a fallback position that under permitted development rights via membership to the Caravan Club, the applicant has the ability to establish a certified camping and caravan site.  Although this is acknowledged, this suggested fall-back position is not considered to hold significant weight to be considered a material consideration.

“In addition, any exemption whilst being a member of an exempted organisation such as the Caravan Club would not allow for any operational development to take place and would limit the number of tents or touring caravans allowed as part of the exemption.”

It went on to say: “The proposed siting of a static caravan, a welfare building, access track and hardstanding area within the site is considered an incongruous addition within the countryside without robust justification.

“Although some screening is suggested to the northwest of the site details of this has not been provided therefore it is unclear if the screening would mitigate against the identified unjustified visual intrusion.”

The application was refused on grounds including being located in the countryside away from any settlement, visual intrusion, access and highway issues, it would “increase the volume of foul discharge from the site which is within the catchment of the River Cleddau Special Area of Conservation (SAC),” and the absence of a Green Infrastructure Statement.

PLANS to convert a former gallery and shop in a Pembrokeshire town’s conservation area to a sandwich bar have been approved despite initial concerns raised about late-night antisocial behaviour.

In an application to Pembrokeshire planners, Luke Lawrence sought permission for the change of ues of the vacant former Eastgate Gallery, 132 Main Street, Pembroke to the sandwich bar, which will also offer supplementary hot food.

An officer report said: “There are no external alterations to the building. The takeaway is proposed to be open seven days a week, 8am to 8pm.  The application proposes that two to three full-time equivalent employment opportunities would be created.”

One objection to the scheme, supported by Pembroke Town Council, was received, raising concerns over the potential of the business being open late at night and potential antisocial behaviour associated with that.

The report added: “The application proposes a change of use to an A3 takeaway with opening hours extending into the evening compared with the previous use as a gallery and shop. This has the potential to negatively affect neighbouring amenity in terms of noise potentially being produced in the evening. In the surrounding area, there are a mixture of facilities, including a pub, chip shop and shop – some of which operate at a later time than that proposed for the takeaway.”

However, the report confirmed the applicant’s agent had confirmed the 8pm close, the report adding: “On this basis, it is considered that permitting these hours for the takeaway would be acceptable, as it is unlikely to have an impact on noise levels over and above those of the nearby buildings. Conditions are recommended to ensure that the business does not operate any later into the night.”

The application was conditionally approved by county planners.

MILFORD HAVEN and Pembroke Dock have been named among the top five towns in Wales for sex toy purchases per capita, according to new data from adult retailer Lovehoney.

The UK Sex Map 2025, released this week, reveals that Milford Haven ranks third and Pembroke Dock fifth in the all-Wales rankings. They are joined by Tonyrefail (1st), Aberystwyth (2nd), and Aberdare (4th), with Cardiff, Swansea, and Newport failing to make the top five.

The data is based on anonymised online sales figures, adjusted by population, to determine where residents are most enthusiastic about buying adult products.

A spokesperson for Lovehoney said: “We analysed the number of purchases per person to get a true picture of which towns in Wales are most passionate about sexual wellness. Some of the smaller communities are clearly leading the way.”

Locals in Milford Haven and Pembroke Dock met the news with a mix of humour and curiosity. One resident told The Herald: “We might be quiet, but we’ve got our ways of keeping busy behind closed doors.” Another said: “I suppose we have to make our own fun — there’s not much else to do in winter!”

Why Pembrokeshire?
There may be more to it than meets the eye. While some might find the figures surprising, local factors could explain why the two Pembrokeshire towns are so high up the list.

For starters, there are no licensed sex shops in the county. Pembrokeshire County Council has historically steered away from licensing adult premises, which means residents looking to buy sex toys must do so online. With retailers like Lovehoney offering discreet packaging and next-day delivery, it’s an easy and private alternative.

In addition, everyone knows everyone in towns like Milford and the Dock. The idea of shopping locally for something so personal is enough to put most people off — but the anonymity of an online purchase makes it far more appealing.

Perhaps most intriguingly, Pembrokeshire has one of the oldest populations in Wales. Yet rather than shy away from the topic, older residents appear to be embracing sexual wellness.

One retired resident of Pembroke Dock, laughing, told The Herald: “We might be older, but we’re not dead!”

National trend
Lovehoney’s figures also show that interest in adult products spikes during the winter months and around Valentine’s Day, as people look for ways to improve intimacy or practise self-care.

The data comes with some extra quirks — the company’s interactive map also allows users to compare towns by average dildo length, girth, and lube volume sold.

Whatever the reason, it appears Pembrokeshire is anything but prudish.

As one local quipped: “At least it proves we’ve still got a sense of adventure!”