A PROPOSED new ‘traveller site’ on the outskirts of a Pembrokeshire village, which has seen a petition of nearly 300 objections, has been refused by national park planners.

The Authority has served an Enforcement Notice on the site, which requires its return to its previous condition.

The scheme for the creation of one traveller site incorporating one static caravan, one touring caravan, day/utility room and ecological enhancements (partly retrospective) on land at Froghall Yard, Moreton Lane, Saundersfoot, was recommended for refusal at the May 21 meeting of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park’s development management committee, having previously been deferred for a site visit by members.

Nearly 300 people have signed a petition against the scheme and the objection to the site is also being shared by the village’s community council.

Around 50 people attended a recent meeting of the community council when members voted unanimously to object to the application by Dai Evans of Pontypool, through agents Hayston Developments & Planning Ltd.

Saundersfoot Community Council has pointed out that the site is agricultural land, with no caravan or other use in over 30 years.

There was also concern that the site – where two previous planning applications had been rejected – is overlooked from Incline Way above and cannot be screened.

Members have said granting permission “would be gross overdevelopment setting a precedent for development literally anywhere throughout the national park”.

The community council’s objection finished: “The applicant lives in Pontypool and claims no connection to the area.  There is no rationale as to why the applicant chose a site approximately 100 miles away from their home.”

A supporting statement accompanying the application stated: “The applicant belongs to a long-standing Romany Gypsy family and generations have lived a traditional and cultural lifestyle living in caravans all their lives.

“Mr Evans and his partner currently reside on an overcrowded Traveller site in Pontypool where living conditions are poor. They currently only live in rented accommodation and its brick and mortar and not in keeping with their cultural preference, as they prefer to live in a caravan.”

It says Mr Evans and family have stayed in a touring caravan at the site during the summer months since the late 1980s when it was owned by another gypsy family, later purchased by Mr Evans in 2023, clearing and refurbishing the site.

“The application’s aspirations are to continue his Gypsy culture and traditions residing in a caravan on site.”

A park officer report recommending refusal says the applicant has accommodation and is not currently homeless, giving only moderate weight “to the existing level of outstanding unmet need for Gypsy Traveller accommodation in Pembrokeshire,” adding: “That level of need should be weighed against the likely impact of development on the National Park landscape and habitat in this area.”

It says there has been “significant site clearance undertaken prior to the submission of the application, and the impact on the landscape, biodiversity and ecosystem resilience has been assessed as negative,” with officers considering further caravan development “would exceed landscape capacity”.

Speaking at the meeting on behalf of local residents, Helen Williams questioned the need for the applicant to have a site in Saundersfoot when he lived in Pontypool, adding that residents did not recall any caravans on-site since 1993.

Agent Andrew Vaughan-Harries said he had hoped the application, with a recently revised landscape plans offering additional landscape mitigation, could have been deferred.

He said any refusal would give his client the option of either appealing or “having a free go” for any amended future application.

Mr Vaughan-Harries said that while Pembrokeshire was better than many authorities in the provision of traveller sites there was a need to deliver more.

“It’s premature to make an application today but I still think this site has some merit. The applicant wants to go back to his traveller roots.”

Saundersfoot councillor Chis Williams moved members support the officer recommendation of refusal, adding he supported Mr Vaughan-Harries call for more provision for traveller sites but stressed: “however, I do not think this is the correct location.”

Members backed the recommendation of refusal by 13 votes to two abstentions.

Responding to the refusal after the meeting, Mr Vaughan-Harries said: “To deliver Traveller sites is always a planning challenge but as discussed the essential need more sites is clearly there for the whole of Wales and Pembs. The opportunity of private sites also eases the burden on LPA’s to fund traveller sites

“We respect that site is in PCNP, but there is a policy to still allow Traveller sites in their area subtext to criteria being met.

“The full impact on the ecology and visual impact was not completed by ourselves and applicant due to availability of suitable local  surveyors and conflicts of interest. So it’s likely we will resubmit to improve on the scheme and see if all ecology impacts can be mitigated even if it has to be off-site. This site has remnants of previous use and not a virgin greenfield site.

“I still feel the site can deliver a single traveller poach with up the date assessment and redesigning.”

Volunteers build teacher housing, sports facilities and sanitation improvements in remote village

THREE men from the Cardigan area have returned home after completing a life-changing volunteer mission in Cambodia, where they spent two weeks helping to upgrade a rural jungle primary school.

Mark Worrall, his son Kai Worrall, and step-son Sam Young – all from Glynarthen – were part of a nine-strong team that worked on the project at Preah Trapang Primary School in Chrey Village, near Siem Reap.

The initiative was entirely self-funded, with the team raising more than $5,500 through local fundraising events and donations. Every penny went towards building materials, equipment, and resources to improve the school and wider community.

During their time in Cambodia, the volunteers constructed secure housing for four teachers, allowing them to live on-site instead of travelling long distances each day – a common hardship for educators in rural Cambodia. The improved access to education is expected to have a lasting impact on pupils’ learning outcomes.

The team also installed solar-powered lighting outside the school, erected basketball hoops and a volleyball net, and donated footballs, tennis gear, and other sports equipment. Inside, they fitted ceiling fans to make the classrooms more bearable in the tropical heat, and provided over 100 children with essentials including books, pens, rulers, flip-flops, and caps.

Beyond the school itself, the volunteers improved the village’s water storage system, built new toilets and showers, and added cooking facilities – all vital infrastructure in a remote area where access to clean water and sanitation is limited.

Working in temperatures exceeding 36°C, the group mixed concrete, laid floors, and hauled building supplies daily. The completed teacher accommodation was blessed by local monks in a traditional ceremony to mark its importance to the community.

Speaking after his return, Mark Worrall said: “It was an unforgettable experience for all of us. Working alongside the local people, learning about their construction methods and sharing their culture was incredibly special.

“We’ve made a real difference to this village, and the improvements will continue to benefit the children and families for years to come. One of the most rewarding parts was the friendships we’ve made – we’re already hoping to return next year to take on another project.”

A COMMUNITY talent show with a difference is set to take place in Abercych Village Hall on Saturday, 14th June, as Manordeifi’s Got Talent 2025 brings together locals for an evening of entertainment and fundraising.

The event will feature performances of music, song, comedy, poetry and more, all contributed by members of the community. It promises to be a fun, social evening aimed at celebrating local creativity while raising funds for the Manordeifi Crisis Fund—a local initiative set up to support residents in times of emergency.

Last winter’s storms left many homes in the area without power for days, highlighting the need for better local resilience. Organisers say the fund is designed to help the community respond more effectively when the next crisis hits.

For more information or to get involved, contact [email protected].