A RETROSPECTIVE call to let a Pembrokeshire beauty salon stay on the site of a former edge-of-town printing business has been given the go-ahead by county planners.

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, Sarah Collins of SC Skin Care Ltd, sought retrospective permission for the change of use from shop to a beauty clinic at 60A, Cartlett, Haverfordwest.

No adverse comments around the proposals were made by Haverfordwest Town Council.

An officer report recommending approval said the unit was most recently occupied by Mobad, a printing business specialising in commercial graphics, which operated between 9 and 5pm, Monday to Friday; the change of use seeking to open 9am-7pm Monday-Saturday, with no external alterations proposed.

It said the application was in retrospect as the change of use happened back in March, the clinic accommodating three treatment spaces, with one full time member of staff.

It concluded: “The application seeks retrospective planning permission to change the use of an existing commercial unit to a beauty and aesthetics clinic (sui generis) within the sustainable and accessible settlement boundary of the Hub Town of Haverfordwest.

“Whilst beauty and aesthetics services are a use ordinarily directed to town centres the proposal involves the continued occupation of an existing commercial premises and is not considered likely to undermine the vitality or viability of Haverfordwest Town Centre.

“The proposal would not result in any unacceptable impacts upon the character or appearance of the area, residential amenity, highway safety, drainage infrastructure or biodiversity subject to the imposition of conditions requiring the provision of secure cycle parking and ecological enhancement measures.”

It finished by saying the scheme “represents an appropriate and sustainable form of development that complies with the relevant provisions [of planning policy].”

The application was conditionally approved.

A CALL to allow a Pembrokeshire seaside hotel to become short-term holiday let accommodation to ensure its long-term viability in a changing tourism sector has been given the go-ahead.

In an application to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Abergavenny-based Kyle Williams, sought permission for a change of use of The Hildebrand Hotel, 29 Victoria Street, just off Tenby’s Esplanade seafront, from a traditional hotel to a short-term holiday letting operation.

A supporting statement accompanying the application said the scheme seeks to “secure the continued viable use of the property through its operation as professionally managed holiday accommodation, providing high-quality visitor accommodation within the established tourism destination of Tenby”.

It added: “The Hildebrand Hotel is an established visitor accommodation property located within Tenby, Pembrokeshire, one of Wales’ premier coastal tourism destinations.”

It says no significant external alterations are proposed, adding the “character, appearance and scale of the building will remain unchanged”.

“The accommodation will be let on a short-term basis to visitors and tourists, supporting the local visitor economy whilst ensuring the building remains occupied, maintained and economically viable.”

It added: “The proposed use will ensure the continued occupation and maintenance of the building. The hospitality sector has experienced significant operational challenges in recent years, including staffing pressures, increasing energy costs and changing visitor preferences.

“The proposed use offers a flexible operational model capable of maintaining the long-term viability of the property.”

Tenby Town Council said it raised no fundamental objection to the proposal, but did raise concerns about the practical implications of changing from a hotel to self-contained holiday accommodation, with existing parking pressures on Victoria Street and the need for robust waste disposal arrangements.

It requested that, should planning permission be granted, appropriate conditions be imposed to safeguard residential amenity in relation to parking and waste management.

Tenby Civic Society had raised concerns that no justification has been provided to demonstrate that the existing hotel use is unsustainable, and that Tenby should continue to maintain a varied range of visitor accommodation.

One neighbouring occupier raised no objection to the proposed change of use but expressed concern regarding the potential for the property to change to residential use in the future if it fails to meet the occupancy requirements associated with its change of use.

They also raised concerns that the building could subsequently be converted to flats or a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO), which was considered would alter the character of Victoria Street.

An officer report, which recommended approval, said those schemes “are not before officers for consideration and supposition cannot be considered a material planning consideration, so the application must be considered on the basis of the current proposal”.

It added: “The proposal does not involve any external alterations to the building or changes to the site’s access arrangements. The character and appearance of the property, and its contribution to the Tenby Conservation Area, would therefore remain unchanged.”

The application was conditionally approved by Park planners, conditions including it shall be used solely for short-term holiday accommodation and for no other purpose.

New industry report says county has received the second highest level of marine energy investment in Wales, supporting more than 500 jobs

PEMBROKESHIRE has emerged as one of Wales’ key marine energy hubs, with almost £98 million invested locally and more than 500 jobs supported, according to a new industry report.

Marine Energy Wales’ State of the Sector Report 2026 says £97.6 million has been invested in Pembrokeshire since 2015, the second highest figure of any Welsh local authority area after Anglesey.

The report says the county’s role is centred on port operations, marine services and the practical work needed to support renewable energy devices at sea.

It also highlights the Port of Milford Haven’s plans for a gigawatt-scale offshore wind operations and maintenance base at Pembroke Port, building on existing investment.

Across Wales, the marine energy and offshore wind sector has attracted an estimated £364.8 million since 2015, supporting 1,947 jobs.

Marine Energy Wales says much of the investment has gone into strengthening Wales’ supply chain, tidal stream projects, port infrastructure and manufacturing facilities.

Of the total invested, 40% relates to supply chain development, including port infrastructure and manufacturing facilities. Tidal stream technology and site development accounts for 33%, while research spending across Welsh universities, test facilities and collaborative programmes accounts for 12%.

Pembrokeshire forms part of the south west Wales cluster, alongside Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion, which together recorded £98.9 million of investment and 511 jobs.

Anglesey recorded the highest level of investment, with £114.5 million, driven largely by the Morlais tidal demonstration zone.

South Wales currently accounts for more than half of the sector’s Welsh employment, with the largest concentration of jobs in Cardiff. However, Pembrokeshire remains one of the most significant local authority areas for both jobs and investment.

The report says Wales’ marine energy and offshore wind sector is now moving from early-stage innovation towards commercial-scale deployment.

It says future growth prospects remain substantial, with offshore wind projects progressing in both the Irish Sea and Celtic Sea, while the first commercial tidal stream deployments at Morlais in North Wales are expected in 2027.

The figures underline Pembrokeshire’s growing importance in the Celtic Sea floating offshore wind sector, but the report warns that future growth will depend on continued investment, grid upgrades, supportive policy and the ability of Welsh industry to secure work as projects move from planning to delivery.

Tam Bardell, Chair of Marine Energy Wales, said Wales was beginning to realise its potential.

He said: “Wales is proving to be a credible and competitive location for both tidal stream and offshore wind, and against a backdrop of continuing global energy shocks, the sector is moving towards delivery.

“Projects like Morlais tidal demonstration zone are moving toward first power, while offshore wind in North Wales is accelerating and the Celtic Sea is progressing from test and demonstration to gigawatt-scale development.

“These are not incremental steps; they represent a step change in ambition, scale and impact.

“At Marine Energy Wales, we act as both facilitator and advocate, bringing together the organisations that make this sector work, ensuring Welsh voices are heard in national decision-making, and helping translate opportunity into delivery.

“There is still much to do. But for the first time, Wales is not just discussing its marine energy potential; we are beginning to realise it.”

The report says the next few years will determine whether Wales can capture the full economic and industrial value of the transition.

It says success will depend on continued investment, timely grid upgrades, supportive policy frameworks and the ability of Welsh industry to deliver at scale.