A CALL to convert a former vineyard restaurant in rural Pembrokeshire to holiday lets as a form of small farm diversification has been refused.

In an application recommended for refusal at the March meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee, Barry Cadogan sought permission for a farm diversification and expansion of an existing holiday operation through the conversion of the former Cwm Deri vineyard production base and restaurant to three holiday lets at Oaklea, Martletwy.

It was recommended for refusal on the grounds the proposal “would introduce three new self-catering accommodation units within a countryside location which is not considered to be a proportionate amount of development to support a farm enterprise of limited scale”.

It had previously been recommended for refusal at the December planning committee but was deferred pending a site visit.

An officer report then said that, while the scheme was suggested as a form of farm diversification for the 36-acre farm, no detail had been provided in the form of a business case.

Speaking at that meeting, agent Andrew Vaughan-Harries of Hayston Developments & Planning Ltd, said the former Cwm Deri vineyard had been a very successful business, with a shop and a restaurant before it closed several years ago.

He said Mr Cadogan then bought the site, farming and running a small campsite of 20 spaces, but didn’t wish to run a café or a wine shop; arguing it would easily convert to holiday let use.

Speaking again at the March meeting, he said his applicant had now produced a business case, expecting the proposal would generate half the farm income, saying of the recommendation of refusal: “It almost seems like my client is punished for being a small farmer.”

He later added: “compared to a lot of farms in Pembrokeshire it is small; I think it’s very difficult to make a living out of 36 acres, he’s just a businessman trying to use a building.”

The business figure was debated, with estimations of the income ratio being closer to three-to-one in favour of the tourism side raised.

However, calls to go against officer recommendations and approve the scheme were moved by Cllr Brian Hall, who said the tourism operation was “the only thing that’s keeping him going at the moment,” adding: “I think we should give this applicant a chance; I think if we don’t do this a lot of these smallholdings are going to go out of business.”

Cllr Nick Neumann said the building not being used “doesn’t sit well with me,” warning: “I fear we are just making another building in our county redundant.”

Cllr Michael Williams, who had previously warned of the dangers about going against officer recommendations, saying it was time for a “reality check,” adding: “We have to determine this application as it is before us, not to look for ways round it; that’s the agent’s job.”

Committee chair Cllr Mark Carter, who had previously raised the three-to-one concern, said the business plan as received “doesn’t really stack up to show a form of farm diversification,” adding: “This new proposal with three units of holiday accommodation could well outstrip anything on the farming side by three-to-one.”

Cllr Hall’s call for approval was defeated by six votes to four, with the recommendation of refusal then taken, passing, also by six votes to four.

A CALL to change to use of land at Pembrokeshire caravan park from touring to static units has been given the go-ahead by county planners.

In an application recommended for approval at the March 10 meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee, I & J Leisure Ltd, through agent Gerald Blain Associates Limited sought permission for a change of use of land for the relocation of 27 touring caravan to 27 static caravans, with associated works, partly in retrospect, at Stone Pitt Caravan and Camping Site, Begelly.

A supporting statement said the 2025 application follows the granting of a 2021 scheme for a lower number of touring to statics.

It added: “Following approval works had begun on site to implement some of the approved scheme, this work has now ceased. This new application seeks permission for a revised site layout of the approved scheme, regularisation of some works already carried out, and an increase in the number of pitches converted to static units. The increase in static units is facilitated by the removal of twin unit lodges in favour of single static units.

“The proposed development will remain within the same three enclosures as the approved scheme: eastern, central and western. In the western enclosure, eight static caravan bases have already been installed, alongside the construction of a gabion retaining wall between the western and central areas.

“The land has been reprofiled along the southern boundary to create additional space. All units in this enclosure would not be single static units and the number of pitches proposed has been increased from 11 to 13.

“The central enclosure has also undergone works, including the levelling of land and construction of the gabion wall. The size of this enclosure has been increased slightly through the removal of some trees.

“The revised layout proposes seven single units, up from six in the previous scheme. Surrounding the gabion wall, a wildlife garden and replacement tree planting is proposed to enhance biodiversity.

“In the eastern enclosure, the previous proposal for five twin-unit lodges has been replaced with seven single-unit statics. The row of touring pitches to the north of the eastern parcel will be removed and the vacated area will be converted into a landscaped wildlife garden to improve the visual and ecological character of the site.”

An officer report recommending approval said: “Although the planning statement refers to five additional static pitches this appears to be a reference to the difference between the proposal and the previous permission for upgrading of touring pitches to static pitches. There would be no increase in pitch numbers or site area.”

It added: “The proposal would have an acceptable visual impact and would not be detrimental to local amenity or highway safety. The proposal includes biodiversity enhancements and additional landscaping.

“However, it is considered that a further detailed landscaping strategy is required to be submitted for consideration for the western boundary of the site to ensure the proposal complies with the relevant policies of the LDP.”

At the March meeting, approval delegated to the Head of Planning following conditions including the submission of modifications to the landscaping on the west boundary, and an amended plan showing that overall pitch numbers have not been increased, was moved by Cllr Alec Cormack, and was unanimously backed by members.

PLANS to expand the facilities offered by a Pembrokeshire seaside town pub, which was once a toyshop, have been approved by the national park despite concerns raised by the local civic society.

In an application to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, The Old Town Crier Pub Ltd, through agent Argent Architects, sought permission for the installation of a retractable canopy to rear courtyard of The Town Crier Pub, 3-4 Upper Frog Street, Tenby.

A supporting statement said the scheme for the pub, in Tenby town centre, with a rear boundary on the town’s Grade-I-listed 13th century town wall, “makes a positive contribution to the site, adding an elegant structure, which remains sensitive to the host building and the historic town wall”.

The application added: “The proposals are limited to the private realm of the premises’ courtyard, and do not touch the town wall.  The experience of the town wall from the public realm will remain unchanged.  There is no perceived impact on the historic town wall arising from the proposals.”

The application was supported by Tenby Town Council, but Tenby Civic Society raised concerns about the potential impact on the nearby town walls.

It added: “We regret having to put these views as on balance the modern scheme built on this site has a lot of virtues, one of which has been to open up views and appreciation of the inside of the Town walls to the public as customers.

“The application presents no justification for the impact on the inside of the town walls, and the proposal would in our view diminish the significance and appreciation of the inside of the town walls.”

An officer report recommending approval noted the concerns, pointing out the civic society was not a statutory consultee.

It added: “Whilst in very close proximity to the town walls, the proposed canopy is not readily visible from the public realm, the existing courtyard connecting to the highway only via a pedestrian door, this offering limited views into the site. In terms of overall impact on the special qualities of the National Park, the proposal is considered acceptable.”

The Upper Frog Street site of the Town Crier was formerly the Clarice Toys toy and novelty shop, and is called the Town Crier in tribute to the late John ‘Yobbler’ Thomas, a former proprietor of the shop and a former town crier of Tenby.

John Thomas served as Tenby’s town crier for more than 30 years, and was responsible for bringing four national crier contests to Tenby.

John and wife Caroline, who would become a councillor and serve as mayor in the town, set up Clarice Toys in Tenby’s Upper Frog Street after their marriage in 1961, with the business being later run by their son and daughter, Ian and Kerri.