A CALL to convert barns at a redundant north Pembrokeshire farm close to an Iron Age defended farmstead to holiday lets has been approved by county planners.

In an application before Pembrokeshire County Council planners, Ariana Grammaticas and Alewyn Muntingh sought permission for the conversion of two farm buildings at Pencraig Fawr, Llangolman, to three holiday lets.

A supporting statement through agent GMW Design said: “The existing farm is now redundant, the need for livestock and farming is no longer a requirement, my clients wish to utilise the existing farm buildings in a more efficient and long-term use to provide holiday accommodation.

“The buildings’ use for farming is redundant and it is considered that the building is of a style and scale that would lend itself to Holiday accommodation with little alteration to its current form. They have the benefit of having their own curtilage, with a little improvement to the site surrounding they lend themselves comfortably for conversion.

“The vision for the conversion proposals is a development that fits comfortably within the existing area without the need for reconstruction or external alteration to facilitate the conversions. The buildings are located off a former farmyard area and close to the existing farmhouse of Pencraig Fawr.”

Pencraig Fawr is some 250 metres from Pencraig-Fawr Camp, a scheduled ancient monument defended farmstead, which probably dates to the Iron Age period (c. 800 BC – AD 43), an officer report says.

It adds: “Cadw have raised no objection to the proposal with respect to any potential impact upon the heritage asset nor how it is experienced, advising that intervening topography, buildings and vegetation block all views between the monument and the buildings for which conversion is proposed. The access track is within the identified significant view and passes close to the asset.

“However, no changes are planned to this route and the proposal is unlikely to generate a significant amount of traffic. As such, the proposed development will not have any significant adverse impact upon on the way that the monument is experienced, understood, and appreciated and consequently will have no impact on the setting of scheduled monument.”

The application was conditionally approved by planners.

NO PLANS to review the decision to end car parking on a north Pembrokeshire beach are expected in 2025, with works on a new car park development due to start early this year.

Newport Sands/Traeth Mawr became car-free in May 2023, when Pembrokeshire coast National Park ended parking on the beach after purchasing the land in response to growing safety concerns.

It said the beach would be a ‘car-free’ zone, with exceptions only allowed for emergency services and essential car users such as the RNLI and coastguards.

A petition was later launched demanding a backtrack, saying an outright ban will have an adverse effect on a wide cross-section of beach users, including disabled visitors.

Last July, members of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park’s authority agreed to keep the car-free resolution, along with “actively pursuing options of how to improve access for people living with disability”.

In December, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park’s development management committee approved an application by the national park for the demolition and replacement of the existing public convenience block, the creation of an access ramp and steps to south slipway, the erection of a beach wheelchair storage building, and works to the existing car park, including new pay and display machines, at Newport Sands PCNP Car Park, Golf Course Road.

The works include an extra 52 car parking spaces over the 43 currently there, along with an increase in disabled parking spaces.

A report for committee members received at the December meeting said: “The proposal will result in improved and enhanced services for visitors to the Newport Sands car park by providing better beach access, clearly laid out parking bays and pedestrian zones, improved public convenience facilities, and landscaping enhancements across the site. The provision of a changing places facility, beach wheelchair storage and new access ramp are likely to assist in enhancing access for wheelchair users to this site.”

Concerns had been raised by Nevern Community Council, who had called for its refusal, saying: “Nevern Community Councillors are concerned that visitors pay for the car parking and then also have to pay for the use of the toilets, it is felt that this double pay is ripping people off and taking advantage of visitors.”

Following a request for any review on the beach parking, a Pembrokeshire Coast National Park spokesperson said: “We don’t have any plans to issue further updates on Newport Sands in the coming year.

“Planning permission was granted in the December DM meeting, and the intention is to commence construction on phase 1 (ramps and car parking surface / wheelchair storage and landscaping) in early 2025.”

THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE of PembroTHE CHIEF executive of Pembrokeshire County Council, Will Bramble, has released a statement announcing that Cllr Andrew Edwards has resigned for personal reasons. A notice of a casual vacancy will be published today (Dec 30).

The Pembrokeshire Herald contacted Cllr Edwards, who issued the following statement:

“Family matters have made my position as a county councillor untenable.

“I have therefore decided to resign from the council, as I feel unable to carry out my duties to the standard I would wish at this time.

“I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to all the staff and fellow councillors who have supported me during my tenure.

“I wish the very best to my successor, who I am confident will serve the community with dedication.

“This has not been an easy decision, but I believe it is in the best interests of those I represent.”

Edwards, a barber, has served on the council since May 2022.

In April 2023, the Conservative councillor referred himself to the Public Services Ombudsman following the emergence of a recording in which he appeared to make offensive remarks suggesting all white men should have a black slave. However, it was later suggested that the recording may have been artificially generated using AI to discredit him.