A PEMBROKESHIRE wind turbine scheme which was recommended to be refused over a lack of information on how it may affect bats, which led to it being previously withdrawn, has gained some breathing space to address the issue.

In December of last year, in an application recommended for refusal at Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee, Constantine Wind Energy Ltd sought permission for a 76-metre-high wind turbine at Summerton Farm, Sageston.

Back in 2024, an application to replace a current 60.5m high turbine on the site with one up to 90 metres, or just under 300 foot, at the site was refused on the grounds its height and scale would have a detrimental impact on the visual amenity of the locality, with the additional clause of failing to comply with supplementary guidance.

A report for committee members on the latest application says the smaller turbine than previously proposed, representing a 16-metre increase in height from a previously granted turbine “would not be sufficient for it to become an overbearing feature in the landscape,” with no objections from either the Council Landscape Officer or Natural Resources Wales.

However, concerns were raised by the council ecologist that the applicant’s Preliminary Ecological Appraisal Report was incomplete, with a bat survey not included.

It was recommended for refusal on the grounds that appraisal report, and technical note, “do not adequately address the impact of the proposed wind turbine on bat activity in the area”.

At the December meeting, members heard the scheme had been temporarily withdrawn to deal with issues raised, the application returning to the June meeting, again recommended for refusal on a lack of information on the potential impact on bats.

A report for members ahead of the June meeting says the application was withdrawn from the December agenda to allow the applicant time for consideration of the Council Ecologist’s request for further survey work.

It said the applicant had started a bat survey programme, with further surveys due to take place in July and September, the applicant asking for the matter to be deferred in November.

At the June meeting, Richard Grisk, on behalf of the applicants, referenced the additional surveys, calling for a further deferral, saying it would be far most cost efficient and effective for all parties, the applicants intending to resubmit an expected to be near-identical scheme, other than the bat reports, if it was refused.

After a great deal of deliberation on the matter, Cllr John Cole, who had initially proposed a deferral, moved the scheme be decided by officers under delegated powers.

This would allow them to either approve or refuse after the bat reports have been received.

Members, by 10 votes to four, supported the delegated decision, expected later this year.

A CALL to convert holiday lets near a Pembrokeshire village pub to a single home for their owner to downsize has been approved by county planners.

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, Dr Susan Richards, through agent Carl Bentley Architectural Services, sought permission for a change of use and alteration works from two holiday let units to form one dwelling at Dovecote Cottage, Cosheston, near Pembroke Dock.

A supporting statement accompanying the application said: “This planning application seeks a change of use of the holiday let units known as Dovecote Cottage to form a new dwelling for the applicant to use as her main/only residence.

“The original farm/agricultural buildings at East Farm were converted from old farm outbuildings to self-catering holiday let units in the 1980s and 2010s partly by the previous owner and also partly by the current owner/applicant.”

It said Dr Richards, living at the village’s Little Mayeston Cottage, has been in the village since 2016, and has owned Dovecote Cottage, near the village’s listed Brewery Inn, since 2017, adding: “The applicant wishes to downsize from the current dwelling and relocate to a central village location to a smaller dwelling and be closer to friends within the village.”

Of the proposals it further said: “The holiday let units are semi-detached single storey traditional farm outbuildings of stone wall construction set under a pitched roof.

“One unit (known as Dovecote Cottage) provides two bedrooms of accommodation for four people, and the other unit (known as The Stable at Dovecote Cottage) provides one bedroom of accommodation for four people. Both units have open plan kitchens / dining and living areas plus separate shower rooms.”

An officer report recommending approval said: “Amendments to the proposal were sought from the agent following case review.

“On balance, the visual impact of the amended design on the character of the Conservation Area and listed building is considered neutral to positive and is therefore recommended for approval.”

The application was conditionally approved by county planners.

A CALL to allow a Pembrokeshire agricultural building to be used as a public gym and what is believed to be the first Padel courts in the county have been given the go-ahead.

In two separate applications recommended for approval at the June meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee, Harvey and Fraser Jones sought permission for a change of use of an agricultural building to commercial Padel courts and a retrospective change of use of an agricultural building to a commercial gymnasium, both at Kiln Park Farm, Kiln Park Road, Narberth.

Padel is a racquet sport that combines elements of tennis and squash.

An officer report for the two applications said: “Kiln Park Farm is a rural holding situated approximately 70 metres south of Narberth, positioned in the countryside and outside any defined settlement boundary. The farmstead consists of two substantial former agricultural barns positioned around an area of established hardstanding, historically associated with agricultural operations. Vehicular access is obtained from Kiln Park Road, a narrow rural lane serving scattered farmsteads and dwellings.”

For the gym plans it said: “The application seeks retrospective planning permission for: change of use of Barn 1 to a gym space including CrossFit, boxing and power-lifting zones, change of use of Barn 2 to ancillary facilities including changing rooms, showers, toilets, plant room and physio room, use of a shed for physiotherapy and storage purposes, external alterations including cladding upgrades, roller shutters, doors, and native species planting, use of existing hardstanding for 35 parking spaces.”

For the two indoor padel courts, it said: “No extension to the building is proposed and the overall scale and appearance of the building would remain largely unchanged. The facility would operate between 6am and 11pm daily, with booking managed online.”

For both schemes it concluded: “The proposal represents an appropriate re-use of existing agricultural buildings for a leisure use, supporting rural diversification and providing social and economic benefits.

“It is well-related to Narberth and does not result in unacceptable impacts on the countryside, residential amenity, highway safety, biodiversity or flood risk.”

Speaking at the meeting, Harvey Jones said the gym had a “community-based ethos,” and of the padel courts: “Padel is the fastest growing sport in the world at the moment, we thought it would be good to bring it to Pembrokeshire, we are the only courts this side of Swansea and have proved to be working very well so far.

“It’s amazing for friends and family to get together and socialise, and also very good for mental health as well.”

Both applications were unanimously approved by committee members.