MORE THAN 100 development schemes in Pembrokeshire, amounting to more than 2,300 homes, are in limbo due to the ongoing Nitrogen Neutrality guidelines from Natural Resources Wales, councillors heard.

At the June meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s services overview and scrutiny committee, members received an update on the ongoing issue of Nitrogen Neutrality which has led to delays in many housing schemes in the county since its introduction last June.

The area which development is required to demonstrate nitrogen neutrality is approximately 75 per cent of the county, including Haverfordwest, Narberth, Pembroke and Pembroke Dock.

The report, presented by Cabinet Member for Planning and Highways Cllr Jacob Williams, focussed on the implications of Natural Resources Wales’ (NRWs) Nutrient Neutrality requirements in respect of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) for development within the Milford Haven Inner waterbody catchment of the Pembrokeshire Marine Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and the measures being taken by the council at a local level to address this issue as well as the council’s contribution to regional and national initiatives.

The report said that, as of May, there were 21 planning applications which were in the system before the introduction of nitrogen neutrality requirements (June 2025) which are now caught and which remain undetermined, along with a further 66 undetermined since that date, and a further  15 applications which are caught by nitrates requirements, but which have not yet reached eight-week determination date.

It said the 102 developments caught by the nitrates issue amounted to some 35 per cent of the total undetermined applications; that figure even higher when determined (refused) schemes were taken into account.

Cllr Williams, who last year with the backing of full council, wrote a letter to the First Minister, conveying the authority’s “great concern over Natural Resources Wales’ recent river nitrates guidance in relation to development, and the serious effects this is having,” said that amounted to 2,376 of 6,741 potential housing units, adding that “Pembrokeshire County Council cannot approve development which is unable to demonstrate Nitrogen Neutrality”.

Last October, Cabinet endorsed an action plan to address the nitrates issue for affected development within its planning area, the early stages already delivered, with a final report due for Cabinet consideration this September in order to determine how mitigation opportunities identified might be taken forward.

Members backed a recommendation to note the action plan progress ahead of the report to Cabinet.

A CALL to allow a Pembrokeshire holiday let, part of a 1979 conversion scheme, to be used as a home for a recently married couple has been submitted to county planners.

In a certificate of lawfulness application to Pembrokeshire County Council, Ethan Tyrer seeks permission for the use of holiday let The Cottage, Llangloffan Farm, Castlemorris, as a residential dwelling.

A supporting statement accompanying the application says: “We are seeking a Certificate of Lawfulness to permanently live in the above address. My wife and I got married last October and we are trying to buy our home.

“Our offer has been accepted by the seller of The Cottage and we have a mortgage approved. The only thing that is holding up our exchange and completion is the planning issue.

“We just need legal certainly that we can live in the property as our permanent place of residence for the mortgage company. All the other properties at Llangloffan Farm are permanent dwellings so it makes sense that the cottage would be too. There is ample parking and a good-sized garden and the property is fully serviced and all ready to live in.

“We run a small local business (window cleaning) so our main work is in the vicinity of Fishguard, Goodwick and Porthgain so this property is the perfect location for our work.

“We are currently living with my parents which isn’t ideal and creating a bit of a strain on both of us. We just desperately want to be in our own home.”

It says an original 1979 application was granted to convert a range of outbuildings at Llangolffan Farm to form four units of holiday accommodation.

“We have taken pre-planning application advice and understand that it is considered that planning permission would not be required for the use of the building as a permanent dwelling house. However, for legal certainty a submission of a section 73 application [to vary or remove a condition of that scheme] would be needed.”

It finishes: “Our mortgage offer expires in September, so we are quite anxious to get this sorted as soon as feasibly possible.”

The application will be considered by county planners at a later date.

PLANS to convert a historic north Pembrokeshire former farm milk parlour and grain store, which is in danger of falling to ruin, to a home have been given the go-ahead.

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, Mr and Mrs Humphrey, through agent Wyn Harries MRICS, sought permission for the conversion of an agricultural barn into a three-bed dwelling at Maes y Felin, Bridell.

A supporting statement said: “Maes y Felin is located in the open countryside within Pembrokeshire County Council. It is accessible directly south of Cardigan, off the A487 turn towards St Davids Church, Bridell. The building forms part of a range of outbuildings associated with the Grade-II-listed farmhouse Maes Y Felin, and Dyfed Riding Centre business.

“The building is located centrally within the yard. It is a two-storey building, with the former milk parlour and grain store on the ground floor, with general loft space above. It is currently used for general storage.”

It added: “Externally, the building’s roof will be raised with a level ridgeline. All existing openings will be retained. Equally, the façade will be retained with much of the stone being repointed to safeguard the character of the original building.

“This proposal is motivated by a recognised need to improve the barn structure as the roof has begun to collapse and without immediate action, the building could degrade past being able to be converted.”

It went on to say: “The retention of key openings on the south elevation such as the arched cart access, decorative arch stone lintels as well as the majority of the original stonework will help to preserve the traditional character of the agricultural shed.

“However, the building needs to be improved as it is currently falling to ruin. Therefore, renewed fenestration, a new slate roof, and the removal of the concrete block lean-to will introduce a welcome upgrade.”

An officer report recommending approval said Heneb, The Trust for Welsh Archaeology have confirmed that the stone barn subject to the conversion to a dwelling is recorded on the 1889 1st edition Ordnance Survey map as a component of Maes-y-Felin farmstead, which is considered to be of historical interest.

The application was conditionally approved by county planners.