PLANS to diversify a National Trust campsite on the Pembrokeshire coast, with seasonal siting for campervans and ‘landpods’ are expected to be approved by the national park.

In an application recommended for delegated approval at the June meeting of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park’s development management committee, the National Trust seeks permission for a change of use of land for camping, the seasonal siting of five ‘landpods’ and 20 campervans and associated works at Gupton Farm, near Freshwater West.

The application is before the committee rather than being decided by planning officers as it is an application recommended for approval which is a departure from the adopted Local Development Plan 2.

An officer report recommending approval says the site currently operates as an established seasonal campsite under a National Trust exemption certificate.

“The existing campsite has operated for approximately 10 years and currently accommodates seasonal tent camping and a limited number of campervan pitches utilising existing site infrastructure including shower and toilet facilities, sewage treatment infrastructure, access tracks and parking areas.

“The proposal seeks to formalise and diversify the existing operation by allowing greater flexibility in accommodation type and pitch management whilst maintaining the existing overall site capacity of a maximum of 100 people and 50 pitches per night.”

It adds: “The submitted information confirms that the proposal does not seek to increase overall occupancy levels at the site but instead proposes a redistribution of accommodation types through increased campervan provision and the introduction of seasonal landpods. The landpods are proposed as free-standing seasonal structures with no permanent drainage or utility connections and would be removed from the site during December, January and February.”

It says that, while the scheme represents a departure from planning policy “due to the sensitive coastal landscape location,” officers consider “that the seasonal nature of the proposal, the established exempted camping use, the absence of any increase in overall site capacity, the landscape-led design approach and the significant biodiversity and visitor management benefits weigh in favour of the proposal”.

The report adds an original pre-application proposal conflicted in part [with policies] “due to the scale and sensitivity of the site location,” officers advising there could be scope to support “a reduced-scale, clearly seasonal proposal where robust landscape mitigation, ecological enhancement and visitor management justification could be demonstrated”.

It said the submitted application sought to address those concerns; the scheme which incorporates “significant landscape and biodiversity enhancement measures” is “specifically designed as a seasonal and reversible form of development, with the Landpods removed from the site outside the operational season and stored within an existing onsite barn”.

The report later says: “On balance, it is considered that the proposal would not result in unacceptable harm to the special qualities of the National Park and that the material considerations in favour of the proposal outweigh the identified policy tensions in this instance. The principle of the development is therefore considered acceptable subject to appropriate planning conditions.”

It is recommended to delegate conditional approval to officers following the end of a public advertisement period for a policy departure.

A CALL to turn part of Haverfordwest’s former courthouse in the town centre to a theatre is expected to be approved by county planners next week.

At the June meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee, members are recommended to approve an application by Mr N Heywood for a change of use of part of the building from a former court room, Shire Hall, High Street, Haverfordwest, to a theatre.

Built in 1835 to the design of local architect, William Owen, the Shire Hall is a listed Grade-II*-listed building, described by CADW as one of the finest of its type in Wales.

According to Haverfordwest Civic Society the court has seen many major trials, its first being that of Rebecca Rioters on several occasions between 1840 and 1844.

When the law courts were relocated to Hawthorn Rise, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire County Council awarded a developer a 999-year lease on a peppercorn rent.

The building housed a couple of restaurants on its upper floors in the early 2000s, with the last of these believed to have closed around 2010.

According to the application, the theatre would: “Bring the vacant building back into a meaningful use, resulting in the preservation of the Grade-II*-Listed Building, and contributing to the enhancement and regeneration of the town centre of Haverfordwest.”

The application states that there would be no change to the exterior of Shire Hall but there would be some internal works.

A related listed building consent application has also been submitted to planners.

The applicant’s agent, Ian Bartlett Planning and Architectural Services, has confirmed the theatre’s opening hours as between 10am and 11pm.

Haverfordwest Town Council supported the scheme in principle but had called for it to be decided by committee, raising concerns in part at a lack of detail in the initial application and concerns about potential harm to the historic building, with Haverfordwest Civic Society taking a similar stance, with members “anxious that any new use should respect and conserve the integrity of the historic courtroom interior, which remains substantially intact, including the judges’ bench, dock, witness box, public benches and associated fittings”.

The application is for committee consideration rather than delegated powers to planning officers following a request by the local member.

An officer report recommending approval says: “As a former courtroom, this use would historically have been characterised by the public assembling within the area via a formalised gathering.

“The proposed use as a theatre would remain broadly compatible with the historic function of the courtroom as a place used for public congregation.

“The proposed use as a theatre would introduce audience-based occupation and periods of intensified use, however, this is not considered inherently dissimilar to the building’s historic use, with any internal alterations subject to the listed building consent application which is currently under consideration.

“In addition, bringing the building into use is likely to contribute positively to the preservation and maintenance of the historic building.”

MILFORD HAVEN businesses say they are concerned that continuing works connected to the former Motor World redevelopment are affecting footfall and trade in Charles Street.

The roadworks and planned closures are linked to the construction of new flats on the site of the old Motor World building, a long-awaited town centre redevelopment being delivered by W.B. Griffiths & Sons Ltd.

Milford Haven Business Circle said traders accepted the need for the works, but many had hoped for clearer communication about when closures would be in place, what the works involved, and how long disruption would last.

For some businesses along Charles Street, there is also concern that the impact is being felt beyond the official closure area, with customers potentially assuming shops and services are not accessible.

The Business Circle said the closures were expected to continue through to mid-July, and called for better support for traders during the disruption.

In a statement, the group said: “With the ongoing works and planned road closures on Charles Street continuing through to mid-July, many local businesses are understandably concerned about the impact this will have on footfall and trade.

“While W.B. Griffiths & Sons Ltd are carrying out the works, many businesses had hoped for clearer communication regarding the timings, nature of the works, and when closures would be in place.

“For several businesses along Charles Street, it also feels as though they are still suffering the effects of the closures despite being outside the officially closed area.”

The group said improved signage should be considered, including clearer directions, “Businesses Open As Usual” signs, and better promotion of access routes to encourage customers to continue visiting the street.

The former Motor World site has long been seen as a key regeneration location in Milford Haven town centre. The new flats are intended to bring the vacant site back into use and provide much-needed housing.

However, the Business Circle said more should be done to help existing traders during the construction period.

It added: “We fully appreciate the need for these works to be carried out, but we hope Pembrokeshire County Council may be able to provide additional support for businesses affected during this difficult period.”

The group also suggested that Cllr Paul Miller, who leads on economic development, business support and regeneration strategies, could help advocate for affected businesses.

Planned closure dates listed so far include May 27–29, June 4–5, June 12, June 15–16, June 19, June 22–23, June 29–July 1, July 3, and July 6–10.

Local businesses remain open and are urging residents to continue supporting Charles Street shops and services while the works continue.

The Herald has contacted Pembrokeshire County Council for comment.