PLANS for a small ‘Japanese courtyard’-style home on the outskirts of Tenby have been given the go-ahead, but the applicant won’t be able to move in until the end of 2029.

In an application recommended for conditional approval at the January meeting of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park’s development management committee, Mr J Beynon sought permission for a one-bedroomed property with provision for home working on a plot adjacent to Delfryn, Serpentine Road.

The scheme was before the committee rather than being delegated to officers as Tenby Town Council had objected to the proposal on the grounds of over-development and the site being very constrained.

An officer report said: “The application site consists of an empty plot on Serpentine Road, within Tenby’s Centre boundary. It is flanked by two, two storey dwellings, one of which is detached. The site is currently overgrown, and there is a garage towards the eastern portion of the plot, although this currently has no roof.”

The scheme includes the need for an affordable housing contribution of £17,500; members hearing final confirmation of which was awaited, with a request for delegated approval by officers on its completion.

The report added: “The design of the dwelling has been carefully chosen to minimise overlooking and provide adequate levels of privacy to the new occupants. A single storey dwelling has been proposed with one bedroom at the western end of the site and a single storey courtyard linked office at the eastern end of the site.

“The design and access statement refers to the type of design being common in Japan and how such a design will enable privacy for both neighbouring properties and for the occupants of the dwelling.”

It went on to say: “The design offers a contemporary approach to a small infill site which will not have a significant impact on the street scene due to its limited height and being set back behind the frontages of both adjacent dwellings.”

An issue complicating the application was a lack of foul water drainage capacity in the area’s sewage network.

It said statutory consultee, Dwr Cymru/Welsh Water “[has] confirmed that there is insufficient capacity in terms of flow passed forward (wet weather capacity) and that this capacity will not be provided until December [31] 2029, and that as such, a condition restricting occupation until the necessary upgrades have been delivered to Tenby and Saundersfoot’s capacity should be imposed to ensure environmental protection”.

Officers recommended delegated approval with such a ‘Grampian Condition,’ along with signing of the affordable housing contribution, be included in any permission.

PLANS to convert outbuildings at a Pembrokeshire farmstead, once the home of an Elizabethan historian, to houses have been given the go-ahead by the national park.

In an application recommended for approval by Pembrokeshire Coast National Park planners, Daniel Start, through agent Kinver Kreations Ltd, sought permission for the conversion of traditional stone barns at Henllys, near Felindre Farchog, to eight open-market dwellings.

An officer report said: “This application for the conversion of a vernacular group of outbuildings of historical significance to residential units is recommended for approval. The scheme represents a sensitive proposal that respects the historical character and setting of the farm range.”

The application includes both a £70,950 contribution to affordable housing and an £8,000 contribution towards the upgrading of local public rights of way, with no local objections to the proposals received.

“Historically, Henllys Farm was the site of a post-medieval farmstead and in recent times the farm was open to the public as a visitor attraction offering farm tours, guided walks, Sunday dinners and afternoon tea,” the report says.

It adds that historical research by Heneb, The Trust for Welsh Archaeology, shows the buildings are recorded as forming part of a postmedieval farmstead once home of the Elizabethan historian George Owen.

“Recorded as originally two properties and thought to be of medieval origin, Henllys was sold to the Owen family in 1543. The upstanding structure of the Elizabethan mansion itself was demolished during the 19th century; however it was situated a little further to the S-E of the current farmstead.

“In addition to the main dwelling, Owen’s description of the manor complex in 1594 indicates an extensive range of buildings, structures and features, including a stable block, a substantial 13 bay barn, gardens and orchards.

“Subsequently there is a strong possibility that both buried features/deposits along with traces of earlier structures, still exist on site. Either as below ground deposits or as surviving structural evidence fossilised within the existing farm building range. The Authority also believe that the remainder of the site has significant archaeological potential.”

It went on to say: “The buildings are of high cultural value due to their important historical associations with the Owen family and their significance to Pembrokeshire’s history. Additionally, they represent a farmstead whose development reflects the trajectory of the family’s fortunes over time.”

It finished: “The proposed scheme is considered acceptable in how its responds to landscape setting, visual, aesthetic, historical, cultural and also physical characteristics of the site.

Four-day assessment highlights improvement, leadership and governance

AN INDEPENDENT panel has concluded that Pembrokeshire County Council is meeting its statutory performance requirements and has shown improvement across a number of key areas.

The findings follow a four-day visit in October 2025, when a group of external peers carried out a Panel Performance Assessment (PPA), a process required once every electoral cycle under Welsh Government legislation.

The purpose of the PPA is to provide an independent expert view on how effectively the council is using its functions, how it deploys resources, and whether its governance arrangements are fit for purpose.

The four-member panel was led by Phil Roberts, independent chair and former chief executive of Swansea Council. Other members were Cllr Anthony Hunt, leader of Torfaen Council; Emma Palmer, chief executive of Powys Council; and Andrea Street OBE, representing the public, private and voluntary sectors.

In its final report, the panel concluded that Pembrokeshire County Council is meeting its statutory requirements and commented favourably on many aspects of its work. The authority was described as effective, having responded well to a challenging financial position and demonstrated improvement in a number of key areas.

Among the report’s findings was praise for “a cohesive cabinet, which despite its rainbow coalition arrangements, exercises a model of distributed leadership which is particularly effective”. The panel also highlighted “a committed Senior and Extended Leadership Team who recognised the journey of improvement the council has been on under the Chief Executive’s strong leadership”.

The panel further noted “a broad set of values and behaviours consistently demonstrated across the organisation, from the Senior Leadership Team to frontline staff”, adding that there was “a genuine desire to work in the interests of the communities and residents of the county”.

While the overall assessment was positive, the report also identified areas where further progress could be made. Seven recommendations were set out, covering scrutiny arrangements, corporate capacity, collaborative leadership, economic regeneration capacity, resource prioritisation, communications, and transformation and innovation.

Council leader Jon Harvey welcomed the report, describing the assessment as a constructive experience.

“This was an extremely positive experience for the council, and an opportunity to learn and benefit from the views and perspectives of independent experts from outside the authority,” he said. “We welcome the assurance provided by the panel that we are on the right track, and the feedback which has helped to identify opportunities and areas for improvement.”

Cllr Harvey also thanked panel members for their work, along with officers from the Welsh Local Government Association who supported the assessment process.

“We accept the panel’s findings in full and I am convinced that the action plan we have developed in response to the recommendations will enable us to further strengthen key areas of our work so we can continue to provide quality services to our residents and communities,” he added.

In line with legislation, the council has produced a formal response and action plan setting out how it will address the panel’s recommendations. These will be presented to Cabinet on February 9 and to full council on March 5 for formal approval.