A REFUSED scheme for a takeaway food kiosk at a former lifeboat store in Tenby’s seaside harbour, has now been allowed following a successful appeal.

At the March 2025 development management committee, Ruby Goodrick sought permission from Pembrokeshire Coast National Park planners to turn the old RNLI lifeboat store, Penniless Cove, Tenby Harbour, into a takeaway cold food outlet, open 10am-10pm seven days a week.

The application came before committee members rather than an officer decision as Tenby Town Council objected, and was recommended for approval despite being a departure from the adopted development plan.

However, members voted by 12 in favour to three against approval.

Since then, the applicant lodged an appeal with Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW), Ruby Goodrick in her statement saying: “The application was refused on the basis that the proposed use is located outside the defined town centre boundary and therefore is contrary [to policies]. However, as outlined in the planning officer’s own assessment, the building is situated approximately 25 metres outside of the defined retail centre and is a use that would otherwise be considered acceptable within that centre.”

It added: “Furthermore, there are already existing local businesses at Tenby Harbour that are allowed to operate without issue. These businesses demonstrate that commercial use in the area, including food-related enterprises, does not adversely affect the surrounding environment or the special qualities of the National Park.”

The Inspector’s report which allowed the appeal, granting permission, focussed on “whether the development would be an appropriate use within this location, the impact on the character and appearance of the area, and whether it would affect Tenby Conservation Area”.

It said that, although the site was just outside the town centre “I consider that a small scale cold food takeaway outlet in this location would not undermine the town centre of Tenby or its retail function and would not have any impact on its future viability and vitality,” adding: “To the contrary, the development would complement the role of the town centre by contributing to having a mix of uses within this edge of centre location, which is encouraged within Future Wales.”

On objections raised about a potential conflict between customers and other harbour users it said: “Whilst there would be instances of queuing outside the premises at busier times I am not persuaded that this would cause conflict with other users of the harbour or cause any hazard with harbour vehicles; the Highways Authority raised no objections to the scheme.”

On potential impacts on the Conservation Area and Tenby Castle, the Inspector noted concerns raised but said it “would not result in any visual impact on the historic harbour area or be unsympathetically sited within this historic landscape”.

The report also said, in terms of waste generation “the addition of another small premises would not have a detrimental impact on refuse levels in the area”.

After considering all the issues, the Inspector’s final conclusion stated: “Having regard to the above and considered all other matters raised by interested parties, I conclude that the appeal should be allowed.

“Planning permission for the takeaway cold food outlet at the former RNLI lifeboat store has therefore been granted.”

A CALL to convert holiday lets in a Pembrokeshire village to a single home for their owner to downsize has been submitted to county planners.

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, Dr Susan Richards, through agent Carl Bentley Architectural Services, seeks 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 says: “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 says 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 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 says: “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.”

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

Family-run Pembrokeshire business says more households are turning to regular home deliveries for milk, bread and everyday essentials

RISING fuel costs and the demands of busy modern life are leading more Pembrokeshire households to rethink the way they shop for everyday essentials.

For many families, short trips into town for milk, bread, eggs or other basics can quickly add up in both time and money. In more rural parts of the county, where a car journey is often unavoidable, the cost of repeated trips is becoming an increasing concern.

Mathias Dairies, a long-established family-run business serving Pembrokeshire, says doorstep delivery is proving to be an increasingly practical alternative.

The company has been operating across the county for more than 37 years, delivering fresh milk and a growing range of everyday products direct to customers’ doors, often before the day begins.

What began as a traditional milk round has developed into a wider weekly delivery service. Alongside fresh milk, customers can order bread, eggs, butter, juices, cheeses and oat milk, as well as items including biscuits, compost and seasonal extras.

For households in outlying areas, the service can remove the need for repeated short journeys during the week, offering a simpler way to keep cupboards and fridges stocked with everyday basics.

Customers have praised the service for its reliability and convenience.

One customer said: “Never miss a delivery brilliant service.”

Another added: “We don’t have to keep running into town anymore for basics.”

A third described it as: “Proper old-school service, but exactly what modern life needs.”

Mathias Dairies says its service is designed to fit around customers’ routines, with flexible ordering and no delivery charge.

At a time when fuel prices remain a concern for many households, the business believes doorstep delivery is no longer simply a nostalgic throwback, but a sensible and cost-effective option for modern family life.

By combining traditional service with a wider range of household essentials, the company continues to offer Pembrokeshire residents a reliable alternative to unnecessary travel.

To arrange a delivery, contact Mathias Dairies on 01437 731777 or email [email protected]. The business can also be contacted through its Facebook page, Mathias Dairies – Pembrokeshire.