PEMBROKESHIRE Coast National Park Authority will soon be gathering views from members of the public on the impact of caravan and campsites in the National Park.

In a National Park Authority meeting on 1 May 2024, Authority Members approved a proposal to consult with the public on a range of proposed options to control caravan and campsites. The consultation does not cover existing sites with planning permission, but focuses on temporary sites operating under what are known as permitted development rights.

Feedback from the consultation will help to inform how the Authority considers permitted development rights in the future, with a number of options currently being considered.

The Authority’s preferred option is the introduction of an Article 4 Direction, which would mean operators of temporary 28-day campsites within the National Park would require planning permission.

The second preferred option is to introduce a voluntary code of conduct for exempted organisations, which currently have the right to run or approve caravan and campsites without the need for planning permission or a licence.

At present, there are 7,500 pitches within the boundaries of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, either with planning permission or operating under an exemption certificate. There is also a significant number of what are now popularly termed ‘pop-up’ camping sites, operating under the 28 Day Rule.

Concerns have been raised in recent years however, due to increasing numbers of operators not adhering to the 28-day permitted development rights, with many temporary campsites operating for a much longer period of time, which can be up to 6 months of the year.

Sara Morris, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority’s Director of Placemaking, said: “While these forms of development have contributed greatly to the number of camping and caravan pitches in the National Park, it has also given rise to campsites coming into existence without the degree of scrutiny or public consultation given to sites going through the official planning application process.

“As well as putting a strain on the Authority’s ability to fulfil its main statutory purpose of conserving and enhancing the natural beauty, wildlife and heritage of the National Park, the current situation is also undermining our ability to properly plan for the area and pursue a strategy of regenerative tourism.”

The National Park Authority commissioned a study in 2015 to examine what capacity there is to accommodate more sites within the National Park without harm to the landscape. The conclusion was that there is only very limited capacity in some locations, while others are already at capacity.

In addition to this, informal workshops conducted with statutory undertakers in late 2023 highlighted concerns around potential impacts on water quality and capacity as well as these landscape concerns.

The consultation, which will be launched in late May, will run until 5pm Friday 20 September 2024 and will be made available at www.pembrokeshirecoast.wales/get-involved/public-consultations/ upon launch.

Following public feedback, Members will consider the next steps required. If an Article 4 Direction is chosen as a preferred option, then a formal notice regarding this process will be issued in October 2024 with the opportunity for formal responses to be made to the Authority over a three month period. The potential introduction of any such Article 4 Direction would then take place in Autumn 2025.

THE family of missing teenager Luke Stephenson have issued a heartfelt plea to the public to aid in the search for their son.

Luke, 19, was reported missing on April 13 after last being seen near Pembrokeshire’s Hobbs Point. Despite the multi-agency search operation being called off on April 19, efforts by police divers and helicopter searches have continued around the Cleddau sporadically.

The teenager’s disappearance triggered a huge emergency services, involving local police, the National Police Air Service, and coastguard teams.

Luke was last noted wearing a distinctive long grey coat, black trousers with a white stripe, and black trainers, also with a white stripe. The family have this week circulated a new photograph of the grey coat to assist in identification efforts.

While the formal search has been scaled back, the police remain committed to following up on any leads. “Whilst this is an extremely difficult decision to make, we are satisfied that we have done absolutely everything we possibly can to try and locate Luke,” a police spokesperson stated. Periodic searches have since been conducted around the area he was last seen, based on ongoing reports and sightings.

Luke’s family continues to hold on to hope, describing him as jovial, kind, and humorous—”a typical 19-year-old lad.” Beth Parker, a family friend, has been particularly active in rallying support from the community. “Calling all dog walkers, fishermen, and anyone able to help,” she posted on social media, encouraging those who frequent the coast to remain vigilant and report any potential clues.

The family has also requested the public to check personal CCTV and doorbell footage, especially from the night of Luke’s disappearance. This initiative aims to gather more information about his movements or possible whereabouts after he was last seen.

Several reported sightings, including a potential sighting of a person in the water near Valero and subsequent alerts, have unfortunately not led to any substantial findings.

Authorities urge anyone with information, no matter how minor it may seem, to come forward. Contact can be made via the Dyfed-Powys Police’s dedicated online portal, email, or phone line. There is also a provision for those who are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired to text the non-emergency number.

The police said to The Pembrokeshire Herald on Tuesday (Apr 30): “While the multi-agency search for Luke was concluded on the April 19, periodic searches of the area around Hobbs Point and the river have been completed by the National Police Air Service and the force Dog section over the last week. Further enquires or searches will be led by any information received.

Anyone who has any information is asked to contact police , either online at https://bit.ly/DPP101Online, by emailing [email protected], or by calling 101. If you are deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired text the non-emergency number on 07811 311 908.”

As the search enters another week without resolution, the community and authorities alike hold onto hope, spurred by the family’s resilience and the continued efforts of search teams.

The focus remains finding Luke, a much-loved young man whose absence has left a void in the community.

A FAMILY can stay in their Pembrokeshire ‘Love Shack’ built without permission after being given the go-ahead by county planners.

Estelle Burton and family had applied for a certificate of lawfulness for her daughter, son-in-law and their three children to stay at The Love Shack, Middle Redford Farm, Princess Gate, near Narberth; the family having lived on site for many years.

An application for a certificate of lawfulness allows applicant to stay at a development if they can provide proof of occupancy over a prolonged period, normally in excess of four years.

A supporting statement by agent Hayston Developments & Planning Ltd says: “The land in the client ownership totals circa 20 acres and includes a farmhouse to the north (where Mr and Mrs Burton live), several farm sheds, outbuildings and the [application], which is lived independently by Mr and Mrs Dean and Kimberley Bethel and their three children. The farmhouse only has four bedrooms and as such there is no room for any other family members.”

It adds: “The purpose of this application is to establish the fact that an adapted four-bedroom dwelling structure which is fixed to the ground has been the permanent home of Mr and Mrs Bethel for a period in excess of four years prior the date of this submission. If that is the case, the dwelling would remain immune from enforcement action.”

The statement provides witness statements and letters setting out a timeline of occupancy “and the various incremental works which had been made to the lodge to effectively create a fixed structure and permanent dwelling on the site”.

“The overall aim of the works were to make it more structurally stable, particularly during poor and windy weather, and to provide a warmer internal living environment with the existing log burner plus the addition of full cladding. And furthermore, the addition of more internal space through the installation of the two extensions.”

It lists a timeline of works going back as far as 2006 with a wooden chalet, with the later static mobile home, known as the ‘Love Shack’ on site in 2018, being used for day-to-day living, followed by works including satellite TV and phone connection, a second chalet adjoining, and two extensions.

An officer report recommended the certificate of lawfulness be granted on the basis it had “been on the site and occupied as an independent dwellinghouse for a period of time in excess of four years or more preceding the date of the application for this certificate”.