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.

A PEMBROKESHIRE community council, which only has half its council seats filled, is calling for anyone interested in becoming a councillor to think about joining it.

Kilgetty and Begelly Community Council which cover areas such as Reynalton, Thomas Chapel, Begelly and also Kilgetty, is on the lookout for new members, having six vacant seats out of 12.

Peter Adams, Vice-Chair said: “The community council currently has six vacancies for our council, and would very much like to hear from anyone who may be interested in becoming more involved in community matters.

“The only commitment asked, is for a monthly meeting at the Kilgetty community centre on the second Thursday of the month to assist in decision making in the community, apart from the summer break which is usually in August when there is no meeting.”

He added: “KBCC council has 12 seats for councillors to represent the community covering the areas of Reynalton, Thomas Chapel and Kilgetty-Begelly; in recent years councillors have left for various reason due to retirement and other commitments etc, leaving us currently with six people.

“A lot has been achieved in the community in the last two years with a new park being opened, and now the completion of the ownership of the community centre the council feel that we need to encourage new people to come forward with ideas, and to also assist in the running of the increasing community facilities.”

Anyone interested please contact the council’s clerk Gary Price using the council’s website (www.kilgettybegellycouncil.co.uk) or phone 07984991520.