Plans for holiday lodge refused because it's 'considered to be a caravan'
The call to keep a 'funky' holiday lodge in woods near a Pembrokeshire village has been turned down, partly over a dispute on what constitutes a caravan
Cabin in The Woods in Kilgetty, Pembrokeshire
(Image: Local Democracy Reporting Service )
A bid for keeping a 'funky' holiday lodge in woodlands near a Pembrokeshire village has fallen through after a row about what constitutes a caravan.
Greg Baker, represented by Hayston Developments & Planning Ltd, applied for retrospective consent at Pembrokeshire Council for establishing a second tourism unit with a bespoke fixed holiday lodge, hot tub and parking at Cabin in The Woods, Kilgetty, after beginning works in April 2023. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here .
In defence of the application, a statement from Hayston Developments & Planning Ltd suggested: "The current application presents a scheme to provide a second bespoke holiday unit on land in our client's ownership.
"The application for a second holiday let unit is in response to demand for more 'funky' holiday accommodation in Pembrokeshire and the popularity of the Kilgetty area, it being central to many visitor attractions in the county."
They further argued: "The proposed new development would be sited on land in our client's ownership and whilst not adjacent to the existing holiday let unit, we believe the site can satisfactorily accommodate the scale of development proposed and by making use of the slope of the site and presenting a high quality design appropriate to its setting, and it would not detract from the semi-rural character and appearance of the locality.
"Further, whilst the proposal now represents a new build development rather than the reuse of an existing building, there is policy support for this type of holiday development expansion in countryside locations."
Article continues below
The application documentation suggested that since a previous application, Woodberry Cottage has been used as a holiday let successfully for many years: "This remains the case and as such, the proposal is still intended to extend and complement the existing holiday letting business on the site."
However, the application was rejected by county planners who determined that the scheme "is for self-catering accommodation in the form of a cabin, on the basis of information submitted with the application, this is considered to be a caravan rather than built development, as there is no robust information to demonstrate that it is permanently fixed to the ground".
They further noted: "The application site is located in a countryside location outside of any defined settlement boundary.
"Due to the policy conflict associated with this type of development in a countryside location, the proposal along with its associated development would be unjustified and result in a significant detrimental visual impact on the rural landscape."
Get daily breaking news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here .
We occasionally treat members to special offers, promotions and ads from us and our partners.
Article continues below
See our Privacy Notice
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
9 hours ago
- BBC News
Former Bradford woollen mills could be turned into flats
Two derelict Bradford mills could be converted into flats if new residential plans are approved.A planning application has been submitted to redevelop two mill buildings on Bolton Hall Road, together known as Victor approved by Bradford Council, 30 flats would be created in the former woollen mills.A smaller building on the same site would also be converted into two homes, under plans submitted by Mahmood Holdings Ltd. The company has promised "significant investment" in the site, according to the Local Democracy Reporting buildings are part of the New Bolton Woods area, which has been earmarked for more than 3,000 new homes by is part of Bradford Council's plans to make the Canal Road Corridor (CRC) between Bradford and Shipley one of the city's main development of the homes in the area are planned for New Bolton Woods and the former Bolton Woods Quarry sites, although others would be built on smaller brownfield sites in the area."The proposed development will see a significant investment to convert the former mills to apartments and the former out-building into two dwellings," the planning application said. The new mill would have a mix of 24 two-bed flats and six one-bed flats.A 35-space car park would also be created within the the Canal Road Corridor development, the application said: "A portfolio of eight sites have been identified as the preferred set of site options for the CRC to meet the housing requirement."The council will be supportive of additional proposals for new homes on additional small sites, particularly those that provide a redevelopment opportunity to bring forward land which has been previously used. "Support will also be provided to developers who wish to develop larger sites and/or buildings for new homes not currently identified."The developer contacted 150 homes nearby about the plans earlier this year, and the application included some of the feedback, with one resident questioning who the flats would be aimed at. "The demographic would be for buyers or renters. It has not been decided at this point," it said in raised concerns about parking and the developers argued residents would be provided with adequate on-site spaces.A decision on the application is expected later this summer. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, and catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
Wales Online
9 hours ago
- Wales Online
Town nursery could shut if housing plan goes ahead
Town nursery could shut if housing plan goes ahead The application was recommended for approval at the July meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council's planning committee, but no decision could be made at that time St James Street in Narberth (Image: Google ) A decision regarding a housing project in Pembrokeshire, which sparked concerns that a local nursery could be forced to shut due to increased traffic, has been postponed as planners await updated guidance on potential water quality impact. Sarah Voaden's application to construct three houses at Llwynon, 61 St James Street, Narberth, within the town's conservation area, was recommended for approval at the July meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council's planning committee. The decision had been deferred from the June meeting pending a site visit. The proposal includes a financial contribution of £38,156.25 towards affordable housing. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here . The proposed site, situated just outside the town centre, can be accessed via a private lane off Tabernacle Lane, approximately 20m south-east of the Tabernacle Lane/St James Street junction. Narberth Town Council has lodged objections to the scheme citing reasons such as inadequate access and highway safety, capacity to handle additional foul waste, the development being out of character, and overdevelopment. 16 members of the public have also voiced their concerns, including issues related to parking and access, and the lane's suitability to handle the traffic associated with the additional residential properties. However, no concerns were raised by the highways department. Article continues below At the June meeting, Andrew Vaughan-Harries, an agent from Hayston Planning and Development Ltd, portrayed the "vibrant" application as a "win-win-win". He argued that it would utilise derelict land, enhance the area, and included the applicant's offer to resurface a narrow lane. Additionally, there was a proposed contribution of around £38,000 towards affordable housing in this lively town. However, objections were raised at the same meeting by Hayley Bowlett of Noah's Ark Child Care, which employs 24 staff and has 154 children enrolled. She expressed concerns about the existing traffic issues on the narrow lane leading to the nursery, which she feared would be exacerbated by construction traffic if the scheme was approved. She warned that this could result in the nursery breaching legal operating standards, potentially forcing it to shut down. "We'd leave 20 people without employment and 150 children with nowhere to go," she informed members, adding: "Health and safety is the biggest concern for our children; children are walking up and down on a daily basis and would be at risk of any construction traffic." The proposal was brought back to the July meeting, once again recommended for approval. However, committee members were informed that no decision could be made at that meeting, and the item was subsequently removed. The committee was informed that the recent dip in water quality within the Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire Bay Marine Special Area of Conservation prompted this reaction, which has a direct impact on various projects falling under the local planning body's oversight. Members learned that, based on preliminary advice regarding the situation, the regional planning authority is currently lacking adequate or detailed data to conduct or revise the required habitats regulations assessment [referring to the matter at hand] to ensure the proposed developments would not negatively affect the environment. The committee understood that the planning officials were still processing the new information and the provisional recommendations from Natural Resources Wales, acknowledging that it could be "potentially unsound" to proceed with any resolutions until all necessary details were at hand. The case will be revisited in an upcoming meeting. Article continues below
BBC News
10 hours ago
- BBC News
Leicester's park and ride fares put up by city council
Leicester City Council is set to increase fares for the city's park and ride services. The authority said it was the first rise in five years but prices would still be lower than commercial bus increase was confirmed as the council announced Roberts Travel Group will take over the full operation of the service. The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) said Roberts will run the park and ride from Birstall, Enderby and Meynell's Gorse from 24 August. Under the new three-year contract buses must continue to run at least every 15 minutes from Monday to Saturday, from 07:00 to 19: says it plans to introduce more stops along all three park and ride routes, including locations such as Freemans Common, Redhill Circle and Braunstone Leisure Centre. 'Difficult decisions' Leicester City Council said the city and county councils would continue to fund the park and ride operation but will reduce their subsidy by half, from £422,000 a year to £211, 26 August, a day return ticket will increase from £3.50 to £4.85 and a group day ticket for up to five people will go up from £4 to £6. Meanwhile, concessionary fares will be reduced from £1 to become free after 09: Whittle, Leicester's assistant city mayor for transport and the environment, said there were plans to better link with the Hop! Service and the Hospital Hopper in the future."Like all councils we are having to make some very difficult decisions around funding, and this contractual arrangement means we can reduce our subsidy to the park and ride service, while ensuring it continues to operate," he said.
