Two indoor padel courts at Kiln Park Farm, Kiln Park Road, Narberth

What was proposed

An existing agricultural building would become two indoor padel courts with internal alterations, a new access door, planting and biodiversity measures.

“Planning permission is sought for the change of use of an existing agricultural building to Class D2 leisure use in order to accommodate two indoor padel courts. The development comprises: • Internal alterations only to accommodate padel courts and seating areas • A new external access door • Minor ground levelling with chippings • Planters with native planting • Installation of bird and bat boxes No extension to the building is proposed and the overall scale and…”

Officer report

The site

The rural site lies outside Narberth’s settlement boundary, within a farm complex, with residential development to the west and access from Kiln Park Road.

“Kiln Park Farm is a rural holding situated approximately 70 metres south of Narberth, positioned in the countryside and outside any defined settlement boundary. The application site relates to an existing agricultural building, of steel portal frame construction with UPVC wall and roof cladding. The building lies within a wider farm complex, with agricultural land to the north and east and…”

Officer report

Earlier permissions

Earlier permissions covered agricultural buildings and a change of use including gymnasium and play barn.

“22/1071/PA Change of use of agricultural buildings for uses including gymnasium and play barn, along with external alterations Approved 30 th May 2023”

Officer report

Consultation and representations

Highways raised no objection, the ecologist supported approval with conditions, and no third-party representations were received.

“A.2.5 Following the publicity of the application no third-party representations have been received…”

Officer report

Who addressed the committee

The applicant addressed the committee, and members had no questions for him.

The committee’s discussion

A councillor raised concern about development in the countryside, and the Head of Planning explained why approval was considered sustainable and justified.

“In response to a concern raised by Councillor Alec Cormack regarding the development in the countryside, the Head of Planning advised that this was not a working farm but a change of use and was not in the context of agricultural diversification. Therefore the sustainability and justification for recommendation to Approve was appropriate for the area.”

“Councillor Alan Dennison then Moved the Recommendation; Seconded by Councillor Simon Hancock.”

Minutes

The vote

The recommendation was carried by fifteen votes, with no votes against and no abstentions.

“The vote, undertaken by way of a roll-call, was carried. The votes were recorded as follows:”

“There were no votes against and no abstentions.”

Minutes

The decision

The application was approved subject to the conditions covering the approved plans, operating hours, biodiversity features and green infrastructure.

“That the application be APPROVED subject to the conditions outlined in Section 1.1 of the report.”

Minutes