Machinery workshop at Trewern Farm, Crymych, Felindre Farchog

What was proposed

The application proposed a new agricultural building for machinery workshop and storage use at an existing farm complex.

“PEMBROKESHIRE COAST NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY COMMITTEE REPORT Ref No: NP/25/0249/FUL Proposal: Proposed Machinery Workshop Site Location: Trewern Farm, Felindre Farchog, Crymych, Pembrokeshire, SA41 3XE Recommendation: Approve, subject to conditions Summary: This full planning application seeks permission for the erection of a new agricultural building at Trewern Farm, Felindre Farchog.”

“Officers met on site with the applicant and their agents to discuss potential concerns regarding the scale and siting of the proposed development, and to ascertain that the building is reasonably necessary for agricultural purposes. During the initial assessment, officers expressed concerns that the siting and design would have a negative impact on the surrounding area. Following these discussions, the applicant has amended the proposal.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The farm is an established agricultural holding in open countryside, with existing traditional and modern buildings, pastureland and a machinery yard.

“Officer’s Appraisal Trewern Farm is a traditional agricultural holding located in a rural and relatively isolated setting within the northern part of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. The farm lies approximately 1.2km south-west of the village of Felindre Farchog, and around 3.5km north-east of Newport, in an area characterised by rolling countryside, pastoral land, and dispersed farmsteads.”

“The built form at Trewern comprises a collection of structures that include: • A traditional two-storey stone farmhouse, believed to date from the 19th century, which is unlisted but of local vernacular character. • A range of traditional stone outbuildings arranged around a former courtyard, some of which have been repurposed for ancillary domestic or storage use.”

Officer report

Earlier applications and enforcement

The site has a history of approved agricultural buildings, dwellings and retrospective applications, alongside enforcement notices concerning three unauthorised structures.

“Relevant Planning History •NP/91/006 - Outline permission for an agricultural dwelling at Trewern – Approved •NP/91/0454 – Agricultural dwelling – Approved •Pre-app PA/15/0201 - Proposed anaerobic digestion plant - cancelled •NP/15/0582/SCR - Request for an EIA Screening Opinion for a proposed 0.5MW Anaerobic Digestion Plant - EIA required •NP/15/0624 - Retrospective consent for a 2-storey extension and office to the agricultural dwelling – Approved •NP/16/0603/CLE -…”

“NP/17/0533/FUL – Rural Enterprise workers dwelling – Refused 24/11/2017 May 2018 – Enforcement Notices issued re 3 unauthorised structures (above) – Appeal submitted to PEDW - currently being held in abeyance by PEDW •NP/18/0320/CLE – Certificate of Lawfulness for 10 agricultural buildings – Approved 17th July 2018 •NP/18/0507/OUT - Outline application for the erection of permanent agricultural workers accommodation - Approved 21/08/2019 •NP/19/0694/RES - Detailed design,…”

Officer report

Who spoke

Officers explained the site’s constraints and recommendation, while a member highlighted the importance of secure equipment storage for farmers.

What members discussed

Members focused on the site’s planning history, future building uses, visibility, lighting controls and the need for secure storage.

“Given the planning history of the site, Members were concerned about further buildings on the site and the use to which these may be put. They were reassured by officers that the previously approved workshop/storage building had a condition preventing its use for animals however it was not considered to be large enough for the proposed use and did not provide secure storage.”

“_____________________________________________________________________ Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority Minutes of the Development Management Committee – 3 September 2025 10 be able to securely store their equipment due to problems of theft in rural areas. This was carried.”

Minutes

The final decision

The application was approved subject to conditions covering timing, approved plans, use, lighting, landscaping and surface water drainage.

“Decision: That the application be approved, subject to conditions in respect of the timing of development, accordance with approved plans and documents, use of the building, lighting, landscaping and surface water drainage…”

Minutes