Manager's dwelling changes at Florence Spring, St Florence, Tenby

What was proposed

The application sought minor changes to the approved manager’s dwelling, including greater height, a covered balcony and alterations to windows and cladding.

“The proposal is to undertake minor variations to the approved design of the manager’s dwelling, namely raising the eaves and ridge height of the dwelling by 500mm, including an internal/covered balcony to the rear (north-west) elevation and undertaking minor alterations to the fenestration and cladding.”

Officer report

The site

The site covers about three hectares within an existing tourist attraction, with holiday lodges and tourism facilities; construction of the dwelling had started but stopped.

“The application site comprises a parcel of land extending to approximately three hectares within the tourist attraction known as Heatherton World of Adventures. There are existing holiday lodges and tourism facilities here. The site is located approximately 1.5 kilometres to the north-east of St Florence. Access to the site is gained from an existing access from the northern side of the B4318 which provides a road link between Sageston and Tenby.”

“The application site includes a proposed manager’s dwelling. At the time of the site visit, construction had commenced and the block work for the ground floor was largely complete. Construction work, however, has stopped and there is no current building activity here.”

Officer report

Earlier permissions

Earlier permissions covered tourism facilities and accommodation, the approved dwelling and lodges, a later occupancy change, and partial discharge of several conditions.

“An application under Section 73 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, to vary condition 3 of planning permission 21/0014/PA was approved on 16 December 2022 (Council reference no. 22/0628/PA). The variation of the condition concerned the occupancy of the holiday accommodation and sought consistency with the wording on the earlier planning permission 12/1105/PA.”

“An application to partially discharge conditions 5 (External Lighting), 6 (Construction Environmental Management Plan), 7 (Landscape and Ecological Management Plan), 8 (Landscaping Scheme) and 10 (Accessibility Measures) of permission ref. 22/0628/PA was approved on 17 February 2023 (ref 22/0482/DC).”

Officer report

Officers' recommendation

Approval was recommended because the amendments were considered minor, acceptable and consistent with sustainable development, general development and design policies.

“The Section 73 application seeks a variation of Condition 2 and relates to minor amendments to the manager’s dwelling as detailed in paragraph 6.1 above. The building would still be a detached, two storey dwelling with the principal elevation to the southeast but its appearance would be altered with the proposed amendments to fenestration and cladding.”

“The conditions recommended within the report are necessary to make the development acceptable in planning terms. They accord with the tests laid down in Welsh Government (WG) Circular 016/2014 (The Use of Planning Conditions for Development Management).”

Officer report

Who spoke

The planning officer presented the application, and the applicant addressed the Committee before answering Members’ questions.

Members' views

Members supported the application, citing the minor design change, business needs, lack of objections and the importance of the tourism offer.

“Councillor Alan Dennison expressed support for the application, describing Heatherton as a key Pembrokeshire enterprise. He asked what impact refusal would have. [name withheld] explained that the amendment was a minor design…”

“The Local Member for St Florence and St Mary Out Liberty, Councillor Rhys Jordan, expressed support for the application, noting that no objections had been received from residents or the Community Council. It was highlighted that the applicants are a well-known local family who provide a high-quality, year- round tourism offer, which was considered essential to sustaining the visitor economy.”

Minutes

The vote

The approval motion was proposed and seconded, then carried with thirteen votes for and none against or abstaining.

“Councillor Brian Hall Moved the recommendation for approval; Seconded by Councillor Chris Williams.”

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

Minutes