TV production company set up at New Pencoed diary farm
In a retrospective planning application, recommended for approval at the April 29 meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council's planning committee, Little Pencoed Farms Ltd sought permission for the extension and modification of a building previously approved and its alternative use at New Pencoed, near Cresswell Quay.
A report for members said the 100ha dairy farm business with a 100-head herd had, in 2019, needed the cattle yard covered to comply with pending regulation changes.
It added: 'The dairy herd had been subject to tuberculosis (TB) infection and its small size in conjunction with increasing costs had led to concerns about its profitability as an ongoing part of the business. Nevertheless, the pending regulatory changes had to be addressed, and a planning application was made for the provision of a building of 334sq m in area for use as a covered collection yard which was approved on July 12, 2020.
'A contract for the building's erection was then let and construction commenced in August 2021. However, and unexpectedly, required ongoing testing of the dairy herd established that it was TB free in the Spring of 2021.
'In consequence a decision was made to sell the herd. The approved building was not completed in its entirety, being reduced in length by a single bay, a reduction in floor area of approximately 45sq m.
'The applicant has advised that initially the newly constructed building was put to agricultural uses. However, a decision was then taken to extend the building by a single bay in width and to let it for B1 (Business) uses.'
The building was subdivided into seven 'studio' units along with a woodworking workshop and six desk spaces in a communal office space, with a Gigabyte standard of broadband provision and on-site EV charging.
'The workspaces are occupied by thirteen tenants employed in a variety of occupations including: fabric machinist, potter, cycle technician, artist, textile & print design, sculpture, web design, marine biology, marine surveying, insurance data analysis, renewable energy & TV production,' the report said.
It added: 'All of the tenants reside within the local area at: Saundersfoot, Pembroke, Neyland, Penally, Martletwy, Manorbier Newton, Cosheston, Cresselly, Lawrenny, Lamphey & Loveston. Six of the 13 tenants regularly cycle to work.'
Speaking at the April meeting, agent Geraint john said there was 'no attempt to flout the planning system,' adding the scheme 'organically developed from that point'.
Moving approval, Cllr Mark Carter said: 'I am a fan of farm diversification, obviously this farm has hit upon something that is working for them; I'm quite happy to move approval on this one.'
Members unanimously backed the recommendation of approval.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Western Telegraph
2 days ago
- Western Telegraph
Haverfordwest castle 'levelling-up' access scheme backed
Pembrokeshire County Council, through agent Asbri Planning, sought approval for the construction of a new access gate, steps and associated works at Castle Back, Haverfordwest. A supporting statement said: 'The development proposed forms part of the wider Haverfordwest Castle Square, Castle Link & Wayfinding Project, which comprised the design and construction of a series of enhancement and drainage improvement works to Castle Square and Castle Link (Castle Back steps etc) hard landscaping/public realm, combined with dedicated wayfinding provisions to guide people from across the town (including the train station, transport hub and other locations) towards the castle. 'The overarching project has been shaped by, and responded to, particular funding stream from the Levelling-Up Funding (LUF) and Town Improvement Grants, etc.' It added: 'The application seeks full planning permission for the works to the rear of the building known as the Old Print Room, Castle Back, Haverfordwest and relates to the demolition of the existing gate piers and archway together with the removal of the palisade fencing which form the current gate. 'The above will be replaced with a new stone gate piers which will interface with existing boundary wall and building to create a 1,900mm opening which will accommodate a 2,100mm steel galvanised powder coated gate which will be Umbra Grey in colour (RAL 7022) as well as the construction of three new access steps which replace the existing steps from Castle Back into the site.' An officer report recommending approval said: 'The proposed construction of new access gate, steps and associated works, will all be external alterations, repair and enhancement of a derelict connective route between the town centre and castle, which is an area that holds historic character and has potential to enhance the use of the historic town and sits within a very prominent location. 'The alterations are in keeping with the traditional characteristics and matches the existing character of the site and is therefore acceptable.' The application was conditionally approved. The successful Levelling Up Fund application announced in late 2021 included adding to ongoing improvements at Haverfordwest Castle to create an outdoor performance area, renovation of the jail, and perimeter walks with a direct link to the town centre via Bridge Street, and on to the Western Quayside and Riverside via a 'signature bridge'. Due to budget savings, the council later removed the Bridge Street link and walkways – replacing it with an alternative link via Castle Square and Castle back. The 'gaol visitor experience' is intended to be the centrepiece of the Heart of Pembrokeshire scheme.
Wales Online
3 days ago
- Wales Online
Three giant wind turbines planned near Bluestone
Three giant wind turbines planned near Bluestone The proposed site on agricultural land across three fields would be accessed from the A4075 via an existing track, opposite Bluestone Resort's service entrance An image of what the three wind turbines close to Oakwood and Bluestone would look like (Image: Local Democracy Reporting Service ) Detailed proposals have been submitted for three towering wind turbines - each standing at 328ft - near Bluestone holiday park and the former Oakwood theme park in Pembrokeshire. Slebech Investments Limited, based in High Wycombe, has applied to Pembrokeshire County Council for permission to erect three wind turbines, each up to 100m tall, at Newhouse Farm, Canaston Bridge. The location is close to both parks and near the boundary of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. The planned development would occupy agricultural land spanning three fields, approximately 3.5 kilometres from Narberth. Access to the site would be off the A4075, using an existing track opposite the service entrance of Bluestone Resort, around 350m south of Bluestone's main roundabout entry. This formal application comes after a preliminary screening enquiry to the council in February and subsequent communication of the plans to local county councillors, community councils, and residents. Plans for three wind turbines close to Oakwood and Bluestone have been submitted to Pembrokeshire planners (Image: Local Democracy Reporting Service ) Should approval be given, the trio of 1MW turbines are expected to produce enough electricity to supply around 1,900 households, according to the applicants. While the energy would feed into the national grid, investigations are ongoing into direct usage possibilities for nearby businesses. Article continues below A statement from agent Sirius Planning, said "The footprint of the proposed development is modest in scale, with the wider fields and landholding able to continue to operate with minimal impact from the proposal. "In addition, ecological enhancements implemented in recent years within the landholding will not be impacted by the proposed wind turbine development. The overall context of the site is rural with the site surrounded to the south and east by agricultural fields and woodland areas. "To the north is PBE Fuels, Bluestone Resort head office (The Grange) and Newhouse Farm. To the west are agricultural fields and the A4075, beyond which is Bluestone Resort, comprising holiday lodges and leisure amenities, and Oakwood Theme Park. A ground-mounted solar scheme is located to the south-west of the site beyond the A4075." If approved, the project would require roughly four months of construction, with an estimated 354 deliveries to the site, according to the statement. The applicants have indicated that a public consultation event is likely to take place during the planning process. In the initial screening application, Sirius suggested that the turbines could supply power for Bluestone Holiday Park Resort and/or Oakwood Theme Park. Since the initial application, Oakwood has shut down, but there have been recent discussions about a potential revival. Read the biggest stories in Wales first by signing up to our daily newsletter here On the screening application, Sirius stated: "There are no designated or non-designated features within the application site which are protected for their landscape and scenic value. The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park lies to the north and west beyond the Bluestone Resort and Oakwood Theme Park. "The landscape character already incorporates existing wind turbines and other large vertical structures, such as Oaklands Theme Park rollercoasters which are existing detractors within the landscape." Article continues below According to Companies House, Slebech Investments Limited, based at West Wycombe Park Office, West Wycombe Park, lists two directors: Sir Edward John Francis Dashwood and Lady Lucinda Nell Dashwood. The proposals will be reviewed by county planners at a future date.
Pembrokeshire Herald
3 days ago
- Pembrokeshire Herald
Proposed wind turbines could tower over Bluestone resort
A PETITION calling for a full review and debate of Pembrokeshire's 'not fit for purpose' county farm policy has been launched by tenants being forced to leave their council-owned farm which is host to a Good Food Guide accredited restaurant. Paternoster Farm near Hundleton, which has a restaurant in the old milking shed, has featured in the Good Food Guide for the last three years. The restaurant is run by former family solicitor, Michelle Evans, with this year's Good Food Guide describing Paternoster Farm as 'earthy and rustic' with deliciousness, warmth and strength of recommendation all described as good, while the restaurant's uniqueness was rated as very good. However, the acclaimed business built up over the last four years is now under threat, as the ten-year farm tenancy with Pembrokeshire County Council comes to an end. In an e-petition submitted to Pembrokeshire County Council, which has already attracted more than 1,300 signatures to date, Leum Evans asks: 'We call on Pembrokeshire County Council to conduct a full and thorough review of county farm policy. 'We call for a declaration that current county farm policy is not fit for purpose when it fails to encourage diversification in a way that adds value to a farm's own produce, keeps the produce within the farm, and feeds the local community, when policy fails to support a holding such as Paternoster Farm. 'We call for a motion of no confidence in both county farm policy, and the county farm estate department. We call upon Pembrokeshire County Council to commission an independent review of farm policy by suitably qualified (independent) third parties. 'We call for a full debate on the future of the county farm estate, and whether its continued existence, in its current form, can even be justified. We call upon Pembrokeshire County Council to commission how Public Procurement Policy could effect a link between county farms, and school meals in the county.' The petition goes on to say: 'Current county farm policy has been shown to support neither farm diversification nor integration into the community. This has been illustrated by the recent treatment of the current tenants of Paternoster Farm. 'If county farm policy does not support and encourage our type of farming enterprise, one which farms the holding to its fullest whilst caring for the land, farms regeneratively, provides employment, fosters community links, supports a wealth of local businesses, supports local schools, feeds farm produce to the community every single week of the year, then it cannot possibly be said to be fit for purpose.' It claims £50m of public money is invested in county farms for 42 tenants, adding: 'Is this a fair and equitable distribution of local authority resources when county farm policy does nothing to encourage any benefit to the wider community?' It finishes: 'It is all very well to seek to help new entrants into farming, but what are the authority really trying to achieve? Farming for farming's sake is not enough. The authority has to ask, who will benefit, and to what extent?' Pembrokeshire County Council has previously said that proposals at Paternoster were in line with council policy, with novice farmers being offered a smaller farm while they get established in the industry before moving on to bigger establishments. 'Pembrokeshire County Council owns a farm estate for the expressed purpose of providing those who wish to farm a way of entering into the industry,' said a council spokesman. 'To fulfil this function, tenancies are not for life but are for a fixed term, to enable tenants to 'move on' to larger farm holdings, as these tenants are being offered the opportunity to do.' The council said that the 10-year lease entered into with Michelle and her family reflected this policy, with them now offered a tenancy at a larger council farm holding. The online petition runs until July 26.
