Adventure Hub Call-In Rejected

A scheme for a new adventure tourism hub in north Pembrokeshire will be decided by national park planners after a previous ‘call-in’ plea for it to be decided by Welsh Government was rejected.

Adventure Beyond Ltd is seeking permission for an outdoor adventure centre, with art studio and storage space above, and associated works at The Old Bus Depot, Moylegrove.

The application has been before multiple meetings of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park’s development management committee, and was again recommended for approval at the September meeting, when the application was again deferred, returning to the October 16 meeting.

The plot was originally used as a bus depot by the founder of the Richards Bros bus company.

Concerns have been raised about the scheme, including local community council Nevern, and opponents fear that increased business for adventure firms will worsen the plight of birds and animals, some of which are on the UK’s amber conservation list.

A number of letters of support have also been received saying it would provide support for the local tourist economy, protect local jobs, and redevelop a brownfield site.

The application was previously deferred at both the June and July meetings, the former for a site visit.

Since the early July site visit, a Holding Direction was received from Welsh Government allows time to consider whether the application should be ‘called-in’ for Welsh Government determination or not.

The scheme will now not be ‘called in’.

In a letter to park planners, Hywel Butts, Planning Directorate Head of Planning Casework, said: “The main issues raised by the call-in requests are the impact of coaststeering associated with the development on the nearby Ceibwr Bay which lies within the Cardigan Bay Special Area of Conservation (SAC), the impact of adventure tourism on the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park and the impact on seabird and seal populations.

“Consideration has been given to the concerns expressed in the call-in requests, the contents of the LPA’s planning officer’s report to the Planning Committee and any other relevant information. Given the scale and nature of the proposed development I am content that the effects of the development do not significantly extend beyond the local area. The scheme is not likely to affect sites of scientific, nature conservation or historic interest, or areas of landscape importance.

“The application does not raise novel planning issues or issue of national security, and no other relevant issues are raised.

“In view of this, I do not consider the application should be called in for determination by the Welsh Ministers and it is now for your LPA to determine the application as it sees fit.”

A report for Park members ahead of the October 16 meeting says: “Through the application process a revised design has been submitted as an amendment which is considered to better respect the local vernacular of an edge of settlement development, and re-consultation has taken place.”

It adds: “The amended design is considered to be appropriate as a response to the specific location and not to result in a development form which is visually intrusive.  The siting of the buildings is considered appropriate and not to result in a significant adverse impact on any neighbouring properties.  Whilst the use of the adventure centre will result in a greater level of trip generation than the existing vacant use of the land, it is recognised that national planning policy supports the appropriate redevelopment of previously developed land.

“The building has been described as overbearing due to its two-storey nature. The original building was single storey, built to be able to service buses, but did not have a first floor. This proposal originally comprised a much more industrial looking building with a low shallow pitched roof and a full first floor.

“The application was revised, with the request that the building be made a more traditional rural shape with the pitch of the first floor being more towards the eastern end of the site in order to minimise impacts on the adjacent residential properties.”

Recommending the scheme is supported, the report says: “Overall, the proposal is considered to comply with relevant national and local planning policies and can be supported subject to the imposition of appropriate planning conditions.”