Plans to expand a caravan park near Saundersfoot have been refused by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, following concerns that the proposal would breach existing planning conditions and negatively affect the surrounding landscape.
The application, submitted by Mr. and Mrs. Farr through A.D Architectural Design Consultants Ltd, sought approval to convert 20 touring pitches into 20 static units at Moreton Farm Leisure Park, Moreton Lane.
According to The Tenby Observer, the plans also included relocating nine touring pitches, along with landscaping and ecological enhancements.
A supporting statement accompanying the application said:
“The proposed application site covers an area of 1.95 acres and remains the only section of Moreton Farm Leisure Park to not have static caravans, therefore, this application has been prepared to change 20 touring pitches to 20 static units, relocation of 9 touring pitches, along with additional landscaping and ecological enhancements.”
”At present, the static caravan provision at Moreton Farm Leisure Park is 64, having been split into two separate sections within the site.”
It added: “In terms of design, the proposal is a natural expansion, as it has no greater impact on the immediate surroundings as there is existing guest provision currently housed within the development site.”
The applicant also stated: “This redevelopment at Moreton Farm Leisure Park will provide the owners with an opportunity to not only develop and expand the park but also enhance/improve the existing landscaping. All 20 pitches will have hard-standing parking spaces for two vehicles, with hedgerows between each.”
However, an officer’s report recommended refusal, noting that previous permissions had not been followed and that “the unlawful siting of static caravans and touring caravans has occurred.”
The report continued: “The proposed new development would continue the breach of a valid and relevant planning condition. There is no further capacity in this landscape area for the extension of large caravan sites and the proposal is contrary [to policy].”
It added that the proposal would “intensify development of a more permanent type leading to the loss of more open green spaces and adversely harm the character of the landscape.”
No objections were submitted during consultation from statutory consultees or members of the public, but the planning authority maintained that the harm identified warranted refusal.
The application was formally rejected on the basis of the National Park Authority’s Caravan and Camping Supplementary Planning Guidance, which states there is no further capacity for extensions to medium or large caravan sites in the area.
The authority said the development “would intensify the extent of static caravan and touring caravan development and lead to the loss of both a less used space and currently open space, which help to mitigate the visual impact of the caravan site overall.”
For holiday park and caravan site operators, the decision highlights the significance of compliance with planning conditions and the importance of understanding local planning frameworks such as supplementary guidance.
The case also reflects broader challenges operators face when balancing expansion with landscape preservation, particularly in protected areas like national parks, where capacity and visual impact are tightly regulated.