Pembrokeshire County Council has rejected resubmitted plans for a £7.5 million holiday park extension in Pleasant Valley and Stepaside, following a High Court ruling that overturned an earlier approval of the same project.
In late 2023, councillors had approved Heritage Leisure Development (Wales) Ltd’s proposal for the Heritage Park site, which included 48 new holiday lodge bases, a spa facility within a former pub, holiday apartments, a café, cycle hire, and equestrian facilities.
The development, adjacent to the historic 19th-century Stepaside ironworks and colliery, was projected to create 44 jobs.
The approval was initially granted despite planning officers twice recommending refusal on the grounds that the site lies outside a designated settlement area under the Local Development Plan.
According to the Herald.Wales, the decision was later challenged in court by the Stepaside & Pleasant Valley Residents’ Group (SPVRG Ltd), which had objected to the original application.
In March 2024, Judge Jarman KC ruled that the council’s reasoning for approving the development “did not deal adequately with the important principal issues of development in the countryside, sustainability and precedent,” leading to the decision being quashed.
Following the ruling, Heritage Leisure Development resubmitted its application through planning agent Lichfields, attempting to address the court’s concerns.
The updated proposal went before the council’s planning committee on October 7, 2025, where officers again recommended refusal. Amroth Community Council also maintained its objection, citing concerns about precedent, policy conflict, and local character.
Planning agent Helen Ashby-Rigway told councillors the proposal was a “bespoke proposal that will not be replicated or set a precedent,” adding, “The client has invested millions [in the site currently] and wants to invest millions more. There’s no reason why the planning committee should come to a different decision this time round.”
Representing local residents, Dr. Trish Cormack of the SPVRG said objections focused on the impact on the rural character, increased traffic, and visual effects.
She argued that departures from planning policy should be limited to “extreme reasons,” such as essential public infrastructure, and noted the high density of existing caravan pitches in the area.
Local councillor Alistair Cameron moved that the scheme be refused, saying:
“The court judgement is a major threat. Do the net economic benefits justify departure from the local development plan? The officer recommendation is supported by two community councils and the Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales (CPRW), and many objectors. We need to listen to the strong local objection against this.”
The application was ultimately refused by a vote of nine to two.
For outdoor hospitality professionals, the case underscores the growing importance of planning policy compliance and community engagement in UK holiday park developments.
As demand for leisure accommodations continues to rise, developers and operators may increasingly need to demonstrate not only economic benefits but also clear alignment with local development plans and sustainable land use principles to secure approvals.