The Ministry of Defence (MOD) won their battle this week to introduce night firing at their Manorbier Range.

Temporary consent was given for two years to carry out the firing of missiles during the hours of darkness for only 20 nights a year.

Members of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority's development management committee approved the controversial application on Wednesday, despite a late legal submission presented by members of the 'No to the Manorbier Missile' campaign objecting on Human Rights grounds.

At a packed meeting in Pembroke Dock's Cleddau Bridge Hotel, the committee heard from objectors and speakers in favour of the application, before making their decision.

The report of the Park's development management control officer, Cathy Milner, recommended that permission be granted subject to statutory time limits, with a temporary consent for two years only on 20 evenings a year, with firing not to take place during August or Bank Holidays.

The firing would also have to finish by 10 pm in the winter, and 11 pm in the summer.

She also suggested a condition that the MOD agree a system of notifying local residents when night firing was to take place.

Committee members had previously undertaken a daytime visit to the range to hear for themselves the noise effect that firing had on the area.

The authority had also enlisted the help of noise consultant Paul Trew to compile a report, but his findings stated that the proposed changes to the firing regime would unlikely amount to any further noise nuisance or any long term health effects. "This is not an activity that the National Park have had to consider before, but as ever, the planning authority is in the middle of two sides, one for and one against, so we have to weigh up the decision," said Mrs. Milner.

Speaking against the application, Manorbier Community Council chairman, Mr. Tony Wales, said that night firing would have an "adverse effect" on members of the community.

"National Parks are charged with protecting our unique landscape, and I can name countless times when I've heard the authority speak out when something is not deemed acceptable in the Park; well this application is certainly out of place in the Park," he added.

County Councillor Malcolm Calver said that he had been approached by constituents both for and against the application, but he believed that putting up with the noise was a "small price to pay" to see that those in active service underwent the correct training, while Major Blaize Warburton, commandant of the range, assured members of the public that they were not a risk from the firing activities, as all weapons systems had undergone rigorous tests.

Development management committee member, Clr. John Allen-Mirehouse said that members must not "emote" on the decision.

"It is not an increase, but only an alteration to the times that firing takes place, and whilst I very much sympathise with the protesters, I must vote in favour of approving the application. "It is the duty of this government to defend this country," he stated.

When put to the vote, 11 of the development management committee members were in favour of approving the application, with two voting against the officer's recommendation.